anchor style for San Juans ?

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joshc

.
Feb 4, 2012
14
Catalina 22 wingkeel Great Salt Lake Marina
Morning all

I am planning out a San Juan cruise for this coming summer. Of all the books I have, none address the type of anchor that is best suited for the islands. Any thoughts from folks that have been there. ??
Planning on three weeks on the water, hope to sail most of the islands.
My boat is a Catalina22MKII WK. Will be two of us, fairly competent sailors. Have two Danforth style set ups that I normally use where I am. Wondering about a Delta or Claw anchor ???
Cheers
Josh
 
Nov 2, 2010
114
Precision 28 Ashland, Oregon
A couple thoughts... I have had friends (many) who have done San Juans in 22 ft boats. For me it would be way too small, for various reasons. Mostly in terms of comfort and facilities, but also, there are a massive number of (fairly rude) power boaters and lots of large wakes to contend with... As far as anchoring: danforths should be fine in most places. Make sure you have a LOT of rode. Some anchorages are really deep. Also, make sure you have a long line to stern tie, and of course, a way to get to shore (dinghy, kayak, etc). Additionally, there quite a few very nice and not too terribly expensive marinas where you can get an overnight slip. One other note: The San Juans was the trickiest navigation I have ever done (and I consider myself a pretty good navigator). The tidal range can be 12+ feet and tidal currents of up to six knots totally rule when and where you can go at any given time. Plan plan plan!!
 
Nov 9, 2008
1,338
Pearson-O'Day 290 Portland Maine
Josh,

Never been to San Juan but I've anchored many times and in some fairly stiff conditions. I've had real good luck with my good ol' Danforth. It doesn't matter if it's sand or mud, it sets fairly quickly and holds well. The only time I dragged is when I adjusted the length of the rode just before we went ashore. An hour and a half later, we returned to find the boat in a slightly different location, a fact that I attributed to tide. THEN the island caretaker motored over and let us know that we had dragged nearly 1/4 mile, bouncing off gunwales as we went. He boarded the boat, motored back and reset the anchor. What I would have paid for a paper bag with eye holes as we left that day.
 
Jan 12, 2012
83
None None Bellingham, WA
RE: anchor style for San Juans

There are probably a gajillion 21'-24' sailboats that call the San Juan Islands home, so you shouldn't have any issues based on the size of your boat.

We sail our Hunter 340 out of Bellingham, and would like to echo a few of the previous comments. We use a Bruce and have had no issues, though the Danforth seems to be a popular choice around here. I'll assume that if it didn't perform well in this area, that wouldn't be the case. We carry 200' of rode (60' chain + 140' line) and have yet to anchor in a spot where we needed all of it. DO, however, plan ahead for tidal changes.

As for navigating, get a good set of charts and a tide book, and PLAN AHEAD! Unlike our diesel guzzeling counterparts, 4-6 knots of current and we could very well find ourselves going backwards! So, you just have to think about what you're doing and where you're going a little bit.

The best part is, there are a virtually unlimited number of places you can go, little coves to spend the night in, and beautiful things to see. So if you want to go to point A, but the tides aren't favorable, there is bound to be a point B that's just as cool in the opposite direction!

Welcome to the northwest. Enjoy! :)

Edit: If you had any doubts about the currents you may run into, here's a pic of our chartplotter. We were motoring at about 2/3 throttle, which would normally give us 4.5-5kts SOG. As you can see, we had a bit of current in our favor - making 9.6 knots SOG!!! I might also add that this is not a narrow channel - the narrow ones can be even worse.
 

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May 23, 2007
1,306
Catalina Capri 22 Albany, Oregon
If the Admiral and I did a 7-day cruise in the San Juans in a Capri 22 you can do it in a Catalina 22 and probably more comfortably. At least you can probably stand up in your cabin. :)

When are you planning to go? I'm putting together a Capri 22 Rendezvous that's morphed into a "if it's around 22 feet and has sails" Rendezvous in the SJ's from about July 26-Aug 4th. Message me if you're interested in joining us or want a copy of my preliminary route planning data - GPX and KML files.

As far as anchors go, I've got 2 galvanized claws; first one is 5 kg (11 lb) with about 11 feet of chain, then 150' of rode. Second is 7.5 kg (17lb) with 20ish feet of chain and 150' of rode. Haven't had to use them in the SJ's but I do trust them to reset if I have to use them.

I also have a 13lb danforth with 6' of plastic-encased chain that's strictly a lunch hook for the lake; getting salt inside the chain casing would be bad news from a corrosion standpoint so it'll stay at home. Plus I'm not a huge fan and I'm not sure I trust it to reset after a tide change.

Be prepared to do a lot of motorsailing and do try to use the currents if you can. If you're bucking the current don't go straight down the middle of the channel like I did the first time. Closer to shore the current tends to be less powerful, though you do need to pay closer attention so you don't run into anything.

If you need some software for route planning I can highly recommend OpenCPN with downloaded charts from NOAA. Maptech used to make chart paks with laminated 1/4 or 1/2 size charts in a spiral bound book, maybe they still do. I took those last time and found them small enough for our little boat and rugged enough to keep next to me in the cockpit to verify where we were. They also let me maintain a wider view while my 5" chartplotter/sounder was zoomed in when approaching a harbor.

There's a book, "Current Atlas, Juan de Fuca Strait to Strait of Georgia" that shows the major currents in the SJ's (and more) on little maps. You also have to get Washburne's Tables 2013 (available online) which helps you figure out, based on date/time, which page to look at in the Current Atlas.

If you're going to use the Marine Parks, which I presume you will, make sure you come prepared to pack out what you pack in. While many have outhouses there's no trash service. Learn a lesson from me and don't make garlic shrimp pasta if you're not going to have access to a trash can for 3 days! BTW, you can purchase an annual park pass online and they mail you a sticker to put on your cabin so you don't get a ticket.
 
Jul 31, 2009
3
Catalina 27 Squalicum Harbor, Bellingham
I sail a Catalina 27 out of Bellingham, and use a 22 lb claw with 60 ft of chain - always works for me...popu;ar anchor around here, though also lts of Danforths...
 

joshc

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Feb 4, 2012
14
Catalina 22 wingkeel Great Salt Lake Marina
Chris,thanks for the info and the offer to join your cruise.!
Still in the planning stages at this point, but hope to spend at least three week on the water. Somewhere around 7/8-8/8 ( would like to miss the 4th of July circus that can happen.) I will keep you in mind as I'm a firm believer in "strength in numbers" (especially when we're 22' long!). I am excited for this, and am hoping to go into it with open eyes. I have friends who have cruised there on their 22 and they have been a great resource, as well as this forum. I'll check out your blog as well.
Cheers Josh
 

joshc

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Feb 4, 2012
14
Catalina 22 wingkeel Great Salt Lake Marina
All
thanks for all the input on this. You're great. I'm sure I'm not finished with questions.
Thanks again... Josh
 
Jan 1, 2013
54
Oday 27 Coos Bay, Oregon
Anchors

I sailed the San Juans in my Haida 26 and used a 20# high tencile w/ 50' of 3/8 chain, over kill, but have never had a dragging problem. Also sailed Canada to Mexico w/ same boat.... Michael..

PS..I use 250' 5/8" rode......
 

Phil Herring

Alien
Mar 25, 1997
4,922
- - Bainbridge Island
The mud in the San Juan's is thick so the anchor itself is not critical, HOWEVER, you'll swing a lot withe current so something that resets easily is better. I'd suggest a plow over a danforth type.
 
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