I have a 16.5 ft. aluminum v-hull fishing boat, what size/thickness anchor line should i use? I'm looking at 3/8" and 1/2" and most places the 1/2" is more than double the price of the 3/8"...if it's justified I'd go 1/2" but if for my size boat the 3/8" would work just fine I would like to save some money.

You will be perfectly fine with 3/8".  The general rule of thumb is 1/8" diameter per 9' of boat and 8' of rope per 1' anchoring depth.  Adding some chain to the end also helps the anchor hold better.

 

I have 3/8" on my 18' aluminum xpress and I've never had it even come close to breaking.  I even once used it to tow a half sunken jetski back to the dock and it wasn't even close to breaking.

3/8"

 

I like at least 1/2" braided rope because it's easier on my hands when pulling the anchor up. 

Depends on the anchor type and weight. I prefer 3/4"D rope because it's easier on my hands.

Tom

I plan on getting the braided rope (not the plastic twisted kind...that kills my hands) and in fact some even say they're double-braided. I just changed from a 10lb. mushroom anchor (which I think are almost useless as they don't really catch on anything to hold you in position) to a 15lb. tri-fluted river anchor.

I use a 20# tri-fluted river anchor for my 1652 Alweld ?

6 hours ago, Brett's_daddy said:

I plan on getting the braided rope (not the plastic twisted kind...that kills my hands) and in fact some even say they're double-braided. I just changed from a 10lb. mushroom anchor (which I think are almost useless as they don't really catch on anything to hold you in position) to a 15lb. tri-fluted river anchor.

Mushroom anchors are good for mud and muck, nothing else.

1 hour ago, slonezp said:

Mushroom anchors are good for mud and muck, nothing else.

they are also very good at scooping up a big glob of that mud and muck to get all over your boat carpet.

Even the 'little' anchors haul up junk. I've got a 1.5 lb, 4-fluke, collapsible anchor for the canoe. Have it on a length of 550 paracord. Sometimes I haul up a mess of weeds with it.