We are sailing Pricele$$ a Hunter 320 in the Florida Keys. Twice we have anchored on the Ocean side of Key Largo where we have experienced winds of over 24 knots and both times the boats turns perpendicular to the anchor line and works the anchor out causing it to drag and does not allow it to reset. We are using a Danfor with 12 ft of chain and a scope of 150 ft for a depth of 12 ft. Last time we had to turn the engine on and literally drag the anchor a mile out. The only way to keep the boat straight into the wind was to tie the anchor from the stern which made for an uncomfortable night. We think the boat because of high windage and narrow beam is sailing in the wind. has anybody else experience this ocurrence and has come up with a solution? More Chain? A plow Anchor? Is this a design fault or are we missing something? Thanks for your help; please reply to Benny at bengil5@aol.com
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Danforth not the best at resetting.
Benny: You should consider a different type of anchor and more chain. You may want to start with more chain (30-40ft, 1ft/ft of boat length) is a good start. See if this is any better (cheapest option). If that does not work you can then try a new type of anchor. All of the anchors have different characteristics. The Bruce and Delta are good at reseting. The Delta has the advantage that you can get the same holding ability with a smaller anchor. You should always have two types of anchors aboard anyway. The Danforth also is near to usless in a grass or weed bottom. You had plenty of scope so you should test these things one at a time and see if you see any improvement. PS: You also did not mention the size of Danforth that you had. There are also different types of Danforths (they are NOT all created equal).
Benny: You should consider a different type of anchor and more chain. You may want to start with more chain (30-40ft, 1ft/ft of boat length) is a good start. See if this is any better (cheapest option). If that does not work you can then try a new type of anchor. All of the anchors have different characteristics. The Bruce and Delta are good at reseting. The Delta has the advantage that you can get the same holding ability with a smaller anchor. You should always have two types of anchors aboard anyway. The Danforth also is near to usless in a grass or weed bottom. You had plenty of scope so you should test these things one at a time and see if you see any improvement. PS: You also did not mention the size of Danforth that you had. There are also different types of Danforths (they are NOT all created equal).
We use an Anchor Sail
When the winds kick up.. put up the Anchor Sail.. we made one from the spec's on www.sailright.com I hang it from the back stay and it works... We were in Marathon with 30 plus winds and it worked.. After draging 3 times... by the way I have tried the Claw -33lb, Delta -35lb., and the Fortest -FX23.. I am now using the Claw with 100' chain+150 line and the FX23 with 30' chain+200' line as a backup.. Boat is 33.5 hunter 93...
When the winds kick up.. put up the Anchor Sail.. we made one from the spec's on www.sailright.com I hang it from the back stay and it works... We were in Marathon with 30 plus winds and it worked.. After draging 3 times... by the way I have tried the Claw -33lb, Delta -35lb., and the Fortest -FX23.. I am now using the Claw with 100' chain+150 line and the FX23 with 30' chain+200' line as a backup.. Boat is 33.5 hunter 93...
big mistake
It's a big mistake to assume that the equipment provided in the Hunter "sail away" package is adequate (unless, of course, your intent is to sail away from your anchor.) You need AT LEAST 32 feet of chain for your boat. Additionally, the anchors Hunter provides are not real Danforths, they're extreamly cheap knock-offs. If you're going to cruise that 320, you ought to think about what two anchor/rode combinations you want to have aboard. For example, my primary anchor is a Bruce with 200 feet of chain, and my secondary is a Fortress with 50 feet of chain. The anchor that came with the boat was donated to my yacht club for use as a racing mooring anchor....... By the way, plow anchors are great for setting in grass, but otherwise they tend to do what the name suggests: plow.
It's a big mistake to assume that the equipment provided in the Hunter "sail away" package is adequate (unless, of course, your intent is to sail away from your anchor.) You need AT LEAST 32 feet of chain for your boat. Additionally, the anchors Hunter provides are not real Danforths, they're extreamly cheap knock-offs. If you're going to cruise that 320, you ought to think about what two anchor/rode combinations you want to have aboard. For example, my primary anchor is a Bruce with 200 feet of chain, and my secondary is a Fortress with 50 feet of chain. The anchor that came with the boat was donated to my yacht club for use as a racing mooring anchor....... By the way, plow anchors are great for setting in grass, but otherwise they tend to do what the name suggests: plow.
agree with all the respondees
we live in the Keys and cruise up and down on our P42. I would definitely advise more chain., a riding sail (we have the one from sailrite), and a different anchor. I use a Bruce and have yet to pull out. Even last week in the Abacos, we spent an anxious night in 30-40 kt winds at the end of 150 feet of chain and the bruce it never moved. There are lots of grassy places in the Keys. A plow type anchor would definitely be a better choice along with more chain.
we live in the Keys and cruise up and down on our P42. I would definitely advise more chain., a riding sail (we have the one from sailrite), and a different anchor. I use a Bruce and have yet to pull out. Even last week in the Abacos, we spent an anxious night in 30-40 kt winds at the end of 150 feet of chain and the bruce it never moved. There are lots of grassy places in the Keys. A plow type anchor would definitely be a better choice along with more chain.
Bruce
John, I agree. I use the Bruce as a primary. It sets itself with changes in the boat direction due to wind and current very well. I switched from a plow that would not adjust to the change.
John, I agree. I use the Bruce as a primary. It sets itself with changes in the boat direction due to wind and current very well. I switched from a plow that would not adjust to the change.
Chain and coral heads?
I hate to be a "kill-joy", but having been a scuba diver since 1972, and being a Miami native and "Keys observer" since 1953, my main observation about "more chain" is that it kills more coral!!!Sailing on the hook?, Yes, we all do it. What we need to push for, are more permanent moorings!!! What is "Pricele$$" in the "Keys" is the CORAL. Once it's gone, we're all in trouble!!!
I hate to be a "kill-joy", but having been a scuba diver since 1972, and being a Miami native and "Keys observer" since 1953, my main observation about "more chain" is that it kills more coral!!!Sailing on the hook?, Yes, we all do it. What we need to push for, are more permanent moorings!!! What is "Pricele$$" in the "Keys" is the CORAL. Once it's gone, we're all in trouble!!!
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