Anchoring a big boat?

[gottafish]

I am buying a 26 foot sea ray, I would like to know if this is to big to anchor at say the fishery . If you have a boat this size how big of a anchor do you need? I do love to sturgon fish but the wife wants to get a big boat for the family and I just want to fish, can this happen? or will I be stuck fishing slow current or ocean? To be honest I never tried to anchor anything over 19 foot and this boat is huge compared to what I have been in. [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img] Thanks Rich

[River Kid]

That should not be a problem in anchoring. There are places in the Fishery area that are hard to even anchor a sled, all dependent on where exactly you are and what kind of flow or run-off is going on. My opinion only, anchoring a big boat may be difficult by yourself, so you will have to have a trained (educated) person that you trust in helping you anchor. Practice, practice, practice!! As far a anchor size, that depends on what style of anchor you have. Most people on the Columbia use a River anchor. They are large and heavy (~35 lbs) for a 20' boat. I have a 21' inboard sled now, and befor had a 21' deep V Fiberglass boat before that. I have allway used whats called a "Bruce Anchor" that is only 11 lbs. You would probably need one size up. These anchors have one draw back, and that is price. $110 bucks most places. But they hold hold very good in varied types of bottoms, grass, sand, rocks, etc. The advantages are, lightweight, compact for easy storage, and most importantly is, great for changing currents. For instance, if you anchor overnight, which you will more than likely, if the current changes from incoming to outgoing, or if the wind shifts during the night, the anchor is designed to reseat itself. I have slept in my boats many, many times and have total faith in being hooked up. You go to the San Jauns and anchor in 40' of water, you may have 200' drop off not to far away. It wouldn't be fun to wake up in the middle of the night half way out the Straight. Good luck in your decission, and keep up the research, you'll find your answers.

[Jignfloat]

WHo carries the "Bruce" anchors, and what do they look like????


Russ

[Tilla]

I know a Danforth anchor will not work on the bottom up there.
The difficulty I found with the bigger boats was the liability of being around smaller craft. The current and wind play a greater role on the larger craft. I never felt comfortable in a hogline or in "moving" water. That boat is a dream for the big water though. :smile:

[R Jackson]

I am no expert, but anchoring something that big in the Bonneville area in fast water doesn't sound like much fun. Did you plan on cruising up the river from Portland to get there? The ramps at the Fishery are kind of rough.

[sunshinefisherman]

Congrats on your new boat!!!
I fish the slot at Bonneville all the time. It can be a dangerous place so you need to keep your wits about you and your life jacket on when you are working the anchor. It is also a good idea to wear a sharp sheath knife in case you have to cut your rope or someone else’s. Saving an anchor is not worth your life. :shocked:

I don’t know what your past experience is so forgive me if my info is too basic.

In most seasons a 20# rocking chair anchor works just fine for my 21-foot. For a 26-foot boat I would get the 40# anchor. Most of these anchors come with the chain permanently attached to the bottom part. You use a single loop of 80# Dacron line or a couple of tie wraps to secure the chain to ring at the top. Don't get carried away tying this because you want the boat's power to be able to break it so the anchor will come free. DO NOT buy one without this feature or you will lose your anchor. :blush:

You can give yourself a couple of heart attacks pulling one of these bubbas off the bottom so get a large buoy and anchor puller combo. You just drive upstream and the puller slides towards the anchor. Then when you drive back, your anchor is at the surface waiting for you, slick!

Most boaters I have talked to prefer twisted nylon rope to that red and white braided stuff. The braided has a core that the outer braid tends to slide around on. You will need a minimum of 300 feet of rope to anchor at Bonneville. For your size boat, I would say that 1/2" diameter is plenty. I keep an additional 300’ of rope on board for deep water or emergencies.

When you anchor, coil up your unused line and secure it in a hank. A dive bag also works well. The reason for this is that if you turn around and there is a huge barge bearing down on you or you get really big sturgeon on, you cast the line off and come back for it later.

Many people attach a 20 to 30-foot piece of brightly colored 1/4 rope with a crab buoy to the free end of their anchor rope. This is called a tag line and will help you catch your buoy and may prevent a prop boat from running over your main rope.

Having a big anchor rattling around in your boat is tough on the paint so I replaced the bow roller with a device that holds it out over the bow. I made my own but there are several different types available.

Some people insist that you should back away from your anchor to set it accurately. Certainly you should be careful getting into a hog line, but if you look at the direction of everyone else’s ropes you should be able to figure out where to drop your anchor.

Hope this helps, see you on the river. (I’ll be the one with the oversize on.)

[greenbuttskunk]

anchoring up at the fishery should not be a problem as long as you have the larger rocking chair anchor and sufficient chain. Also try to stay away from other boats in tight quarters, and avoid the fasted water if possible. Otherwise, just use common sense and you should be just fine.
GBS

[gottafish]

Well , I think I'll get a 40lb rock anchoer and the biggest float I can. now one other question I have not a clue where to fish for springers so if any of you pro's wouldn't mind shareing so spots iI would be forever greatfull [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img] , My 72 year old father-in-law has never caught a salmon and I sure would like to get him at least one before we put him in the Ground :depressed: Thanks Guys for all your help. Rich

[Digifish]

Gottafish,
I was in your same predicament when we bought our boat a couple of years ago. Wife wanted a yacht and I just wanted a comfortable fishing boat. Bout the only way is to go to a bigger fiberglass and learn how to use it for fishing. We have a 27' with twin I/Os. Have it moored at Rodgers Marina on the CR.

It has a Danforth (16lb I think) and I bought a float and figured out how to anchor single handed. I have had a couple of problems getting it to grab on rocky bottoms. But I have anchored at the Fishery in certain spots where I can get a good hold. I can hog her up just about anywhere else. Get some funny looks from the aluminum guys...but hey we all can't be the same...

We love the boat and take it on overnight (fishing ) trips to St. Helens and Beacon Rock. I'm sure you will come to like fishing in a bigger boat. I know I have become quite spoiled. :grin:

I'd be happy to show you the ropes (pun intended!) by taking you out on my boat.

Let me know and good luck.

[Pitch Pocket]

If your 26 has a chain locker you'd appreciate an anchor windlass. Eliminates the need for the buoy puller and you can anchor easily without muss or fuss. A 14 lb Delta Fast-Set with 30' of chain will hold you just about anywhere but the rocks just below the dam. I also have a way to drop back without having to go to the bow to drop the anchor. I have this set up on my 24 and it works great.