Fishfinder to help anchoring around coral

[compdoc]

Boat is currently in Fiji. South Pacific anchorages are full of coral heads, and in 50-60 feet of water, hard to see when anchoring. Does anyone have experience with down or side imaging fishfinders to keep anchor and chain clear of the "bommies". I'm in U.S. now but thinking of taking one back with me. Which type most useful?
thanks

[JPA Cate]

Hi, compdoc,

We have a Probe forward looking depth sounder. Its display does show lumps on the bottom, but it takes practice to understand what the readout on the display means for anchoring. Some people do use the multicolor fish finder displays for what you're thinking, but it is still hard to keep your chain off corals when anchoring in coral-infested water. What a forward-looker is really good at is finding a reef in front of you in murky water. Saved our old boat, which is why we have one on this boat.

Ann

[roverhi]

Have you tried climbing to the spreaders to see what's around you?? Unless the water is murky, that's the way to navigate around coral heads.

[Neptune's Gear]

I had a probe like Ann. The new B&G fwd scan is significantly better, and designed to do what you are asking....

[JPA Cate]

Originally Posted by roverhi

Have you tried climbing to the spreaders to see what's around you?? Unless the water is murky, that's the way to navigate around coral heads.

The time the Probe saved our bacon, we were already going very slowly, this was in the Solomon Islands, and the lagoon water was impenetrably murky. No way the eye could have seen it from 3--50 ft. up. It was brown water.
Nope, the Probe saved the day.

Ann

PS, I want to say, I know what roverhi is getting at, raising one's height of eye angle is definitely a great idea in coral waters, it is just that in this situation, the water was too murky.

[RaymondR]

I use a fish finder and have found corral infested areas fairly easy to recognise. I have two, a greyscale and a colour and find the greyscale easier to use. Any unevenness shows on the bottom trace.

[S/V Alchemy]

Originally Posted by roverhi

Have you tried climbing to the spreaders to see what's around you?? Unless the water is murky, that's the way to navigate around coral heads.

I figured out recently that a drone was cheaper than fabricating (I have large feet) mast steps. Same logic of getting a good angle, however.

[ramblinrod]

Originally Posted by compdoc

Boat is currently in Fiji. South Pacific anchorages are full of coral heads, and in 50-60 feet of water, hard to see when anchoring. Does anyone have experience with down or side imaging fishfinders to keep anchor and chain clear of the "bommies". I'm in U.S. now but thinking of taking one back with me. Which type most useful?
thanks

Yes, when I discuss MFDs with customers (Raymarine Dealer and Certified Installer) I often recommend one with an integral sonar option, to assist with anchoring. The normal fishfinder sonar is great and I have used for 15 years to scout the bottom contour of anchorages. Also helps to stay clear of weeds for better anchoring and swimming. The new high res sonar looks almost like a photo of the bottom contour.

[a64pilot]

I had a Ray Dragonfly on my last boat, primarily to find dive sites, sunk boats and bridge spans etc., and it was excellent for that
The Dragonfly Product Range | Dragonfly

[Aquadome]

You're anchoring in 60 feet of water ... are you all chain or a mix ... what is the total length of your rode? Seems like it would be about 500 feet hmm

[ur2slo]

Originally Posted by Aquadome

You're anchoring in 60 feet of water ... are you all chain or a mix ... what is the total length of your rode? Seems like it would be about 500 feet hmm

AND?

I have a 40', running 100 ft 5/16 and 300' Spectra.


Whats your point? Innately speaking? What u runnin?

[dahshore]

One dingy, l anchor and rode in dingy, 5 gal sheet rock bucket with glass bottom will work. Instructions later !

[Aquadome]

Originally Posted by ur2slo

AND?

I have a 40', running 100 ft 5/16 and 300' Spectra.


Whats your point? Innately speaking? What u runnin?

Simply put want you to be on the safe side in such deep water with enough rode for 7 or 8 to 1 scope keeping in mind added distance from top of water to cleat. I don't anchor in more than 20' and have a chain/line mix 50/250

[JPA Cate]

by Golly, this one went off track fast! Can we get back to the fishfinder for anchoring around coral, please?
Types and model numbers, pls.
Ann

[ur2slo]

Originally Posted by Aquadome

Simply put want you to be on the safe side in such deep water with enough rode for 7 or 8 to 1 scope keeping in mind added distance from top of water to cleat. I don't anchor in more than 20' and have a chain/line mix 50/250

There's plenty of discussions on here about your questions, . A lot depends on where you anticipate HAVING to anchor in my case if I'm out, so hence up here I run a lot.

As mentioned tho, and now that it's clear, Ann's right, this was about finding coral heads.

Happy sailing!