Bulwagga Anchor

[Franklin]

I promised I'd inform those interested in my experiences with my new Bulwagga anchor so here it is.I've used it the past two nights. First night: I used a 50 lb kellet with it because I was anchoring in a strong current zone so result may be tainted. Winds were light at night from the NW at about 5 knots. When I woke up the winds were 14 knots from the SW. Anchor set very easily and didn't drag under 7:1 scope.Bottom: MudSecond night: Didn't use a kellet because no current area. This is an exact area where my old Danforth came out under a wind shift and didn't reset. Winds were 17 knots SW during setting but died down over night to about 12 knots. When I woke up still at 12 knots but from the S. Had the anchor alarm set at 15 feet and it didn't drag but a lot of anchor swing because I didn't use the kellet (I wanted to test the anchor with a good swing). This morning I wanted to put more stress on it after the wind direction change so I ran up my 40 hp engine in reverse to 2,800 rpms for 3 minutes. The rode streched 3' but the anchor didn't budge.Bottom: some soft mud and some regular mud here.My rode is 50' 5/16" H4 chain and 200' 5/8"Anchor is 44 lb. Boat is H376 at about 18,500 lbs with all my stuff on board.Summary: So far, it works exactly like I thought it would. Holds very well, sets easily, comes up easily when retrieving. Awesome anchor.

 

[Fred Ficarra]

But Franklin

How did you get all that mud off of it??????

 

[Tom H]

Offats

Franklin, are you in Offats Bayou?

 

[Lou]

3 minutes at 2800 in reverse?

How the heck did you do that? The prop walk alone does not allow you a directional pull for more than a 40 seconds max. Unless you are using a side anchor to counter the prop walk I question how you beat physics without twin counter rotating props? We're you pulling in circles? When ever I'm backing down on the anchor, and have no rudder control because the boat is not moving through the water, I need to do it in spurts of power and let the wind corret me in between quick thrusts of power. Three minutes is a long time to be in reverse at 2800rpm's while in on an anchor.I'm glad you like your Bullwaga and it's certainly a beter designed anchor than a CQR for both holding and setting but your story about the backing down does not hold water or mud in this case.Pleae explain so the rest of us know your secret for avoiding prop walk...

 

[Franklin]

response

I'm at Redfish Island right now.Yes, I was backing down on it for 3 minutes. At a high RPM like that you generate waterflow across the keel and rudder even though you aren't moving...so there isn't much prop walk. Don't believe me, try it at your slip.How did I get it clean....drag the anchor in the water a little before pulling it up. It doesn't seem to hold the mud on the flukes like the Danforth did. Although I haven't pulled it up today yet I'm still here enjoying the quietness of an empty anchor doing some fishing and relaxing and downing a few beers wondering why the ____ does my generator not want to run. I need to get some solar panels

 

[bob G.]

Great in Weeds

Glad to hear you have had good luck with it. It really shines in areas of dense bottom weeds. It is named for Bulwagga Bay near Port Henry on Lake Champlain, a shallow bay infested with weeds. My neighbor at the marina uses one on their 30' Almond and has never dragged.

 

[Tom H]

Prop walk

If kept in reverse with a high throttle my boat would walk like the second hand on a clock unless the wind or/and current were keeping it from doing so. What's the weather like out there today?

 

[Honeyman]

Franklin, trip?

Are you still headed out on your trip Franklin? Rhum line to St. Pete, then down to Keys, and back through Mexico? We want to hear about that one, please!

 

[Franklin]

Weather

"What's the weather like out there today? "It was blowing 12 in the morning and built up to 20 by 4pm.As far as prop walk goes, maybe my boat just doesn't have much. It's my first boat with an inboard diesel so it's hard to compare. In any case, I can back down on an anchor for as long as I want with my boat. I know a couple of times I pulled out my danforth when trying to set it. Just figured it wasn't set right.Don't get me wrong...I'm not suggesting anybody go buy one just yet. I haven't been in a good blow with it yet. 14 knots isn't a blow. Because I anchor out about 10 times a year, I'm sure I'll be in one soon. I do love how easy it is to set though.

 

[Franklin]

Trip

Well...tomorrow I'm going to work on the generator. If I can get it running and keep it running then I'll have to look for another weather window. I just heard of a guy who just arrived in Key West from someplace in Texas south of here. It took him 10 days and said it was the worst 10 days of his life He was on an IP 38 with 3 other people. Maybe it was the 8-10' seas that I read about last week instead of the other 3 people that made the trip so unpleasant but I thought IPs were supposed to take that in stride.Now my trip was forecasted to only have max of 6' seas. I guess that goes to show that one needs to pick the right weather window in November.Well....cross your fingers...maybe I'll go next week.

 

[Jess]

How do you store a Bulwagga?

Glad to hear of the successful performance of the Bulwagga anchor. How do you store it? Thanks for info.