Anchor recommendations.

Feb 22, 2015
1
Beneteau Oceanis 400 Wesleyville, NL
We are preparing for a month long cruise to Labrador this summer as my wife has been offered an artist in residency there. Thinking of things I need to add to the boat I realized that I am carrying only one anchor that came with the boat when we purchased it. The present anchor is a Bruce. I'm looking to buy a new one prior to leaving but am sick of looking at reviews. The best articles i could find seem to point to the Ronca. Any other thoughts?
 
Dec 19, 2006
5,832
Hunter 36 Punta Gorda
Anchor

I have a H-36 with a delta 35lb 90 ft of chain and never drag in all kinds of
wind and just got a new 35 Mantus at boat show and will be trying it out on my next cruise.
All the new anchors with the extra round oval bar are suppose to make
resetting better so I decided to get the mantus and at the boat show one thing
they showed was putting your finger under the point of the anchor of all the other new anchors and the mantus had the best presser.
I would add lots of chain and get one of the newer anchors sized to your boay
and keep the bruce for back up,I have a 25 delta and a fortress for backup but have never needed them for years now.
Nick
 
May 16, 2007
1,509
Boatless ! 26 Ottawa, Ontario
I don't know what anchorages are like in the area you going to sail. I would check the charts for depths, tides, and any information on bottom types. The depths may be substantial, bottom very rocky, you may need to have long lines to tie off to the shore line, you may need anchors on shore. Some steel posts or webbing to go around large rocks. Some anchors can be difficult to get back up when used in rocks, a trip line maybe needed. I would search for any blogs that could give details on sailing/anchoring in this area. Most anchor tests use sandy or mucky bottoms so may not be as useful for gravel or rocky bottoms.
Have a great cruise, Bob
 

CarlN

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Jan 4, 2009
603
Ketch 55 Bristol, RI
Labrador. Wow! You don't hear that everyday.

What are the bottom conditions? Most anchor tests and experience on this board are for sand maybe with some grass or mud. All in a nice shallow harbor. I'm guessing you'll see a fair bit of rock and deep water?

How big is your Bruce (and boat)? An oversized Bruce is a great anchor in rocks since it's less likely to be bent or caught in a rock crevice. It's quite popular among high lattitude sailers.

It's not that the Newgen anchors are bad. I have one and love it. But I wasn't thinking "this will be perfect in Labrador" when I bought it.

If your Bruce has been working for you in Newfoundland, I'd instead invest in a 2nd anchor that is light enough to easily put in the dinghy and row out. A Fortress would be my choice as it is also a great anchor if you come across deep mud. Fortress just published a test of anchoring in the muddy Chesapeake where they held better than all the Newgen anchors by a large margin.

Many feel that this type of anchor don't reset as reliably after a wind or current change (I believe Fortress disagrees). But this isn't an issue when used as a kedge or 2nd anchor.

Also get a long rode for the 2nd anchor - maybe 500 feet broken into two 250ft pieces for easy handling. This could also be tied to a tree ashore. Or used to extend your primary rode.
 
Nov 9, 2008
1,338
Pearson-O'Day 290 Portland Maine
Can't we just talk religion or politics?

Different anchors, well, differ. And regardless of how old or new the design, it has a stalwart following of converts and proselytites. Check the expected conditions of the area, and buy one appropriate for it. It's best not to have two of the same for that very reason. I swear at my oversized Danforth. No. Wait. I swear BY my oversized Danforth. It's held fast in all sorts of conditions. On rare occassion, I deploy my second Danforth. Either attached to the 12 feet of chain or on its own rode. Or possibly to stern to keep me from swinging out of the channel, or onto the rocks, or over the shoal, or into the side of a large lobster boat called Mayhem captained by a large, ill-tempered fellow with hairy knuckles and a broken nose.
 
Aug 3, 2014
68
CATALINA, BENETEAU OCEANIS 36, 400 Grosse Ile, Mi and Fajardo, PR
Very Happy With Delta

We share the same boat, Oceanis 400. I anchor for 3 months a year. Originally, used a CQR, it was a disappointment. Upgraded to a Delta 35. It is oustanding. 180 feet of chain. You will need to modify your bow pulpit to prevent the anchor hitting the bow stem.

Nick
 
Jan 1, 2011
27
catalina 350 Noank
It's all about the bottom. Or mostly. I'm liking the newer delta, ronca type. My concern is the 180 degree swings with tide changes where I've anchored. Think I'll get a faster reset with the wider blades, kind of blending a fortress with a CQR. Had a delta on the 30', and happy, just bought a ronca to replace the CQR that came on the 35', but haven't gotten it wet yet. Must admit I dont anchor in storms or far from home, which is weeds and muck.
 
Jan 12, 2011
930
Hunter 410 full time cruiser
I have an oversized Manson Supreme and all chain on my boat. But I bet that 95+% of the time it doesn't matter what anchor you have if it is sized correctly, you properly set it, and used the correct amount of scope.

After that using a bigger new generation anchor is really more about faith and sleeping.
 

capta

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Jun 4, 2009
5,006
Pearson 530 Admiralty Bay, Bequia SVG
As mentioned above the bottoms you are finding up there should determine the anchor you use.
I have a feeling that much of your anchoring will be on rocky bottoms and I wouldn't drop my Rocna in that! Almost any anchor will hold in a rocky bottom; the problem is getting it back up again. Grapnels are very popular for use in rocky bottoms as the tines can bend and release the anchor if it gets stuck.
Basically, any anchor you use in a rocky bottom must have an alternate pull point to extract it (back it out) if it gets hung up.
If you don't hear from someone who is familiar with that area personally, it might be best to just wait until you get there and purchase whatever the locals are using.
 
Dec 29, 2008
806
Treworgy 65' LOA Custom Steel Pilothouse Staysail Ketch St. Croix, Virgin Islands
Try this

Oh boy, let the religious wars begin...
 

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Jan 1, 2006
7,762
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
This is going to be worse than the Sunnis vs. the Shiites. Or is that going to buy me an NSA visit? Only kidding guys!
 
Jan 27, 2008
3,092
ODay 35 Beaufort, NC
A FORTRESS. They just did a test and proved it is the best anchor. Big write up in all the magazines.