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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

San Juan Islands - Anchor and Rode

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oregonworld
1st Mate

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USA
68 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/04/2015 : 21:23:33

Well, I'm about 8 days from heading up to the San Juan's with the family for our first cruise on our 250. I'm going through the checklist and wanted to get input on what length rode to have on our main anchor.

I currently have a 16.5 lb Lewmar plow style anchor with 20' of chain and 100' of line. 120' total seems a little short maybe? Any experience on what type of depths I should expect or ratios that are common in the popular achorages? What length of rode that is practical.

Things I'm thinking of adding are:
2nd Danforth Anchor with rode
200-300' of 5/16 line for stern tie

What should I skip and what should I add. Budget is a big concern?

Thoughts?

Jared Cruce
1997 250WK "Inspiration"
#299
Honda 9.9
Ashland, OR

Tomas Kruska
Admiral

Members Avatar

Czech Republic
522 Posts

Response Posted - 08/05/2015 : 00:38:43

I had 10kg Lewmar plow anchor on my C25 and I was very happy with that.

Regarding the rode length, I have 40m of 10mm line (where the first 10m have the lead core inside) and 7m of 6mm chain on my 21footer with 7.5kg plow anchor and I think its the safe minimum. Previously I had only 30m and was not sufficient in some cases to keep the safe scope.

Also make a note, that calculating the scope (4:1 minimum) you have to add the height between the water level and anchor holder to the depth of the water (usually +1m).

So in the depth of 10m you will have to deploy like 4x(10+1)=44m of the rode.

Lastly, I'm not sure what are your local rules, but the second anchor is mandatory here in Europe. Anyway I would not go sailing without the second anchor.

PS: As a spare/second I have Delta 6kg with 30m of 10mm line + 45m of extra line when needed.
I would also suggest you to buy at least 50m of 10mm line (for anchorage where you drop an anchor from the bow and then tie a stern to the shore) and some spare chain or steel wire with eyes to wrap around the rocks on shore to prevent the line chafe. Check out here, it's extreme, but you get an idea.

Good luck and enjoy your cruise.

Dalpol Phobos 21, 2013, Sole Mio, hull #27, current adventures - We sail Phobos 21

PO of Catalina C25, 1978, High Anxiety, hull #701, SR, FK, L-dinette, inboard diesel Volvo Penta MD2010C w/saildrive - more info

Edited by - Tomas Kruska on 08/05/2015 05:31:35

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 08/05/2015 : 06:13:46

What do you know about the depths, bottoms, tide ranges, currents, and fetches in the anchorages you're looking at? 120' does sound short--barely sufficient for 5:1 scope in 20' of water. Unless your rode is all chain, 7:1 is generally recommended for getting some sleep (which still can be hard to do). IMHO, 4:1 is for having lunch while you're keeping an eye on your position.

Hopefully some San Juan cruisers will reply...

Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 08/05/2015 06:15:07

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 08/05/2015 : 08:43:19

At Blake Island (about 70 miles south of the San Juans), I've dragged my Danforth style anchor (now replaced with a Fortress) in about 20' of water and about 100' of rode. I think I had 6' of chain and 90+ feet of 3/8" nylon. The bottom is gravel and sand and I was surprised that it drug, but it happened at the tide switch.

I've since replaced that whole anchor setup with a Fortress, 30' of chain, and 150' of 3/8 nylon, but I've never had a chance to test it.

I realize this may not be overly helpful, but it is an experience in the Puget Sound where I found myself with a setup not unlike your present one in a similar tidal situation and having to reset my anchor in the dark with an upset wife. Fortunately it was still light enough to visually note the change in position for me to check the GPS and see the fishbone swinging and moving on my track.

David
C-250 Mainsheet Editor

Sirius Lepak
1997 C-250 WK TR #271 --Seattle area Port Captain --

oregonworld
1st Mate

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USA
68 Posts

Response Posted - 08/05/2015 : 12:31:03

Thanks for the info.

I will pick up a second anchor and sternline. I might decide to just buy 100' of 3/8 line, splice a loop in the end with a thimble, and shackle it to my main anchor line to give me 200' for the week I'm cruising.

For my main anchor the Lewmar Claw (Bruce Style) is 16.5lbs. I have 20' of 1/4" chain and 100' 1/2" line currently. If purchase a new 150'x 3/8" anchor line for the main anchor that should give me roughly 40' @ 4:1. I have been told that due to space in the common anchorages that 3:1 or 4:1 is a more common and feasible scope > Roger and Marlene of San Juan Sailing.

Jared Cruce
1997 250WK "Inspiration"
#299
Honda 9.9
Ashland, OR

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 08/08/2015 : 07:43:39

Take lots of pictures! I haven't been able to convince Rita to make the trip up there on our boat (sail all the way) yet. Maybe later on this year when the weather's fine in September and October.

FWIW, I long spliced 150' of 3/8" nylon to my original 100'-ish rode along with the 30' of chain I've got (probably too much, but don't like to drag). So now I've got approaching 300' of rode to work with on both my anchors (Fortress FX-11 primary, 22 lb Claw secondary).

Hope you have a great trip.

David
C-250 Mainsheet Editor

Sirius Lepak
1997 C-250 WK TR #271 --Seattle area Port Captain --

awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts

Response Posted - 08/08/2015 : 19:43:46

I'm just back from my 5th trip cruising through the San Juans in 4 years. I can only think of a handful of times where I put out less than 100' of rode.

Only one of these trips was on a Catalina 25, but on that boat my setup was 25' of chain, 200' of rope, and a 25lb Lewmar claw anchor.

On my current boat (Pearson 28-2) I carry 300' of rode (30' is chain) and a 25lb Manson Supreme. My secondary anchor is a Fortress FX-16 with 150' of rode (10' is chain), which I'll use as a stern anchor.

200' is probably fine, but borderline. Most of the anchoring is in around 30' of water, but there are some common areas such as Friday Harbor where you'd be anchoring 50' of water.

Alex W
Seattle, WA
Express 37 "re-Quest"
previously owned 1984 Catalina 25 "Lutra"

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 08/09/2015 : 06:47:31

Envious of your trip. Everything I have read about that area has been very positive for boats of all sizes.

I doubt we'll ever get our boat over to the West coast, so do us all a favor, take a thousand pics! Create an album for each day of your trip and let all of us sail with you vicariously.

Paul

Joint Decision. (Sold)
PO C250WB 2005 Sail # 841.

Moved up to C34 Eximius

Updated August 2015

oregonworld
1st Mate

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USA
68 Posts

Response Posted - 08/10/2015 : 10:00:08

Thanks Alex-

Big help. If you have any fun facts or things you can share as far as places to go / not go, send them my way. I'm ending up with 200' of line, 20' of chain, 16.5 lb lewmar claw, with a second anchor with 200' line, 20' chain and a 13lb Danforth.

I need to learn how to post pictures here!

Jared

quote:
Originally posted by awetmore

I'm just back from my 5th trip cruising through the San Juans in 4 years. I can only think of a handful of times where I put out less than 100' of rode.

Only one of these trips was on a Catalina 25, but on that boat my setup was 25' of chain, 200' of rope, and a 25lb Lewmar claw anchor.

On my current boat (Pearson 28-2) I carry 300' of rode (30' is chain) and a 25lb Manson Supreme. My secondary anchor is a Fortress FX-16 with 150' of rode (10' is chain), which I'll use as a stern anchor.

200' is probably fine, but borderline. Most of the anchoring is in around 30' of water, but there are some common areas such as Friday Harbor where you'd be anchoring 50' of water.

Jared Cruce
1997 250WK "Inspiration"
#299
Honda 9.9
Ashland, OR

awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts

Response Posted - 08/10/2015 : 14:56:43

It's hard to pick bad places there.

Be careful with anchoring this year, back down well to make sure that you don't drag. There is a lot of kelp from the warm waters and I was catching it much more often than in past years. Other friends were having the same issue.

When restocking time comes around I personally prefer Lopez Island (grocery store is about a 20 minute walk away) to Friday Harbor, but there are good things about both. Lopez wins for me because I like the laid back atmosphere and the small health food store (Blossums) which is near the big grocery store (Lopez Island Market). I sailed in and out of Fisherman's Bay on this last trip and that is a blast if you are confident with your sailing skills and reading charts. It is narrow and shallow, so motoring is safer.

I like pretty much all of the state parks. Jones, Stuart, and Sucia are my favorites. James, Spencer Spit, Matia, Patos are all still amazing.

I stayed in Snug Harbor/Mitchell Bay for the first time on this trip and liked it over there. It also puts you on Haro Strait which is where the whales like to be, so it's a good way to have 2 chances to see them (one on the way in, one on the way out).

Pay attention to tides and currents. It's easy to find 3+ knot currents in major channels and you don't want to be sailing against them.

On this trip I went up (and back) from Shilshole to the islands in one day. It's a long day (11 hours from Fisherman's Bay to Shilshole, sailing and with currents in our favor) but that got me two more days in the islands.

There are official hitchhiking stops on Orcas and San Juan Island, which can be helpful if you need to get into town on Orcas Island for groceries or exploration.

Alex W
Seattle, WA
Express 37 "re-Quest"
previously owned 1984 Catalina 25 "Lutra"

oregonworld
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
68 Posts

Response Posted - 08/10/2015 : 15:03:29

Everything I read says fisherman bay is hard to navigate and don't go! Sounds fair enough but as a pretty busy harbor is it safe to assume that being careful and going slow in fair conditions is doable motoring. I'm limited in where I sail as I have two little kids and a wife with not much experience. How difficult would you say motoring in is, if I have charts and gps?

Is the grocery store in Lopez extensive compared to Friday Harbor?

Thanks,

Jared

Jared Cruce
1997 250WK "Inspiration"
#299
Honda 9.9
Ashland, OR

awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1144 Posts

Response Posted - 08/13/2015 : 17:16:51

Fisherman's bay is easy to motor in and out of solo. All of the guidebooks will tell you what to watch for. Mostly don't go too close to the green mark, stay right when entering. If you are nervous just do it at high tide.

The grocery store on Lopez is about the same size as the King's market in Friday Harbor. It doesn't have the clothing/fishing store upstairs that King's does.

Alex W
Seattle, WA
Express 37 "re-Quest"
previously owned 1984 Catalina 25 "Lutra"

wegman
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
35 Posts

Response Posted - 09/14/2015 : 13:21:05

When I last cruised the SJ islands, 20 years ago, I anchored in depths of 25 - 40 feet. With a rope rode (as opposed to all chain) the minimum is 5 to 1, so that calls for at least 200 feet of rode. Also, I encountered quite a bit of grass, so an anchor with a weighted, sharp tip is helpful (Manson Supreme, Rocna, Delta etc.) At the time I was using a delta 22# anchor with 100 feet of chain and 200 feet of nylon on my old Ericson 27. I now have a Manson Supreme, 25# that I have yet to install. My plans also include the SJ islands.

A 25# anchor probably sounds excessive, and it is for many purposes. But Don Street once suggested that the "right" size anchor is the largest one you can handle. It does contribute to a good night's sleep.
Also, in salt water, remember that tides will completely change your calculations. Lets say that you arrive at your anchorage and find a nice spot that your depth gauge tells you has a depth of 25 feet. Your bow roller is about 5 feet above the water, so your scope is based on a vertical distance of 30 feet. You decide to put out scope at 5:1, or 150 feet. But you arrived at the bottom of the tide, and at the top of the tide (at 2:00 AM when you are sound asleep)the water has risen 10 feet. The vertical distance is now 40 feet, the your scope is now less than 4:1. And the wind picks up ...

Whole books have been written on anchors and anchoring. Enjoy the discovery process.
Have a great trip.

Jerry Wegman
C25 1989 SR/WK 5994
"Tenacity"

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