What anchors are you 33 owners out there using - especially for extended cruising. I kept the Hunter-supplied 18lb Danforth style anchor with 18ft chain and 150ft nylon, but I use a 22lb Delta with 60ft chain and 200ft nylon as my working anchor. I have a windlass. I'm planning an extended cruise (6-8 weeks) for next summer and expecting spend nights on the hook more often than not and of course sometimes in less than perfect conditions. When reviewing my trusty copy of Chapman I see he recommends THREE! anchors. A lunch hook, a working anchor, and a storm anchor. Problem on a 33 is where to store all these anchors. The working and storm anchors need to be ready for quick deployment. My delta is on the bow roller and I could put the Danforth hanging off the pulpit and re-shackle the rode to it as needed, but neither is a storm anchor. Ideally one would have the Delta and, say, a 35lb Bruce (and their separate rodes) available at the bow and the 18lb Danforth as a lunch hook easily accessible with ten minutes effort. How do you come close to this in the space remaining on a well provisioned 33? What are people using and how are you storing/switching anchors?
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Stowable anchor
David: If you are really concerned about stowing an anchor, I would suggest an oversized Fortress. They can be easily disassembled and reassembled without much ado. They have tremendous holding ability too. The only concern may be the type of bottom that you would be anchoring in. My experience with the danforth type anchors has been poor when anchoring in grass/weeds. If you are anchoring in sand and mud, there is probably nothing better. I also like the Delta as one of the best all around anchors.
David: If you are really concerned about stowing an anchor, I would suggest an oversized Fortress. They can be easily disassembled and reassembled without much ado. They have tremendous holding ability too. The only concern may be the type of bottom that you would be anchoring in. My experience with the danforth type anchors has been poor when anchoring in grass/weeds. If you are anchoring in sand and mud, there is probably nothing better. I also like the Delta as one of the best all around anchors.
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Benny
What do I use?
We use a 35# hinged plow anchor on the H320 and a 22# claw on the H27. Danforths are used as secondary and stored with chain and rode in a stern locker to be deployed quickly over the transom. The H320 with the wing keel has a nasty habit of sailing at anchor and the danforth does'nt reset quick or reliably enough to be used as a primary. The claw is very effective in a busy anchorages as it works well on short scope. Your plan sounds good to me but I would get the danforth its own chain and rode to be able to deploy both in rough weather. I would forego the lunch anchor as its function can be provided by either of the two and I would also forego a storm anchor as to much weight to carry around just for the eventuality of a large storm. I would gather you will be coastal cruising and If there is a large storm forecasted run for cover. We used the suggested setup on a trip to the Bahamas and we had to deploy both anchors one night in one of the out-islands. The boat rocked and rolled all night but did not move out of the chartplotter anchor alarm circle.
We use a 35# hinged plow anchor on the H320 and a 22# claw on the H27. Danforths are used as secondary and stored with chain and rode in a stern locker to be deployed quickly over the transom. The H320 with the wing keel has a nasty habit of sailing at anchor and the danforth does'nt reset quick or reliably enough to be used as a primary. The claw is very effective in a busy anchorages as it works well on short scope. Your plan sounds good to me but I would get the danforth its own chain and rode to be able to deploy both in rough weather. I would forego the lunch anchor as its function can be provided by either of the two and I would also forego a storm anchor as to much weight to carry around just for the eventuality of a large storm. I would gather you will be coastal cruising and If there is a large storm forecasted run for cover. We used the suggested setup on a trip to the Bahamas and we had to deploy both anchors one night in one of the out-islands. The boat rocked and rolled all night but did not move out of the chartplotter anchor alarm circle.
My Hunter 33
I use 60 feet of chain to a 22 lb Delta as my primary and I have never dragged it though on one occasion I could not get it to set properly in a very soft mud bottom and short (3:1) scope. I kept the Hunter supplied Danforth on 50 feet of chain and 300 feet of nylon line as my backup and to be used on the occasional Bahamian Moor or forked moor setup. The only thing I am going to change is getting a couple of kellets (SP?) as I worry all night that the Bahamian Moor was getting fouled on my keel/prop/rudder (it didn't). I have installed my own inverter in a different spot than Hunter does. That leaves a whole locker free for anchor storage in the main salon under one of the seats. It keeps the weight low and pretty near the center of the boat. I can get to it quickly though a bit of muscle is needed to get it and all of it's rode out onto the foredeck without bunging up my topdeck. Finally I keep the primary Delta attached to the Hunter installed windlass. This setup has worked fine for me on several two week trips in the New England area where we spend about half of the time on the hook. Andy Hunter 33 - 2004
I use 60 feet of chain to a 22 lb Delta as my primary and I have never dragged it though on one occasion I could not get it to set properly in a very soft mud bottom and short (3:1) scope. I kept the Hunter supplied Danforth on 50 feet of chain and 300 feet of nylon line as my backup and to be used on the occasional Bahamian Moor or forked moor setup. The only thing I am going to change is getting a couple of kellets (SP?) as I worry all night that the Bahamian Moor was getting fouled on my keel/prop/rudder (it didn't). I have installed my own inverter in a different spot than Hunter does. That leaves a whole locker free for anchor storage in the main salon under one of the seats. It keeps the weight low and pretty near the center of the boat. I can get to it quickly though a bit of muscle is needed to get it and all of it's rode out onto the foredeck without bunging up my topdeck. Finally I keep the primary Delta attached to the Hunter installed windlass. This setup has worked fine for me on several two week trips in the New England area where we spend about half of the time on the hook. Andy Hunter 33 - 2004
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John Revenboer
Hydrobubble Anchor
I was fortunate enought to sail the East coat of Florida for 3 years both summer and winter in my hunter. The Danfort anchor that came with the boat from the factory was useless. When the waves and wind increased above 25 knots and 3 feet, the danforth would break out and require resetting. Then I discovered the Hydrobubble anchor which I researched for a year before purchasing one. It is fantastic. Never again did I ever have an anchor break out of the bottom, even in a storm.
I was fortunate enought to sail the East coat of Florida for 3 years both summer and winter in my hunter. The Danfort anchor that came with the boat from the factory was useless. When the waves and wind increased above 25 knots and 3 feet, the danforth would break out and require resetting. Then I discovered the Hydrobubble anchor which I researched for a year before purchasing one. It is fantastic. Never again did I ever have an anchor break out of the bottom, even in a storm.
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kramey7
Look at the new Spade Anchor
I've been using a plow and recently bought a Spade Oceane, which I'm anxious to employ. The testing by Practical Sailor etc is encouraging. Do a search on Yahoo and check it out. Its a pretty unattractive and unusual looking anchor but the articles about it are really impressive. I have a Plastimo CQR style with an all chain rode for my storm anchor. They're cheap on Ebay.
I've been using a plow and recently bought a Spade Oceane, which I'm anxious to employ. The testing by Practical Sailor etc is encouraging. Do a search on Yahoo and check it out. Its a pretty unattractive and unusual looking anchor but the articles about it are really impressive. I have a Plastimo CQR style with an all chain rode for my storm anchor. They're cheap on Ebay.
J
John G.
Think Twice About Spade Anchor
I notice one of the posted suggestions in selecting an anchor is to look at the Spade anchor. From my experience with that anchor that's all I would do - just look at it. Last sailing season I used the 20lb aluminum Spade (correct size for my 2004 H33) and found the anchor to be less than dependable in mud and/or weedy bottoms. It does a great job of ploughing through weed and scooping up mud but not at keeping the boat fixed in any wind above 20 kts. My anchor is attached to 60 feet of chain and 300 feet of line and in all circumstances I use a 7:1 or greater (rode) ratio. However I am told this anchor fares better in sand. This coming season I will exchange the aluminum Spade for a galvanized steel version of the anchor, weighing in at over 40 lbs and see how it goes. Some older 'sea dogs' who tried to help one time when I kept dragging suggested I try the heavier version. Another point for consideration is the price of the Spade which must be the most expensive anchor out there. From my perspective not much value for the money. I genuinely wish I could have endorsed the Spade after paying so much moey for it.
I notice one of the posted suggestions in selecting an anchor is to look at the Spade anchor. From my experience with that anchor that's all I would do - just look at it. Last sailing season I used the 20lb aluminum Spade (correct size for my 2004 H33) and found the anchor to be less than dependable in mud and/or weedy bottoms. It does a great job of ploughing through weed and scooping up mud but not at keeping the boat fixed in any wind above 20 kts. My anchor is attached to 60 feet of chain and 300 feet of line and in all circumstances I use a 7:1 or greater (rode) ratio. However I am told this anchor fares better in sand. This coming season I will exchange the aluminum Spade for a galvanized steel version of the anchor, weighing in at over 40 lbs and see how it goes. Some older 'sea dogs' who tried to help one time when I kept dragging suggested I try the heavier version. Another point for consideration is the price of the Spade which must be the most expensive anchor out there. From my perspective not much value for the money. I genuinely wish I could have endorsed the Spade after paying so much moey for it.
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Bil sv Makai
Spade
We bought the Spade based on the test by practical sxailor and we were the first ones we knew with it. We have been cruising for 2 years now and have used the orginal spade Steel version in everything from the Bay to Venezuela and love it. It sets and holds wonderfully. Mud,. Weeds, Coral, sand soft hard, etc. I have been seeing more and more boats caring the Spade. The new version I am not so sure about. Though similar there are some big changes that make the difference. The orginal has 50% of the weight on the tip and is shpaed to cut through just about anything. The new version is shaped differently and I suspect will anchor differently. It looks like thy were aiming for the mid price market as the orginal spade is pricey. But I beleive that $500 is nothing compare to my boat on the line. Especially since we live aboard and spend 10 months or so anchored out. It is false economy to get an anchor becasue of price. It must do what you expect it to do.
We bought the Spade based on the test by practical sxailor and we were the first ones we knew with it. We have been cruising for 2 years now and have used the orginal spade Steel version in everything from the Bay to Venezuela and love it. It sets and holds wonderfully. Mud,. Weeds, Coral, sand soft hard, etc. I have been seeing more and more boats caring the Spade. The new version I am not so sure about. Though similar there are some big changes that make the difference. The orginal has 50% of the weight on the tip and is shpaed to cut through just about anything. The new version is shaped differently and I suspect will anchor differently. It looks like thy were aiming for the mid price market as the orginal spade is pricey. But I beleive that $500 is nothing compare to my boat on the line. Especially since we live aboard and spend 10 months or so anchored out. It is false economy to get an anchor becasue of price. It must do what you expect it to do.
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