Consequences of a too big Anchor - Rocna

[Orchidius]

Hey,

Without wanting to start another topic about the right size of anchor, I was wondering what the consequences were of having an anchor that was one or two sizes too big for your boat?

Rocna's sizing chart for example notes that their sizing has already taken into account a fairly big margin and that it is unneccesary to go another size up.

But what if you do?

Would it make your anchor impossible/too hard to retrieve? Would it dig itself in too deep? That's pretty much the only downside I can think of...

One thing worth noting is that I don't have an anchor windlass.

[olepedersen]

What can you lift?? how big is your boat ?? what can you store???
yaeeh bigger is better,within reason Ole

[Adventurebound]

My wife says bigger is better and from a holding point of view, that also applies to anchors. Like me, you have to haul the big thing up manually. I got a highly efficient Rocna anchor of size recommended for my boat. In the rare time I get caught out in a big big blow, I'll relieve the tension on the anchor rope by running my engine.

[Orchidius]

Should've provided some more info, sorry 'bout that.

Boat is a 30ft hunk of steel weighing in at 6,5 metric tonnes (14500lbs). There is no windlass, but I'm in good physical shape and can easily lift it dry. I'm 23, and so will my two crewmembers be. Rode will hopefully be all chain, with some extra rope in case we need to lengthen it in rough conditions.

[HopCar]

"Consequences of a too big anchor - Rocna"

Back surgery before you're thirty?
Not really joking, anchors are awkward damn things to handle.

[DoubleWhisky]

Originally Posted by Orchidius

Should've provided some more info, sorry 'bout that.

Boat is a 30ft hunk of steel weighing in at 6,5 metric tonnes (14500lbs). There is no windlass, but I'm in good physical shape and can easily lift it dry. I'm 23, and so will my two crewmembers be. Rode will hopefully be all chain, with some extra rope in case we need to lengthen it in rough conditions.

So You basically need a 15 kG Rocna.
I think that anything bigger will be extremely difficult for hand operation (given the additional weight of the chain, necessity to break up the anchor from bottom...).
Do You consider putting the windlass on? Even the manual one will be of a great help to You...

Regards

Tomasz

[Cavalier]

Quite simply: regardless of windlass, don't buy an anchor which is equal to or larger than the displacement of your vessel! #sillywaystosink

[sailorchic34]

Being a windlass less lass, I just pull the chain in till its vertical then use the engine to break out the hook, after that its easy to retrieve.

If windy, I use ropes with chain hooks lead to winches and then the wench winches in the anchor.

[Orchidius]

Originally Posted by Cavalier

Quite simply: regardless of windlass, don't buy an anchor which is equal to or larger than the displacement of your vessel! #sillywaystosink

Real help, this chap! Must've went to uni!

The 20kg Rocna was a bargain I picked up and a one-time offer. Maybe I could sell it and get a 15kg Rocna with the money if I'm really lucky, but that's a bit of a long shot. A windlass isn't really an option. Finances won't really allow it for one, and there is just no place for it on the foredeck... There's a big cleat, there's attachements for a removable cutter-stay, there's the spot where the anchor has to sit,...

[Orchidius]

Originally Posted by sailorchic34

Being a windlass less lass, I just pull the chain in till its vertical then use the engine to break out the hook, after that its easy to retrieve.

If windy, I use ropes with chain hooks lead to winches and then the wench winches in the anchor.

I've heard of the winch-approach, and I'll sure try it out.

[sailorchic34]

My anchor is 20kg though not a new gen anchor. I sleep far better with the 20 kg then with 15kg I had. No one ever says their anchor was too big after a storm...

[Cavalier]

Originally Posted by Orchidius

The 20kg Rocna was a bargain I picked up and a one-time offer.

..ahh, so you've already bought the anchor - that would have been useful information in the first post!

For what it's worth: we've sized our anchor such that 47' is on the lowest end of the recommended size range for the anchor. We find that we sleep much better as a result, as SailorChic34 stated.

[Stu Jackson]

You have to size you anchor SYSTEM not just the anchor, and not just based on the tables in the manufacturer's websites, those are only a starting point.

Anchor System Sizing Tables (Reply #6) Ground Tackle & Anchor System Sizing TABLES & Swivels

[vancouver25]

I routinely pulled up a 45 lb. Danforth and 50 ft of 3/8 in. chain as a teenager (6 ft, 180 lb. in good shape) -- not that hard really but wear gloves. Only problem was when it came up muddy or with a ball of junk/seaweed -- then it took two of us in tandem putting our back into it!

In my older age now that would not be possible, or should I say, enjoyable. But I think a chain pawl in combination with the rope to a winch if needed as mentioned above could easily work for 3 fit crew.

[Mike OReilly]

I agree with Stu. For my bower (not storm or kedge) my approach is to have the largest system I and my boat can reasonably manage. By system I mean anchor, rode, roller, cleats, chocks, storage and windlass (or young back). Bigger is generally better when it comes to setting and holding, but too big and it will inhibit proper technique. You never want to be dissuaded from re-trying when the set is not right.

My system consists of a 25kg (55#) Rocna with 3/8" all-chain rode on a stout roller with a manual windlass. This is slightly oversized for my boat according to the specs. This arrangement holds me 90% of the time.


Why go fast, when you can go slow