I use a Fortress Fx-16 with about 8 ft of chain, but find that the high freeboard makes the boat want to "sail" while anchored. The result is the boat swings back and forth and tends to pull the anchor out. Any good solutions? Thanks Dan Aquila '92 33.5
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John Huff
Try a "Bruce" with more chain
I have a 33.5 and use 25’ of chain on a 33lb Bruce Anchor. I have never (knock on wood) dragged while at anchor. It sounds like you definitely need more chain. I personally do not like Danforth/Fortress anchors. I have one for a backup. Everytime I see someone drag it seems they are using a Danforth style anchor. Make sure the scope is adequate as well. The 33.5 swings a lot at anchor. There is not much you can do about that. Try a Bruce anchor, you’ll be glad you did. Defender Marine (www.defender.com) has one made by Simpson Lawrence for $101.95, it will be the best hundred bucks you have ever spent. John "Escape" 92 33.5
I have a 33.5 and use 25’ of chain on a 33lb Bruce Anchor. I have never (knock on wood) dragged while at anchor. It sounds like you definitely need more chain. I personally do not like Danforth/Fortress anchors. I have one for a backup. Everytime I see someone drag it seems they are using a Danforth style anchor. Make sure the scope is adequate as well. The 33.5 swings a lot at anchor. There is not much you can do about that. Try a Bruce anchor, you’ll be glad you did. Defender Marine (www.defender.com) has one made by Simpson Lawrence for $101.95, it will be the best hundred bucks you have ever spent. John "Escape" 92 33.5
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Gary Wyngarden
More Chain, More Anchor
I too have a 92 335. I have about 40 feet of chain attached to a 35 pound CQR plus 300 feet of rope rode. My boat had a light Danforth when I bought it and I upgraded for both peace of mind and security at anchor. If I'm not mistaken, the recommendation on chain is that it should be at least as long as your boat. The CQR is an expensive anchor, but has performed extremely well in independent testing of both setting ability and holding power. I felt as though this was an area in which I didn't mind spending the money. Gary Wyngarden S/V Shibumi H335
I too have a 92 335. I have about 40 feet of chain attached to a 35 pound CQR plus 300 feet of rope rode. My boat had a light Danforth when I bought it and I upgraded for both peace of mind and security at anchor. If I'm not mistaken, the recommendation on chain is that it should be at least as long as your boat. The CQR is an expensive anchor, but has performed extremely well in independent testing of both setting ability and holding power. I felt as though this was an area in which I didn't mind spending the money. Gary Wyngarden S/V Shibumi H335
Anchor function.
Dan: Anchor function has a direct relationship to the type of bottom that you are anchoring in. I have found that a 'danforth type' anchor works very good in a solid mud or sand bottom. If there is ANY grass or weeds they do not set well and then resetting is sometimes almost impossible. Because of this problem we decided to go to a Delta Anchor. This seems to be a better all around solution. Nothing has the holding power of the 'danforth type' anchors pound for pound, it just getting them set in the WRONG type of bottom. I must agree that you are probably light on your chain. I would think that 20-30' of chain would be more in line. Before you go out and buy a new anchor, I'd try 30-40' of chain on your existing system. If this does not work out you can use your existing setup as a back up. Then you can decide what anchor is best for your area. Check out the Practical Sailor reviews on anchors.
Dan: Anchor function has a direct relationship to the type of bottom that you are anchoring in. I have found that a 'danforth type' anchor works very good in a solid mud or sand bottom. If there is ANY grass or weeds they do not set well and then resetting is sometimes almost impossible. Because of this problem we decided to go to a Delta Anchor. This seems to be a better all around solution. Nothing has the holding power of the 'danforth type' anchors pound for pound, it just getting them set in the WRONG type of bottom. I must agree that you are probably light on your chain. I would think that 20-30' of chain would be more in line. Before you go out and buy a new anchor, I'd try 30-40' of chain on your existing system. If this does not work out you can use your existing setup as a back up. Then you can decide what anchor is best for your area. Check out the Practical Sailor reviews on anchors.
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David Foster
Sailing around the anchor
More chain will improve the holding cability, but do little to reduce "sailing" on the hull at anchor. You could tie a line to the anchor rode with a taughtline hitch, and then make it fast to a cleat amidship or on the stern. Then the rode is released another 5-10 feet making a bridle to one side of the boat. The idea is to hold the boat on one tack so that the rode and anchor are steadily pulled in one direction, and can set to hold. This should prevent the side to side sailing that works the anchor loose.
More chain will improve the holding cability, but do little to reduce "sailing" on the hull at anchor. You could tie a line to the anchor rode with a taughtline hitch, and then make it fast to a cleat amidship or on the stern. Then the rode is released another 5-10 feet making a bridle to one side of the boat. The idea is to hold the boat on one tack so that the rode and anchor are steadily pulled in one direction, and can set to hold. This should prevent the side to side sailing that works the anchor loose.
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Andy Howard
Also might try an anchor riding sail
10 lbs of anchor, no matter how well designed, is not enough to let me sleep soundly durring a blow. I really think you need a bigger anchor and at least 15 to 30 feet of chain, but the company says it works and alot of people use them so let's figure this out. Are you including all that freeboard in your scope? ie, 10ft or water at 7:1 scope gives you 70 feet include approx 4 feet of freeboard and that 70 feet becomes 5:1. Also when you set the anchor how much time do you spend backing down on the anchor? Expect the boat to drag anywhere from 10 to 50 feet as you slowly increase reverse thrust. I usually spend about 5 minutes gradually increaing power in reverse. You might also try rigging a sail riding anchor, the link below does a good job describing it.
10 lbs of anchor, no matter how well designed, is not enough to let me sleep soundly durring a blow. I really think you need a bigger anchor and at least 15 to 30 feet of chain, but the company says it works and alot of people use them so let's figure this out. Are you including all that freeboard in your scope? ie, 10ft or water at 7:1 scope gives you 70 feet include approx 4 feet of freeboard and that 70 feet becomes 5:1. Also when you set the anchor how much time do you spend backing down on the anchor? Expect the boat to drag anywhere from 10 to 50 feet as you slowly increase reverse thrust. I usually spend about 5 minutes gradually increaing power in reverse. You might also try rigging a sail riding anchor, the link below does a good job describing it.
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Bob Zolczer
Try a sentinel
I use a 16 pound weight held just off the bottom attached to the rode. It cut down on "sailing" quite a bit and increases ultimate holding power due to the more nearly horizontal angle of the rode. It also prevents keel wrap by the rode.
I use a 16 pound weight held just off the bottom attached to the rode. It cut down on "sailing" quite a bit and increases ultimate holding power due to the more nearly horizontal angle of the rode. It also prevents keel wrap by the rode.
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Roger Mummah
They All Sail at Anchor
Hi Dan, On Endless Summer (h31), when in the Bahamas, we use a 22 lb Delta plow 40' of 5/16" chain with 200' of 1/2" nylon three strand anchor line. We use 7:1 scope which is more than most use and we usually try to find 8-10'. In the Chesapeake Bay or any mud we would used the same rode setup with the Fortress FX-16. We sail at anchor. We have been involved in VHF conversations with folks on every kind of sailboat. Some had all chain and some had some chain. Big heavy boats and lighter boats. They all sail at anchor. Some more than others. We could reduce the scope to try to reduce the swinging, but I feel safer with 7:1 scope. To figure scope we use depth + tide + height of the anchor rollers above the water. We never drag!
Hi Dan, On Endless Summer (h31), when in the Bahamas, we use a 22 lb Delta plow 40' of 5/16" chain with 200' of 1/2" nylon three strand anchor line. We use 7:1 scope which is more than most use and we usually try to find 8-10'. In the Chesapeake Bay or any mud we would used the same rode setup with the Fortress FX-16. We sail at anchor. We have been involved in VHF conversations with folks on every kind of sailboat. Some had all chain and some had some chain. Big heavy boats and lighter boats. They all sail at anchor. Some more than others. We could reduce the scope to try to reduce the swinging, but I feel safer with 7:1 scope. To figure scope we use depth + tide + height of the anchor rollers above the water. We never drag!
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Roger Mummah
Sentinel worked for us too
Forgot Something. I saw Bob's response and he reminded me about the sentinel (also called a kellet). We used an anchor sentinel in the Bahamas whenever we could and it worked fine. Our first one was two 12 pound mushroom anchors on a big SS hook that we slid down the anchor line with a 1/4" control line. It worked fine until it fell off the boat in really bad conditions in a normally great anchorage. Too rough to go after it. Then we filled two one gallon milk jugs with sand and tried them. Worked great. We also never wrapped, or half-wrapped the anchor line when we used the sentinel.
Forgot Something. I saw Bob's response and he reminded me about the sentinel (also called a kellet). We used an anchor sentinel in the Bahamas whenever we could and it worked fine. Our first one was two 12 pound mushroom anchors on a big SS hook that we slid down the anchor line with a 1/4" control line. It worked fine until it fell off the boat in really bad conditions in a normally great anchorage. Too rough to go after it. Then we filled two one gallon milk jugs with sand and tried them. Worked great. We also never wrapped, or half-wrapped the anchor line when we used the sentinel.
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Don Alexander
Another Anchor?
Roger is right, they all sail around their anchors. One day I nearly teeboned someone so now, if anchoring overnight, I drop the kedge off the bow with only enough scope to allow it to just touch the bottom at high tide. The boat sleeps and so do I. Regards,
Roger is right, they all sail around their anchors. One day I nearly teeboned someone so now, if anchoring overnight, I drop the kedge off the bow with only enough scope to allow it to just touch the bottom at high tide. The boat sleeps and so do I. Regards,
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Don
Check out Sailnet
There are a number of good articles there on anchoring techniques and equipment. I've learned a lot from them.
There are a number of good articles there on anchoring techniques and equipment. I've learned a lot from them.
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Ron
Anchor Sail
Try an anchor sail. See them at Sailrite.com It attaches to your backstay and keeps the boat pointed into the wind....
Try an anchor sail. See them at Sailrite.com It attaches to your backstay and keeps the boat pointed into the wind....
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Trevor
Thanks Ron, just ordered an Anchor riding sail
...from Sailrite. Looks like a good onboard sewing project during our upcoming cruise. I'll let you know how it turns out. Trevor
...from Sailrite. Looks like a good onboard sewing project during our upcoming cruise. I'll let you know how it turns out. Trevor
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Larry Long
They don't ALL sail at anchor
I used to swing 45 degrees off of the wind on each side of center when anchored, but now we never vary more than 5 degrees off of the wind. The riding sail made all of the difference. I wouldn't even consider anchoring overnight without it. Easy to make. Easy to rig.
I used to swing 45 degrees off of the wind on each side of center when anchored, but now we never vary more than 5 degrees off of the wind. The riding sail made all of the difference. I wouldn't even consider anchoring overnight without it. Easy to make. Easy to rig.
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Jay Eaton
MAX
I use a MAX, http://www.creativemarine.com, anchor on my boat in the Chesapeake Bay. On our H31, one evening we rode out a thunderstorm squall line with multiple microbursts, of near hurricane force winds, of energy. The MAX, with 6' of chain and 7:1 scope easily handled the task. The next morning we sailed off the anchor. I like my MAX. However, the Hunters do sail on anchor. I am going to try an anchor riding sail this year. NEVERMORE
I use a MAX, http://www.creativemarine.com, anchor on my boat in the Chesapeake Bay. On our H31, one evening we rode out a thunderstorm squall line with multiple microbursts, of near hurricane force winds, of energy. The MAX, with 6' of chain and 7:1 scope easily handled the task. The next morning we sailed off the anchor. I like my MAX. However, the Hunters do sail on anchor. I am going to try an anchor riding sail this year. NEVERMORE
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dan grosz
Thanks!
Great tips. I'll try the riding sail and am very interested in the Super Max anchor. Jay, for the 33.5 which displaces about 11,000 lbs, which model would you recommend? Thanks again, Dan Aquila 1992 H33.5
Great tips. I'll try the riding sail and am very interested in the Super Max anchor. Jay, for the 33.5 which displaces about 11,000 lbs, which model would you recommend? Thanks again, Dan Aquila 1992 H33.5
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Ron Mehringer
What if you have no backstay
What do you do if you have B&R rig Hunter without a backstay? Is there an alternative for an anchor riding sail? Ron s/v Hydro Therapy
What do you do if you have B&R rig Hunter without a backstay? Is there an alternative for an anchor riding sail? Ron s/v Hydro Therapy
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Andy Howard
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Larry Long
Yeah, use your backstay like this:
Here is my riding sail in use. http://www.sailboatowners.com/album/display0.tpl?fno=0&id=Long73058371842&bts=T
Here is my riding sail in use. http://www.sailboatowners.com/album/display0.tpl?fno=0&id=Long73058371842&bts=T
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Larry Long
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