Howdy!

I'm considering a heavy anchor (perhaps 6.5 lbs or heavier) such that
if --for example-- my partner gets tired in heavy wind I can have the
canoe stay put while she rests. Or if I must abandon the flooded canoe
and swim, I can come back and retrieve it at the same spot the next
day.

What do I need?

Thanks!

donquijote1954 wrote:

I'm considering a heavy anchor (perhaps 6.5 lbs or heavier) such that
if --for example-- my partner gets tired in heavy wind I can have the
canoe stay put while she rests. Or if I must abandon the flooded canoe
and swim, I can come back and retrieve it at the same spot the next
day.

What do I need?

You want an anchor that holds, which is not necessarily the same thing
as a heavy anchor. There are lightweight anchors that hold quite well.
And heavy anchors that don't.

The primary determining factor is what sort of bottom you canoe over.
The characteristics of the bottom determine the optimum anchor. That
said, a basic small danforth should be fine for most situations.

BTW, do not abandon your boat. It drives the first responders crazy.
Thanks.

//Walt

Walt wrote:
donquijote1954 wrote:

I'm considering a heavy anchor (perhaps 6.5 lbs or heavier) such that
if --for example-- my partner gets tired in heavy wind I can have the
canoe stay put while she rests. Or if I must abandon the flooded canoe
and swim, I can come back and retrieve it at the same spot the next
day.

What do I need?

You want an anchor that holds, which is not necessarily the same thing
as a heavy anchor. There are lightweight anchors that hold quite well.
And heavy anchors that don't.

The primary determining factor is what sort of bottom you canoe over.
The characteristics of the bottom determine the optimum anchor. That
said, a basic small danforth should be fine for most situations.

Well, I got a 5.5 lbs grapnel and intend to test its hold and upsize as
necessary or change to the type you mention. And they look like a
formidable weapon to boot!

By the way, I think the bottom is loose sand (Florida Intracostal) but
haven't seen it.


BTW, do not abandon your boat. It drives the first responders crazy.
Thanks.

I know but I may have seashore no more than a mile away and likely to
be a block away and swimming is always a good option before rescue.
THANKS!

On 8 Nov 2006 09:21:35 -0800, "donquijote1954"
wrote:



BTW, do not abandon your boat. It drives the first responders crazy.
Thanks.

And a swamped boat without any sort of lights or flags can be a danger
to other craft.

I know but I may have seashore no more than a mile away and likely to
be a block away and swimming is always a good option before rescue.

Not generally recommended, but it's your life. You might want to take
a look and thought at what kind of shore and what you'll have to hike
/ wade through once you get to the shore before you find civilization,
too. If you're on the Inter Coastal Waterway, there should be
traffic along to help you out fairly soon, as opposed to swimming and
then hiking or wading.
--

r.bc: vixen
Speaker to squirrels, willow watcher, etc..
Often taunted by trout. Almost entirely harmless. Really.

http://www.visi.com/~cyli

Cyli wrote:
On 8 Nov 2006 09:21:35 -0800, "donquijote1954"
wrote:



BTW, do not abandon your boat. It drives the first responders crazy.
Thanks.

And a swamped boat without any sort of lights or flags can be a danger
to other craft.

Not much: It's a 14' plastic canoe. I can leave something on though.
Gee, I need a flag! Something with a clamp.


I know but I may have seashore no more than a mile away and likely to
be a block away and swimming is always a good option before rescue.

Not generally recommended, but it's your life. You might want to take
a look and thought at what kind of shore and what you'll have to hike
/ wade through once you get to the shore before you find civilization,
too. If you're on the Inter Coastal Waterway, there should be
traffic along to help you out fairly soon, as opposed to swimming and
then hiking or wading.

The "civilization" is right the the mansions of the Rich and Famous.
Unless they receive me a rifle and/or dogs.

Walt wrote:
donquijote1954 wrote:

I'm considering a heavy anchor (perhaps 6.5 lbs or heavier) such that
if --for example-- my partner gets tired in heavy wind I can have the
canoe stay put while she rests. Or if I must abandon the flooded canoe
and swim, I can come back and retrieve it at the same spot the next
day.

What do I need?

You want an anchor that holds, which is not necessarily the same thing
as a heavy anchor. There are lightweight anchors that hold quite well.
And heavy anchors that don't.

The primary determining factor is what sort of bottom you canoe over.
The characteristics of the bottom determine the optimum anchor. That
said, a basic small danforth should be fine for most situations.

Well, you seem to be right. I quote here...

Grapnel Type: This style of anchor works much like a
grappling hook. It takes hold of debris or rocks at the
bottom. It is ineffective on muddy or sandy bottoms but
works fairly well out at the jetties. Be prepared to loose
this anchor though.

On the other hand...

Danforth/Fortress type anchor: This type of anchor is
one of the best anchors for holding in many different
types of bottom composition. It weighs less than other
anchors yet holds better due to its design. These anchors
usually perform better when a short length of chain is
used as a leader before the rope is attached.

http://www.texasgulfcoastfishing.com/anchors.htm

Thanks. So I guess I'll go and exchange before it's too late.

In 4 lbs? Is this the same as Danforth?

http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catal...=SearchResults

donquijote1954 wrote:
In 4 lbs? Is this the same as Danforth?

http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catal...=SearchResults

Yes, that is a Danforth anchor. You don't need a big one for a canoe.

//Walt

Walt wrote:
donquijote1954 wrote:
In 4 lbs? Is this the same as Danforth?

http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catal...=SearchResults

Yes, that is a Danforth anchor. You don't need a big one for a canoe.

//Walt

Good. I wonder though if this, which sells on requiring 70% less rope,
is worth the price difference...

http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catal...=SearchResults

Having 30' rather than 100' makes sense. Is there something to have the
rope neat and untangled?

donquijote1954 wrote:

Good. I wonder though if this, which sells on requiring 70% less rope,
is worth the price difference...

http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catal...=SearchResults

I've never seen one of those in action, but I'd be skeptical. As a rule
of thumb you want about a 7:1 scope for an anchor. This much scope
ensures that the pull on the anchor is always horizontal, never
vertical. A danforth anchor is designed to hold with a horizontal pull,
but come free with a vertical pull - that's how you un-anchor yourself
when it's time to get going again.

This thing claims to hold with up to a 45 degree pull. Seems to me that
if this is actually true (as I say, I'm skeptical) it might make it hard
to retrieve.


Having 30' rather than 100' makes sense. Is there something to have the
rope neat and untangled?

Yes. Learn to coil lines. And don't buy cheap-ass lines that hockle
and tie themselves in knots.

BTW, you should probably have a throw line that's 100' long and floats.
I'd invest in this long before spending money on an anchor.

//Walt