One of the most enjoyable aspects of sailing is to pick out a destination, have a wonderful sail there, then put down the hook for the night. While taking a transient slip or mooring at a distant marina may offer some comfort and convenience options, anchoring out has its own charm, too. If you anchor out, what type of anchor and ground tackle do you prefer for your home waters? Of course, a lot depends on the type of bottom at your anchorage and the weather conditions you find there. Do you carry different anchors to meet different conditions and if so, how did you choose them? Have you ever had an anchor fail? And what do you use to connect the boat to the anchor? Typical 3-strand or braided nylon, chain, or a combination of both? Tell us about your anchoring experiences and preferences, then take the Quick Quiz on the homepage. (Discussion topic and quiz by Warren Milberg)
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Delta, all chain rode in the Channel Islands....
In fact,just came back from Santa Cruz Island yesterday... winter sailing is fun. With my set up never dragged and been anchored in Santa Rosa Island with 35-40 knott winds with nothing to worry about.
In fact,just came back from Santa Cruz Island yesterday... winter sailing is fun. With my set up never dragged and been anchored in Santa Rosa Island with 35-40 knott winds with nothing to worry about.
Delta!
We have used danforth anchors in our area for many years without most of the problems that some report about resetting. We have 1-2 knots of current during normal cycles and the "real danforth" anchors seem to reset fine. The problem with the danforth anchors becomes very apparent when "trying" to anchor in grass and weeds. Sometimes they set, but not usually. This is why we now depend on our Delta and have our danforth as the backup. One of the advantages of the Delta over something like the CQR or Bruce is the reduced weight and superior holding vs. these other types.
We have used danforth anchors in our area for many years without most of the problems that some report about resetting. We have 1-2 knots of current during normal cycles and the "real danforth" anchors seem to reset fine. The problem with the danforth anchors becomes very apparent when "trying" to anchor in grass and weeds. Sometimes they set, but not usually. This is why we now depend on our Delta and have our danforth as the backup. One of the advantages of the Delta over something like the CQR or Bruce is the reduced weight and superior holding vs. these other types.
Bruce Fortress
My main anchor is a 22# Bruce w/30' of chain and 200' of braided nylon. As a second, and also lunch hook, I use a Fortress FX7. The Fortress is very small and light but has huge holding power. Setting the Fortress with the Bruce will keep the boat well positioned in a crowded anchorage with limited swing room.
My main anchor is a 22# Bruce w/30' of chain and 200' of braided nylon. As a second, and also lunch hook, I use a Fortress FX7. The Fortress is very small and light but has huge holding power. Setting the Fortress with the Bruce will keep the boat well positioned in a crowded anchorage with limited swing room.
Claw
Due to the now shortened length of the bow roller being put on, I have a claw anchor rather than the danforth. I have to say I cannot beleive how quick it sets and how strong it holds. We have some very strong currents here, and I have used it to anchor while fishing the bridges. One night a wire-line fisherman pulled my anchor, it reset in a matter of feet much to my amazement.
Due to the now shortened length of the bow roller being put on, I have a claw anchor rather than the danforth. I have to say I cannot beleive how quick it sets and how strong it holds. We have some very strong currents here, and I have used it to anchor while fishing the bridges. One night a wire-line fisherman pulled my anchor, it reset in a matter of feet much to my amazement.
44 lb Delta
I use a 44 lb delta with 25 feet of chain and 150' of 5/8 nylon rode on my H356 in Ky Lake. Have anchored in 25 with gusts to 30 with no problem. Had a 22 lb delta, now a back-up and drug in 20 knots. We have a dodger, so the wind effect is much higher.
I use a 44 lb delta with 25 feet of chain and 150' of 5/8 nylon rode on my H356 in Ky Lake. Have anchored in 25 with gusts to 30 with no problem. Had a 22 lb delta, now a back-up and drug in 20 knots. We have a dodger, so the wind effect is much higher.
Danforth...
I use a hi-tensile Danforth, with 12 ft of chain on a braided nylon rode about 150 ft long and love it. We are lucky on the Chesepeake: no rocks on the bottom and mostly thick mud that offers great holding. The Danforth is easy to deploy, easy to recover. My Danforth has never failed.
I use a hi-tensile Danforth, with 12 ft of chain on a braided nylon rode about 150 ft long and love it. We are lucky on the Chesepeake: no rocks on the bottom and mostly thick mud that offers great holding. The Danforth is easy to deploy, easy to recover. My Danforth has never failed.
Wife
Well, she gets the foredeck duty. We just got a couple of tiny Motorola walky-talkies to keep the yelling and arm waving to a minimum. The working ground tackle itself is a Delta 35 on 150 ft of chain spliced to 200 feet of three strand nylon, all running through a Lewmar windlass. Storm anchor is a Fortress 23 on 40 ft of chain and 300 feet of three-strand. It is dismantled but quickly accessible. Lunch hook is a Fortress 11 on 12 feet chain and 150 ft three-strand. Along the way we have also lost a couple. When the windlass was dead for awhile last season we found that the small Fortress was all we needed in most instances.
Well, she gets the foredeck duty. We just got a couple of tiny Motorola walky-talkies to keep the yelling and arm waving to a minimum. The working ground tackle itself is a Delta 35 on 150 ft of chain spliced to 200 feet of three strand nylon, all running through a Lewmar windlass. Storm anchor is a Fortress 23 on 40 ft of chain and 300 feet of three-strand. It is dismantled but quickly accessible. Lunch hook is a Fortress 11 on 12 feet chain and 150 ft three-strand. Along the way we have also lost a couple. When the windlass was dead for awhile last season we found that the small Fortress was all we needed in most instances.
25# danforth here
with 20' of chain. Been anchored in 50+ knot winds with no dragging. I also have a very small danforth stern/lunch hook anchor with 10' of chain. Before I head off on a long trip, I plan to get a second anchor for the bow. Considering CQR, Bruce, and Bulwagga...something that will definately work in grass, rocks and resets quickly.
with 20' of chain. Been anchored in 50+ knot winds with no dragging. I also have a very small danforth stern/lunch hook anchor with 10' of chain. Before I head off on a long trip, I plan to get a second anchor for the bow. Considering CQR, Bruce, and Bulwagga...something that will definately work in grass, rocks and resets quickly.
Bruce 29#, 50' 3/8 chain, 250' 5/8 nylon
Actually the Bruce is a 'Bruce Lee' knockoff. It's held well for us, no problems. Stern anchor is a Danforth 14# with 250 ft of 1/2" nylon. It also functions as lunch/fog hook. There's another Danforth 14# in the deep locker, never used it. Beware several problems with Danforth-type anchors: 1. They sometimes have problems re-setting if veered. 2. They can jam on a rock, can etc. 3. Many people have complained of lack of holding power in mud - at least 1 manufacturer sells 'mud palms' that apparently work. Unlike many things in life, the basic truth of anchoring is: SIZE MATTERS Cheers, Bob s/v X SAIL R 8
Actually the Bruce is a 'Bruce Lee' knockoff. It's held well for us, no problems. Stern anchor is a Danforth 14# with 250 ft of 1/2" nylon. It also functions as lunch/fog hook. There's another Danforth 14# in the deep locker, never used it. Beware several problems with Danforth-type anchors: 1. They sometimes have problems re-setting if veered. 2. They can jam on a rock, can etc. 3. Many people have complained of lack of holding power in mud - at least 1 manufacturer sells 'mud palms' that apparently work. Unlike many things in life, the basic truth of anchoring is: SIZE MATTERS Cheers, Bob s/v X SAIL R 8
Danforth and CQR
I used two anchors on my Cheoy Lee Clipper over the 25 years I cruised. I had a large Danforth high tensel and a CQR. Both had dragged when I first started cruising in very high winds ie 40 plus. Boat was 33 feet. Used a 35lb Danforth and 35lb CQR. Both had 20 foot of chain to start with. I increased the chain to 50 feet and never had one drag again. Even in a 115 Knot hurricane they both held and saved my boat. Don't forget chain length. I think the minimum is one boat lenght but slightly more will help you sleep well. Also use lots of 3 twist nylon. I had 3 rodes; one 250 feet, one 300 feet, and one 350 feet. Don't use anything but the real CQR and Danforth also.
I used two anchors on my Cheoy Lee Clipper over the 25 years I cruised. I had a large Danforth high tensel and a CQR. Both had dragged when I first started cruising in very high winds ie 40 plus. Boat was 33 feet. Used a 35lb Danforth and 35lb CQR. Both had 20 foot of chain to start with. I increased the chain to 50 feet and never had one drag again. Even in a 115 Knot hurricane they both held and saved my boat. Don't forget chain length. I think the minimum is one boat lenght but slightly more will help you sleep well. Also use lots of 3 twist nylon. I had 3 rodes; one 250 feet, one 300 feet, and one 350 feet. Don't use anything but the real CQR and Danforth also.
As a happy...
... Danforth user, I'd like to hear the experiences of others who use spade/claw/plow type anchors when the wind shifts 180-degrees. When this has happened with my Danforth down, it simply flipped over and re-set itself. Do these other types do that?
... Danforth user, I'd like to hear the experiences of others who use spade/claw/plow type anchors when the wind shifts 180-degrees. When this has happened with my Danforth down, it simply flipped over and re-set itself. Do these other types do that?
Anchor Winch
I mostly sail my Mac26x single handed so dropping the anchor can be a pain. Has anybody come up with a means to fit a 12 volt anchor which to a Mac 26X? and if so can you let me have some details.
I mostly sail my Mac26x single handed so dropping the anchor can be a pain. Has anybody come up with a means to fit a 12 volt anchor which to a Mac 26X? and if so can you let me have some details.
Delta/Danforth and Bruce
We have a Delta 22lb with 40 ft 5/16 chain on the bow of our Newport 33. A 22lb Danforth with the same chain in the stern locker and have used a 22 lb Bruce knock off on our previous 33Ranger. Have never dragged except for the danforth - some weed I believe prevented a perfect set. The Delta and Bruce handle wind change and current up to 2 knots well and set fast.
We have a Delta 22lb with 40 ft 5/16 chain on the bow of our Newport 33. A 22lb Danforth with the same chain in the stern locker and have used a 22 lb Bruce knock off on our previous 33Ranger. Have never dragged except for the danforth - some weed I believe prevented a perfect set. The Delta and Bruce handle wind change and current up to 2 knots well and set fast.
As I have stated before
I am an extremist when it comes to my anchor. Bietzpadlin is an Islander 30 1968 model 4 1/2 tons. I often anchor in semi-exposed areas with wind shifts and changes in the tidal currents. Once my 35 pound CQR with 30 feet of 3/8 inch chain is well set I know that when I awake the next morning we will still be in the same place we were the night before.
I am an extremist when it comes to my anchor. Bietzpadlin is an Islander 30 1968 model 4 1/2 tons. I often anchor in semi-exposed areas with wind shifts and changes in the tidal currents. Once my 35 pound CQR with 30 feet of 3/8 inch chain is well set I know that when I awake the next morning we will still be in the same place we were the night before.
Flying Dinghy Anchorage
A good, and reliable friend of mine, some years back anchored off one of the Leeward islands. Wind kicked up and shifted 180. CQR anchor dragged and they woke up to the sounds of bouncing on the beach in a 40+' boat. Come morning, a friendly soul in their Zodiac saw the predicament and suggested inducing a heel by pulling the halyard. Zodiac + 9hp Evinrude. Well, they got a good heel going, til a wave tossed the boat the opposite direction. I wasn't there but the description of what happens to a Zodiac when a 40' mast rolls through 60 degrees of arc to the opposite heel in maybe 2 seconds was hilarious. Fortunately nobody was hurt, but the image of the flying Zodiac has stuck with me.
A good, and reliable friend of mine, some years back anchored off one of the Leeward islands. Wind kicked up and shifted 180. CQR anchor dragged and they woke up to the sounds of bouncing on the beach in a 40+' boat. Come morning, a friendly soul in their Zodiac saw the predicament and suggested inducing a heel by pulling the halyard. Zodiac + 9hp Evinrude. Well, they got a good heel going, til a wave tossed the boat the opposite direction. I wasn't there but the description of what happens to a Zodiac when a 40' mast rolls through 60 degrees of arc to the opposite heel in maybe 2 seconds was hilarious. Fortunately nobody was hurt, but the image of the flying Zodiac has stuck with me.
Bent Claw, never again!
I have a 44# claw anchor on my Bayfield 36. It has a bent shank and one of the tines of the claw are bent as well. The previous owner probably has a good tale to tell about how to bend an anchor but I don't know it! Generally, the anchor has been fairly reliable and has set itself and then reset after the current shifts 180 degrees. The fact that we have a 200' chain rode helps as we use a 5:1 scope. Wouldn't you know it but the 2 times the anchor failed to hold was when we were the anchor boat for a 3 boat raft and the winds kicked up. The anchorage was shaped like a bowl with swirling currents that were often 90 degrees off the wind. Very difficult for holding. Funny thing was -- both times we dragged, after pulling up the anchor, I found the same log with the same fishing tackle wrapped around it. How did I manage to snare it twice?!!? Anyway, I just purchased a Delta Fast-set anchor. The Claw has failed me the last time!!!
I have a 44# claw anchor on my Bayfield 36. It has a bent shank and one of the tines of the claw are bent as well. The previous owner probably has a good tale to tell about how to bend an anchor but I don't know it! Generally, the anchor has been fairly reliable and has set itself and then reset after the current shifts 180 degrees. The fact that we have a 200' chain rode helps as we use a 5:1 scope. Wouldn't you know it but the 2 times the anchor failed to hold was when we were the anchor boat for a 3 boat raft and the winds kicked up. The anchorage was shaped like a bowl with swirling currents that were often 90 degrees off the wind. Very difficult for holding. Funny thing was -- both times we dragged, after pulling up the anchor, I found the same log with the same fishing tackle wrapped around it. How did I manage to snare it twice?!!? Anyway, I just purchased a Delta Fast-set anchor. The Claw has failed me the last time!!!
boat to a stop.
Since you have to bring the boat to a stop there should not be any problem going forward to drop the hook. Spend your money in more practical improvements like refrigeration.
Since you have to bring the boat to a stop there should not be any problem going forward to drop the hook. Spend your money in more practical improvements like refrigeration.
Let me see if I am
Getting this straight? You tried to hold three boats about 36 feet each with one 44 pound anchor? And you think that there was something wrong with the anchor? One anchor for each boat would be ok BUT THREE BOATS ON ONE ANCHOR? Have you taken leave of your senses?
Getting this straight? You tried to hold three boats about 36 feet each with one 44 pound anchor? And you think that there was something wrong with the anchor? One anchor for each boat would be ok BUT THREE BOATS ON ONE ANCHOR? Have you taken leave of your senses?
Danforth or Bruce
with 100' of 1/4" chain and 150' of 1/2 nylon rode. Boat is a Crown 34, disp. ~11,000 lbs. Dragged once this summer with the bruce but I think I failed to back down hard enough to really dig it in. I don't trust it in mud however...
with 100' of 1/4" chain and 150' of 1/2 nylon rode. Boat is a Crown 34, disp. ~11,000 lbs. Dragged once this summer with the bruce but I think I failed to back down hard enough to really dig it in. I don't trust it in mud however...
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