---

I have a 15' Montauk which I want to take on the Sacramento River. Tide speeds change and I'm not sure of the current flow rate but wonder about length of anchor chain advised for this use. I have a fluke style anchor and their literature advised six to twelve feet... My anchor is a "Fortress" brand which is supposed to be hot stuff. The PO bought it and said it was $145 which seems a darn lotta cash. I personally dunno much about the subject. It only came with about 4' of coated chain.

Gimme some input...and thanks in advance

---

Dogface,

Do you have a 150 Montauk as there is no such thing as a 15' Montauk.
http://www.whalercentral.com/userphotogallery.php?album_id=33

We need to know for sure which model you have and are not referencing some other 15' model.

---

Dog,
I don't think that the length of the chain is that important as opposed to the length of the rope. With moving water if you use a length rope 3-4 times the depth of the water you should be ok, to a point. If the water really gets moving you might need a bigger boat!B)
Mike

---

Well, OK then, I have a 150 Montauk. Not trying to be a smart a$$ but does that not equate to the same thing ?

edit: Ok...it's 15'5" B)

---

Dogface,

No, it really does not equate to the same thing...
Many people call their 17' models a Montauk when it fact their boat is NOT a Montauk at all.
I have also seen several people on eBay selling their 15' Montauk when it fact it was not a Montauk at all but some other 15' model.

Other people call their Outrage a Rage to shorten the name... This also is NOT correct.
There is a model called an 'Outrage' and there is also a model called a 'Rage'.

Their are also 2 different 17' models of a Montauk.
1. Montauk 17'
2. Montauk 170 (or 170 Montauk)
Again, we need to know which model as the 2 above models are entirely different.

As far as your description of 15' 5", the model is not called that and has no bearing on the name so that is immaterial.

We are not trying to be smart a$$ here either but we do need to know the correct model the member may have.
In order for people to help you, we need to know the exact model you have...
Now we know you have a 150 Montauk.
Thanks for the clarification...

---

Good points all, Joe...thanks and I'll be more speciific from now on...

---

Dogface:
The length of the chain should be as long a feasible (8-10'). The weight of the chain actually keeps the pressure off the anchor while on the bottom. The rise and fall of the waves has much of its energy taken up by the weight of the chain. It might not seem like much but it will make a big difference in the overall performance of the anchor system.
;)

---

Joe Kriz wrote:

"Do you have a 150 Montauk as there is no such thing as a 15' Montauk."

Joe, you know more about Whalers than I'll ever know. I respect that. The weird thing is that I have a screensaver on my computer from the Boston Whaler factory website that shows a boat that says "Montauk 150" on it. Isn't that the boat he has?

---

burtim,

I also said this:


Note the Montauk 170 and the 170 Montauk.
If you pick up most any of the Boston Whaler catalogs, you will see that even Boston Whaler calls them both ways. On the side of the boat is one thing and in the catalog description is the other.
Note: the different years of catalogs may say something different from another catalog.
Either of these work for me for the description. Which one is the definitive correct name, only Boston Whaler knows for sure. I have a tendency to believe what is on the side of the boat as long as it is original. But maybe that can even vary as you see Montauk 150 on the side. (See below)

Original names on sides of boats.
Outrage 22'
Outrage 18'
150 Montauk
etc...

Still, 22' Outrage, 18' Outrage, Montauk 150, at least we know what the member is referring to........

I am looking at a 2007 Boston Whaler catalog right here in front of me.
It lists a 150 Montauk in the description.
On the side of the boat in the photo it shows 150 Montauk

Most of today's Whalers list the number first and then the model.
Examples:
150 Montauk
170 Montauk
190 Montauk
etc., etc.....

In the Classic series (old days)
It was the opposite of above. The names came first and then the number, example:
Montauk 17'
Outrage 17'
Outrage 18'
Outrage 22'
etc., etc.....

And last but not least. You will not notice any size or foot mark like ' in the name of the newer models. It is 130, 150, 170, etc...
Only the older Classic models have the foot designation that I know of. 13', 15', 17', 22', etc, included in the name.

Now, Who's on First?
I Don't know is on Second...... B)

---

I agree that you need to make sure you have lots of anchor line and the chain is necessary to help make the anchor drag the bottom and hench grab. One thing you need to be sure to have onboard is a stern anchor in the event you decide to anchor on a beach. This doesn't have to be a very large one in that it will probably be used on the beach itself. Since you are dealing with the rise and fall of a tide this is necessary to keep the boat from grounding itself. Look at the last photo on my personal page showing how to do this.

---

I think most pre-made chains that are listed in most stores start at 4 feet in length.
I would think this is enough for most smaller Whalers.

I don't think I would want a 10 or 20 foot chain in the bow locker of my Outrage 18'... let alone a smaller Whaler...

---

I have a 4' for my 15'

---

Mine is 4 foot also and now that I think of it, it is coated in some sort of rubberized material so it won't scratch or rattle in the locker.

---

Wow…… I do not think I can add anything to the discussion on whaler models but I would like to chime in on the anchor question.

I do not know the depth or the river in which you speak, but that would be important information on the whole anchor set up. If the water is say 30 foot or less, 4 foot of chain and 100 ft of rope should grab. The fortress anchor of which you speak I believe is aluminum. If you are in deeper water or very swift water a couple more ft. of chain may help get the anchor down more quickly.

Here in costal waters around Savannah 6 foot of chain and 200 ft of rope is very common. 50 foot of tidal water and a sandy or muddy bottom can be challenging to hook up in sometimes.