After several years of trying, finally lost my old Danforth-style anchor.
I plan on replacing w/ an 11 lb (5kg) claw anchor - how much chain is appropriate for this type of anchor? Want to have enough to ensure proper setting but not have so much extra it becomes an unnecessary PITA.
Any experience/recommendations appreciated!
10 feet or so is plenty.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
Larry turned me on to the claw anchor earlier this summer. On prior trips to the Keys, we had gotten hung up on many occasions and lost an anchor last year. This year, we used a claw anchor exclusively and even when hung up were able to get unstuck. Maybe Larry will show you the break-a-way rig he showed me. That is the ticket to not losing an anchor. I used what I had in the way of chain, approximately 7’.
“Apathy is the Glove into Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”, but really, who cares?
where and how deep do you fish
when I fish in 100 feet in offshore conditions, I use 20’ of 1/4 chain, on a 26 grady and it holds great, but I also use a anchor retrival ring and bouy, cause I hate pulling an anchor up from 100’
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quote:
Maybe Larry will show you the break-a-way rig he showed me. That is the ticket to not losing an anchor. I used what I had in the way of chain, approximately 7'.
For your size boat 7’ is plenty.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
Thanks guys.
I’m currently stationed in Norfolk so mostly fish the Chesapeake bay, water depth up to 80-100 ft but generally less than 50 ft. Around Charleston (assuming I can get back there) I might make it out deep a few times a year but again prob not further than 100-150 ft, otherwise inshore/nearshore.
Current can get to ripping in the bay here - lost my old anchor when it pulled and I drifted back over the wreck until anchor hung again. Immediately knew it probably wasn’t coming back. After much cussing, pulling, driving in circles with the anchor ball out, and a busted bow light when the rope got wrapped around it I gave up and cut it loose. Not worth the risk.
Larry, you’re getting some mileage out of that picture - I think it came up on every anchor thread I found here! 
Appreciate the advice.
Angler 204 FX
Yamaha 150
People keep asking for it:smiley: Very simple and almost guarantees anchor retrieval. And you won’t bend this claw.
Somewhat better than a couple of concrete blocks and a ski rope anyway:smiley:
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
larry, that’s the way we have been rigging anchors for the past 20 plus years, only difference is I use a Danforth anchor, but I still rig it the same way.
make sure to carry extra zip ties, but if you don’t have zip ties, small string will work
www.teamcharlestonmarine.com
www.joinrfa.org
IF I RESPOND IN ALL CAPS, ITS NOT ON PURPOSE, AND I AM NOT YELLING
I use 6 feet of the heaviest chain west marine has on the shelf