Best anchor for the Cheasapeake Bay

Ron20324 · Aug 26, 2017

I use a CQR 35 on my B323. It holds me on my own or in a linear or circle raftup where I am the 12 o'clock boat. 5/16 chain.

thinwater · Aug 26, 2017

PAC3142 said:
My Danforth style Fortress anchor isn't cutting it lately. I've had a hard time setting in Oxford, St Micheals, and several other places. A Fortress worked well on my previous boat, but not on my current one. I don't have faith in it any more, which makes sleeping difficult.

What anchor have you Bay sailors had good experience with?

Before we get into "right anchor" debates, which you can easily search, please explain your set-up and procedure. There maybe a difference. The Fortress should set in mud, so something is wrong. Even if you get a new anchor, you should be able to set the Fortress reliably as a secondary, so let us learn what went wrong.

Back Creek in Oxford has heavy weed in some areas, which could be a problem.

Because Fortress anchors are light they require specific techniques:
* NOT heavy chain. It will drag the shank down.
* Hand-set if possible.
* An initial very light set at short scope often helps.

Once set, they hold like nothing else in mud.

Captain Ron 18 · Aug 26, 2017

I use a 30 year old 20 pound Danforth with 3 feet of chain and the rest nylon 3 strand. It's held in every situation that I've ever deployed it for (knock on wood!!), including a few raging Chesapeake Bay storms. And even though I was holding onto the boat for dear life, my anchor and rig stayed dug-in while everyone else in the anchorage dragged past me. Having enough scope is pretty darn important!! That, and taking the time to make sure you're set properly. I've seen so many folks over the years who just drop anchor and leave the anchor line hanging nearly straight down - not so good in a crowded field.

Ron20324 · Aug 27, 2017

PAC3142 said:
.... I'll try without the chain next visit to St Michaels.
I also have a Bruce anchor that came with the boat that I could try.

Do you anchor in the river or the back-door creek? A couple guys just told me they'd never anchor in the river again- to much traffic on a weekend.

SG · Aug 27, 2017

With that chain, which I think is fine, I try to set the anchor initially with a 2:1 scope (real, from your fore deck to the bottom).

The "too much" chain issue with the shank down is an interesting observation -- I'm not sure I agree once it set, but I've found that trying an initial set with not so much scope out is better for a variety of reasons. Those include the bigger pain to reset so much scope that you have to pull in (with it's mud, clay, or whaterver); and, I think the initial dig into the bottom works at about 2: or 3:1. After you've got it "hooked" or "buried a bit", you can really bury the anchor.

Long ago, we had a Pearson 35 (center boarder) and used to enjoy that creek near the Inn at Perry Cabin (before Lord Ashley turned into an high-end retreat/resort). That Creek has VERY, VERY, SOFT MUD. I've seen a lot of people that found that Creek to be a challenge to get holding in.

Ron20324 · Aug 27, 2017

PAC3142 said:
...but we belong to the museum, so prefer to be close to that.

I didn't think you are that old to be in a museum....

Gunni · Aug 27, 2017

If you are out in the Tred Avon river at Oxford you will experience a sandy bottom in many places and between reversing current, wake and wind change, more than the average amount of swing at anchor. The Danforth/Fortress tends to roll and pull out and drag when it gets veered. Keep it as a kedge and backup anchor for those times when you face the inevitable - running aground at Oxford!

njlarry · Aug 27, 2017

Ron20324 said:
I use a CQR 35 on my B323. It holds me on my own or in a linear or circle raftup where I am the 12 o'clock boat. 5/16 chain.

Same on our 34. Have been caught several times in 25 knot winds with 180 degree shifts and no problem. Only 8 feet of chain and 5 or 6 to one scope. On last years club cruise we and another boat with a cqr were the only boats that had no problem setting the anchor. If I someday sell the boat, the anchor stays with me!

Fortress · Aug 28, 2017

PAC3142 said:
My Danforth style Fortress anchor isn't cutting it lately. I've had a hard time setting in Oxford, St Micheals, and several other places. A Fortress worked well on my previous boat, but not on my current one. I don't have faith in it any more, which makes sleeping difficult.

Sorry to hear of your issues, please try this:
• Permanently install the Mud Palms, which were included inside of the box with the anchor if you bought it disassembled. The Mud Palms will lift the back end of the anchor up so that the Flukes will take a more aggressive angle into the bottom.
• In soft mud, use a shorter scope when initially setting the anchor. This will keep the chain from sinking the chain below the flukes, as per the image below:

Once the anchor sets, then let out a 5:1 scope and "power set" the anchor by backing down on it.

I hope this helps!

Gunni · Aug 28, 2017

Good point on that power set recommendation. When someone anchors near me I keep an eye on their technique. Many if not most people setting an anchor fail to do a proper power set. Because the Fortress anchor sets so aggressively you can pull it deep in the mud and greatly improve your set. Center your rudder and back down to full throttle and hold it for 1 minute. If you move, you have a bad set.

Maine Sail · Aug 28, 2017

Gunni said:
Good point on that power set recommendation. Center your rudder and back down to full throttle and hold it for 1 minute. If you move, you have a bad set.

Bingo!!

Chief RA · Aug 28, 2017

Yes! Lots of chain and backdown critical! Chief

pateco · Aug 28, 2017

My boat came for the Chesapeake area with a Super Max pivoting arm anchor.

It is designed for Mud but is supposed to hold in most bottoms.

Bad Obsession · Aug 28, 2017

There is no magic bullet when it comes to anchors. Anchor threads tend to get a lot of heated debate and a lot of people think that they have the perfect anchor. It is best to carry a few anchors and I like to upsize mine.

In the end, if you don't back down on the anchor it doesn't really matter what you have. Others have posted about this and they are 100% right. If you can back down on it hard and it doesn't move, you are probably okay.

I did use a Lewmar Claw on my boats with 30' of chain (1 foot of chain per foot of boat at a minimum). It held okay and never gave me an issue for setting or resetting, even in those crazy 180 degree wind changes from a storm that the Chesapeake Bay is famous for. If I was spending money to sleep better, I would look at the Rocna or the Manson Supreme. I had a friend that swore by his and he went from the Chesapeake to the Bahamas and back a few times.

Gunni · Aug 28, 2017

Bad! Thanks for checking in.

bawlmer · Aug 29, 2017

Can you have too much chain? I have never heard that before until now. Inquiring minds want to know.

Chief RA · Aug 29, 2017

Don't see anything about too much chain. BO is informing you that the basic rule of thumb most of us use is a MINIMUM of length of chain matching length of boat. Chief