"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...

The key to getting ANY anchor to hold is sufficient scope (ratio of
anchor line to water depth). 7 to 1 is considered ideal, 5 to 1 will
usually suffice. Also use a 3 or 4 foot length of chain as others
have mentioned. The implication is that if you are anchoring in 30
feet of water, you need between 150 and 200 feet of line. Many small
fishing boats do not carry that much. I've found that a mid-sized
canvas tote bag will hold 200 feet of 3/8 line, and the anchor. Just
lay the line into the bag, do not coil, and it will pay out with no
snarling or kinking.


The real problem is trying to get dear old dad to think like this. He is
rather set in his ways, but this is to be expected as he is now 70! He keeps
thinking about anchoring to fish a spot the same way he used to do it with a
little 14' aluminum row boat. And rather than argue with him, I just want to
get him an anchor that may work better with his 16' and the way that he
wants to use it.

Cast far
Bob