Anchor size

[Cruisin30MKIII]

I am looking for some advice concerning anchor sizing. I have 95 Catalina 30 and we anchor out a lot in Barnegat Bay NJ and cruise Long Island sound as well. Currently have 30' 5/16 chain on a 150' of 1/2" 3 strand nylon. Our current anchor is a 15 lb Hydro Bubble. Great anchor....sets like a champ. However, I want to get a heavier anchor and morre chain for piece of mind and safety. I dont have a windlass, is 70' 5/16 chain with a 22# or 35 # too much?
thanks

 

[hvbaker]

It's not the weight of the anchor it's how well it digs in and resets.

 

[Cruisin30MKIII]

Hvbaker....true. How it sets and resets is very impt, and the bubble im using, plus
my insistence on a good set from start has ensured that i have not dragged yet.
Just was thinking that a larger anchor that sets and resets well,as well as some additional chain would just give me a little bit more peace of mind and security Anchor

 

[Stu Jackson]

Anchor SYSTYEM Sizing

Ach, anchors again? Just kiddin'...

You need to size your anchoring SYSTEM. Based, primarily, on the expected winds strengths you anticipate and your boat size.

Try these, then make up your OWN MIND on what works for you.

Your boat, your choice. Your choice of anchor, too.

Good luck. PPP and all that...

Anchoring 101 http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,2705.0.html

Anchor Selection 101 includes good discussions of various system selections and pictures of new generation anchors on bowsprits both short and extended http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4457.0.html

Why NEW GEN Anchors are Better:

http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,2705.msg19651.html#msg19651

Anchor System Sizing Tables (Reply #6) http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4990.msg30400.html#msg30400

 

[Jimm]

For what it's worth.....on my Catalina 30 I carry an 18# Danforth with 90ft of nylon rode, and a 25# Mantus with 90 of chain and 120ft of nylon. I'm a convert to the new Mantus-style anchors. It stuck and held, first time, every time, from Key West to Annapolis in a variety of conditions. It's now my primary anchor ..... replaced a 25# cqr that dragged more than once.

 

[FourPoints]

Here in LIS I really like the fortress. We have mostly sand, mud or clay bottoms and the light weight fortress really does exceptionally well in those conditions, yet is easy to retrieve since it weighs less than the chain attached to it. I have yet to drag or have a reset problem with mine. Most of the time I'm honestly more worried that the undersized rode that came with the boat will snap, than I am worried that the anchor will drag, though I do ALWAYS set the drag alarm and plan in case it did drag (and I have new rode for the boat this year too).

Whatever size they recommend for your boat (probably the FX-11) I would go up one more size assuming you can fit the anchor. Oversizing the anchor is never a bad idea, especially with a light weight one like that.

 

[Chief RA]

Jimm, do you have 15' or so of chain on that 18# Danforth? I use 13# (w/ 30' chain) and 15# (w/ 20' of chain) Danforths and either works great! Would place and set both if need be.
Chief

 

[The Garbone]

I have 30' of chain and a 35# mantus.

On our C27 we had an Fx-25 and 30' of chain and never drug the anchor. Like the piece of mind of a big hook.

 

[Bob4203]

...................on the other hand, when your cruising grounds is anArmy Corp impoundment that once was a river valley (Chattachoochee River) where trees were cut to a certain height and the valley floaded to make way for a reservoir, you do not carry expensive ground tackle!! I have lost many anchors that snagged tree trunks, limbs and branches that its just not worth the price to invest in costly anchors. So today its the cheapest danforth I can find and forget the chain! Out in the real world I have used nothing more then the plow and danforth along the eastern seaboard. Both have been wonderful in mud as well as sand.

Bob
"88 Mark II