Help... I have a new 2001 Hunter 290 and the seller didn't include an anchor. They haven't been forthcoming with one and I am ready to buy one myself and sail. Do I need any danforth anchor, or do I need a specific Hunter anchor that is made for my model? I have looked at West Marine and found that the danforth for 28-40 ft. boats(rated for 20 knot conditions)is too wide for my anchor well. I need to know if I can get away with a smaller anchor, or if I need a specific danforth sold by Hunter. Also, do most people keep the anchor hanging over the bow or in the anchor well? Thanks, Frank
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Bob Zolczer
There are a number of choices
I have a H29.5, which came with a 13 lb Danforth style. That is the size that fits in my anchor locker. I upgraded to a 20 lb hi tensile Danforth which allows me to sleep better at night. I also have a 25 lb CQR. Both have 15-20 ft of chain, then 1/2 inch rode. By having a danforth and a plow style, I can suit the anchor to the bottom type. I have a double roller on the bow so can keep both anchors on the bow rollers with appropriate tie downs. If you wanted to go with a 20lb Danforth, there are rail mounts available. The type of anchor really depends on the type of bottom you'll anchor in. Danforth styles including Fortress are good in sand and mud. Plow styles, including CQR, Delta, Bruce are better in grassy and rocky bottoms. I would ask people in your area what type anchors work best for them before making a decision. My personal opinion is that anchors are not the place to save money. I bought good quality because an anchor can be the only thing keeping my boat from destruction.
I have a H29.5, which came with a 13 lb Danforth style. That is the size that fits in my anchor locker. I upgraded to a 20 lb hi tensile Danforth which allows me to sleep better at night. I also have a 25 lb CQR. Both have 15-20 ft of chain, then 1/2 inch rode. By having a danforth and a plow style, I can suit the anchor to the bottom type. I have a double roller on the bow so can keep both anchors on the bow rollers with appropriate tie downs. If you wanted to go with a 20lb Danforth, there are rail mounts available. The type of anchor really depends on the type of bottom you'll anchor in. Danforth styles including Fortress are good in sand and mud. Plow styles, including CQR, Delta, Bruce are better in grassy and rocky bottoms. I would ask people in your area what type anchors work best for them before making a decision. My personal opinion is that anchors are not the place to save money. I bought good quality because an anchor can be the only thing keeping my boat from destruction.
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Gregg
290 Anchor
Frank - My 2000 290 has a 13 lb. danforth that fits nicely in the anchor well. It has about 10' of chain and 200' of rode. When I got the boat this May, the paper was still on the anchor. The previous owner hadn't used it at all, so he couldn't relay any experience with it. I have only used it once in a sheltered cove, and it held very well in the mud. The anchor normally resides in the well, but when we go out for a long day I lay it in the track in case I need to deploy it quickly. By the way - don't forget to secure the free end of the rode to the well cleat.
Frank - My 2000 290 has a 13 lb. danforth that fits nicely in the anchor well. It has about 10' of chain and 200' of rode. When I got the boat this May, the paper was still on the anchor. The previous owner hadn't used it at all, so he couldn't relay any experience with it. I have only used it once in a sheltered cove, and it held very well in the mud. The anchor normally resides in the well, but when we go out for a long day I lay it in the track in case I need to deploy it quickly. By the way - don't forget to secure the free end of the rode to the well cleat.
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Alan Nye
Go with a Bruce...
There is no question that a Danforth will fit better in the anchor well, but I enjoy sleeping at night and have never had a problem with my Bruce. I have a 25 pound Bruce and have yet to have it not hold. We are in Lake Champlain and the bottom surface is as varied as you will find anywhere,,,, there may be others that have more experience in pure sand, coral, but I sleep well at night....
There is no question that a Danforth will fit better in the anchor well, but I enjoy sleeping at night and have never had a problem with my Bruce. I have a 25 pound Bruce and have yet to have it not hold. We are in Lake Champlain and the bottom surface is as varied as you will find anywhere,,,, there may be others that have more experience in pure sand, coral, but I sleep well at night....
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Paul
What works best in your area
You should look around your marina and see what's hanging off the nose of the boats in your area. Make sure that the labels are worn off, some people never anchor! Here is LI Sound, we like plow-type anchors (Delta, CQR) because the bottoms are really hard and we need that heavy point to dig in. Maybe a Bruce does this just as well, but I don't see many around here. In the Chesapeake, or in any river, you'll have muddy bottoms that call for a fluke (Danforth or similar) type. In these conditions, or in sandy bottoms, plows and Bruces can drag and underperform the Danforth.
You should look around your marina and see what's hanging off the nose of the boats in your area. Make sure that the labels are worn off, some people never anchor! Here is LI Sound, we like plow-type anchors (Delta, CQR) because the bottoms are really hard and we need that heavy point to dig in. Maybe a Bruce does this just as well, but I don't see many around here. In the Chesapeake, or in any river, you'll have muddy bottoms that call for a fluke (Danforth or similar) type. In these conditions, or in sandy bottoms, plows and Bruces can drag and underperform the Danforth.
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David
Bruce
I agree with Alan, I have used all types and in my opinion the best general purpose anchor for reset and security is the Bruce.
I agree with Alan, I have used all types and in my opinion the best general purpose anchor for reset and security is the Bruce.
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Mike
Anchors aweigh
When I bought my 28.5 my surveyor said the existing 8lb danforth was good for calm waters only and recommended upgrading to a 16lb anchor with 200ft+ of line and a minimum of 6-8' of chain. I have also read many a "pundit" recommending that more than one anchor be stowed on board for those occasions where you may be caught in really bad weather away from home sweet home. This make sense to me. I am pretty sure there are a few 'pro' articles on anchors - sizing and usage thereof at Sailnet.com Having said the above...I have yet to come up with an acceptable stowage arrangement for both the small anchor and the larger anchor.....the large anchor just fits in the anchor locker, but not along with the 300' of line w/chain. I am thinking of trying those hanger jobs for the bow rail..... Mike
When I bought my 28.5 my surveyor said the existing 8lb danforth was good for calm waters only and recommended upgrading to a 16lb anchor with 200ft+ of line and a minimum of 6-8' of chain. I have also read many a "pundit" recommending that more than one anchor be stowed on board for those occasions where you may be caught in really bad weather away from home sweet home. This make sense to me. I am pretty sure there are a few 'pro' articles on anchors - sizing and usage thereof at Sailnet.com Having said the above...I have yet to come up with an acceptable stowage arrangement for both the small anchor and the larger anchor.....the large anchor just fits in the anchor locker, but not along with the 300' of line w/chain. I am thinking of trying those hanger jobs for the bow rail..... Mike
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Dan
keep it secured!
Frank, Ask around and find out what anchor holds well in your waters and go with that, lots of chain always helps. As for storage I used to keep mine in a rack on the bow- until a big wave I plowed thru knocked it loose, and it conducted self deployment operations, until it fouled in a fairlead. Then it decided it needed to try a punch a hole in the hull. My 110 pound first mate hauled it back aboard in 12-15 ft breaking seas. Like they say over the "1MC" secure for heavy weather I always secure the anchor in the anchor well when I'm sailing. Prior to anchoring I'll place it in the bow mounted anchor rack. The other reason (as if I need one) I keep it in the well is, when it's bow mounted, the dam anchor snags my Jib whenever I tack. happy sailing and Simper Fi! Hawaii Dan s/v Illusions
Frank, Ask around and find out what anchor holds well in your waters and go with that, lots of chain always helps. As for storage I used to keep mine in a rack on the bow- until a big wave I plowed thru knocked it loose, and it conducted self deployment operations, until it fouled in a fairlead. Then it decided it needed to try a punch a hole in the hull. My 110 pound first mate hauled it back aboard in 12-15 ft breaking seas. Like they say over the "1MC" secure for heavy weather I always secure the anchor in the anchor well when I'm sailing. Prior to anchoring I'll place it in the bow mounted anchor rack. The other reason (as if I need one) I keep it in the well is, when it's bow mounted, the dam anchor snags my Jib whenever I tack. happy sailing and Simper Fi! Hawaii Dan s/v Illusions
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