Anchor/Rafting

[spikedaddy99]

Frank Webster made a comment on another thread about Sea Ray carefully mating anchors to their boats to assure proper ability to set the anchors. We were a 2 boat raft this weekend with a Formula 45 next to me just using my anchor, no stern. In the first pic below are a 52' Cruisers, 42' Cruisers, and a 32' Cruisers. The 52 and the 42 both had anchors out. Very mild conditions, no wind, sandy bottom. You can see where they ended up in the 2nd picture. We never moved according to my GPS and Anchor app. (Not sure why I have the same pics multiple times, but you get the gyst of it)

 

[Gofirstclass]

Spike, is there a question in there that I'm missing or are you affirming what Franks said?

 

[Creekwood]

Interesting raft up configuration. When we raft up here, we always put the larger boats on the inside. They set their anchors (sometimes two each if weather is anticipated) and the outer, smaller boats often do not set anchors at all. Especially if the big ones are 50 footers. Smaller boats are tied to the larger with spring lines and tight side ties, with lots of fenders.

That way if a major issue arises, you are not trying to clear all boats anchors at once. The unanchored boats just cast off and get out of the way. The anchors of a 50 plus yacht can easily hold the smaller boats.

Plus, the last thing I would want in my 330DA is to be sandwiched between two 50ft Sedan Bridges 50,000 lbs, bouncing around at anchor. I would get squished like a bug, sink and the other boats would look around and wonder where Frank went.

 

[spikedaddy99]

GFC, No question in it, just reaffirming what Frank said.
Creekwood, I absolutely agree, but this was by necessity. The other 3 boats drifted a long way in very calm conditions to end up next to us. We could have moved around, but I need my starboard side open to load my dinghy via crane. We were like this for about an hour. They started way off of our bow and ended up on the port side of the Formula. My anchor held, the 2 Cruisers didn't. Mike

 

[NotHerDecision]

I'll chime in here.

I honestly believe 99% of drag is caused by the anchor "set." It makes such a huge difference to actually get a proper set with proper scope (I set 5:1 or 7:1) depending on conditions. That being said, in Galveston Bay where we typically anchor the bottom is just soft silty mud and the plow type anchors just don't hold well unless they are significantly over-sized. I have upgraded to an Ultra, but really any of the scoop style anchors work well for our bottom.

Maybe it's the Sea Ray owners who actually know how to set an anchor *Wink*Wink

Josh

 

[spikedaddy99]

Josh, I'll have to look at the Cruisers anchor type. I know the 52' Cruiser had out 150' of chain in about 10' of water.

 

[Gofirstclass]

Plus, the last thing I would want in my 330DA is to be sandwiched between two 50ft Sedan Bridges 50,000 lbs, bouncing around at anchor. I would get squished like a bug, sink and the other boats would look around and wonder where Frank went.

Frank who?

 

[mnm99]

Rafting, Did someone say rafting! LOL. We used 3 anchors and were fine all day long. Sorry not sure what you mean about the 2nd picture.

 

[stephens013]

My current boat, 510DA as well as my previous 400DA would drag the anchor in a hart beat. Scope was not an issue; just wouldn’t stay hooked up. On the 400DA I changed to a Fortress sized up one notch on the sizing chart. That pretty much stopped the drag. On the 510 I just added 15 pounds to the OEM plow anchor. Hoping that will stop it’s wondering when I’m on the hook

 

[Zach312]

Interesting thread. I have not experienced an issue with the factory anchor on any of our Sea Rays and current 48 sundancer. Always set 5:1

 

[JVM225]

I tried a Fortress on my old 300 after getting a great deal on one and quickly went back to the Danforth 22H I had been using before. Coupled with 15’ of chain, that Danforth anchor never failed me.
The Fortress was stored as a spare and sold on Craigslist after I sold the boat.
My current boat has the original plow anchor that Sea Ray installed along with 200 feet of 5/16” G4 chain. Never have a problem with that setup.

 

[andy k]

Mike,

Where was that picture taken. It looks like somewhere on lake Michigan.

 

[spikedaddy99]

Mike,

Where was that picture taken. It looks like somewhere on lake Michigan.

Whitefish Bay just North of Sturgeon Bay. Where do you boat from? M

 

[andy k]

Whitefish Bay just North of Sturgeon Bay. Where do you boat from? M

We keep our boat in little Sturgeon bay. Its funny I have taken our boat all over the bay and lake Michigan and even cruised up to the north channel. But I never brought the boat over to the east side of door county. I think I may do that next week since I am taking a week of vacation. Do people stay on the hook in whitefish Bay?

 

[spikedaddy99]

We had about 80 boats out there Saturday. It all depends on the wind. I know 2 weeks ago friends of ours overnighted there. When you come through Sturgeon Bay, we are in Harbor Club right before the Michigan St Bridge.

 

[andy k]

We had about 80 boats out there Saturday. It all depends on the wind. I know 2 weeks ago friends of ours overnighted there. When you come through Sturgeon Bay, we are in Harbor Club right before the Michigan St Bridge.

I know exactly which boat you are. It is hard to drive over that bridge and miss that big beautiful boat of yours.

 

[spikedaddy99]

I know exactly which boat you are. It is hard to drive over that bridge and miss that big beautiful boat of yours.

Why thank you sir. Stop in for a beverage sometime!

 

[potis]

As Croc Dundee used to say, "That's not a knife. This is a knife!" I can't take credit for this raft up. My father-in-law and the Northern CA -Sea Ray Boat Club. He started and organized this annual event for years and years. I believe this was their biggest year, or at least close to it.

 

[Joint Custody]

As Croc Dundee used to say, "That's not a knife. This is a knife!" I can't take credit for this raft up. My father-in-law and the Northern CA -Sea Ray Boat Club. He started and organized this annual event for years and years. I believe this was their biggest year, or at least close to it.

View attachment 88386

That is bad ass!

 

[Joint Custody]

Frank Webster made a comment on another thread about Sea Ray carefully mating anchors to their boats to assure proper ability to set the anchors. We were a 2 boat raft this weekend with a Formula 45 next to me just using my anchor, no stern. In the first pic below are a 52' Cruisers, 42' Cruisers, and a 32' Cruisers. The 52 and the 42 both had anchors out. Very mild conditions, no wind, sandy bottom. You can see where they ended up in the 2nd picture. We never moved according to my GPS and Anchor app. (Not sure why I have the same pics multiple times, but you get the gyst of it)View attachment 88223 View attachment 88224 View attachment 88223 View attachment 88223 View attachment 88224

The reason being is most owners of Cruisers always overcompensate for their shortcomings of in adequate equipment Where as us sea ray owners are more confident with the equipment that we have!

I just had too!