Hey Folks I friend of mine gave me a Suncor stainless steel CQR anchor. Nice friend! It is labeled as a 20lb anchor. My boat is 11-12000 lbs in displacement. I understand that this might make the CQR too small for may application. I gunkhole on the Chesapeake. Any thoughts from the forum on the feasibility of use of the CQR. It sure is pretty I'll tell you that! Thanks, Kevin
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Bottom important
With a good bottom for overnight should work especially in a protected anchorage. IMHO the bottom and anchorage are more important than the anchor... Look around the dock..you might be surprised at how small some anchors are on some larger boats. I use a 33# claw on my Pearson 323 but it came with a smaller plow and a large danforth. The plow worked well in mud and sand but didn't work well in grass.
With a good bottom for overnight should work especially in a protected anchorage. IMHO the bottom and anchorage are more important than the anchor... Look around the dock..you might be surprised at how small some anchors are on some larger boats. I use a 33# claw on my Pearson 323 but it came with a smaller plow and a large danforth. The plow worked well in mud and sand but didn't work well in grass.
It is too small for overnight
I use a 20lb CQR on my 25 foot hunter with 4400 lb displacement. You need a 35lb for your size. Unless you have extemely low freeboard boat. I would ebay the 20lb and buy a used CQR 35lb.
I use a 20lb CQR on my 25 foot hunter with 4400 lb displacement. You need a 35lb for your size. Unless you have extemely low freeboard boat. I would ebay the 20lb and buy a used CQR 35lb.
Gunkholing?
You should be fine with a CQR 20-pounder. Just don't cheat on scope - 7 to 1 will keep you snug. That anchor will drag in a real blow, however. A large, easy-to-stow, Danforth would be a good idea, just in case. You could put them both down and be OK in a pinch.
You should be fine with a CQR 20-pounder. Just don't cheat on scope - 7 to 1 will keep you snug. That anchor will drag in a real blow, however. A large, easy-to-stow, Danforth would be a good idea, just in case. You could put them both down and be OK in a pinch.
Specs
I am relatively certain that you have done the research. Just in case I added a link for your type anchor. I think all of the responses are reponsible and reasonable. It certainly does depend on conditions. The key issue is that this is probably not a good primary anchor but good as a spare anchor, depending on conditions. I know that some could argue that is not good practice to carry a "less than ideal" for a spare. Certain conditions, such as stowage room, weight, areas and type of use can play a factor in what a spare anchor "should" be. Just my thoughts, Mike D
I am relatively certain that you have done the research. Just in case I added a link for your type anchor. I think all of the responses are reponsible and reasonable. It certainly does depend on conditions. The key issue is that this is probably not a good primary anchor but good as a spare anchor, depending on conditions. I know that some could argue that is not good practice to carry a "less than ideal" for a spare. Certain conditions, such as stowage room, weight, areas and type of use can play a factor in what a spare anchor "should" be. Just my thoughts, Mike D
Read Don Casey!!!
Don seems a pragmatist . But the manufacturer recommends a 20# for a boat to 30'. Don refines this and says consider weight and windage. But he also says that bottom conditions are most important factor. He also says a larger anchor is better. But a 20# is close to being large enough and you said that you gunkhole which normally means a smaller protected anchorage. Ross might weigh in on this as he knows the bay. If I was buying an anchor I'd go larger but if I owned the anchor already I'd use it. If it makes you feel better add a kellet if you want added insurance. I'm not going to argue that a larger anchor won't hold better than a smaller anchor. But a 20# might be all that you need. If in doubt throw out a second anchor.
Don seems a pragmatist . But the manufacturer recommends a 20# for a boat to 30'. Don refines this and says consider weight and windage. But he also says that bottom conditions are most important factor. He also says a larger anchor is better. But a 20# is close to being large enough and you said that you gunkhole which normally means a smaller protected anchorage. Ross might weigh in on this as he knows the bay. If I was buying an anchor I'd go larger but if I owned the anchor already I'd use it. If it makes you feel better add a kellet if you want added insurance. I'm not going to argue that a larger anchor won't hold better than a smaller anchor. But a 20# might be all that you need. If in doubt throw out a second anchor.
The rode counts too.
See the following discussion and spreadsheet based simulation. Anchor Catenary Details http://www.johnsboatstuff.com/Articles/anchor.htm The simulation indicates that chain rode is the answer. The more the better. You are better off adding chain than using a kellett.
See the following discussion and spreadsheet based simulation. Anchor Catenary Details http://www.johnsboatstuff.com/Articles/anchor.htm The simulation indicates that chain rode is the answer. The more the better. You are better off adding chain than using a kellett.
Change of Topic
This thread seems to have changed the topic. The original post was I have a 20# anchor is it alright for gunkholing a 32' boat. Now the topic seems to have changed to what is the best anchor set up. Barry seems to have the solution. Buy 30' of the heaviest chain that you can use. One note is that I never(almost never) anchor in more than about 15' of water. So the effect of chain would be less given an equal amount of line because the pull angle is less to start..
This thread seems to have changed the topic. The original post was I have a 20# anchor is it alright for gunkholing a 32' boat. Now the topic seems to have changed to what is the best anchor set up. Barry seems to have the solution. Buy 30' of the heaviest chain that you can use. One note is that I never(almost never) anchor in more than about 15' of water. So the effect of chain would be less given an equal amount of line because the pull angle is less to start..
Most of the upper bay has good to very good
holding. A 20 pound CQR with 30 feet of 3/8 inch chain will probably be all that you ever need. I have friends that were in Marathon, Fl and they were telling me about the time they had gone sailing in their 27 O-Day and returned to their anchored dink and picked up the painter and tied it off and started to leave only to be brought up short by a very small Bruce anchor on the dink that they hadn't retrieved. A proper scope and good holding ground will compensate for a small anchor.
holding. A 20 pound CQR with 30 feet of 3/8 inch chain will probably be all that you ever need. I have friends that were in Marathon, Fl and they were telling me about the time they had gone sailing in their 27 O-Day and returned to their anchored dink and picked up the painter and tied it off and started to leave only to be brought up short by a very small Bruce anchor on the dink that they hadn't retrieved. A proper scope and good holding ground will compensate for a small anchor.
Pretty anchor?
Yes, it can be used in light to moderate conditions with 25-30 ft of 3/8 chain, good scope in good holding bottom. The problem is it will be inadequate in brisk to heavy conditions, in tight anchoring spots and in less than optimum holding. I don't know how comfortable you will be in leaving the boat at anchor unattended even for a few hours. My philosophy about anchors is that it has to be good enough to accomodate all my needs. It has to hold in heavy conditions, it has to hold in moderate conditions with short scope and in a variety of bottoms. It has to fit in an anchor roller for convenience and it has to give me the peace of mind to go ashore. There is simply no room for chance. If it does not the the job, I would not care how pretty it is.
Yes, it can be used in light to moderate conditions with 25-30 ft of 3/8 chain, good scope in good holding bottom. The problem is it will be inadequate in brisk to heavy conditions, in tight anchoring spots and in less than optimum holding. I don't know how comfortable you will be in leaving the boat at anchor unattended even for a few hours. My philosophy about anchors is that it has to be good enough to accomodate all my needs. It has to hold in heavy conditions, it has to hold in moderate conditions with short scope and in a variety of bottoms. It has to fit in an anchor roller for convenience and it has to give me the peace of mind to go ashore. There is simply no room for chance. If it does not the the job, I would not care how pretty it is.
I would go bigger....
this anchor is rated for Boats 20-30 ft. You need the 25 lbs anchor for Boats 30-40 ft. The way the CQR works is it plows in. You don't want the boat to drag it because it doesn't have enough weight to dig in. According to Sail Mag they are hard to set but they will plow in when dragged.
this anchor is rated for Boats 20-30 ft. You need the 25 lbs anchor for Boats 30-40 ft. The way the CQR works is it plows in. You don't want the boat to drag it because it doesn't have enough weight to dig in. According to Sail Mag they are hard to set but they will plow in when dragged.
No anchor is always going to be big enough.
I have a 35 pound CQR because I found one for sale for 85 bucks. I have the biggest anchor I can handle and the heaviest chain(3/8 inch) that I could shackle to it. 95 percent of the time when I anchor the wind is less then 8 knots and the fetch is much less than a mile. There are other places where I could anchor that are even more sheltered. If I were inclined to anchor in the open bay in small craft advisory conditions I believe that my ground tackle will do the job and Nancy will have me committed when we get back to the marina. There is nothing like a little common sense to make any ground tackle fit the job.
I have a 35 pound CQR because I found one for sale for 85 bucks. I have the biggest anchor I can handle and the heaviest chain(3/8 inch) that I could shackle to it. 95 percent of the time when I anchor the wind is less then 8 knots and the fetch is much less than a mile. There are other places where I could anchor that are even more sheltered. If I were inclined to anchor in the open bay in small craft advisory conditions I believe that my ground tackle will do the job and Nancy will have me committed when we get back to the marina. There is nothing like a little common sense to make any ground tackle fit the job.
Many times I have wished that my
Hauling up a 33# bruce with 25' of chain is work.That is one reason I try to anchor in 15' of water or less. One of my plans is to weld on another bow roller so that I can carry a lighter anchor. Once I anchored in about 40' of water and it about killed me pulling up the anchor and chain. I've thought about a windlass but there is no good spot for one on my foredeck. IMHOthe most important thing about anchoring is the location. Even with a huge anchor that requires five men and a windlass to haul up....who would want to anchor where it would be required??? But sleeping well is important. If a huge anchor makes you sleep better and doesn't break your back go for it. It would be a shame to bugger up your back hauling up a huge anchor when a smaller anchor will do the job.
Hauling up a 33# bruce with 25' of chain is work.That is one reason I try to anchor in 15' of water or less. One of my plans is to weld on another bow roller so that I can carry a lighter anchor. Once I anchored in about 40' of water and it about killed me pulling up the anchor and chain. I've thought about a windlass but there is no good spot for one on my foredeck. IMHOthe most important thing about anchoring is the location. Even with a huge anchor that requires five men and a windlass to haul up....who would want to anchor where it would be required??? But sleeping well is important. If a huge anchor makes you sleep better and doesn't break your back go for it. It would be a shame to bugger up your back hauling up a huge anchor when a smaller anchor will do the job.
Moonsailor, Lead the rode back to your primary
sheet winch when the lift gets hard. Also splice a hook onto 20 feet of 3/8 laid nylon. When the chain gets to the deck, hook onto the chain and take the 3/8 line to your winch on the mast. The pull is only about a hundred pounds but the force on the winch handle is only about 15. When the hook reaches the mast you can man handle it from there. Edited for typos
sheet winch when the lift gets hard. Also splice a hook onto 20 feet of 3/8 laid nylon. When the chain gets to the deck, hook onto the chain and take the 3/8 line to your winch on the mast. The pull is only about a hundred pounds but the force on the winch handle is only about 15. When the hook reaches the mast you can man handle it from there. Edited for typos
Two small
20 lbs is to small for a 12000lb boat Why risk it ? When its 3am and the wind starts blowing i hate to get up and start fooling with the anchor(s) I had a 35lb plow with 30' 5/16 chain it held good but it only set about 75% of the time. The bottom was very hard. Most of the time i would dive on the anchor and check it . I dont like the hinge on the plow.I have a 35lb delta . John
20 lbs is to small for a 12000lb boat Why risk it ? When its 3am and the wind starts blowing i hate to get up and start fooling with the anchor(s) I had a 35lb plow with 30' 5/16 chain it held good but it only set about 75% of the time. The bottom was very hard. Most of the time i would dive on the anchor and check it . I dont like the hinge on the plow.I have a 35lb delta . John
John, Have you ever been to the Chesapeake Bay?
There are many very sheltered anchorages. I agree that 20 pound anchor is on the small side for a boat this size. But prudent choices of anchorage and the use of a greater scope than usual can compensate for for much of this. When the forecast is for storms he will probably stay at home as we all should. Even the U.S. Navy won't trust anchors during severe storms but put their ships out to sea to ride out the weather in open water well away from land.
There are many very sheltered anchorages. I agree that 20 pound anchor is on the small side for a boat this size. But prudent choices of anchorage and the use of a greater scope than usual can compensate for for much of this. When the forecast is for storms he will probably stay at home as we all should. Even the U.S. Navy won't trust anchors during severe storms but put their ships out to sea to ride out the weather in open water well away from land.
Can't agree
Ross even in the sheltered anchorages the bay provides a boat can drag without the proper ground tackle. More than once I've spent the night with it blowing in the high teens. Sure glad I had a properly sized Fortress holding us tight. Just had someone drag and come far too close for comfort. Too short a scope? Too small an anchor? I don't know, but why risk your own boat and possibly someone elses with a bargain anchor? Do it right and sleep tight. Mike
Ross even in the sheltered anchorages the bay provides a boat can drag without the proper ground tackle. More than once I've spent the night with it blowing in the high teens. Sure glad I had a properly sized Fortress holding us tight. Just had someone drag and come far too close for comfort. Too short a scope? Too small an anchor? I don't know, but why risk your own boat and possibly someone elses with a bargain anchor? Do it right and sleep tight. Mike
ANCHORING
I think that maybe Ross, Moonsailer and one or two more are the ones who actually understand whats going on here. The bottom conditions are the deciding factor. As I stated before, a 20# anchor is marginal at best for this size boat, but it should be fine for a lunch hook. And in a good bottom it should be fine in anything less than a gale. I guarantee you that if you set an anchor properly, and back down on it hard, you will know whether the bottom will hold or not. If my anchor won't hold at full throttle in reverse, I pull it and move. I carry three anchors aboard. My normal Danforth, a lighter Danforth for stern anchoring if needed, and a big mamma Plow. The plow is only for storm conditions, or heavy grass. Here on the Gulf coast for the most part holding is very good.I don't ever want to be caught with out enough anchor, but I also am not going to break my back pulling up a lot more than I need to do the job. Mike, when someone else drags, it is more than likely they are not very knowledgable, and not what kind of equipment they have. I have seen idiots who literally threw the anchor over the side, cleated it off soon as it hit bottom, and couldn't understand why they drug. You would be amazed at how much a fairly small anchor will hold, in a nice bottom when it's set right.
I think that maybe Ross, Moonsailer and one or two more are the ones who actually understand whats going on here. The bottom conditions are the deciding factor. As I stated before, a 20# anchor is marginal at best for this size boat, but it should be fine for a lunch hook. And in a good bottom it should be fine in anything less than a gale. I guarantee you that if you set an anchor properly, and back down on it hard, you will know whether the bottom will hold or not. If my anchor won't hold at full throttle in reverse, I pull it and move. I carry three anchors aboard. My normal Danforth, a lighter Danforth for stern anchoring if needed, and a big mamma Plow. The plow is only for storm conditions, or heavy grass. Here on the Gulf coast for the most part holding is very good.I don't ever want to be caught with out enough anchor, but I also am not going to break my back pulling up a lot more than I need to do the job. Mike, when someone else drags, it is more than likely they are not very knowledgable, and not what kind of equipment they have. I have seen idiots who literally threw the anchor over the side, cleated it off soon as it hit bottom, and couldn't understand why they drug. You would be amazed at how much a fairly small anchor will hold, in a nice bottom when it's set right.
hey kevin*!
you send me your anchor its just right for my boat and I'll duplicate it at 35# let me know??? I've got more time than money
according to west marine catalog for this type of anchor it should be about 35#, thats a big difference!
you send me your anchor its just right for my boat and I'll duplicate it at 35# let me know??? I've got more time than money
according to west marine catalog for this type of anchor it should be about 35#, thats a big difference!
It's about
It's about two sizes to small. The proper size CQR for that boat is a 35#. For me personally I would not feel comfortable in anything over ten knots with that anchor! Fine for a lunch hook but not over night regardless of bottom type IMHO. Anchors are the cheapest insurance money can buy so why risk your five or six figure investment to a "free" anchor that is two sizes to small.. Or put a different way: Hey my buddy just gave me a sweet parachute except it's sized for a child. I'm a fairly small adult do you guys think it would be ok to use this chute???
It's about two sizes to small. The proper size CQR for that boat is a 35#. For me personally I would not feel comfortable in anything over ten knots with that anchor! Fine for a lunch hook but not over night regardless of bottom type IMHO. Anchors are the cheapest insurance money can buy so why risk your five or six figure investment to a "free" anchor that is two sizes to small.. Or put a different way: Hey my buddy just gave me a sweet parachute except it's sized for a child. I'm a fairly small adult do you guys think it would be ok to use this chute???
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