Sea Claw Anchor

[Fr. Frank]

Generally speaking, no chain on your anchor rode is no bueno.

Here are good sound "Rules of Thumb" for anchoring safely in small boats under 10 meters in length. These all came from my grandfather, who was an officer in the US Navy in WW1 and WWII, and a boater all of his life.

1. Your anchor should weigh between .3% and .75% of your boats loaded weight, and of an appropriate type for bottom conditions in your area.
2. Your anchor chain should be between 50% and 100% of the length of your vessel.
3. Your total anchor rode should be 7x the maximum depth of water in which you can ever foresee yourself anchoring.
4. Your anchor rode deployed (rope and chain together)should be 5' for every foot of depth in calm, light current/light wind conditions.
5. Your anchor rode deployed (rope and chain together)should be 7' for every foot of depth in windy, or high current conditions, or for anchoring in seas that are greater in height than 20% of the length of your vessel.