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That's why
you hear about it, It's news! frequently! Ross...it's common I've heard of many doing this...but then again...I usually hear about a storm coming in and blowing them against the rocks too. I'm not sure why they only throw out one anchor but it's done a lot.
you hear about it, It's news! frequently! Ross...it's common I've heard of many doing this...but then again...I usually hear about a storm coming in and blowing them against the rocks too. I'm not sure why they only throw out one anchor but it's done a lot.
always on guard
We anchor Our Destiny a Mac26X with a 24# danforth 40'1/4"chain&250'braided line,and have never been dragged since we got it.One night some years back before we new better we had knock off danforth,and the wind change and came up fast & hard and there we were thrashing on the rocks at 2 in the morning in the mist of an awful storm,some how we got outof there and stayed offshore till day light.Now we are so careful at anchoring out and I still have long nights on the hook.
We anchor Our Destiny a Mac26X with a 24# danforth 40'1/4"chain&250'braided line,and have never been dragged since we got it.One night some years back before we new better we had knock off danforth,and the wind change and came up fast & hard and there we were thrashing on the rocks at 2 in the morning in the mist of an awful storm,some how we got outof there and stayed offshore till day light.Now we are so careful at anchoring out and I still have long nights on the hook.
delta
The only type of anchor that ever failed me was a danforth. I refuse to have another piece of that finger pinching ,line tangling junk on my boat again. Anything else is superior however I prefer a Delta or a CQR. The only way to deploy a danforth is without a line attached
The only type of anchor that ever failed me was a danforth. I refuse to have another piece of that finger pinching ,line tangling junk on my boat again. Anything else is superior however I prefer a Delta or a CQR. The only way to deploy a danforth is without a line attached
No problems
I have been very fortunate to get a good hook everytime I've anchored (knock on wood). My McGregor 22 has a danforth w/ 20feet of chain and 120 feet of braided rope. David
I have been very fortunate to get a good hook everytime I've anchored (knock on wood). My McGregor 22 has a danforth w/ 20feet of chain and 120 feet of braided rope. David
Anchoring experiences
I love to anchor. I think that if I had to choose between using a free mooring in a crowded area, or having to pay for a spot where I can be all by my lonesome with a beautiful view of my surroundings, I'd pay to anchor. A lot of people are afraid to anchor because they're afraid that the anchor will slip on them at night while they're asleep,and this is understandable. Consequently, they'll wind up getting a mooring for their peace of mind. I think that if, they would at least get used to anchoring, they would build up their confidence in their ability to do it, and do well. Soon, the procedure of anchoring becomes old hat. I use a force Aluminum type Danforth anchor for my primary anchor, with a length of chain and a swivel attached to Nylon braid line. This anchor was given to me by a close friend, and it's a little larger than my boat really requires. I also carry a spare Danforth that's set up the same way, for those rare times when I need a Bahamian moor. For instance, if I'm anchored in an area where the current will change in a few hours,or if I'm in my favorite cove, and an expected wind change is due before morning. Outside of that, just pull her right up into the wind and go forward and let the hook down easy, and let her drift back. I always have my line cleated off on a special Herreshoff cleat that I installed for this purpose. Also, the bitter end of the anchor line is always tied off to my bow rail or the mast. As soon as I tend to my Mainsail,and get it covered, I check my anchor line scope and give her a few pulls to make sure she's holding, and that's it. Have I ever had my anchor slip on me? Absolutely, at least about three or four times that I can remember, but it was because I may not have used enough scope, or maybe I was too hasty when I dropped it, and let the line get tangled around the flukes. Years ago, my wife and I anchored our boat in katama Bay near Chappaquiddick Island in Martha's Vineyard. I thought that I had enough anchor line out, or maybe the ground was just too sandy for it to hold. We sat in the cabin eating our lunch, and I could feel the boat moving sideways, and actually hear the sound of those little waves slapping against the hull a little differently than before. I got the hint real soon when I got up and looked out my companionway hatch. Luckily we didn't ground out, but if we had, it would have been in sand and not rocks. That very same thing happened to me again one night as I pulled into an area near Patience Island in Narragansett Bay in a heavy fog. I was all by myself, that night, tired and sleepy when I finally anchored. After I got her all squared away,l fell asleep. A couple of hours later, I was awakened by the movement of the boat drifting sideways, and the noise of the waves slapping her hull. Luckily, the fog had cleared,and I got the hook up and started the engine before I grounded out. I motored her a short distance to Coggeshall Cove,--the place that I originally was heading for, earlier. I broke that cardinal rule that I had learned from a book written by my favorite author, W.S. Kals Practical Boating, - -Always have an alternate plan."
I love to anchor. I think that if I had to choose between using a free mooring in a crowded area, or having to pay for a spot where I can be all by my lonesome with a beautiful view of my surroundings, I'd pay to anchor. A lot of people are afraid to anchor because they're afraid that the anchor will slip on them at night while they're asleep,and this is understandable. Consequently, they'll wind up getting a mooring for their peace of mind. I think that if, they would at least get used to anchoring, they would build up their confidence in their ability to do it, and do well. Soon, the procedure of anchoring becomes old hat. I use a force Aluminum type Danforth anchor for my primary anchor, with a length of chain and a swivel attached to Nylon braid line. This anchor was given to me by a close friend, and it's a little larger than my boat really requires. I also carry a spare Danforth that's set up the same way, for those rare times when I need a Bahamian moor. For instance, if I'm anchored in an area where the current will change in a few hours,or if I'm in my favorite cove, and an expected wind change is due before morning. Outside of that, just pull her right up into the wind and go forward and let the hook down easy, and let her drift back. I always have my line cleated off on a special Herreshoff cleat that I installed for this purpose. Also, the bitter end of the anchor line is always tied off to my bow rail or the mast. As soon as I tend to my Mainsail,and get it covered, I check my anchor line scope and give her a few pulls to make sure she's holding, and that's it. Have I ever had my anchor slip on me? Absolutely, at least about three or four times that I can remember, but it was because I may not have used enough scope, or maybe I was too hasty when I dropped it, and let the line get tangled around the flukes. Years ago, my wife and I anchored our boat in katama Bay near Chappaquiddick Island in Martha's Vineyard. I thought that I had enough anchor line out, or maybe the ground was just too sandy for it to hold. We sat in the cabin eating our lunch, and I could feel the boat moving sideways, and actually hear the sound of those little waves slapping against the hull a little differently than before. I got the hint real soon when I got up and looked out my companionway hatch. Luckily we didn't ground out, but if we had, it would have been in sand and not rocks. That very same thing happened to me again one night as I pulled into an area near Patience Island in Narragansett Bay in a heavy fog. I was all by myself, that night, tired and sleepy when I finally anchored. After I got her all squared away,l fell asleep. A couple of hours later, I was awakened by the movement of the boat drifting sideways, and the noise of the waves slapping her hull. Luckily, the fog had cleared,and I got the hook up and started the engine before I grounded out. I motored her a short distance to Coggeshall Cove,--the place that I originally was heading for, earlier. I broke that cardinal rule that I had learned from a book written by my favorite author, W.S. Kals Practical Boating, - -Always have an alternate plan."
Two anchors set in a 45 degree pattern
I only anchor when I have to. With my 30' Catalina I use two anchors, one CQR and one danforth. Each has 20 feet of chain and 150 feet of nylon anchor line. When I anchor off of Santa Barbara Island in southern California in 35 feet of water and sand bottom I set both anchors at about 45 degrees apart and let out all of the anchor line on each. The only time I thought I draged was when the anchor alarm went off several times before I found that the seals were setting it off by swimming under the boat. I checked it out anyway by diving down to check both anchors.
I only anchor when I have to. With my 30' Catalina I use two anchors, one CQR and one danforth. Each has 20 feet of chain and 150 feet of nylon anchor line. When I anchor off of Santa Barbara Island in southern California in 35 feet of water and sand bottom I set both anchors at about 45 degrees apart and let out all of the anchor line on each. The only time I thought I draged was when the anchor alarm went off several times before I found that the seals were setting it off by swimming under the boat. I checked it out anyway by diving down to check both anchors.
CQR
In Auckland our tides are around 3-4 metres and we have relatively low tidal races most places. Lots of sand, shingle or mud bottomed bays that are fairly shallow. I usually anchor in close - less than 10 metres and often less than 5 metres. Auckland has a dozen or so islands scattered around its Hauraki gulf and its unusual not to be able to find a good sheltered anchorage. So for my Beneteau 350, a CQR with 50 metres of all chain rode usually does the trick. Also have a Danforth with a chain
In Auckland our tides are around 3-4 metres and we have relatively low tidal races most places. Lots of sand, shingle or mud bottomed bays that are fairly shallow. I usually anchor in close - less than 10 metres and often less than 5 metres. Auckland has a dozen or so islands scattered around its Hauraki gulf and its unusual not to be able to find a good sheltered anchorage. So for my Beneteau 350, a CQR with 50 metres of all chain rode usually does the trick. Also have a Danforth with a chain
Still Learning ....
After being dragged 200 yards through a local ancorage(30+ other boats on the hook) when sudden wind gusts plucked my danforth from the sandy bottom I finally learned to lay as much CHAIN rode as you can carry! It was fortunate that I only grazed another occupied boat of equal tonnage but none the less embarassing. It takes alot longer to correct a mistake then it takes to refresh your thinking about doing it right the first time! If you have the room, stretch out the initial chain rode flat on the bottom and then use a minimum of 5:1, preferred 7:1 rode remembering that flood tides will change the math. Dad told me once, the only mistake you make is making the same mistake TWICE! I am now preparing to cruise back into the Bahamas and noticed tidal currents near double digits near some island breaks. Whoa! Ya think three danforths will work?
After being dragged 200 yards through a local ancorage(30+ other boats on the hook) when sudden wind gusts plucked my danforth from the sandy bottom I finally learned to lay as much CHAIN rode as you can carry! It was fortunate that I only grazed another occupied boat of equal tonnage but none the less embarassing. It takes alot longer to correct a mistake then it takes to refresh your thinking about doing it right the first time! If you have the room, stretch out the initial chain rode flat on the bottom and then use a minimum of 5:1, preferred 7:1 rode remembering that flood tides will change the math. Dad told me once, the only mistake you make is making the same mistake TWICE! I am now preparing to cruise back into the Bahamas and noticed tidal currents near double digits near some island breaks. Whoa! Ya think three danforths will work?
boat to a stop Anchor winch.
Fair comment if you are out in the middle of the bay on your bioat by yourself with no other boat in sight on a slack tide and no wind I agree should be no real problem to lower and raise the anchor by hand. Try dropping and raising an anchor by yourself with other boats anchored all around you, the wind blowing at 15 knots, the tide on the run at 4 knots. Seems to me an achor winch might be the way to go and keep the beers on ice. Anybody fitted an achor winch?
Fair comment if you are out in the middle of the bay on your bioat by yourself with no other boat in sight on a slack tide and no wind I agree should be no real problem to lower and raise the anchor by hand. Try dropping and raising an anchor by yourself with other boats anchored all around you, the wind blowing at 15 knots, the tide on the run at 4 knots. Seems to me an achor winch might be the way to go and keep the beers on ice. Anybody fitted an achor winch?
Bahamian
We use a 33lb Bruce as our lunch hook. It has 60' of chain attached to it with a stainless swivel. The chain is shackled to 200' of a 3 strand rode. If the anchor site is windy or crowded we always go "Bahamian" and place our second anchor, 45 lb CQR with the same rode system as the Bruce, as the offset. We really sleep well with both deployed. We use this system every time we are at Foxy's for New Years Eve.
We use a 33lb Bruce as our lunch hook. It has 60' of chain attached to it with a stainless swivel. The chain is shackled to 200' of a 3 strand rode. If the anchor site is windy or crowded we always go "Bahamian" and place our second anchor, 45 lb CQR with the same rode system as the Bruce, as the offset. We really sleep well with both deployed. We use this system every time we are at Foxy's for New Years Eve.
No problems yet. . .
On my Hunter 30, we have a 20 pound Danforth and a 20 pound CQR, both with 25 feet of chain and 150 feet of nylon. We have never overnighted in a marina, always preferring to anchor out. On the Gulf coast, the bottom is usually sand, occasionally mud, but with a minimum of 7 to 1 scope, we have not had any problems yet (knock on wood). The only time that I can remember being very concerned was in the Mississippi Sound, south of Pascagoula, one night last summer. We anchored just north of Petit Bois Island, watched a beautiful sunset, had a wonderful dinner, and settled down for a restful night, with both anchors out at 45 degree angles to the bow. About 2am, everything changed; the lightning flashed, the rain poured, the wind howled from the north, and we were in danger of being pushed onto a lee shore, just several hundred yards away. The wind only had about 1 or 2 miles of reach, so the waves couldn't get too large. I started the engine, and watched several landmarks, but the anchors held firm. After about 45 minutes, the squall passed over, and things returned to normal. It's interesting to talk about now, but rather scary while it was happening. But it does give me comfort, knowing that my ground tackle can handle the boat in bad conditions.
On my Hunter 30, we have a 20 pound Danforth and a 20 pound CQR, both with 25 feet of chain and 150 feet of nylon. We have never overnighted in a marina, always preferring to anchor out. On the Gulf coast, the bottom is usually sand, occasionally mud, but with a minimum of 7 to 1 scope, we have not had any problems yet (knock on wood). The only time that I can remember being very concerned was in the Mississippi Sound, south of Pascagoula, one night last summer. We anchored just north of Petit Bois Island, watched a beautiful sunset, had a wonderful dinner, and settled down for a restful night, with both anchors out at 45 degree angles to the bow. About 2am, everything changed; the lightning flashed, the rain poured, the wind howled from the north, and we were in danger of being pushed onto a lee shore, just several hundred yards away. The wind only had about 1 or 2 miles of reach, so the waves couldn't get too large. I started the engine, and watched several landmarks, but the anchors held firm. After about 45 minutes, the squall passed over, and things returned to normal. It's interesting to talk about now, but rather scary while it was happening. But it does give me comfort, knowing that my ground tackle can handle the boat in bad conditions.
Just for swimming
As a Great Lakes Sailor who normally docks at a marina, I have very few occasions to use my Danforth. I've only used it three times - once to anchor overnight in calm conditions at Kelley's Island North Bay - and a couple of times to go swimming. I continue to be amazed at the SCIENCE of ground-holding for people who DEPEND on it! Bill on STARGAZER
As a Great Lakes Sailor who normally docks at a marina, I have very few occasions to use my Danforth. I've only used it three times - once to anchor overnight in calm conditions at Kelley's Island North Bay - and a couple of times to go swimming. I continue to be amazed at the SCIENCE of ground-holding for people who DEPEND on it! Bill on STARGAZER
In New Jersey
We have sailed on Barnegat Bay in New Jersey for many years. The Bay has a medium to hard sandy bottom with patches of eel grass and the various rivers and anchorages leading into the bay have a very soft mud bottom. Our main anchor is a 18lb Danforth on our H340. We had a slightly smaller anchor on our previuos H30. I have about 10-12 feet of chain and about 200 feet of 5/8" nylon rode. We anchor out often and find that exercising only a little care in setting the anchor will make a good and secure holding. The main thing is to stop all forward motion of the boat and let the anchor drop or sail forward so that the anchor shank is pointing at the boat when it hits the bottom. I pay out rode slowly as the boat falls off in the wind or current. In sand, we back down gently to set the anchor. I have found that backing down does not seem to work in soft mud and only serves to pull the hook out of the bottom. In those conditions, I let the anchor lay on the bottom and let out rode as the boat falls off. The anchor seems to gently sink into the mud and will hold quite nicely after a short time. Of course, I take bearings to check for drift and a bad set. Once it is well down in the mud, we are there for the night. It makes me wonder if I am being too compulsive about it when I see other boats in the same anchorage literally throw their anchor up in the air, chain, rode and all and then go down below to have beer. They seem to stay put most of the time.
We have sailed on Barnegat Bay in New Jersey for many years. The Bay has a medium to hard sandy bottom with patches of eel grass and the various rivers and anchorages leading into the bay have a very soft mud bottom. Our main anchor is a 18lb Danforth on our H340. We had a slightly smaller anchor on our previuos H30. I have about 10-12 feet of chain and about 200 feet of 5/8" nylon rode. We anchor out often and find that exercising only a little care in setting the anchor will make a good and secure holding. The main thing is to stop all forward motion of the boat and let the anchor drop or sail forward so that the anchor shank is pointing at the boat when it hits the bottom. I pay out rode slowly as the boat falls off in the wind or current. In sand, we back down gently to set the anchor. I have found that backing down does not seem to work in soft mud and only serves to pull the hook out of the bottom. In those conditions, I let the anchor lay on the bottom and let out rode as the boat falls off. The anchor seems to gently sink into the mud and will hold quite nicely after a short time. Of course, I take bearings to check for drift and a bad set. Once it is well down in the mud, we are there for the night. It makes me wonder if I am being too compulsive about it when I see other boats in the same anchorage literally throw their anchor up in the air, chain, rode and all and then go down below to have beer. They seem to stay put most of the time.
The way I do it..
34' Hunter with a 20lb Bruce 36ft of chain 150 ft braided rope. I let out as much rode as possable and then set the anchor by slowly backing down on the anchor. If the anchor doesn't hold at 1500 rpm in reverse (diesel), I pull the anchor up and reset. Once set, I pull in some of rode if needed. Seems to work every time for me.
34' Hunter with a 20lb Bruce 36ft of chain 150 ft braided rope. I let out as much rode as possable and then set the anchor by slowly backing down on the anchor. If the anchor doesn't hold at 1500 rpm in reverse (diesel), I pull the anchor up and reset. Once set, I pull in some of rode if needed. Seems to work every time for me.
better than sliced bread
I just installed an anchor windlass this past year. It's right up there with roller furling and an auto pilot for being fabulous. As far as the terminal end I carry them all.. bruce CQR delta and fortress. If the fortress pulls free it is too light to reset. I use the bruce as the primary anchor as it seems to hold in most bottoms.. and resets easily.
I just installed an anchor windlass this past year. It's right up there with roller furling and an auto pilot for being fabulous. As far as the terminal end I carry them all.. bruce CQR delta and fortress. If the fortress pulls free it is too light to reset. I use the bruce as the primary anchor as it seems to hold in most bottoms.. and resets easily.
Anchoring singlehanded in close quarters
I've run across similar problems trying to raise the anchor all by myself with no one at the helm to hold my boat from drifting into other boats, or maybe a shallow area with rocks. The answer for me was to install an anchor roller bracket. I installed mine at an angle on the bow pointing toward port. Then, I installed a Herreshoff Cleat right in line with the bracket about foot or so back from it. I had bought two snatch blocks at a marine surplus for about $40.00, figuring that they'd come in handy some day, and they did. Now, on these rare occasions when I need to pull my anchor up, and be at the cockpit controlling my engine, it's a snap. I hook a snatch block to the eye on the bottom of each of my starboard lifeline rails, and take my anchor line aft, to the cockpit. Next, I put the line in the two snatch blocks and tie it off around my Gennie winch, leaving just enough slack so that I can uncleat the anchor line at the bow. All that's needed now is to start my engine, and pull my anchor up from the cockpit. Of course,-- my boat is easy to anchor because it's only 22 feet, but if you own a larger boat, it can be difficult, but not totally impossible to do. Once the anchor is broken free, you can use the Genie winch to hoist her up. This works for me, and it might work for you.
I've run across similar problems trying to raise the anchor all by myself with no one at the helm to hold my boat from drifting into other boats, or maybe a shallow area with rocks. The answer for me was to install an anchor roller bracket. I installed mine at an angle on the bow pointing toward port. Then, I installed a Herreshoff Cleat right in line with the bracket about foot or so back from it. I had bought two snatch blocks at a marine surplus for about $40.00, figuring that they'd come in handy some day, and they did. Now, on these rare occasions when I need to pull my anchor up, and be at the cockpit controlling my engine, it's a snap. I hook a snatch block to the eye on the bottom of each of my starboard lifeline rails, and take my anchor line aft, to the cockpit. Next, I put the line in the two snatch blocks and tie it off around my Gennie winch, leaving just enough slack so that I can uncleat the anchor line at the bow. All that's needed now is to start my engine, and pull my anchor up from the cockpit. Of course,-- my boat is easy to anchor because it's only 22 feet, but if you own a larger boat, it can be difficult, but not totally impossible to do. Once the anchor is broken free, you can use the Genie winch to hoist her up. This works for me, and it might work for you.
Danforth and CQR
On our Aloha 27, (5200 lb displacement plus 4 tons of supplies, I'm surprised the boat even floats...), we use a 22 lb Danforth almost exclusively with 50 feet of 3/8" chain and 300 feet of rode. We've never dragged (knock on wood) but we have a 35 pound beefy boy CQR in reserve. We've anchored Bahamian style a few times, as tidal currents are quite pronounced on Canada's East Coast! Only 109 days until sailing season here! Cheers! Steve, Patti and Grace sv "Ever After" Aloha 27 #39 Tatamagouche NS Canada
On our Aloha 27, (5200 lb displacement plus 4 tons of supplies, I'm surprised the boat even floats...), we use a 22 lb Danforth almost exclusively with 50 feet of 3/8" chain and 300 feet of rode. We've never dragged (knock on wood) but we have a 35 pound beefy boy CQR in reserve. We've anchored Bahamian style a few times, as tidal currents are quite pronounced on Canada's East Coast! Only 109 days until sailing season here! Cheers! Steve, Patti and Grace sv "Ever After" Aloha 27 #39 Tatamagouche NS Canada
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