310 primary anchor

[cheeseNcrackers]

Hello friends. I just picked up a Catalina 310 hull 334. It oddly didn’t come with an anchor on the bow roller. There is a backup danforth stored in the anchor locker. What is the right size bow anchor for this boat that will work with the roller and windlass?
Thanks in advance

 

[Davidasailor26]

It depends on the style of the anchor you choose, and that will depend on your anchoring grounds. What works in mud might not be the best selection in sand or weeds, for example. Once you select the style go to the manufacturer’s website. Most of them have sizing charts, and several have templates you can print out to see how it fits in your roller.

There are a few places you can get reviews on different anchor types. The SV Panope YouTube channel is one example.

 

[shemandr]

Could that Danforth be the anchor? What size is it?

 

[jssailem]

With @Davidasailor26. The areas and the seabeds you plan to use as anchorage’s should be an important guide in your selection process.

The anchor manufactures will provide insight as to the size for your boat.

 

[max_sailing]

Congratulations and welcome to the club!

Mine came with a 33lb (15kg) Rocna, which worked well with that roller and is a great anchor with a big fan base (it's a pretty religious topic). It served me well, even in some high-wind and high-current anchoring.

Here's the Rocna:

I added a Selden bowsprit to my boat (for flying an asymmetrical spinnaker), that would have interfered with the anchor, so I switched to a Bruce anchor because it nicely tucks downward after the roller and allows the bowsprit to pass next to it.

Here's the new Bruce with the bowsprit:

 

[cheeseNcrackers]

Thanks to all for the responses!

Max Sailing-The sailors on Lake Champlain do like the ROCNA. Good to know that a 15kg will fit well. Couple followups. How much chain did you have? The windless mine came with is the kind for rode and not chain links. Did is launch easily?

Cheers!

 

[max_sailing]

I think I have 50’ or 75’ of chain then a few hundred feet of rode.

The windless not working for chain is a common complaint, and there’s no easy upgrade. These’s a few threads on this forum about it with no good answer. I just enjoyed the usefulness for the rode and dealt with the chain by hand.

Launch with the Ronca was always easy.

 

[Hayden Watson]

My boat is a C30 not the C310 but it is very close in windage and displacement. I have been using a Mantus 35-lb with 30' of 5/16 chain and 400' of 1/2" nylon an it has never moved an inch. Now that I have a powered windlass, I plan to increase the chain to 120' just to allow deeper anchorages that we can get here in the Pacific NW.

 

[rpwillia]

I have the Manson Supreme, I think 15kg. Has served me well. I had a Danforth before that that sometimes dragged in the Potomac River mud, but one time it set so hard it bent the shank so I got the Mason. Mantus, Rocna and Manson are all good. It does depend on where you are and the bottom time.

Of course, if everyone knew what they were doing they would all have a CQR as that is the best!

 

[buddybear]

Hello friends. I just picked up a Catalina 310 hull 334. It oddly didn’t come with an anchor on the bow roller. There is a backup danforth stored in the anchor locker. What is the right size bow anchor for this boat that will work with the roller and windlass?
Thanks in advance

I use a 33Lb Delta it fits well and has done a good job holding.

 

[rpwillia]

One time my Manson dragged, but reset. Only learned later why .. what are the odds.

 

[Hayden Watson]

One time my Manson dragged, but reset. Only learned later why .. what are the odds.

That is really no excuse. We expect better than that from premium products.

 

[jssailem]

My sailing buddy and I both bought Mantus anchors at the 2016 Seattle Boat show. He shared his first experience.

Hey, funny story from the anchorage the other day — finally got to try out that new Mantis anchor.

Picked my spot off Hope Island, dropped it, felt pretty good about myself. Didn't last. Started dragging almost right away. So up comes the anchor, and wouldn't you know it, tangled up with an old abandoned crab pot. No idea how long that thing had been down there — the crabs had clearly moved on ages ago, left the place to a couple of enormous worms who'd apparently taken up residence.

Anyway, didn't want to leave it there for the next poor soul, so I towed it out to deep water and cut it loose. Came back, reset the anchor, and this time it held like it should have the first time. Quiet night after that.

Just goes to show — you never really know what you're going to bring up when you drop the hook.