You should be proud you set there at all!:dance: I know many sailors who have not even been able to get a set in Cuttyhunk. Nice job! That eel grass there can be thick especially in the early season before it's been scared & softened up by others..I've had no problem so far and the anchor sets very easy. I couldn't believe how much eel grass I brought up one weekend we spent in Cuttyhunk. I wish I took a picture.
One boat length is the minimum I'd recommend for most anchors. However, some of the fluke type anchors are designed to use less and if you use more chain on them, they have trouble setting properly. Fortress anchors have a page that mentions this on their website IIRC.Dog,
I understand the more chain the better. Is one boat length considered the norm?
A stern anchor can help, but if no one else is using one, you become a problem and threat to them, since you won't swing in the same manner the boats around you will.Maine Sail,
Thank's! Cuttyhunk is a beautiful spot but very very crowded. Difficult just finding a spot where my swing wasn't a problem. It was August time frame so I believe the bottom was probably chewed up.
I heard about using a stern anchor, for what purpose is it done? Do you use it when things get bad or to stop the swing. We swung 90° all night long. That's why I don't sleep! I had two sailboats rafting and 50' Cateraman off my stern and neither of them appeared to sway as I watched my stern come to within 30' of both all night long! Scary for me and I'm sure not to comfortable for them. No one complained, Capt John on the 50'er was very helpful. I can tell you there wasn't much room between any boat there.
The main problem I see with the Bulwagga is that a third of the anchor isn't really doing anything at any given time. It is also a bear to stow. The attachment point between the stock and the flukes also strikes me as a weak point, since it pivots, the galvanization there will wear away fairly quickly.
Regardless of it's odd shape and stowability issues I've yet to see an owner who was not 150% satisfied with a Bullwagga.. It's a very good anchor and I think would be comparable in performance to most of the new gen anchors.
http://www.ussailing.org/safety/Anchor/comparetocalculate.htm#Calculated Rode TensionHas anyone ever placed a measuring system on the anchor rode measure and record the actual strain on the system in a storm? If they have what were the results?