Ground tackle recommendations for 24 footer?

[TintedChrome]

Ok, so as part of the fitting out for the boat it's going to need some ground tackle - it didn't come with any.. When it comes to anchors I'm clueless as to what type/size best benefits this boat..

I imagine a lot will have to do with displacement of the boat and I'm guesstimating it'll be at roughly ~4000-4500lbs in cruising trim

Mostly sailed in Lake Ontario, with trips planned on the East Coast so a variety of bottoms is to be expected - sandy, rocky, muddy..

Expected usage is mostly day-anchoring where I can keep an eye on dragging, etc, but there's probably going to be a time or two where I'll need to anchor overnight.

Lastly, for lake and coastal cruising what's a reasonable amount of rode to carry? And what ratio of chain to line?

As if things weren't complicated enough for me, this is a tender, lightweight little gal - I'm trying to avoid carrying too much weight in the anchor locker to keep the possibility of stuffing the bow at a minimum. I can relocate the less commonly used ground tackle to other lockers around the boat, but I'd rather keep things where they're supposed to be.. In other words, while I know that a jack of all trades is master of none, is there a more-than-decent anchor out there I can trust to most bottoms? Or am I stuck carrying a set?

[mitiempo]

I would recommend a Rocna 10 (22 lbs), 30' of chain (5/16"), and 1/2" rode of about 200'. I don't think you will find a better anchor.

[jackdale]

I won't get into the anchor debate - don't know enough about Rocnas.

I would go at least 50' feet (double your boat length).

For total length go about 10 times the maximum depth that you expect to encounter. I would suggest about 300 feet.

[mitiempo]

Jack
For offshore I would agree, but for a lake sailor day-anchoring with the occasional overnight that may be a bit excessive.

[beanctr56]

How about a Fortress 11, 20' of chain and 150' of 3/8 or 1/2". Light weight setup.

Rick

[mitiempo]

A Fortress or any Danforth type anchor is lousy at resetting in tide/current change situations. A new gen anchor like the Rocna, or it's copy the Manson Supreme will do a much better job as a primary. A fortress is a good stern anchor where it's weight is a help and resetting it is not an issue.

[sailingdog]

I'd second the 22# (10 kg) Rocna but would go with 60' of 1/4" G43 high-test chain instead of 5/16" and 200' of 1/2-7/16" rode.

5/16" G43 chain is a bit overkill for a 24' boat that is only going to be overnighting. I wouldn't go less than 1/2" on the nylon portion of the rode as it won't have very much chafe resistance.

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by mitiempo

Jack
For offshore I would agree, but for a lake sailor day-anchoring with the occasional overnight that may be a bit excessive.

He did say he was going to the East coast, hence my recommendation.

[mitiempo]

More never hurts. I missed the east coast comment.

[olson34]

If most of your anchoring is going to be in sand or mud (or both), and given the limitations for storing ground tackle on a smaller boat...
You might consider the setup that served us well for a decade on a 4K displ 27 footer:
A Danforth 8S, with about 20 feet of chain, and about 125' of nylon line. This was kept in a mesh "anchor bag" with handles on the top and stored in a cockpit locker.
Having to lug that bag up to the foredeck was sometimes a nuisance but that anchor never failed to hold. (Note that it was not a "knock off" but a genuine Danforth.)

While more is better when it comes to anchors and gear, you have to figure out the compromise that will serve you best within your (and your boat's) limits.


Fair winds for the new year,
LB