Whenever you see sailboats or trawlers, you always see at least one anchor on the bow. Not so with houseboats. Good anchors can get quite expensive - like $500 or more, so when a sailboat or trawler comes up for sale, they always list the anchors and rode. Again, not so with houseboats.
Do most houseboats not anchor out because they can beach? That sure is a nice feature - the beaching part.
So, if you do own an anchor and use it, what kind is most popular and where and how is it stowed?
I have both a plow and a Danforth, but they will go with the sailboat when it is sold.

Thanks in advance.

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Never wrecked a boat while awake or sober

Kemah, Tx. - Galveston Bay

Don't know of a houseboat without one. Usually a Danforth stored under the bow hatch if not in a rail bracket.

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OLD HOUSEBOATER

I should have known. Houseboats can afford the space to hide them.

When traveing rivers and lakes, do you encounter much bottom growth that would prevent a danforth from digging in?
Man, my ignorance is really showing here. I guess that is why I joined this forum - to learn. And, learn I did! Still have a long way to go though.

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Never wrecked a boat while awake or sober

Kemah, Tx. - Galveston Bay

I have a Danforth hanging on a rail bracket on the bow, a second hanging in the anchor locker (for spending the night on the hook), and a third (picked up used somewhere) hanging in the warehouse to replace one or two when the need arrises.

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Dan
Lake Monroe
Bloomington, IN
1986 Gibson 50'
Twin 454's

I have a 44' Kingscraft. I have a 18lb danforth type anchor on a bracket on the bow rail. We are on the Ohio River near downtown Cincinnati. It holds fine when we anchor during the day. I don't spend the night anchored though. I just don't trust it enough. Also have a 22lb fluke type anchor in the bow below deck storage area. Haven't used that one yet. Last summer I had a heck of a time pulling the anchor up. When I finally got it to the surface, I had caught a tire. Stupid thing wore me out. I think I am seeing a windlass in the not too distant future.

Ed

I wouldn't sleep well with only an 18# anchor for a 44' boat either. I nearly lost my boat (35') a couple years ago because after a wind shift the 22# Danforth got clogged with weeds and would not reset. Now I use a 35# Delta which so far has set reliably every time. But it's a heavy mutha when you add in the weight of the chain.

IMO a remotely operated, free-fall windlass is the only way to go. I can drop the anchor in seconds, and even use it when docking.

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Willie
She's a tired old barge but she's paid for! http://s71.photobucket.com/alb...p;current=ef324993.pbw

I have been through allot of anchors, as I have bent them when they get hung up on bottom material.

Luckly, we have a diver around here that sells them for $25 to $45, any size. He recovers them when diving. They are used. But a used anchor is as good as a new one.

Also watch craigslist, if you are in the market.

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Banana Tom

IMO every boat shoudl have two anchors. I keep one stowed away and one on a rail bracket. We never anchor, always beach (we are on a lake with nice shoreline). I used to keep both anchors stowed until one day several years ago. Extremely rough conditions and the mooring cable between the mooring ball and the deadman anchor holding the mooring in place broke. This is a 1/2" ss cable that broke about 10 feet below the mooring connection. The marina service guys that later changed it out, said their cable got twisted, causing it to break. Luckily for me I was actually on the boat when it happened, servicing the engine. But, since I was working on the engine, I couldn't start it. I was able to deploy the anchor in time to keep me from hitting any other boats or going up against the shore, but the time it took made me very uncomfortable. Ever since then I keep it ready on a rail bracket. Lift it up, drop it in, pay out the line. My boat is a 14' x 47' Kayot, steel pontoon and framing. I use a 35# Danforth.

i hvae 2 anchors. 1 mounted to the bow rail and 1 to the stern rail.whenever i anchor out in the ohio i use them both just for peace of mind.

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1991 gibson 44 executive
454's
norwich,ohio
docked on the good ole ohio river in marietta

I assume you mean that you drop 1 bow and 1 stern anchor. And this keeps them in line with the river current also?
The reason I ask for clarification is because in large bays or open areas, sailboats will use 2 bow anchors.

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Never wrecked a boat while awake or sober

Kemah, Tx. - Galveston Bay

Is there a formula has to how much chain is needed on an anchor system

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45 Blue Water
Houma, Louisiana
Mile Post 60 ICW

Edited: 06/09/2012 at 05:10:36 AM by Kartracer

A stern anchor is good for keeping the boat aligned in a narrow channel but can be asking for trouble if the wind kicks up. Two bow anchors add insurance and can keep the boat from swinging as much as it would with a single anchor.

As far as a chain formula is concerned, generally the rule is as much chain as you can manage. Some open-water boats have ALL chain, but it's heavy, expensive, and without a windlass it would be a real hassle. Because of it's weight though you don't need to put out as much as you would to get the same holding power with rope. In shallow water the stretch of a nylon rode can help...

I have 25' of chain and 200' of nylon, I'd like another 25' of chain. How MANY anchors? I carry 5 but rarely use more than two. Yes they're expensive but compared to the price of your boat....

Tony with your boat I'd use the same rules-of-thumb that you used with a sailboat, but you'll probably need bigger anchors as your boat has a lot more windage than a low-profile ketch. One of the "recommended" size and one at least one size bigger. Flat bottomed, low freeboard houseboats don't venture out in open water if their owners are smart, so they can often get away with undersized ground tackle. Your boat can, so you want to be equipped accordingly.

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Willie
She's a tired old barge but she's paid for! http://s71.photobucket.com/alb...p;current=ef324993.pbw

Edited: 06/09/2012 at 05:50:28 AM by stmbtwle

Kartracer and Willie

I have always gone ny the West Advisor and then 1 size larger. Click the link below: "Text"

Text

Kartracer

read the whole page, it takes a lot of info and explains it in plain English. About 2/3 of the way down the page is a chart giving you the size rode for your size boat. I suggest as Willie said to get one size larger because Houseboats have a lot of windage and you really dont want to break loose on the ICW in La.

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Never wrecked a boat while awake or sober

Kemah, Tx. - Galveston Bay

Edited: 06/09/2012 at 06:33:20 AM by TonyB

I bought a 45 BlueWater Coastal Crusier so I will look at the chart. It does have a windless on it

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45 Blue Water
Houma, Louisiana
Mile Post 60 ICW

Edited: 06/09/2012 at 07:07:39 AM by Kartracer

WOW!!!
The boat of my dreams.


Would you consider swapping for a houseboat that comes to a point and has a big flagpole on the roof? Some people call it a sailboat, but they dont know what they are talking about

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Never wrecked a boat while awake or sober

Kemah, Tx. - Galveston Bay

No thanks no blow boat for meLOL LOL. Are you offshore at this time

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45 Blue Water
Houma, Louisiana
Mile Post 60 ICW

Yup
Probably about 80 miles or so south of Houma.

I forgot to mention that the West Advisor on WestMarine.com should also have something about anchor styles vs. boat weights and types of sea bottoms. Good info there. I don't know if you have ever been to West Marine Stores before but they carry decent quality merchandise. There is one on MLK down near Walmart area.

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Never wrecked a boat while awake or sober

Kemah, Tx. - Galveston Bay

Kartracer you might change your tune when you get the fuel bill.

In 1974 I crossed the Gulf of Mexico on about 5 gallons of gas. Not with THIS boat, sadly.

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Willie
She's a tired old barge but she's paid for! http://s71.photobucket.com/alb...p;current=ef324993.pbw

Edited: 06/09/2012 at 10:04:33 AM by stmbtwle

stmbtwle I am sure you are right about that. What you are saying is that this boat is not going to cost the same as the pontoon boat I just sold to operate

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45 Blue Water
Houma, Louisiana
Mile Post 60 ICW

I am thinking of buying a box anchor,,, Has anyone tried this type

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45 Blue Water
Houma, Louisiana
Mile Post 60 ICW