So, we 're relatively new in the sailing game - so I 'm sure I can learn from the old salts that frequent the OCC 's forum...

My boat is a 28,000lb, 44ft cruiser (Outbound 44) with pretty high freeboard and therefore demands (I believe) some reasonable care during anchoring. We have an 80lb Manson Supreme on 5/16" Chain. Last year we were anchored out in winds up to 40kt and in depth of about 20ft.

What would be the recommendation on length of rode to deploy? (We dragged!)

Thanks,

Bill Balme

Bill,
I agree with everything said. We routinely deploy a minimum of 5:1 unless we 're really in a tight spot. In a crowded anchorage, we set the anchor at high scope to maintain the correct angle relative to the bottom to make certain it really sets well, after which we shorten scope if we have to. In a blow, we 'll put out everything we have. We tend to anchor a bit further out than many people just to be sure we have enough room to swing.

In a real blow (40+ knots), we always have a second anchor ready to go on a long rope road. It doesn 't actually do anything until needed and cannot foul with the primary. But, I must say that since we switched to the Rocna and then the Ultra, we have not dragged.

Can I ask what kind of bottom you were anchored in? If you had sand over a hard bottom, that could contribute to failure. Also, if you use the slot in the Manson Supreme and the wind or current reverses, your rode could simply pull the anchor right out like a trip line.

Bear in mind that "more is better" when it comes to scope. A 10:1 ratio will double the holding power of your anchor and a 3:1 ratio delivers only half. Also, it 's usually not the strength of the wind but the action of the waves pulling up and down on the anchor that causes it to pull out. You need the caternary and a stretchy snubber to cushion against the constant motion.

Happy Hooking!

Vice Commodore, OCC