I am in the market for a new anchor for my 336. The old fluke has seen its days and will be burried at sea. I read the following at direct marine where they are selling a plow anchor. http://www.onlinemarine.com/online_superstore/anchor_locker/plow.htm "The Horizon cast and galvanized plow anchor is idealy suited for general purpose uses where the extra strong construction of the C.Q.R. Plow is not needed. It is an economical alternative to other plow anchors currently available." The cost for the plow is - get this - $49.00. It looks just like the CQR. Does anyone have experience with this anchor?
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Get what you pay for!
I went through the same thought process. It was hard for me to imagine that a CQR was that much better, considering the dollars involved. I bought an after market plow for $89.00. Not a good idea, held great! but after awhile it began to rust badly, and is now bent! I've painted and still use it as a secondary anchor, but now own a CQR
I went through the same thought process. It was hard for me to imagine that a CQR was that much better, considering the dollars involved. I bought an after market plow for $89.00. Not a good idea, held great! but after awhile it began to rust badly, and is now bent! I've painted and still use it as a secondary anchor, but now own a CQR
We're talking about ground tackle here
I use a CQR and admit I'm prejudiced towards it, but the real question to ask yourself is "What is my boat worth?". Remember, that anchor (and rode) is sometimes what stands between a neat story at the club and disaster. To my way of thinking, compared to the value of your boat and what you have on it, the additional cost of the CQR is cheap insurance.
I use a CQR and admit I'm prejudiced towards it, but the real question to ask yourself is "What is my boat worth?". Remember, that anchor (and rode) is sometimes what stands between a neat story at the club and disaster. To my way of thinking, compared to the value of your boat and what you have on it, the additional cost of the CQR is cheap insurance.
with discretion
I wouldn't have too much of a problem using this anchor (though I dont own one) as long as I have SOLID and PROVEN ground tackle to back it up. I would use it with caution, it might work just as well as a CQR but dont bank your boat and crew's safety on it without out a back-up plan.
I wouldn't have too much of a problem using this anchor (though I dont own one) as long as I have SOLID and PROVEN ground tackle to back it up. I would use it with caution, it might work just as well as a CQR but dont bank your boat and crew's safety on it without out a back-up plan.
Use Best Equipment for Ground Tackle
Several years ago I was in the market for a pair of vice grips. The local store had vice grips (made in USA) for something like 12.95 for the mid size. Next to them was a set of three, a baby size, mama size, and a daddy size, for, get this, 10.95 made in Taiwan (prices are for discusison as I don't remember the exact amounts anymore). When I compared the construction the mama size looked identical to the US made item, right down to the dimples in the casting. I thought long and hard about this and finally went home with the set of three. While adjusting the jaw opening using the thumb screw and testing the opening on the item I wanted to clamp, but not doing it so hard that the pliers locked, the lower jaw fell off!!!! Okay, now you say you want to save money on your ground tackle? A 2.95 shackle made in China?? A cheapo anchor? Not on my boat! This is not a place where I will save a buck. All our local chandleries carried shackles made in China and I told them all about my story above. With regard to West Marine, I called their Watsonvile headquarters. While the local chandleries still carry the chinese products West Marine now carries shackles made in Japan vice the made in China that they used to carry. I was really hoping they would carry Campbell (same as Campbell chain) because they come in various form of load rated shackles. To make up for the unknown I have gone to the use of oversize shackles, as big as will properly fit. In the northwest there are a number of popular anchorages where boats frequently drag anchor - an oversize anchor goes a long ways towards making this a no-brainer. Not to mention, in the event of a storm system, an oversize anchor can help save you when someone else who is improperly prepared drags down on top of you. Get a good nights sleep - use good gear and oversized ground tackle.
Several years ago I was in the market for a pair of vice grips. The local store had vice grips (made in USA) for something like 12.95 for the mid size. Next to them was a set of three, a baby size, mama size, and a daddy size, for, get this, 10.95 made in Taiwan (prices are for discusison as I don't remember the exact amounts anymore). When I compared the construction the mama size looked identical to the US made item, right down to the dimples in the casting. I thought long and hard about this and finally went home with the set of three. While adjusting the jaw opening using the thumb screw and testing the opening on the item I wanted to clamp, but not doing it so hard that the pliers locked, the lower jaw fell off!!!! Okay, now you say you want to save money on your ground tackle? A 2.95 shackle made in China?? A cheapo anchor? Not on my boat! This is not a place where I will save a buck. All our local chandleries carried shackles made in China and I told them all about my story above. With regard to West Marine, I called their Watsonvile headquarters. While the local chandleries still carry the chinese products West Marine now carries shackles made in Japan vice the made in China that they used to carry. I was really hoping they would carry Campbell (same as Campbell chain) because they come in various form of load rated shackles. To make up for the unknown I have gone to the use of oversize shackles, as big as will properly fit. In the northwest there are a number of popular anchorages where boats frequently drag anchor - an oversize anchor goes a long ways towards making this a no-brainer. Not to mention, in the event of a storm system, an oversize anchor can help save you when someone else who is improperly prepared drags down on top of you. Get a good nights sleep - use good gear and oversized ground tackle.
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