Trojan Boat Forum

After reading the info on Torcan's post I have some anchoring questions. I've had my boat for less then a year and usually am in the delta (river and channels) where the water is from 10' to 50' deep. I've got front and rear anchors both with chain and rope; we do get tidal influence and I never know exactly how much rope to let out.

Do you drop the rear anchor first? What is the proper way to set both anchors and ensure your rope length is correct? Is it different if you're in San Francisco Bay?

I don't want to drift off in the middle of the night... I think some said there is no such thing as a stupid question.

Hey there. Not not trying to Chase you off, but there's a site called boatersEd there's a section on it for guys in your area , they'd be more helpful to tell you the best way to anchor where you are.

I hope I didn't break any rules doing that. but just trying to help.

Captain Blast Off wrote:After reading the info on Torcan's post I have some anchoring questions. I've had my boat for less then a year and usually am in the delta (river and channels) where the water is from 10' to 50' deep. I've got front and rear anchors both with chain and rope; we do get tidal influence and I never know exactly how much rope to let out.
Do you drop the rear anchor first? What is the proper way to set both anchors and ensure your rope length is correct?

Why are you using two anchors? To keep out of shipping lanes?

For a river I would use minimum 3:1 scope... length of rode=(water depth+ height of bow roller above water)x7 [for tide add feet of range inside brackets]
Where I boat, non river, I use from 5:1 to 7:1 scope depending on conditions. (not all chain)
http://www.ehow.com/how_5796579_anchor-boat-river.html
http://www.ehow.com/about_6699112_secon ... chor_.html

Reason I ask about two anchors is anytime you try to secure a boat (or raft of boats) with more than one anchor you can be setting up a situation where you would have been better off with only a single anchor.... not going to get into the physics of multiple pull directions on multiple anchor setups here
I'm not a fan of bow and stern anchors for security.... now both from bow has several applications.

I wonder if we have opened up a can of worms here

I also like using Just one anchor as it keeps the bow into the wind and waves . and makes it easier to leave in a hurry. If you are near other boats it is best use the same amount of line as the others ( look at the angle of their line) so you will swing the same amount when the wind or tide changes

would recommend a copy of "chapman's" piloting and seamanship.You've probable heard of it, but it really does cover almost every situation you're likely to encounter and is a very valuable boating resource.Every recreational boater should have one and read it from time to time

Get Chapmans and read it - cover to cover (will only take a week). You'll learn a lot with it - and not be confused by too many opinions.

Keep it on board .... when you're bored, or trying to anchor, pull it out and read what to do. Its written by experts.

Using two anchors does not need to be a major headache, it is really just twice the work.

If you need to drop 2 out because of the current, the bottom, or other boats try this-

two on the bow. Set your first anchor up current/wind and put out the proper scope. Set the anchor by backing slowly on the rode until the line is tight. Check the angle of the rode and check your drift by lining up with a landmark. No drift means that anchor is set. Now double the length of your scope and let the boat drift back. Example, of you set the anchor with 50 ft of line, let out another 50-70 ft. Once again back slowly until the rode is tight and drop the second anchor. Pull the First anchor rode back in to the 50 ft mark while paying out the second anchore rode.

You should have two anchors out with 50 ft each. When the current changes your boat should swing around or pivot on the anchors. This setup will keep at least one anchor up wind/current and reduce the swing radius by as much as 80%.

Bow and stern anchors-

The same as above but fixing the second anchor to a stern cleat and not the bow.

There are problems with both of these setups and should only be used in certain conditions. For example, a river with only two directions of wind/current would be OK but a area where the wind/current could move to the side of the boat would not be good. You also run the risk of twisting the rodes around each other if the boat rotates in the wrong direction.

I understand you concern with anchoring in a river with a swift current. Every time the boat does a 180 with the change of the tide the anchor will need to reset or "dig in" again and sometimes this will happen while you are sleeping. Although I do not rely on it 100 percent most GPS's have a alarm that will tell you if you are dragging.

I agree with Peter. In my opinion, "Chapman Piloting and Seamanship" sometimes called (the boaters bible) is the most important book a boater can have and will answer any major guestions about boating. I give them as Christmas presents to my boating friends and any other boater I care about, and I recommend it to any of you that don't have one. This Christmas I ordered from "West Marine" for $29.95 which I found to be a good deal. I bought one from "England Marine" in Astoria Or. for $60.00, I was in a hurry. But this book is worth whatever you can get it for. As for Two anchors, when the water is calm, no wind or current, and I need to stay where I am with no swing, then I will drop my bow anchor, back up while letting out rode, drop my stern anchor then pull myself forward with the bow rode giving myself approximately 5:1 scope on both anchors. It takes practice to get the scope where you want it and different conditions call for different scope. Sometimes I will drop the bow anchor then run a stern line to shore and tie off using the same procedure pulling myself forward with the bow rode. I use a 25lb CQR (plow) anchor with 25ft of 3/8" chain so I can use a 3:1 scope in most places. This is not one you want to pull by hand. But like Prowlerfish said whenever in wind and/or waves or chop one anchor will keep you faced into the elements and be smoother and safer. It's not fun trying to get the stern anchor up in the middle of the night when a squall or storm comes through and you're taking water over the side from the wind and waves. In these conditions it is easier to tie a fender or float on the stern anchor line and throw it over and come back later to pick it up. Chapmans will give you some great advise for most conditions.

I'm buying the book...

Thanks for all the advise; the area where we usually are is between levies and not super wide so letting the boat swing on the rode is not always ideal.

Wowzer, that's a bad looking boat.

I would recommend a Fortrss anchor. Its amazing. I have them on 3 boats now, they hook like nothing else, plus they're light.

If you get one, but the next size up form what they say. Money well spent!

Hi Captain Blast Off......I too am in the northern CA delta and do all my boating there....we have different conditions than most on the board being that we boat in sloughs that are often narrow and don't allow swing from low to high tide. When I over night on the hook, I ALWAYS use 2 Danforth anchors on my 30 foot Sea Radier. Danforth or Fortress work great in the mud bottoms of the delta......I usually anchor in 12-16 feet and use about 75 feet of road. I back off the bow anchor about 150 feet, then throw out the stern anchor and pull up on the bow until I'm in the middle and tie off........been using this process for several years and always wake up where I went to sleep, no worries.....Where are you located? My boat is at Holland Riverside at the end of Delta Road...........good luck....John

Thanks John

I've never drifted but was unsure if I had enough rode out; based on your process I need to let out more.

I'm at B&W marina near Isleton; small world I thought I was the only guy on the delta on the board.

Is Delta rd near the loop?

Hi Captain....I grew up boating out of B&W. My dad had a 17 foot Wizard with a Scott 60(......B&W was our favorite place. Back then there was a nice beach and picnic area. Holland Riverside is over by Knightsen by Bethel Island. I've made the loop up Georgiana to Walnut Grove then down the Sac and back around....we are fortunate have such good fishing and boating so close............

My slip is down by the park; you are right about the area until you boat on it you really can't appreciate it.

I hope we see you on the water in a few months... I'll buy you a cold one.

Steve