anchoring an empty dive boat

[saintsfan]

50 feet of heavy chain????? WOW!!!
You MUST have a windlass, right? Either that or you have the arms of Popeye! :11:

I like it, and I also have an extra amount of heavy chain, but I couldn't imagine hoisting all that chain without a windlass ( and I don't have one.)

I agree, the concern is both object slipping, either the anchor or the sling......
The topology of Boston Harbor waters is such that there are usually a lot of rocks around of various sizes to sling to. The sling I made is about six feet in diameter and is about 1/3 chain ( for weight ) and 2/3 rope. I will be using as a redundancy anchoring method to increase the safety involved in leaving an empty dive boat on the surface.

John C.

unfortunately I dont have a windlass,my bow slopes too much to mount one. I usually try not to change locations a whole lot usually pulling up anchor is more exertion than the dive but my boat has always been there when I get to the surface.

 

[matt_unique]

Fin???!!! With a reel and line to the anchor rode, you just reel yourself in like a big fish

Have you ever actually tried to catch a boat drifting in the wind ?? --- lots of boat scoot along pretty fast, even in light winds, unless it has a deep V hull or a keel.

I would reel gingerly to prevent breaking the line.

--Matt

 

[Hank49]

As someone else mentioned, I always use two anchors in a V off the bow if I'm alone. Each is tied twice to the boat. Sometimes the wind can switch so I make sure my stern and both sides are clear of rocks. Before getting in the water I set both anchors. But if it's really windy or squally looking I won't leave the boat unattended.

 

[Sideband]

2) the right size anchor for your boat. The usual rule of thumb is 10 pounds per foot, then adding some for good measure. So with a 24' boat you probably should think about a 25-30# anchor.

Wouldn't that be a 240 pound anchor? That seems mighty hefty.

Joe

 

[offroaddiver]

I would use 2 anchors in a less than 45* angle. I have anchored in lakes where the wind can pick up..Usually I drop anchor in areas that if the wind picks up the anchor ends up dragging into shallower waters, don't know if that would help or not. Also set the anchors....use the boat to pull the lines taught and then let the lines pull you back into spot. Then check for the set of the anchors (look for dragging and shallow sets)

I have been on sail boats that use the plow but it's on a hinge( don't remember the correct term offhand) and a windlass to pull it out of the sand. They usually set so deep that you don't see the anchor when you go down to check the anchor.

I'd also have some signaling devices handy if you can't find your way back to the boat(anchor line snap,reel line snap,cleats come off the boat, someone "claims" the boat, etc.)

 

[Chuck Tribolet]

Not only is SubMariner's math a bit suspect, he should get out the West Marine catalog.
5 pound Danforth Hi-Tensile is for boats 18-25' Lot's of similar examples.

Good anchors don't hold wth weight but by grabbing on.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

I agree with Chuck that with fluke anchors like a Danforth size and design matter as much or more than weight.

But that said, I am not a fan of lightweight anchors either and I would go with a 25 lb. (or larger) fluke anchor of a given design for a 25' boat regardless of whether West Marine said a 5 pounder would work or not. The person who wrote the catalog will not be the one floating in the middle of a very large body of water with no boat after the 5 lb anchor pulls.

 

[Sideband]

Not only is Sideband's math a bit suspect, he should get out the West Marine catalog.
5 pound Danforth Hi-Tensile is for boats 18-25' Lot's of similar examples.

Good anchors don't hold wth weight but by grabbing on.

MY math? What do you get when you multiply 24 by 10?

Joe

 

[H2Andy]

What do you get when you multiply 24 by 10?

dang...

nobody told me there was going to be a quiz...

 

[Hank49]

MY math? What do you get when you multiply 24 by 10?

Joe

A BIG fricken anchor?