What's the formula for how much line to let out?

I'm thinking about double the depth for your anchor line. Wind and bottom composition are factors. But for 15 ft depth, about 30 ft of line out give or take. I don't anchor much, but that usually works for me.

So two times the depth for general purposes. Wind speed, bottom texture, anchor weight and design are the variables.

If I want to anchor over spot X in 15 feet of water how far away from spot X should I drop?

I think I'll go upwind a little extra. I can always let more line out.

Thanks Bopro. Anyone else have more insight or experience? BTW, I'm in a 12 foot Nucanoe Frontier kayak.

answer to your question

I'd go at least 3x the depth, and use a short length of chain between the anchor and the rope.

Damn Kicking! You say 5 to 1? That's a lot of rope and a lot of side to side swing!

I went out this afternoon for the first time since installing an anchor trolley. It was holding decent until the wind really kicked up. All I have right now is a 3 foot piece of log chain. With a soft bottom I know I need either more weight or a different style of anchor. I also am going to use different colored tape or something to measure the length of rope I have out instead of guessing.

What's the purpose for the chain TG?

kickingback is technically correct and if you did a Google search, I think what you would most often find as the "answer" about a 7 to 1 ratio.

But, this describes anchoring a boat, for the most part, for an extended stay, say overnight or while you tender over to an island, or go scuba diving . . . where the boat must be absolutely secure. The last thing you want is for your boat to float away or lodge itself in a shipping channel or otherwise not be there when you get back.

In a kayak, we are almost always talking about anchoring while fishing so it is like comparing building a foundation for a permanent home versus a canvas tent.

While there are occasions one might need a really long anchor line while kayak fishing, my guess is you are in very rough and dangerous conditions for that need. How long your line is will be the least of your worries.

I'd say 3X would be at the extreme for non-dangerous (not too windy or too much wave action) kayak fishing anchoring.

Our problem is often not so much the anchor not holding as much as it is that the anchor gets snagged and a big wave comes over the gunwale and capsizes the vessel.

Brad

The type of anchor you use plays a big part in how much line you let out also. I use a bruce claw anchor my anchor set up has 100 ft of line on it. I dont count how much line i let out but i can say i often anchor 2 or 3 kayaks at a time...we have 5 kids. Lol. It holds. 100 ft covers most of the lake areas here. 50 or so ft deep it doesnt hold very well.

The chain makes for a better anchor set. If you're anchored in sharp rocks or oyster beds, the chain takes the sharp rubbing instead of the rope. I've found the bruce/claw anchor holds much better than the folding grapnel style anchor. I also attach the chain to the bottom of the anchor and secure it to the top with a zip tie. That way if you're snagged, you can break the zip tie and pull the anchor backwards out of the snag.

Anchors are designed to "dig" sideways into the bottom. The lightest anchor that will dig in with 7 to 1 scope, is what you need for good, safe anchoring. Something that will hold your boat in place while you're fishing, or parked temporarily is usually called a "lunch hook". For my kayak, I use a 4-pound, plastic-coated dumbbell. If I'm in 3 feet of water or less, 8 feet of line will hold me. This is assuming no big winds or waves, because I will not go out if the wind is over 12s or so. I had five anchors for my 38-foot yachts. I hated Bruce-style anchors at first, but I got used to the 33-pounder, with 30 feet of chain. (Oh, my back!) The only problem with them, is they WILL hang up under immovable objects. The tip about using a zip-tie that will snap and let you retrieve it in reverse is good.
I sailed 30,000 miles between Galveston and Venezuela and the Caribbean in 38-foot yachts, and have anchored thousands of times, and have had every possible bad anchoring scenario known to sailing man, and a few more!

The ocean makes no allowances for amateurs and weak parts!

Island Jim

Wow that's some great information guys. Thanks.

When the side to side swing is a issue I anchor both ends of the yak.