Adequate Holding Power

[rbraddy]

I have a Catalina 36, Mk II and carry 3 anchors, one of which is a Fortress FX 16. I use lots of chain and nylon on all three, beyondthe "recommended" specifications. I have had many questions regarding the real holding capacities of the various anchors. Depending on what one reads, the various anchors may or may not hold anything up to the Queen Mary. West Marine suggests that the FX 16 is appropriate for boats from 32' to 38', I assume on a declining scale of holding. So I am asking after your opinion of the capacity of the FX 16.By the way, I posed a similar, but equally specific, question to the editors of Pratical Sailor and received an ambivalent answer. I do understand that different bottoms, different winds and currents, etc., create different holding conditions.Thanks,Bob

 

[Brian Sheehan]

Bob, let's talk specifics: According to the "Horizontal Loads Table" that is published by the American Boat & Yacht Council, a 40' boat (rounding your 36' boat up) of average beam and windage will have a force of 4,800 lbs against it in 60 knots of wind.The FX-16 will provide 5,000 lbs of holding power in an optimum bottom of hard sand, but this anchor will give you just 1,500 lbs of holding power when set at the 45 degree angle in a very poor holding, soft mud bottom.....enough holding power in one scenario, but woefully short in the other!With this information, you really have to take a close look at your possible anchoring conditions, just as the Practical Sailor guys advise.Regarding a "sliding scale" for anchors, it is safe to say that the more metal you have going into a bottom, then the more resistance you have to the anchor coming out, assuming of course that you take the time to properly power set the anchor.