How Much Rode in the Tender?

[thinwater]

If you only anchor very near the shore, to avoid puting the boat on the rocks, I can see that 30 feet could be enough. I can also imaging that if waters run deep, 100 feet could be a better answer.

What do you use? Obviously handling is more important than strength.

I sail shallow waters, so about 30 feet has always served well enough.

Just wondering, since I was working on some ideas for carrying more without big coils or an anchor well.

[a64pilot]

I've got I think 100' of pretty thin nylon rode, maybe 5/16"? and one of those folding grapnel anchors I found when diving.
I've been toying with the idea of getting a Mantus dinghy anchor, but it's only the high $$ SS one that takes apart? The folding grapnel fits in my locker, but a non folding one won't I don't think.

If you don't have a locker, maybe a nylon bag, like shaving kit bag to put the rode in?
I don't think I have ever anchored the dink, it's there in case the tide / current is running and the motor isn't.

[ohdrinkboy]

5X times the water depth you usually use the dinghy in. If the motor dies and current is taking you out to deep water, you want to anchor. I don't think 100' is unreasonable. Maybe just carry an extra bit of 5/16 to extend your normal rode in an emergency.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

I've got I think 100' of pretty thin nylon rode, maybe 5/16"? and one of those folding grapnel anchors I found when diving.
I've been toying with the idea of getting a Mantus dinghy anchor, but it's only the high $$ SS one that takes apart? The folding grapnel fits in my locker, but a non folding one won't I don't think.

If you don't have a locker, maybe a nylon bag, like shaving kit bag to put the rode in?
I don't think I have ever anchored the dink, it's there in case the tide / current is running and the motor isn't.

Get the galv Mantus Dingy then. You will love it. I've anchored my 34' cat with it in 15 knots just as a test. Powerful for the size. The SS one tends to jam, in my experience.

I've anchored to fish, to park the boat while we take the kayaks farther, and just to keep it off a rocky beach. I never actually worried about the tide. Good point.

[Training Wheels]

Darn, I just bought the stainless!


Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[Jim Cate]

FWIW A64, we used one of those folding grapnel anchors for a while... and found it to be essentially useless! Even with 25 feet of 3/16 inch chain in the rode, it simply will not set in most bottoms, and has so little fluke area that even when hand buried it would pop out. The only times it really held were when it jammed in a rock crevice and I had to dive to retrieve it! This was o n a 12 foot Zodiac MkII, btw. Switched to a cheap Danforth knock off of around 2 kg weight. Still not a really good setter in hard bottoms, but it will hold the dink once set. The Mantus sounds a lot better!

Jim

[44'cruisingcat]

We've got about 20 metres of rope and 5 metres of chain. A plastic Cooper dinghy anchor has worked well so far. We use the anchor when fishing and snorkelling/spearfishing, sometimes in around 10 metres depth, usually less.


Back in "civilization" the chain (plus a padlock) comes in handy at times for locking the dinghy up too.

[kmacdonald]

Enough to reach the bottom, plus a little.

[Cheechako]

25-30ft worked. There were some snorkeling events I wish I had more. Lets face it.. it could be 1/8" diameter! Had a tiny Danforth type, maybe 5#

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by Training Wheels

Darn, I just bought the stainless!


Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

It's sweet too. I have the stainless version. You just have to smack it to get it to come apart sometimes. Not bad.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

FWIW A64, we used one of those folding grapnel anchors for a while... and found it to be essentially useless! Even with 25 feet of 3/16 inch chain in the rode, it simply will not set in most bottoms, and has so little fluke area that even when hand buried it would pop out. The only times it really held were when it jammed in a rock crevice and I had to dive to retrieve it! This was o n a 12 foot Zodiac MkII, btw. Switched to a cheap Danforth knock off of around 2 kg weight. Still not a really good setter in hard bottoms, but it will hold the dink once set. The Mantus sounds a lot better!

Jim

When testing the 2 in sand, I could usually pull the 4-pound folder to me about as easily as I could walk to it. The 2-pound Mantus would reach several hundred pounds. There is also a review in Practical Sailor.

[Reefmagnet]

I have about a 10 metre towing rode which more or less stays permanently attached to the boat and a bag with a foldable grapnel and about 20m of light 1/4" line with a bit of chain. I can tie the anchor line to the towing rode for some additional scope if need.

[HopCar]

All chain, 3/8", G-70, at least 300 feet. Or maybe fifty feet of 1/4" braid tied to 3 feet of chain that is shackled to a tiny claw anchor.

[Hardhead]

I've always had great performance with a claw style anchor, even on very short rode.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by Hardhead

I've always had great performance with a claw style anchor, even on very short rode.

The Lewmar Claw did pretty well in those tests to. As you say, very good at short scope. However, where a 2# Mantus was strong, you would need a larger Claw, at least 4#. I keep a 2# Claw in my kayak and love it; way better than a 2# folder and less hassle. I also like the lack of sharp points! The Mantus is like a knife when new; I literally cut my finger on the point opening the box. I took a file to it (stainless).