We already have a Danforth on our 36' Hunter. It has been suggested that we equip the boat with an alternate. We sail on Lake Ontario waters. What suggestions can you all provide for an economical alternate anchor?
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alternate
Spade (not so economical but seems good for all types of bottoms) CQR (old but works in stuff the danforth doesn't(Grass)) Bruce (old but works ok in most bottom types) Some say the a good way to find out what works in your area is to walk the docks looking to see what the most common types are. If it doesn't work there, it will be sold or used as a backup and stored below. Remember...different anchors work differently with the different types of bottoms (Grass, Sand, Mud, Clay, Rock, not going to say the C word
).
Spade (not so economical but seems good for all types of bottoms) CQR (old but works in stuff the danforth doesn't(Grass)) Bruce (old but works ok in most bottom types) Some say the a good way to find out what works in your area is to walk the docks looking to see what the most common types are. If it doesn't work there, it will be sold or used as a backup and stored below. Remember...different anchors work differently with the different types of bottoms (Grass, Sand, Mud, Clay, Rock, not going to say the C word
).
Either a claw or a delta plow
I use a 35 pound CQR that I bought used for about 75 bucks, it was too small for the boat that came with it so the owner was selling. You sail bigger water than I so the two I suggested will serve. Bietzpadlin is 9000 pounds and my CQR with 30 feet of 3/8 chain always holds. I certainly wouldn't go with any less on a boat as large as yours.
I use a 35 pound CQR that I bought used for about 75 bucks, it was too small for the boat that came with it so the owner was selling. You sail bigger water than I so the two I suggested will serve. Bietzpadlin is 9000 pounds and my CQR with 30 feet of 3/8 chain always holds. I certainly wouldn't go with any less on a boat as large as yours.
Anchor info
I am moving out to Lake O from Lake Mich. Where are you sailing out of? Check out the West Marine catalog. They seem to have a pretty good section on anchors that gives a lot of information including pros and cons of each anchor they sell.
I am moving out to Lake O from Lake Mich. Where are you sailing out of? Check out the West Marine catalog. They seem to have a pretty good section on anchors that gives a lot of information including pros and cons of each anchor they sell.
Bruce
We typically use a bruce style a a primary and carry a danforth as a secondary. So far its been great, and digs right in. We are on the Chesapeake with sand and mud.
We typically use a bruce style a a primary and carry a danforth as a secondary. So far its been great, and digs right in. We are on the Chesapeake with sand and mud.
A Bruce for me too
I found a great deal on EBay last year and changed my primary anchor from the fortress to a Bruce that works well with my windlas.Most of time I'm anchored in mud and sand in the Great South Bay and sleep much better knowing whats holding Free Spirit during the night.
I found a great deal on EBay last year and changed my primary anchor from the fortress to a Bruce that works well with my windlas.Most of time I'm anchored in mud and sand in the Great South Bay and sleep much better knowing whats holding Free Spirit during the night.
Chain
What ever your choice in anchors add about 25 feet of chain to the anchor line. Always carry more than one anchor.
What ever your choice in anchors add about 25 feet of chain to the anchor line. Always carry more than one anchor.
Plow type anchor as a 2nd.
Harold: I would suggest a plow type anchor as a second. I highly recommend a Delta with at least 1 ft of chain for each foot of length of the boat. The chain goes for ANY anchor that you select. Check out the sizing specs for different anchors. Typically you need a much heavier Bruce or CQR than you would need with a Delta.
Harold: I would suggest a plow type anchor as a second. I highly recommend a Delta with at least 1 ft of chain for each foot of length of the boat. The chain goes for ANY anchor that you select. Check out the sizing specs for different anchors. Typically you need a much heavier Bruce or CQR than you would need with a Delta.
I read a tale
by a man looking to buy a new anchor. The shop owner was a china man and he watched the buyer for a while and then asked him, "you like fast cars? what is the most important thing on a fast car? Brakes!!!!! you must have good brakes. On a boat you must have a good anchor. Don't compromise on an anchor. get as large an anchor as you can handle and equip it with a lot of heavy chain. You will sleep better that way.
by a man looking to buy a new anchor. The shop owner was a china man and he watched the buyer for a while and then asked him, "you like fast cars? what is the most important thing on a fast car? Brakes!!!!! you must have good brakes. On a boat you must have a good anchor. Don't compromise on an anchor. get as large an anchor as you can handle and equip it with a lot of heavy chain. You will sleep better that way.
delta anchor
I'll second Steve's recommendation-we use a 35 lb delta on our 356 as our primary anchor, and carry a fortress as our alternate. the Delta holds great in rocks, sand, and mud. Use at least 36 ft of chain, more is better
I'll second Steve's recommendation-we use a 35 lb delta on our 356 as our primary anchor, and carry a fortress as our alternate. the Delta holds great in rocks, sand, and mud. Use at least 36 ft of chain, more is better
For me Spade is best .... 'cept for soft mud.
Best prices for a Spade anchor is from www.rutuonline.com The person who runs this site imports Spade anchors directly from Tunisia; but, you have to pre-pay and then wait for a pallet load to arrive. Prices are VERY good. For soft mud I use a Danforth. For almost all other conditions I prefer a Spade .... sold all my other 'plow' anchors when I got the spade.
Best prices for a Spade anchor is from www.rutuonline.com The person who runs this site imports Spade anchors directly from Tunisia; but, you have to pre-pay and then wait for a pallet load to arrive. Prices are VERY good. For soft mud I use a Danforth. For almost all other conditions I prefer a Spade .... sold all my other 'plow' anchors when I got the spade.
Opinions
I had a CQR35, Bruce22 and Spade20 on my h34. The BRUCE was more effective and used more than the others. The CQR besides being very overpriced didn't hold as well as the smaller Bruce in mud (they both ah 35' of 5/16" chain) The spade was used as a stern anchor and I never left it on the bow. I currently use a Bruce type claw on my 20,000# vessel and still have a CQR for backup. Buy a Bruce knock off because it the best for the money
I had a CQR35, Bruce22 and Spade20 on my h34. The BRUCE was more effective and used more than the others. The CQR besides being very overpriced didn't hold as well as the smaller Bruce in mud (they both ah 35' of 5/16" chain) The spade was used as a stern anchor and I never left it on the bow. I currently use a Bruce type claw on my 20,000# vessel and still have a CQR for backup. Buy a Bruce knock off because it the best for the money
Having Owned...
a Delta, CQR, Aluminum Spade, Fortress & Bruce I prefer the Bruce. I had terrible luck last season with my Spade A80. My thinking is that at 14 Lbs. above water and something like 10 Lbs. below water it does not have enough wieght to "dig in". In one location we tried seven times to set the Spade with no luck so I went to my lazarette and pulled out my trusty Bruce 33. Guess what it set the first time! I would rank my anchors in this order in terms of effectiveness. 1- Bruce 2- CQR 3-Delta Fast Set 4- Fortress 5- Spade A80. The fortress is a very strong holding anchor as long as you're guaranteed to stay pulling in the same direction. I've had mine break out on a wind/tide shift more than once so it's now a stern anchor only. The Bruce 33 sets and holds 99% of the time on my first try. I've had it hold our old 36 footer in a 50 knot storm with gusts to 72! I have never had the Bruce break out on me during a swing. I once made a dive on the bruce pulling one direction and it was burried very deep. That night we swung 180 degrees and the wind came up to about 20-25 knots at about 4:00 a.m.. The next morning I made another dive and it was burried equally as deep going 180 degrees the other way! The CQR sets and holds about 80% of the time on the first try but has un-set during wind/tide shifts. It seems to get weeds wrapped around the shaft preventing a deep set in eel grass. The Delta sets at about 90% first time but breaks free more than the CQR on wind tide shifts. Diving on the Delta I notice it will really burry it's self in a strong one direction pull but I still don't trust it for swinging. The Spade came with a powerboat we bought and later sold. Due to glowing reports I decided to try it on our sailboat as our primary anchor. When it does burry it does not appear to go as deep in the mud as the Delta or Bruce but once set it does seem to hold well. I would think that the galvanized version would set & hold better due to weight. One thing that scares me about using this anchor in clay like mud is that it traps mud in its spoon like shape so when it comes time to re-set the clay/mud does not "clear its self" and makes it very hard to re-burry on a wind tide shift. We anchor out approx 65 to 70 days per year and have been doing it for 18+ years on boats 30 feet or larger. We anchor in mostly mud bottoms but occasionally sandy gravel and hard clay/mud. This is just my .02 don't spend it all in one place.....
a Delta, CQR, Aluminum Spade, Fortress & Bruce I prefer the Bruce. I had terrible luck last season with my Spade A80. My thinking is that at 14 Lbs. above water and something like 10 Lbs. below water it does not have enough wieght to "dig in". In one location we tried seven times to set the Spade with no luck so I went to my lazarette and pulled out my trusty Bruce 33. Guess what it set the first time! I would rank my anchors in this order in terms of effectiveness. 1- Bruce 2- CQR 3-Delta Fast Set 4- Fortress 5- Spade A80. The fortress is a very strong holding anchor as long as you're guaranteed to stay pulling in the same direction. I've had mine break out on a wind/tide shift more than once so it's now a stern anchor only. The Bruce 33 sets and holds 99% of the time on my first try. I've had it hold our old 36 footer in a 50 knot storm with gusts to 72! I have never had the Bruce break out on me during a swing. I once made a dive on the bruce pulling one direction and it was burried very deep. That night we swung 180 degrees and the wind came up to about 20-25 knots at about 4:00 a.m.. The next morning I made another dive and it was burried equally as deep going 180 degrees the other way! The CQR sets and holds about 80% of the time on the first try but has un-set during wind/tide shifts. It seems to get weeds wrapped around the shaft preventing a deep set in eel grass. The Delta sets at about 90% first time but breaks free more than the CQR on wind tide shifts. Diving on the Delta I notice it will really burry it's self in a strong one direction pull but I still don't trust it for swinging. The Spade came with a powerboat we bought and later sold. Due to glowing reports I decided to try it on our sailboat as our primary anchor. When it does burry it does not appear to go as deep in the mud as the Delta or Bruce but once set it does seem to hold well. I would think that the galvanized version would set & hold better due to weight. One thing that scares me about using this anchor in clay like mud is that it traps mud in its spoon like shape so when it comes time to re-set the clay/mud does not "clear its self" and makes it very hard to re-burry on a wind tide shift. We anchor out approx 65 to 70 days per year and have been doing it for 18+ years on boats 30 feet or larger. We anchor in mostly mud bottoms but occasionally sandy gravel and hard clay/mud. This is just my .02 don't spend it all in one place.....
Another Bruce Fan
We love our Bruce. Sets first try every time, re-sets immediately after direction shift. Carl and Jule s/v Syzygy
We love our Bruce. Sets first try every time, re-sets immediately after direction shift. Carl and Jule s/v Syzygy
I'm a Bruce Fan, Too
14 years and it has never failed in all holding conditions. I have a 33# Bruce on my L37.
14 years and it has never failed in all holding conditions. I have a 33# Bruce on my L37.
The Great Anchor Debate
Your first mistake is evident in what you say: "economical alternate anchor". As Ross says above do NOT compromise on your anchor. You get what you pay for. This means avoiding all cheap Asian made imitations etc - and if an anchor such as a Spade is expensive, there's a reason. Safety and security equipment is a necessity on your boat and should never be compromised. You must accept it as a proportionate cost - the larger the boat or the more adventurous your intended cruising, the greater the investment necessary in the right gear. C'est la vie. Applies not just to anchors. If you buy a $50 cast Chinese claw copy, you deserve no sympathy when your boat or your own safety is threatened later on. Your second mistake (no offence intended here) is to request opinions on anchors on an internet forum. This is right up there with piracy, guns-on-board, and political debates. The reality is very few people have the experience necessary to give you good advice. Identify your priorities, identify the choices available, and conduct your own research. Having said that, here's my 2c: Claws are usually recognized as being good setters, but have limited holding power, especially in mud. Steel Spades have an excellent reputation and do well in tests. Plows like the CQR are somewhere in the middle. Danforth types are unpredictable. Newer designs like the New Zealand designed Rocna (mentioned in another thread) are probably worth considering. They are made in Vancouver. Good luck.
Your first mistake is evident in what you say: "economical alternate anchor". As Ross says above do NOT compromise on your anchor. You get what you pay for. This means avoiding all cheap Asian made imitations etc - and if an anchor such as a Spade is expensive, there's a reason. Safety and security equipment is a necessity on your boat and should never be compromised. You must accept it as a proportionate cost - the larger the boat or the more adventurous your intended cruising, the greater the investment necessary in the right gear. C'est la vie. Applies not just to anchors. If you buy a $50 cast Chinese claw copy, you deserve no sympathy when your boat or your own safety is threatened later on. Your second mistake (no offence intended here) is to request opinions on anchors on an internet forum. This is right up there with piracy, guns-on-board, and political debates. The reality is very few people have the experience necessary to give you good advice. Identify your priorities, identify the choices available, and conduct your own research. Having said that, here's my 2c: Claws are usually recognized as being good setters, but have limited holding power, especially in mud. Steel Spades have an excellent reputation and do well in tests. Plows like the CQR are somewhere in the middle. Danforth types are unpredictable. Newer designs like the New Zealand designed Rocna (mentioned in another thread) are probably worth considering. They are made in Vancouver. Good luck.
THINK!
As stated previously, your use of the word 'economical' is unsound, unsafe, and damn near inane. Secondly, several have suggested new types just arriving on the market, mainly the ROCNA. If there exists one firm axiom in the marine world it is this...never, never, never be the first on the block to use new types of equipment! Let others break things, injure themselves or sink their boats while the 'bugs' get worked out. Only after several years of real useage(mfrs tests and testimonies are about as useful as a politicians speech to the Chamber of Commerce) is it possible to determine the safety, longevity and usefullness of the latest and greatest. In otherwords when something has long past being the latest and greatest and is still being used, then you can buy with some certainty of its value.
As stated previously, your use of the word 'economical' is unsound, unsafe, and damn near inane. Secondly, several have suggested new types just arriving on the market, mainly the ROCNA. If there exists one firm axiom in the marine world it is this...never, never, never be the first on the block to use new types of equipment! Let others break things, injure themselves or sink their boats while the 'bugs' get worked out. Only after several years of real useage(mfrs tests and testimonies are about as useful as a politicians speech to the Chamber of Commerce) is it possible to determine the safety, longevity and usefullness of the latest and greatest. In otherwords when something has long past being the latest and greatest and is still being used, then you can buy with some certainty of its value.
I am always amused
when I walk the docks and look at the anchors that people have on their boats. Consider a boat that costs three times as much as a Lexus and weighs 5 tons and they are showing a fifteen pound Danforth on 1/4 inch chain and 1/2 inch nylon rode. All because they read the tables for anchor size and that size anchor falls into the acceptable range for their length boat. It is as silly as putting undersize tires on the car because the load rating for those tires is within the weight range for their car. Do I "need" a 35 pound CQR anchor with thirty feet of 3/8 inch chain on a 5/8 nylon rode? probably not, but I sleep like a baby when I have that system on the bottom. I once lost control of Bietzpadlin near a lee shore and dropped that anchor in six feet of water on the fly let out about sixty feet of nylon and snubbed the rode. we stopped! in five feet! we draw 4 1/2! Is my ground tackle too heavy? Not as long as I can still recover it in thirty feet of water without a windlass.
when I walk the docks and look at the anchors that people have on their boats. Consider a boat that costs three times as much as a Lexus and weighs 5 tons and they are showing a fifteen pound Danforth on 1/4 inch chain and 1/2 inch nylon rode. All because they read the tables for anchor size and that size anchor falls into the acceptable range for their length boat. It is as silly as putting undersize tires on the car because the load rating for those tires is within the weight range for their car. Do I "need" a 35 pound CQR anchor with thirty feet of 3/8 inch chain on a 5/8 nylon rode? probably not, but I sleep like a baby when I have that system on the bottom. I once lost control of Bietzpadlin near a lee shore and dropped that anchor in six feet of water on the fly let out about sixty feet of nylon and snubbed the rode. we stopped! in five feet! we draw 4 1/2! Is my ground tackle too heavy? Not as long as I can still recover it in thirty feet of water without a windlass.
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