new fish finder

[blackfish]

getting new fishfinder for our 22cd
I've picked the humminbird 575 seems a good run of the mill fishfinder at a good price, it has what they call QuadraBeam PLUS Im not familiar with new
fishfinders my aluminum boat has a Raytheon model L265 it seems to work fine has anyone had any experience with the humminbird 575

one of the other things I'm looking at upgrading is the anchor system
I know this has been discussed before I have read a lot of the posts great info. just wondering if I'm on the right track the boat came with just over 100' of chain and a 8lb anchor(Danforth) no rope
I was thinking 300' 1/2" three strand nylon rope with 30' chain and a 16 to
20lb Danforth anchor would be better .

thanks Dave

[thataway]

I have both black and white and color fish finders. Although the color is slightly easier to use, and perhaps gives a bit more bottom information, they are all good. I have two Hummingbirds, and they work as well as any. (Probably the best is the Furuno, but you are looking at considerably more $$).

As for anchoring--I think that 100 feet of chain is overkill in amount of chain, and not enough length for BC waters. The 30 feet of chain is probably more appropiate, with the amount of line you may need for the deepest anchoring depth. You want to be able to have a scope of 7:1, this includes the water depth plus the height of the bow roller off the water. For example if you are anchoring in 30 feet of water, plus 3 feet off the water for the roller, that is 7 x 33 or a total of 231 feet of rode.

The chain is much harder to pull by hand, than rope is. I like 7/16 or 1/2" rope, even though 3/8" is sufficiently strong. The Chain can be 3/16 High test, but if you have a windlass you want 1/4" high test since that is what the chain gypsy is calibrated for. If you are going to be pulling the anchor by hand, then probably 20 feet of chain is sufficient. I like to have the depth of water in chain if you are using a windlass, since there is a better engagement of the chain, than rope.

Anchors: Many in the PNW like the Bruce. Unfortunately Bruce are no longer made in the smaller sizes. There is a knock off by S & L--the Claw.
It probably is almost as good. The sizes to consider for the 22 would be the 16.5 or 22 lb Claw. I personally like the Delta Quick set--in the 14 or 22 lb size. I love the Danforth anchor for sand--but in some rock bottoms these other anchors perform better. If you buy a Danforth type, buy a High Tensil (12 lb is sufficient--20 lb gives an extra amount of reserve)-
West Marine's Performance series is the same pattern as the Danforth HT. I would avoid copies of the Danforth or plow anchors. We use the Delta as our primary anchor. Secondary anchors include a Fortress or Guardian (light weight and good in sand and mud) and a Danforth. We carry enough line for anchoring in 100 feet, but you can shackle on the second hunk of line. So your idea of 300 feet of line and 20 to 30 feet of 1/4" HT chain will work fine. We use 3/8 or even 5/16" stern lines. There are places in BC where you may tie with the stern to the bank--rocks or trees. I use poly prop line for these. The poly prop is cheap and does not abaid as much as the Nylon 3 strand line. I use a 25 to 30 foot look of 3 strand poly line, with large eye splices on the ends. I also carry an extra 20 feet of 3/16" chain which can be used on stern anchors or around rocks (never around trees).l

[hardee]

Dave, I'm with you. My CD came with 70 feet of chain and an 11 pound Danforth. It was set up in California, for use primarily on the Sacramento Delta, and I think that is what influenced the anchor choice. I am keeping the chain, ( I have 200 feet of 3 strand as well,) but I look around our local area and seem to see more of the Bruce or Delta (plow types) and I know I want a heavier anchor. There is a spade type that comes from Vancouver BC I think, (try Rancor) that looked interesting. The physics of the Spade seemed more beneficial, (compressive rather than disective force) than the Plow to me.

From what I know, what you use should be determined by: Where you will be anchoring, (the sea bed); and the depth. My personal feeling is to go up one level above the recommended size for the boat. There are others on here that have much more experience than I do and will have more definitive answers for you.

Just looked up Saltair, and you are close enough that we might get the chance to cross wakes sometime. Hope so,

Harvey
SleepyC

[starcrafttom]

I have a delta and really like it. 20lbs I think?? I only have 10 ft of cahin and could use more. more chain helps set the anchor. I dont think more then 30 ft is needed. I will have to get a new windless this year , my old one ran off to the marine's to get some rest.