Poor anchoring equipment

[teucer]

Just wanted to give a heads up to new Hunter owners. I recently purchased schatzi from a reputable Hunter dealer. Shatzi is a 2009, 33 that was built late in 2008.

I got it completely fitted, including in mast, radar, heater, windlass, autopilot, enclosure and everything else.

This summer, being the first real hot season with the new boat. I decided to take her out on a few extended cruises in the PNW. One of our favorite things at night is to anchor in nice calm bays rather then taking slip at crowed rowdy marinas.

On three occasions this summer, our anchor came loose and cause a bit of dragging without major incidents.

I conducted extensive research on anchoring techniques and best or suitable anchors for the region and decided to upgrade.

I switch my good old Flippy Flippy (Danforth) type of anchor for a big and heavy (52 Lbs) claw type. (I know it is way too big for my boat). I also purchased the anchor line marker to make the calculation of my 7:1 ratio easier for my anchor rode.

When I got to Shatzi to install the new anchor and markers. I got the tape out and found that I had only 15 feet of G4 chain and 140 feet of rope.

That meant that on top of having a cheap anchor, I had a total of only 155 feet of line (Chain and Rope). I find it pretty hard to do achieve anywhere near 7:1 ratio, unless you anchor in only 20 feet of water. (Unlikely for me in the PNW considering tides.

Anyway, as I said, I did upgrade to a bruce type claw anchor, I added 45 feet of chain and another 240 feet of rope. I now have near 440 feet, including 65 feet of chain. (And a better anchor).

All this rambling to say that I had to spend another $500 to make my boat what I consider safe at anchored.

I am not 100% sure if the anchor or the line comes from Hunter Marine on the boat or from the local dealer, but I definitley felt that someone went cheap on such a major investment, potentially putting my new boat in danger of damages to herself and or others.

Just wanted to give a heads up if anyone is purchasing a new Hunter. Make sure to check the anchoring equipments.

 

[Guest]

Anchoring

Our 30,000 pound Hunter came equipped with a 40 pound Danforth, 30 feet of high test chain (later increased it to 50 feet) and 250 feet of three strand nylon rope. I've anchored hundreds of times all over PNW waters in all kinds of strong winds and currents and it drug only once since we owned the boat (2002) and that was in Squirrel Cove, notorious for poor holding (thin layer of mud over shale). I would rate Danforth very high on my list as a quality anchor for these waters. I would hardly consider it cheap and flippy floppy.

I usually drop anchor at 20 to 30 feet depending upon the tide state. Tide range in the PNW is around ten to fifteen feet giving me plenty of water even at zero tide. Unless a blow is in the forecast I set and pay out to a total of 110 feet, increasing it to 140 to 170 feet depending on wind conditions. I also attach a 20 pound lead fishing ball and let it slide down the rope to the chain shackle, which helps with catenary.

The only complaint I have is at times it can be difficult to break the set loose in order to hoist anchor. This usually happens after a strong blow during the night. A 52 pound anchor on an H33 is way too heavy, but whatever makes you happy, go for it.

Terry Cox

 

[Steve Dion]

It is more than the anchor, it is a combination of anchors/bottom conditions. If you are anchoring in a mud bottom, you will probably not find an anchor that is going to hold better than a Danforth or similar (flip/flop). If the bottom is grass, you are probably not going to find an anchor that is worse than a Danforth.

Not sure of what Hunter put on your boat, but not all anchors work well in all bottom conditions. Some anchors set well and do not reset well. Good luck in figuring out the situations.

I would have to agree that a 52# anchor is an overkill. If you put down a 52# Danforth you would probably still be stuck out there trying to raise it off the bottom! <g>

 

[Lee Coller]

When I bought my 2004 44DS in 04, it came with 50' of chain and three hundred feet of rope and a delta anchor appropriately sized for the boat. That was the standard setup from my dealer (H&S, no longer around). They told me they didn't feel the anchoring setup supplied by hunter was adequate for Southern California and thus always upgraded it as part of their standard package. My guess is what they provided was adequate for Florida. Looking at the photos on hunter's site, it looks like they provide a danforth style anchor for that boat. That's too bad, I'd only use that anchor where I knew I wouldn't be swinging such as when I do bow and stern.

 

[Scott B]

We bought our 2005 3 seasons ago. It had the standard danforth, 15ft. of chain and 150 of rode. I did a lot of research and replaced the anchor, chain and rode suitable to our cruising and anchoring area. I can only assume that Hunter supply a basic anchoring package designed for boats that may stay at the dock for the most part and would require an anchor occasionally. It would be difficult to design a ground tackle suitable for boats sold all over North America and/or worldwide and especially no point in spending the extra money on something that may or may not be used.

 

[Franklin]

Very common for Hunters to come with very poor anchor systems. Good that you caught it before it was too late.

 

[Nodak7]

Teucer, we have the same boat that you have a 2009 H33 built in late 2008 hull #579 which came with the exact same anchor and rode you described. I immediately upgraded the anchor to a manson supreme. I also use a sentinel whenever I anchor. This past summer we got hit with a 65mph blow while anchored and the rig held great!

 

[nofd843]

Nodak,
What size Manson did you end up with for your 33?

 

[Scott B]

Nodak,
What size Manson did you end up with for your 33?

I bought a Rocna 15kg or 33 lbs. ( similar to Manson ) for our 33. We've seen a 30 knot thunderstorm and on another 40 knot sustained winds to 52 knot gusts on 3.8:1 scope ( got caught on that one dropping a lazy lunch hook) and did not budge.

 

[Nodak7]

Nodak,
What size Manson did you end up with for your 33?

I have a 25# Manson Supreme and it has worked great. Again I always use a sentinel (20# Mushroom anchor about 5' off the bottom) whenever we anchor.

 

[Cobra]

Do what? A 52 Pound Bruce on a 33'? I hate to tell you but on my 33.5 I have a 22 Pound Bruce, 30' chain and 250' of rode. One of my older pals has a 30' Catalina who struggles with anchoring so... If we Gunkhole over night he's normally rafted to my 33.5 with BOTH botes hung on my 22 lb Bruce. I've told my pal before if a storm blows in and we start moving I'm cutting you Loose! We've been through two 30 to 38 knot blows where we did Not move. So I'm sorry but a 52 lb anchor is not needed on my 34'. The times when I've moved or pulled anchor I failed to set it properly.