This site has regularly provided significant input, so now that I have moved my 28.5 to the Bay I find I need a new anchoring system. I would appreciate hearing about things that work well and are appropriate for a completely manual situation. Thanks in advance.
Chesapeake Bay anchor recommendations
- Thread starter Rich M
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Just like at one time I wasn't supposed to trust anybody over 30...I wouldn't trust anyone who says any one anchor is better for any area or better than any other anchor.
The West Marine Advisor on anchoring pretty well covers it, no one answer for anything.
That said, the new generation of anchors (Manson Supreme and the not-in-China inferior metal Rocnas) have shown their worth compared to old style anchors, although the Danforth-types are proven to be good in one directional holding requirements and certain bottoms, but rarely in reversing currents.
Buy an anchor sized for your boat and anticipated wind conditions. You can use this link to size your anchoring SYSTEM, ;cuz it's a combination of anchor, connectors and rode that makes up the system. Going up one size on only one component makes little sense. Too many people, for instance, will use larger rode and find it's too big for their cleats and meaningless in the strength department.
http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4990.msg30400.html#msg30400
How I sized my system (manual on a 34 foot boat) is discussed in that link, too.
The West Marine Advisor on anchoring pretty well covers it, no one answer for anything.
That said, the new generation of anchors (Manson Supreme and the not-in-China inferior metal Rocnas) have shown their worth compared to old style anchors, although the Danforth-types are proven to be good in one directional holding requirements and certain bottoms, but rarely in reversing currents.
Buy an anchor sized for your boat and anticipated wind conditions. You can use this link to size your anchoring SYSTEM, ;cuz it's a combination of anchor, connectors and rode that makes up the system. Going up one size on only one component makes little sense. Too many people, for instance, will use larger rode and find it's too big for their cleats and meaningless in the strength department.
http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4990.msg30400.html#msg30400
How I sized my system (manual on a 34 foot boat) is discussed in that link, too.
Having sailed our 28.5 on the nothern Chesapeake since 1986, we've never had a problem with the 13S Danforth, 3/8" rhode and 12' of 1/4" chain as the typical anchoring system.
We do have a 22S Danforth storm anchor in the sail locker with 12' 0f 5/16" chain and a still new never used 200 ft coil pf 1/2" nylon rhode that has never been deployed.
I've set both anchors with 3/8" rhodes in a V a time or two, only tofind in the morning that the 13 and its chain were deeply buried but the larger Danforth never buried in because the larger flukes seemed not to penetrate the bottom sufficiently.
Most of that end of the bay is mud or clay; some of the creek beds with low current flow have thick layers of leaves that a Danforth may just slide over. The mouth of the Chester River and the north side of the Patapsco at White Rocks have rock bottom areas---no reason to anchor there anyway. Your anchor locker won't hold anything much longer than the 13S.
We do have a 22S Danforth storm anchor in the sail locker with 12' 0f 5/16" chain and a still new never used 200 ft coil pf 1/2" nylon rhode that has never been deployed.
I've set both anchors with 3/8" rhodes in a V a time or two, only tofind in the morning that the 13 and its chain were deeply buried but the larger Danforth never buried in because the larger flukes seemed not to penetrate the bottom sufficiently.
Most of that end of the bay is mud or clay; some of the creek beds with low current flow have thick layers of leaves that a Danforth may just slide over. The mouth of the Chester River and the north side of the Patapsco at White Rocks have rock bottom areas---no reason to anchor there anyway. Your anchor locker won't hold anything much longer than the 13S.
I, too, have been sailing all over the Chesapeake for many years and have been using a Danforth 13S with 150 ft of 1/2" braid together with 15 ft of 5/16" chain. I can't think of a time when this rig dragged or slipped. I used to use 3/8" 3-strand nylon for a rode but found it too stretchy and light for a 7200lb displacement boat so switched to 1/2" double braid and it works much better. My second set of ground tackle is the same as above only 200 ft of rode. I've never needed to deploy 2 anchors in the Bay and have anchored in 50+kt winds. Hardest problem is getting the anchor up the next morning....which usually requires driving over the anchor to break it out.
I am a relative Newbie but I run a Danforth 13S and have ranged pretty much all over the bay. I found going with 15 feet of chain in place of the 6 the boat came with really helped holding. Even with the old chain it has held well everywhere but up river from Whitehall Bay. There the bottom was covered with a thick layer of leaves and it was very hard to get it to set.
Like someone said there is no one anchor perfect for every place but with some exceptions the Danforth has done a great job for us on our 77 Hunter 30.
Like someone said there is no one anchor perfect for every place but with some exceptions the Danforth has done a great job for us on our 77 Hunter 30.
I've used the following all with great results
30' Catalina - 25 lb CQR
40.5 Hunter - 35 lb Delta
I have tried a danforth once, it drug twice. In it's defense it was Swan Cr. and the bottom there is pretty hard mud with lots of trash
30' Catalina - 25 lb CQR
40.5 Hunter - 35 lb Delta
I have tried a danforth once, it drug twice. In it's defense it was Swan Cr. and the bottom there is pretty hard mud with lots of trash
Thank you all. Decided to go the Danforth route with 12 ft of chain & 150 ft of line. To be honest that's about all that will fit in the anchor locker and use plans don't include much anchoring.
Bay Anchoring
Most places wev'e anchorred at on the bay are mud. The Danforth, 15' of chain and a good rode should do you just fine. Why anyone would need more than 100ft of rode on the bay is beyond me. Unless you plan on anchoring out in a channel which is a no-no.
Most places wev'e anchorred at on the bay are mud. The Danforth, 15' of chain and a good rode should do you just fine. Why anyone would need more than 100ft of rode on the bay is beyond me. Unless you plan on anchoring out in a channel which is a no-no.
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