anchor or mooring depth

Discussion in 'Boat Design' started by nimblemotors, Mar 13, 2012.

  1. gonzo
    Joined: Aug 2002
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    gonzo Senior Member

    In good weather 3 times the depth. Heavy weather 5 to 7 times depending on the anchor and ground. Also depends on how much chain you have.
     
  2. nimblemotors
    Joined: Jun 2009
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    nimblemotors Senior Member

    Right, the depth depends on how deep it is, right?

    You guys like to hear yourself talk don't you?
     
  3. Richard Woods
    Joined: Jun 2006
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    Richard Woods Woods Designs

    You can download all the US coastal charts for free and then use eg OpenCpn or Seaclear (both free) to read them and later to navigate

    I second Cat builder, don't use a Danforth as your main anchor if you anchor in a tidal area or where the wind direction changes frequently

    Richard Woods of Woods Designs

    www.sailingcatamarans.com
     
  4. Frosty

    Frosty Previous Member

    If your stopping for more than lunch, chuck the lot out, there is no point in having it in the locker.

    But if you do not have an electric windlass I can understand your reluctance to do that.

    Unless your anchoring in a tight anchorage area, then you will really test your abilities.
     
  5. Frosty

    Frosty Previous Member


    Depth deep!!! its the same word isnt it?

    Long --length :idea:
     
  6. nimblemotors
    Joined: Jun 2009
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    nimblemotors Senior Member

    Thank you for the straightforward answer to the question,
    May I ask how you determined the average?
     
  7. nimblemotors
    Joined: Jun 2009
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    nimblemotors Senior Member

    Yes the length will depend on how long it is, the depth how deep it is, or the word is the same when its identical, the answer is the same if the question is the same.
     
  8. Frosty

    Frosty Previous Member

    The length is not normally refered to . If you ask some one how much chain they have out they may not know, they will say 'about'. Thats another reason for chucking the lot out which you then know.

    So thats 7 times the depth wich will change when the tide goes out --or in.

    Specific answers for anchoring do not exist.
     
  9. WestVanHan
    Joined: Aug 2009
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    WestVanHan Not a Senior Member

    If you come to the BC Coast bring spare anchors,rode,heavy chain and plenty of it. Tides can be 30',and run at 15 knots,and have a 15 minute slack.
    You WILL lose anchors in the bays with the old logging junk around...or bring diving gear.
    You do not want your boat getting loose.

    You can have the bow tied up to a tree,and the stern can show hundreds of feet of depth.
     
  10. Frosty

    Frosty Previous Member

    That is definately a place not to anchor, hence a good place for the marina.
     
    1 person likes this.
  11. nimblemotors
    Joined: Jun 2009
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    nimblemotors Senior Member

    Thanks, those look like good programs, the NOAA website had other links, I used EarthNC's online viewer w/google maps, but it was only for US data. Where would I get mexico and central america and the virgin islands, etc?

    just scanning the west coast, it seems almost anywhere close to shore one could find water less than 30ft deep. in the sfbay, amazing that a lot of it is less than 6ft deep.
     
  12. Frosty

    Frosty Previous Member

    When you have bought all your charts you then need to know where you are on that chart or you wont get the right depth. Then when you have that system which is called GPS by the way you then need a depth sounder or fish finder before you let the chain free.

    Then you need to know how high the tide is, if you drop in 30 ft on a 30 ft range your boat will dry.

    You need to join a yacht club and buy beer.
     
  13. michael pierzga
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    michael pierzga Senior Member

    Its difficult to understand what you ask.

    Anchor depth is a factor of bottom condition...holding.

    Seagrass is the enemy of anchors. Grass needs sunlight to grow. Sunlight penetrates upto the 10 meter depth contour depending on water clarity, so as a result I seldom anchor on water less than 10 meters deep.

    A typical anchor set would be 50 to 65 meters of chain on the 10 to 15 meter shelf.
     
  14. hoytedow
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    hoytedow Carbon Based Life Form


  15. hoytedow
    Joined: Sep 2009
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    hoytedow Carbon Based Life Form

    We are trying to help you but you seem a little dense. Don't be a smart-***.
     
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