Anchor chain

[cptvic]

Thanks for all input. We don't usually have a problem with the weight of all chain causing too much bow down.
We are trying flipping the whole rode. We seldom use more than 50-60 ft so the other end that lived in the locker looks better.

[Peter & Judy]

[thataway]

[Yosef]

[Peter & Judy]

I do most of my boating off of Vancouver Island and the tight little anchorages that I prefer are typically 20' to 40' deep. I usually deploy about 3-4X that depth and most often shore tie. Tides and currents are strong here and with a 7X scope I would not have enough room to swing, especially when there are other boats at anchor. A 12' tide change is quite normal. I find it is really important to either drop a rear anchor or shore tie a C-Dory in these waters as the flat bottom of a dory and the cabin really subject the boat to a lot of windage. Deep keel boats will often sit in the water without much movement, but I am drifting and spinning all over the place when just on one hook. I am always nervous when I am in anything less than 10' of water, so maybe I should avoid boating off the Gulf Coast.

[thataway]

[Foggy]

Up sizing the anchor adds to the benefits of holding on the bottom whatever
length of chain you have. If your concern is too much weight forward with a
larger anchor, removing equivalent chain length weight compensates. I like
chain, so I probably wouldn't cut off a few pounds of chain.

Mostly, despite numerous published "ground tackle recommendations", opinion
dominates here. So here's mine. Generally, I've gone with a larger anchor and
chain length: boat length about 3:1.

Aye.

[Hunkydory]

Needing to anchor in 100 ft of water with a CD22 or stern tie is very rare in SE Alaska. We’ve done considerable cruising & anchoring throughout SE Alaska & we have only needed to stern tie once & anchor in 80 to 100 feet of water, maybe three or four times & then our 300 feet of rode & chain quite sufficient. We do have an oversized 25# Manson Boss anchor, but one of a similar type & a size smaller would work just not near as well. With a CD22 having 50 foot of chain & a anchor of the Vulcan, Manson Supreme or Boss, Rocna or similar type of 15 or more lbs, seldom would one need more than a 3 to 1 scope in good holding bottoms. We have anchored in very protected, but tight anchorage overnight with only 2 to 1 scope & normally don’t use more than a 3 to 1 & have anchored in 50+ mph winds with a 5 to 1. The only way we would go to 7 to 1 is if having plenty of room & a gale is forecast, but even then our preference would be to tuck up in a small wind protected nook, where room for the high end scope is very limited or impossible. We don’t mind at all swinging on the hook even in high winds as this allows the bow to be kept into the wind for the most part & less stress on the anchor than when stern tied with changing winds hitting from the beam or stern. I’ve seen quite a few stern tied boats have their anchors drag & have to readjust from strong winds hitting their beam.

Jay

[T.R. Bauer]

100 feet of chain is a lot for a CD 22. My own personal experience in Alaska is 40-50 feet or chain, a 14 pound Danforth (or whatever), and 250-300 ish feet of the stuff west marine sold me is more than enough even when it is whipping up real good. On a proper set, it has never slipped. However, like Jay, I always find a place to go hide if it's snotty and that right there is probably the best advice you're ever going to get about anchoring

[Yosef]

Thank you all so much for your replies!!!!

ssobol: I pulled the golf cart batteries and replaced them with a single class 24.

thataway: I've taken to heart your statement "It is better to achieve trim with both Permatrim and trim tabs."

cptvic: Thank you for answering my question, "Would 100' of 1/4" G4 galvanized drop the bow a significant amount?"

Peter & Judy: The wife says I can't afford to trade her in for a taller model, so we're going to try your pillow idea. Great story about the deer eating your anchor rope

Hunkydory: I'm not sure my 14lb Delta is fairly included with the anchors you list, but it's what I've got until I can afford an Ultramarine.

As a newcomer to the C-Dory owners' community, I must say you all are very generous. Thank you all again!

-Joe Dowd

[thataway]

[drbridge]

I can tell you that we have been running 100' of chain on our 22 cruiser for quite a few years as well as 175' of three strand. The boat handles quit well with the weight. We have permatrim and trim tabs. and we have encountered very rough seas crossing the Juan De Fuca Strait, the Georgia Strait up to Desolation Sound and have also taken it out in to the Pacific Ocean numerous times encountering rough water and following waves of different levels. We have found that the boat handles no different than it did when we were running 50 feet of chain and no noticeable bow steer This is not from speculation but rather actual experience. we have also found that it makes anchoring very convenient and never have to worry about slipping with our Manson supreme anchor. Another bonus with the long chain is that we can usually anchor with out the rope rode touching bottom. The rope comes up clean and the chain sheds the mud and sea weed much better than the rope.

[cptvic]

We are on the chesapeake so typically anchor in 4-6' for an overnight . the tidal change is not usually too drastic except for early in season.
Lots of tributaries, nooks and crannies...4' of water 30-35' of all chain and danforth never have a problem. Most areas are mud bottom .