Stern anchors... what's in your inventory?

Kings Gambit · Mar 18, 2017

I'm not especially recommending this assortment, but here's what I'm using now. There are two; an FX-16 Fortress on about 20 feet of 5/16" BBB chain plus 300' of 9/16" 3-strand nylon rode; and a 22# genuine Bruce on about 30 ft of 3/8" BBB chain plus 300' of 1/2" 3-strand nylon rode. The Bruce tackle-set came off my previous boat, a Pearson 30 of about 8,300#. The Fortress set was purchased after I bought the Bavaria which is near 16,000#. I've used both successfully as stern hooks; however, I typically now deploy the Fortress. The reason--in my view the stern hook should have the same holding capacity as the bower. This is because, depending on where you're anchored, you would not wish to find yourself dragging TOWARD something that the stern hook might have been set to keep you away from in the first place, etc. Also, the Fortress is lighter than the Bruce (probably the lightest of all yacht anchors) and much easier, using a very simple mount on the stern rail, to ready for deployment; thus, representing the "revised" KISS philosophy--"Keep It Simple Sailor."

As an added convenience, the Fortress can be "broken down" into good stowage form when not needed.

Terry Cox · Mar 18, 2017

No stern anchor here, but do have a smaller spare and a stern tie on a spool for those tight anchorages where swinging would be restricted. I have learned from experience to avoid using a stern tie in a blow due to the added pressure on the bow anchor. Ditto with a stern anchor when both would be deployed. Not sure of any advantage of deploying just a stern anchor when the boat is set up with a bow anchor that holds very well.

rgranger · Mar 18, 2017

I have a dansford. I keep it in a 4" pvc pipe clamped to the stern rail. Im on my phone so I can't post pics. The pipe has a cap on the bottom with a weep hole and allows me to store chain in the pipe without it falling out. The shank and about 10' of chain are stuffed down the pipe and the flukes rest on the lip of the pipe. I have a bridle that goes to two stern u-bolts and 100' feet of nylon rode. I can set it all up in advance and to deploy I simply lift the anchor out of the pipe and toss the anchor. Works great for a lunch book

centerline · Mar 18, 2017

if I were only in sandy or mud bottom, then one type of anchor (danforth) would work all the time, but I never know what the next anchorage will have so I carry both a danforth and a new gen style (rockna)....

when we were at lake tahoe last summer, we were caught on the east side of the lake during a severe storm.
anyone being familiar with lake tahoe knows there is no shelter on the east side of the lake, and it has a 10-11 mile fetch for the wind and waves to build in.....
it was evening and rather than sailing or motoring the 11 miles into the waves to the sheltered west side of the lake we decided to anchor up near the lee shore and hope for the best.... we were in 15ft of water and I used the rockna thinking it would hold better, but the bottom on that side of the lake is mostly waterlogged pumice rather than sand.
the swinging of the boat in the wind caused the rockna to just walk down wind as it was buried on the bottom (the water was clear and you could see the trails left by the anchor as it pulled thru the bottom), so after 3 attempts I tried the danforth, and it anchored us solid.
about an hour later I decided to run up and throw the rockna out so we could hang in a V on both anchors to stop the swinging, as I was afraid to go to bed trusting to one anchor and rode in the 30mph wind and 4ft swells.... they kept us safe thruout the storm

so even though the rockna didnt do us much good by itself in that type of bottom, its better in a clay bottom than the danforth would ever be.... and no matter what anchor you carry, if the bottom is foul, any anchor will hold.. but you may lose it to whatever is on the bottom.

personally, I see little sense in carrying 2 anchors of the same type, unless you have others onboard to choose from as well... but it has been proven to me that the new gen anchors arent the best for all types of bottoms all the time..

and I also believe the stern rode needs to be longer than the one at the bow, as there will be times when you may want to use it as a stern tie to shore....

Gunni · Mar 18, 2017

My stern / kedge is a Guardian (Fortess alloy). Recommend you consider changing out your bow anchor for one of the new spade-style (Manson/Mantus/Rocna/Spade) and swap the Danforth to your stern. Put no more than 10ft of chain on your stern anchor. You will be hauling it by winch and hand and a long chain is no fun to haul while your attempt to break it free. Stern anchors by definition keep the boat in a tight orientation which plays to the strong points of the Danforth - it holds well when it isn't being veered about. So a Danforth makes a fine stern anchor. An alloy Fortress/Guardian with mud palm makes the best Danforth.

Rick D · Mar 18, 2017

I don't anchor much in SoCal but I do carry a knocked down Fortress with 259' three strand and a minimal coated chain of about 12' as I recall. I have used it a couple of times effectively and once a kedge off a sand bar in San Diego

thinwater · Mar 18, 2017

Fortress, Dyneema leader with chafe guard, no chain.

Easier to row out. Easier to handle on deck.
Chain does not help a Fortress set, and catenary is pretty useless for stern anchors.
Little risk of cutting, since the boat is not swinging. Not a scratch so far.

I'm not likely to use a stern anchor if real wind is expected. That's too often a recipe for levering you main anchor out.

http://sail-delmarva.blogspot.com/2016/05/a-better-secondary-anchor-rode.html
(not the actual shackle I use--I use a grade B)

David in Sandusky · Mar 19, 2017

Bow anchor is a Bruce, second (stored in the cabin) is a Danforth. Once set, the Bruce has never failed in sand, mud, or weeds.

Jerry Clark H356 SV Persi · Mar 20, 2017

The only time I use a stern anchor is when I am in a restricted area like a narrow creek for the Tenn-Tom or parallel to and outside the channel and don't want to be blown into the bank or into the channel. On the lower part of the Tenn-Tom there are a number of places where this is a common anchorage scenario. Most of you will disagree with what I use, but it has worked for me. I use a 25 lb mushroom stern anchor with flukes - all rope rode. I haven't used it many times and when I have, I watch the forecast winds and avoid use of an anchorage that the wind could blow me into the bank. If I had unfavorable forecast, then I would continue on to a different place for the night.

I got it and experimented on Kentucky Lake when unrestricted and it was somewhat windy and it wouldn't matter if the stern did drag before I made my trip down the Tenn-Tom. My Hunter 356 does a lot of anchor sailing and the mushroom stops it. I have a 44 lb Delta on the bow and carry a 22 lb Delta (was the original anchor that came with my boat) and would use it for a stern anchor if I had any thought I would have broadside winds during the time I was anchored and couldn't find a better place to stop.

Depending on what you use it for, take a look at a heavy fluked mushroom. It depends on weight more than anything else, but once stuck in the mud, it does have some capacity for limited use and is easy to carry.

Kings Gambit · Mar 20, 2017

Jerry Clark H356 SV Persi said:
I use a 25 lb mushroom stern anchor with flukes - all rope rode.

I got it and experimented on Kentucky Lake when unrestricted and it was somewhat windy and it wouldn't matter if the stern did drag before I made my trip down the Tenn-Tom. My Hunter 356 does a lot of anchor sailing and the mushroom stops it.

How much scope do you use with the mushroom?

Jackdaw · Mar 20, 2017

Very simular to KG's setup, for much the same reasons.

The fortress we keep below with its rode in a bag. When racing we take the Delta off the boat and would deploy the fort from either side as needed.

NotCook · Mar 20, 2017

We have two 75# Bruce bow anchors, each on 400' of 5/8" chain. We also have a 100# Fisherman type anchor with a davit on our forward deck, which we have never used. I wouldn't expect to use it as a stern anchor. We do not have a stern anchor, and have rarely been in a situation where one would have been of benefit. If we needed one, we could deploy the Fisherman on an all rope rode, which would require carrying it out on the dink to deploy it, or other wise deploying it over the side before pulling forward to deploy the bow anchors. Conversely, we could deploy the bow anchors, back off several hundred feed to deploy the stern anchor, then pull forward on the bow anchor. Never have found the need to do so, but I can imagine scenarios where it would be beneficial.

Scott T-Bird · Mar 21, 2017

Don't laugh, but I have a river anchor, like this, https://www.walmart.com/ip/Danielso...75035&wl11=online&wl12=54190506&wl13=&veh=sem attached to about 100' of nylon rode. It's pretty effective in any soft bottom. I use it only as a stern anchor and it does keep me from swinging. I'd guess it might be 30 pounds, like the one advertised. It is only about 1' diameter so it doesn't occupy a lot of space in the lazerette.

RussC · Mar 21, 2017

Been using a RussCna for the past year. best setting/holding anchor I've ever owned.

RussC · Mar 21, 2017

Brian D said:
OK, you got me on that one. I actually googled RussCna Anchor and got pictures of news anchors. WTF? Then I see you name.

Did you make that yourself?

gotcha . I really liked the Rocna design, but just couldn't bring myself to put down the requested $$ for a $20.00 hunk of fabricated steel... so yes, I fabricated my own, loosely based on the Rocna design. It really does work excellent for me however, in our mostly mud/modest size rock lake bottoms. the roll bar makes it almost impossible to lay in any position that it wouldn't quickly burrow into the bottom.

capta · Mar 21, 2017

We don't have a 'stern' anchor per se, but here's our present assortment.
#1 anchor) 88# Rocna on 200 feet of ½" BBB chain.
#2 anchor) Fortress FX-55, 50' 3/8" BBB chain on 350' of 1" braided nylon line.
#3 anchor) 55# Danforth, 35' 3/8" BBB chain on 250' 1" three strand nylon.
4 & 5 in no particular order:
55# Northill stainless steel anchor, 30' 3/8" BBB chain on 200' of 1" three strand nylon.
35# galvanized grapnel (my 'tree anchor'), 30' 3/8" BBB chain on 200' of 1" three strand nylon.
Finally got the Bruce off the boat last month after carrying the silly thing around for 8 years, unused.
Last time we put out anything resembling a stern anchor, it was the 'tree anchor' around a coconut tree at Soufrière, in St Lucia.