Ree-Yees wrote:
Im anchoring in J Percy Priest lake in tennesse, it is a muddy lake.

Then a Danforth would be the right anchor.


The people before me said they only used the anchor twice, so I would assume
they just had it for the heck of it. However, me and my family like to
anchor down for an hour to do some fishing or swimming.

In even the lightest breeze or slightest current, the river anchor you
have is likely to drag.


I have been looking up some anchoring information and it appears that I have
been going about it all wrong and with this garbage anchor.


I wouldn't call it a "garbage anchor"...it has a specific purpose. I
just wouldn't even leave the boat unattended/no one aboard with only
that anchor down.


I realize now that I am supposed to be giving it a bit of slack to make like
a 45 degree angle with my anchor!

There's a bit more to it than that. The minimum scope (length of anchor
line) should be at least 3x the water's depth...so in 15' of water,
you'd need to put out at least 45' of anchor line. In windy conditions
or in a strong current (which you might have to do if you have engine
trouble to keep from going aground till help arrives), the scope has to
be increase to as much as 7x the water's depth to make sure the anchor
holds. This "rule" applies regardless of the size of the boat,
btw...boat size/weight only matters when selecting the right size/weight
anchor...there are charts in most of the marine catalogs that show the
type and size anchor needed.

No one has mentioned anchor line... Do not use polypropylene "ski rope"
as an anchor line. Anchor line should be 1/2" 3-strand nylon, at least
100'...150' would be even better. It should be attached to the anchor
using a thimble and a shackle that swivles, not just tied to it with
knot. I'd also put 4-5' of heavy anchor chain between the anchor and the
line, to help weight the anchor down...anchors can only hold when
they're lying flat--which is the reason for 3-7 x the water's depth.

There sure is alot to learn about boats.

Yep...and we've even barely even scratched the surface on what you need
to know about anchoring. I strongly recommend that you take a CC Aux or
US Power Squadron boating safety class. 'Cuz even a lake can be a very
dangerous place if you don't know what you're doing.

"JAXAshby" wrote in message
that is an anchor for muddy rivers and lakes. It is the PREFERRED anchor
for
muddy rivers and lakes on boats just stopped to do a little fishing.

I disagree, Jax...and I was ON an inland lake for 20+ years. I had a 10
lb river anchor that kept through several boats from 24' to 36'...I
mostly used it off the stern to keep it from swinging when anchored just
off a beach...I wouldn't use one as my only anchor while everyone is the
water swimming, only while someone is aboard.

Don't let anyone talk you into some anchor/chain/12 to 1 scope monstrosity
better suited to anchoring on a coral reef.

Oooh...you're gonna draw fire with that choice of words!

What he needs is the right anchor and line for his boat and conditions.
It's not whether he's in the ocean or a lake that determine that...it's
the size/weight of the boat and the type of bottom--sand, mud, rock.


--
Peggie
----------
Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987
Author "Get Rid of Boat Odors - A Guide To Marine Sanitation Systems and
Other Sources of Aggravation and Odor"
http://69.20.93.241/store/customer/p...40&cat=&page=1