suggestions on the best type of anchor and rode setup for cruising the area waters? My 320 is going to come with a fluke anchor but I've heard that the best kind for our waters is the "Bruce". The dealer is offering an upgraded anchor package with 100 feet of chain but I'm thinking that's an awful lot of chain. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated .
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Pacific Northwest Anchors
Hi Bill, I just upgraded the ground tackle on my 335 this year. The former owner had used the boat mainly for day sailing, and I wasn't happy with the Danforth on the bow roller. I researched anchor choices through a couple of articles in Practical Sailor which evaluated a bunch of different anchors for setting and holding power through a range of bottom conditions. Sand isn't real important to us up here so I made my decision based on setting and holding power in mud. I chose a CQR 35 pound anchor, and so far it has worked well though it hasn't been tested in a real blow. While it tests really well, it has two disadvantages: Its quite expensive, and it weighs about twice as much as the Danforth. I chose safety over cost and difficulty in raising the anchor. I also upgraded the chain and anchor line. I only went with 40 feet of chain, but 300 feet of rope. 100 feet of chain would appear to be excessive unless you plan to have an all chain rode. Do you have a windlass? Happy sailing! Gary Wyngarden S/V Shibumi H335
Hi Bill, I just upgraded the ground tackle on my 335 this year. The former owner had used the boat mainly for day sailing, and I wasn't happy with the Danforth on the bow roller. I researched anchor choices through a couple of articles in Practical Sailor which evaluated a bunch of different anchors for setting and holding power through a range of bottom conditions. Sand isn't real important to us up here so I made my decision based on setting and holding power in mud. I chose a CQR 35 pound anchor, and so far it has worked well though it hasn't been tested in a real blow. While it tests really well, it has two disadvantages: Its quite expensive, and it weighs about twice as much as the Danforth. I chose safety over cost and difficulty in raising the anchor. I also upgraded the chain and anchor line. I only went with 40 feet of chain, but 300 feet of rope. 100 feet of chain would appear to be excessive unless you plan to have an all chain rode. Do you have a windlass? Happy sailing! Gary Wyngarden S/V Shibumi H335
Bruce bias
While I think any plow-type anchor (Bruce, Delta, CQR) will work really well in our nice, sticky, mud, I prefer the Bruce. With the conditions we have in MW, my observation is that 90+% of anchoring problems are caused by bad sets and current swings; not a lack of holding power. I like the Bruce because it sets first time, _every_ time, and re-sets as easily when the boat swings 180 degrees (which it does often here). If you keep your Danforth and carery it as a second, you'll be well protected in the improbable event that you're caught in a blow the Bruce won't handle. Regarding chain, I'd go for the 100'. In fact, I'd carry as much as you can without pushing your bow down into the water. Chain allows you to use shorter scope, really important when you're anchoring in 40-50' of water.
While I think any plow-type anchor (Bruce, Delta, CQR) will work really well in our nice, sticky, mud, I prefer the Bruce. With the conditions we have in MW, my observation is that 90+% of anchoring problems are caused by bad sets and current swings; not a lack of holding power. I like the Bruce because it sets first time, _every_ time, and re-sets as easily when the boat swings 180 degrees (which it does often here). If you keep your Danforth and carery it as a second, you'll be well protected in the improbable event that you're caught in a blow the Bruce won't handle. Regarding chain, I'd go for the 100'. In fact, I'd carry as much as you can without pushing your bow down into the water. Chain allows you to use shorter scope, really important when you're anchoring in 40-50' of water.
Thanks Gary !.....................................
Thanks for your suggestion about the CQR anchor. My boat isn't going to have a windlass at this time, I may opt to add one later. Hunter wanted 2400 bucks for it which is why I declined. I'm sure I can pull up 70lbs of anchor and rode, if it gets to be too much I can always use one of the winches as I saw in a video on anchoring. Thanks again.
Thanks for your suggestion about the CQR anchor. My boat isn't going to have a windlass at this time, I may opt to add one later. Hunter wanted 2400 bucks for it which is why I declined. I'm sure I can pull up 70lbs of anchor and rode, if it gets to be too much I can always use one of the winches as I saw in a video on anchoring. Thanks again.
anchoring
I don't really know your anchoring conditions in the NW, I sailthe New England coast. I upgraded to a Spade anchor this summer (given great review by PS in there anchor test) along with 200 feet chain rode. We rafted up this summer with around thirty other boats During the night, around 3:00 AM the wind shifted and came up to 30-35 knots. with the wind shift and speed increase, the smaller boats on the end of the raft started breaking bow and stern lines. Was that fun waking people at 3:00 AM to get their boats started and the like. To make a long story short, when I finally reimerged from my bunk at 7:00 AM we had 10 boats left on the raft and because of the wind shift, my spade was the only bow anchor left that actually holding the remaining raft boats. I was impressed. Bryce Grefe S/V Spellbinder H410
I don't really know your anchoring conditions in the NW, I sailthe New England coast. I upgraded to a Spade anchor this summer (given great review by PS in there anchor test) along with 200 feet chain rode. We rafted up this summer with around thirty other boats During the night, around 3:00 AM the wind shifted and came up to 30-35 knots. with the wind shift and speed increase, the smaller boats on the end of the raft started breaking bow and stern lines. Was that fun waking people at 3:00 AM to get their boats started and the like. To make a long story short, when I finally reimerged from my bunk at 7:00 AM we had 10 boats left on the raft and because of the wind shift, my spade was the only bow anchor left that actually holding the remaining raft boats. I was impressed. Bryce Grefe S/V Spellbinder H410
Fortress is what we use in Puget Sound
Our 33.5 has an FX16 (16 lb. aluminum)Fortress. For some reason, the Coast Guards and Navy's findings that the Fortress is the best in most bottom conditions does not discourage people from lugging around a much heavier anchor. We have about 20 feet of chain and 200 feet of rode. We have anchored in muddy bottom with a non anchored boat anchored up to us (catalina 30) in 25-30 kts. of wind and didnt budge an inch. I am happy with it and as we are mainly weekend cruisers and hate the look of an anchor hanging off our bow, we keep this light little baby in the anchor locker to keep bow neat and tidey. Doug
Our 33.5 has an FX16 (16 lb. aluminum)Fortress. For some reason, the Coast Guards and Navy's findings that the Fortress is the best in most bottom conditions does not discourage people from lugging around a much heavier anchor. We have about 20 feet of chain and 200 feet of rode. We have anchored in muddy bottom with a non anchored boat anchored up to us (catalina 30) in 25-30 kts. of wind and didnt budge an inch. I am happy with it and as we are mainly weekend cruisers and hate the look of an anchor hanging off our bow, we keep this light little baby in the anchor locker to keep bow neat and tidey. Doug
Correction to Fortress.....
The catalina was rafted up to us, not anchored obviously...that would really mess up the gel coat. Sorry for the typo. Doug
The catalina was rafted up to us, not anchored obviously...that would really mess up the gel coat. Sorry for the typo. Doug
Delta
I was a CQR fan for 15 years. When our 460 came with a Delta 44 lb, I thought, oh well, I'll just have to get a CQR and use the Delta for a back-up. I thought I would try it first, though, and was very impressed. It has held us in gales several times over the past 2 years. Never did buy the CQR, bought a Fi=ortress as a back-up and have never used it. The Delta self-launches as well, and it has always re-set for us. I would go for the 100 ft. of chain mostly because it will allow you to anchor with less scope which can be important in those tighter anchoages, or in crowds. We have 200 ft. on our main anchor. ROwen
I was a CQR fan for 15 years. When our 460 came with a Delta 44 lb, I thought, oh well, I'll just have to get a CQR and use the Delta for a back-up. I thought I would try it first, though, and was very impressed. It has held us in gales several times over the past 2 years. Never did buy the CQR, bought a Fi=ortress as a back-up and have never used it. The Delta self-launches as well, and it has always re-set for us. I would go for the 100 ft. of chain mostly because it will allow you to anchor with less scope which can be important in those tighter anchoages, or in crowds. We have 200 ft. on our main anchor. ROwen
I second the Delta..
My 460 too came with the 44lb Delta. I have 130 feet of chain which is more than enough for the areas I anchor in here in the Northeast. I was anchored with 5 - 40foot plus boat rafted to me when the wind started blowing 25 to 30 knots and we didn't move an inch. I was impressed as were the other 5 Captains.
My 460 too came with the 44lb Delta. I have 130 feet of chain which is more than enough for the areas I anchor in here in the Northeast. I was anchored with 5 - 40foot plus boat rafted to me when the wind started blowing 25 to 30 knots and we didn't move an inch. I was impressed as were the other 5 Captains.
Some other considerations
I agree with many of the responses--I have used a danforth type for many years in our northwest area. But I have switched to a Bruce as it tends to set better for me in kelp. In my past few boats, I used about thirty feet of chain and then nylon strand rode, however, at present I'm using 150' chain and 200' line. However, I do have a windless now to haul all this stuff up. I once had a H40 with a 33 lb Bruce and 50' chain, without a windless and had a heck of a time getting all this back on board (I did better at the end of the season than I did at the first, but it still was hard work). Which brings me to a point that many of us males forget about. Can your wife bring the ground tackle on board? What if you had a heart attack or some other type illness? Could she bring the boat home? Since the H40, I have always rigged the boat so that my wife could up anchor and get us home. Just a thought. Les
I agree with many of the responses--I have used a danforth type for many years in our northwest area. But I have switched to a Bruce as it tends to set better for me in kelp. In my past few boats, I used about thirty feet of chain and then nylon strand rode, however, at present I'm using 150' chain and 200' line. However, I do have a windless now to haul all this stuff up. I once had a H40 with a 33 lb Bruce and 50' chain, without a windless and had a heck of a time getting all this back on board (I did better at the end of the season than I did at the first, but it still was hard work). Which brings me to a point that many of us males forget about. Can your wife bring the ground tackle on board? What if you had a heart attack or some other type illness? Could she bring the boat home? Since the H40, I have always rigged the boat so that my wife could up anchor and get us home. Just a thought. Les
Northwest anchorages
The problem with some Northwest anchorages is that one can easily drag anchor in some of them. Some examples are Liberty Bay at Poulsbo and the bay at Ganges on Saltspring Island, British Columbia. Eagle Harbor on Bainbridge isn't a whole lot better. The Danforth and Fortress anchors have a particularly hard time in these anchorages (voice of experience). What has worked well for our H-35 for normal anchoring conditions is a 35 lb Delta (Bruce or CQR would work too), 35 ft of 3/8 BBB chain, and 350 feet of 5/8-inch braided rode (Sampson) and oversize shackles. Don't use shackles made in China. To bring this stuff up I pull it up by hand. If the anchor is set really well I put a snatch block on the toe rail to get a fairlead from the bow roller to the primary windless and crank away. Most of the time the winds are fairly light, less than 20 or 25 knots, but one August 8th at Winter Harbor on Vancouver Island we had over 100 knots. This is summertime which is generally considered the best time for cruising. Message: be prepared! Our storm anchor is a Fortress (forgot the size) with 45 feet of 3/8 BBB and 375 feet of 3/4-inch rode which is stowed in the lazarette. We have had both anchors only once in 12 years. Good ground tackle provides peace of mind. We've anchored in over 100 feet of water numerous times. At Ganges it's fairly common to see boats drift at anchor because most of them only have the minimum ground tackle setup.
The problem with some Northwest anchorages is that one can easily drag anchor in some of them. Some examples are Liberty Bay at Poulsbo and the bay at Ganges on Saltspring Island, British Columbia. Eagle Harbor on Bainbridge isn't a whole lot better. The Danforth and Fortress anchors have a particularly hard time in these anchorages (voice of experience). What has worked well for our H-35 for normal anchoring conditions is a 35 lb Delta (Bruce or CQR would work too), 35 ft of 3/8 BBB chain, and 350 feet of 5/8-inch braided rode (Sampson) and oversize shackles. Don't use shackles made in China. To bring this stuff up I pull it up by hand. If the anchor is set really well I put a snatch block on the toe rail to get a fairlead from the bow roller to the primary windless and crank away. Most of the time the winds are fairly light, less than 20 or 25 knots, but one August 8th at Winter Harbor on Vancouver Island we had over 100 knots. This is summertime which is generally considered the best time for cruising. Message: be prepared! Our storm anchor is a Fortress (forgot the size) with 45 feet of 3/8 BBB and 375 feet of 3/4-inch rode which is stowed in the lazarette. We have had both anchors only once in 12 years. Good ground tackle provides peace of mind. We've anchored in over 100 feet of water numerous times. At Ganges it's fairly common to see boats drift at anchor because most of them only have the minimum ground tackle setup.
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