Small boat anchor rode

[Bob Bradley]

My son recently bought a 31' Stamas with twin 250 outboards. The anchor looks like its sufficient - not sure of weight, but its a substantial delta style. Rode is 1/2" stiff crap nylon with a splice in the middle. Probably 15' of very rusty 1/4" chain. I plan on replacing the entire rode, but keeping the anchor. I have a 35' length of good quality 1/4" chain (bbb I believe). Trying to figure out how much nylon to use. I expect to use 1/2". He won't be anchoring in deep water much. Most likely 30 - 50' at the very most, with most hookups in 15' or less for beach access. 200' plus 35' of chain sufficient or should I do 300? Is 1/2" overkill? No windlass on the boat by the way. Boat probably weighs 10,000# or so - just a guess.

 

[Captain Ralph]

Fishing boat?
Out of Jax, anchored -wreck fishing in 80' of water, 200' is not going to work.
Not sure how you kids fish up north.

IMO 1/2" nylon rode should work well. Just not to ride out a storm.
IMO 200' rode is a minimum.
Maybe, Maybe a bit much on the chain.

Keep some nice gloves on hand, that skinny rode & chain will mess up some hands.
AND, get an anchor lifting ball.

 

[carolinacoast]

in shallow water and in my case current, I think about chain as LOA at a minimum, and always have a stern/2nd anchor. 5x1 in 35 feet, 200 should be fine in comfortable conditions.
I'm in mud usually in CC, so easy to set. Hope that helps.