Two Questions...

[dulouz]

I have two questions, the first being: How long should an anchor rope be? I am fixing up an old aluminum 12' V, and will use it to fish a couple of local lakes and river. I don't know the exact depths, but I cant imagine I would actually be fishing in anything more than 20' of water. Is it really necessary to buy 100' of rope for that depth? Wouldn't 50' do fine?

My second question is this: My old aluminum V has no drain. Is it possible to have one put in, or would that be too compromising to the boat? Right now it is outside sitting upside down, but soon it will be on a trailer. I will cover it, but I am sure water will still manage to leak in.

Your suggestions are much appreciated, thank you.

[Wayne P.]

I have two questions, the first being: How long should an anchor rope be? I am fixing up an old aluminum 12' V, and will use it to fish a couple of local lakes and river. I don't know the exact depths, but I cant imagine I would actually be fishing in anything more than 20' of water. Is it really necessary to buy 100' of rope for that depth? Wouldn't 50' do fine?

My second question is this: My old aluminum V has no drain. Is it possible to have one put in, or would that be too compromising to the boat? Right now it is outside sitting upside down, but soon it will be on a trailer. I will cover it, but I am sure water will still manage to leak in.

Your suggestions are much appreciated, thank you.

50' is plenty, the more rope you have the more you have to stow and get tangled up.

This will take care of your drain question:

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=8168&familyName=Garboard+Drain+Plugs

[J Francho]

I use a line at least twice the depth I am anchoring in. Always off the bow.

[FD.]

I would have at least 3 times the depth you plan to be anchoring in. Depending on how much current or wind your are in you can adjust the length of line. And I alway carry at least 2. Because it is our windy season and I have a big boat I have 3. 2 mushrooms and a danforth.

As far as a drain. I would go with a cheap bilge pump instead of making a potential leak below the water line.

[surfer]

For the anchor question. If there is no wind or current you can get away with rope only as deep as the water. In light wind you need to add a few feet. In 15+ mph wind you need almost 3 times your depth in rope length.

I am a fair weather fisherman and quit fishing before I need much extra rope.

[Catt]

12-15 mph wind

15-18’ of water

25’ of rope

15 lb+ anchor

[Fishing Rhino]

The marine rule of thumb is three times the depth. But, that is for anchoring in the ocean, large bays, etc. It takes into account strong wind, currents and waves.

It also depends on the type of anchor and the type of bottom, as well as the circumstances.

In one place I fish, if the wind whips up from the north while I am fishing, I need to use the anchor in the process of getting the boat loaded onto the trailer. There is no place to safely dock or beach the boat while getting the trailer into the water, so I have to use the anchor. I set the anchor about a hundred feet from the beach, and let the wind blow the boat into shallow water where I can then secure it, so the bow faces into the wind. I get off the boat, back the trailer into the water, then get into the boat, pull it to deeper water where I can run the engine and get it lined up with the trailer.

I've got a twenty pound river anchor, and it will drag along the bottom without plenty of scope.

Keeping the line neatly coiled is not a problem. Once coiled, I use three ball bungee loops to keep the coiled anchor line orderly. I use these things for all sorts of things on the boat and around the house. They work great on extension cords as well, and to secure the cover onto my Humminbird 898 while trailering.

[J Francho]

Good tip on the canvas bungee, Tom. I keep a dozen or so in the boat and truck - 1001 uses.