Informed Forecast - Marine Conditions & Go/No-Go

Conditions

Water Depth (ft at current tide)

3ft12 ft80ft

Bow Freeboard (ft)

2ft4 ft12ft

Tide Range (ft)

0ft3 ft15ft

Boat Length (ft)

15ft35 ft80ft

Weather Conditions

Rode Type

Chain Leader Length (ft)

6ft20 ft60ft

Bottom Type

Recommendation

Rode Needed

95ft

at 5:1 scope ratio

Max Depth (high tide)

15ft

Bow to Bottom

19ft

Swing Radius

130ft

Scope Ratio

5:1

20ft chain leader helps catenary

Scope Diagram

Anchor Types

CQR / Plow

good

Best in: Sand, mud, grass

Most common cruising anchor. Resets well after tide/wind shift.

Bruce / Claw

good

Best in: Sand, mud, rock

Good all-around. Sets quickly but lower holding per pound.

Danforth / Fluke

excellent

Best in: Sand, mud

Best holding per pound in sand/mud. Poor in rock/grass. Hard to reset.

Mantus / New Gen

excellent

Best in: Sand, mud, rock, grass

Next-gen designs (Mantus, Rocna, Ultra). Set fast, high holding power.

Mushroom

fair

Best in: Soft mud

Permanent moorings only. Poor for temporary anchoring.

Fortress (Aluminum)

excellent

Best in: Sand, mud

Lightweight aluminum. Adjustable flukes. Best storm anchor per pound.

Quick Scope Reference

Conditions	All Chain	Chain + Rope	All Rope
Calm / Lunch Hook	3:1	5:1	6:1
Moderate / Overnight	5:1	7:1	8:1
Storm / Heavy Weather	7:1	10:1	12:1

Scope = total rode deployed / total vertical distance (depth + freeboard). Increase scope for poor holding bottoms.

Reference guide only. Always assess conditions, bottom type, and swing room in person. Set your anchor alarm.