I understand the 5:1 and 7:1 ratios depending on calm or rough waters to determine the length of your anchor rode and chain.

For sake of discussion, say you are in waters that you need 300' of anchor rode (and under the assumption that you don't have a windlass), do boaters use one 300' long rope or do they splice (3) 100 footers together?

I have one 250 foot rode, and 15 feet of chain, on my current anchor, as well as the one I lost to Davey Jones' Locker 2 weeks ago. Still have the rode, but not the chain and anchor.

Here's my opinion:

5:1, 7:1, etc is more for cruisers who are looking for overnight mooring or "sure holds" for larger boats.

For smaller boats, say less than 25 footers, I find it excessive. If you're looking to chill on the hook for a couple of hours, say to eat dinner or swim, who wants to spend 20 minutes setting an anchor for 2 hours? NOT ME! I usually throw 1.5:1 or 2:1 depending on conditions. The local lake averages a mud bottom depth of 15 feet. I usually throw 25-30ft of rode (10' is chain). Put the boat in reverse for a few seconds and forget about it. I don't care if i'm slowly dragging...i'm going to be moving again at some point. If I get to close to the shore, well then, i'll just move.

The other local lake averages a depth of 45ft. I only have about 60 feet of rode. Fortunately, the area we normally anchor in is about 35 feet deep. I usually toss the entire rode.

At any rate, my point is, I think most anchoring in smaller boats is temporary and does not require fighting 300' of rode. Heck, 60' is enough of a pain. Half of the time if it's not too windy, I won't even throw the anchor. I'll just move the boat once or twice to correct the drift.

And btw, on smaller lakes, there generally is not going to be enough "area" to have a 200' "swing pattern".

Just my opinion. This obviously changes as boats get bigger, windlass equipment, stay requirements, etc.

D-Rod, there is nothing that will get the ire of other boaters up as someone anchoring and dragging anchor near their boat.

Please do this when other boaters are not nearby.

Up until lunch time today I used a 50' long rode with no chain, I have a 18' boat. We typically anchor in a no wake zone to enjoy an afternoon of swimming and hanging out. The waters are typically 20' deep, I can get shallower but then I am too close to shore for our comfort level. I should be in 25' deep waters in order to be in our comfort zone but that leaves me with approx. a 2:1 scope.

As far as swinging on the hook, I am not too concerned about that as most of us are far enough away from each other that we shouldn't be in each other's way.

Last year I used a chain because I had laying around the garage, it was huge at approx 25' long with 1/4" links. This was way over kill but it kept the boat in its place.

The picture below is typically how close we are to shore when anchored with my current 50' rode. The tube line is not even fully extended. We would rather be further away so we don't get tangled up in stumps and other stuff.


I will be giving the 100' a chance and it should be more than adequate for our typical waters, for the once a year trip to lakes with deeper waters, I could always attach the 50'.

Its goal is to hold, how you make it hold---up to you. Few want to keep a steady eye out for draggin boats, IMO. No one around, have your own fun.

Generally don't bother anchoring at all for a couple of hours on the beach. Just use a shore stake and bow in. Freshwater application only. For the big water, I wouldn't beach nor would I be shy about anchor scope.

I'm using 150' of rode no chain. I never had the need to anchor in waters deeper then 30' day or night.

Don't you guys know that it's not the length, but how you use it that's important??

To answer your original question, If you need 300' of rode, I doubt most boaters would splice 3 100'ers together, IMO.

You lake boaters need to spend some time anchoring on a river with a good current and wind

1.5- 2:1 ain't gonna cut it.

Nope. I've anchored below Hoover Dam to bbq some dogs before. There's a really good current there when the hydro-electric is feeding Vegas at 3 o'clock on a July afternoon. Needed at least 100 feet and 15 feet of chain and its only about 15 feet deep at the boom line in front of the dam.

I've got 15' of chain and 150' of rode....normally anchor in about 20' of water, and I set it to hold me overnight. I didn't move at all last time we were out....

Normal anchoring for night is recommended to be in 20-30ft waters, no more but less is ok (depending on tides of course as well)
3:1 is quite normal but also 5:1 works as long as not too many boats are too close as the swing radius gets pretty big.

I have only 130ft chain and 120 ft rope in total.

Anchoring in 90ft is silly unless it is an emergency with risk of drifting further out. Just use a drift anchor to slow down drifting if it is for staying roughly put.

Hooking the hook is key and not the full length.......

100 foot rode and then have 100 foot extension.

and I attach it with what kind of knot???

(clove hitch)