My wife and I will be cruising for about the next 8 months. We plan to winter in the Bahamas and then, hopefully, bring our boat home to Wisconsin on her bottom following the eastern side of the Loop. So, we expect to see a variety of bottoms and weather.
The boat is at the small end of the Mantus’s “cruising” recommendation range for the 45# anchor. “Cruising” is defined as winds up to 50 knots. Admittedly, I’ve only experienced winds of that strength at anchor once.
The boat’s windlass only has a rope capstan, no chain gypsy. I’ll be carrying 70’ of chain, the rest 3-strand rode. And, I suffered through a herniated disk this spring. The fewer pounds of the 35# anchor would benefit both my windlass and my back. BTW, I’ll use the windlass to raise both chain and rope. I expect to chew the hell out of the capstan and upgrade the windlass after the trip.
My plan now is to template both the 35# and 45# anchors and check them for fit. Fit may control my decision. If both fit, I’ll stand up straight, stretch my back, imagine myself hauling up the anchor every few days, then imagine a scary wind blowing over a low lying island, and make my decision.
Thanks for the help,
Dan
PS. Stu, I meant what I said about the 34 site. It’s the best organized and richest owners’ site I know.
