| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| bty151282 |
Posted - 11 Jan 2006 : 10:58:00
I'm thinking of getting an anchor, for family day sailing and picnics.
I sail in Chichester Harbour which is tidal but protected. I'm
dreaming of summer picnics at East Head.
I was considering a grapnel for ease of stowage.
What weight do you suggest? Do I need to use some chain, like bigger
boat anchoring, if so, how much? Or would a good length of nylon be
fine?
Helen Dignum
Stratos 872
Dell Quay Sailing Club |
| 5 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| gregdwebb |
Posted - 14 Jan 2006 : 09:56:00
Hi Helen,
To add to the previous notes, I have a 4kg Cobra folding anchor,
with 6 ft of chain, this holds my Keel in the Salcome estuary well,
although with a fast tide I think more chain would be advisable.
This is a small blade anchor, I had a grapnel, but found this would
not hold on the sandy bottom of Salcombe.
Greg
keel 361 |
| KeithPaul |
Posted - 13 Jan 2006 : 20:15:00
Hi Helen, we have a 4 kg folding Grapnel anchor with a chain (I cannot remember how long, about 5m).
We went to East Head twice last year and would have managed without an anchor!
Regards...Keith (Stratos 801 Dell Quay) |
| PGuignabaudet |
Posted - 11 Jan 2006 : 18:47:00
The other alternative is to use a length of weighted rope (with lead inserts) - best of both worlds! |
| jwfwatkins |
Posted - 11 Jan 2006 : 16:01:00
Exactly.
Ideally you should use a length of chain next to the anchor as that ensures that the "pull" on the anchor by the boat is always in the horizontal direction along the seabed - enabling the anchor to work and dig-in as designed. If you just use light rope, then you *could* get an upwards pull on the shank of the anchor and when this occurs most anchors are designed to break-out!
However, that said I've seen some dinghy schools advocate using rope only for the reasons it's easier to handle and doesn't damage varnish or gelcoat, and then they just buy a bigger anchor to ensure it stays in place!
John |
| PGuignabaudet |
Posted - 11 Jan 2006 : 11:20:00
Hi Helen,
I have a 3.5kg Britany anchor that works quite well. The problem of the grapnel is that is won't hold very well in the mud. The Britanny anchor holds very well in all types of grounds an folds flat on board. You need a good length of chain to get a good grip. I think I have 5 meters of 8mm chain with 30m of 8mm rope. The whole lot stows neatly in a shallow plastic bowl on the foredeck.
Regards,
Pascal |
