too many anchors

[steven f.]

We sail on our 1981 H33 and have a great time cruising the local waters of western florida. We had one instance of our anchor dragging in the Everglades and have since added two additional large anchors to our inventory. We have a 35 CQR with 25' 3/8 chain, a large Bruce with 30' 3/8 chain and a 22 lb. Fortress with 20' chain. All our anchors have at least 200' line and all are ready to deploy in a moments notice (two on anchor rollers on the bow). We feel quite safe with our arrangement but were recently given some light hearted joking about our "paranoia" in terms of anchoring. I'm just wondering how many other sailors out there keep more than one anchor on the bow ready for action or are we the only paranoid people. We consider solid ground tackle, good dock lines (and a solid dock) the cheapest insurance for the well being of not only the boat but us too.

 

[Tim Schaaf]

similar

My 1980 Hunter also has a flock of anchors: a Bruce 33 is the primary, a CQR 35 is its back up, I have the same Fortress and a couple of Danforths. Only the Bruce is mounted on the bow, however, and one of the Danforths is ready at the stern. I agree that you can't be too well anchored, but I wonder if TWO anchors at the ready on the bow might not be a bit much. You would probably never use the second anchor unless you are in a storm situation for which you have some advance notice. Your CQR is pretty well storm sized for the boat. And, all that weight up front doesn't help performance. Having said that, doesn't being at anchor just beat the heck out of being any where else?

 

[Scottie Sale]

tandom anchors

Interesting post! One thing that I tried and saves some space is putting anchors in tandom when needed. It's simple,... there's an eye at the head/neck of the anchor. Attach the chain end of the other anchor to it. Drop one(with all chain) and then the other. Two dragging?....unlikely. That way, you can store that 200 ft of rode someplace else. Cheers.

 

[TOM MANALILI]

You got what I've got, to a "T",

I just have a few more feet of the same sie chain, I deploy my bruce, from the stern but connected to the bow.

 

[steven f.]

double anchor roller

Just a quick note, my boat came equiped with twin bow anchor rollers. I figure might as well put them to use. I like the tandem anchor idea, two anchors on one long piece of chain, might have to look further into this idea. Generally in south florida the bottom is mud or at worst sand over hard bottom. The only time we ever dragged anchor was due to our rode becoming fouled around our keel (wind and current were in opposide directions and the poor boat didn't know which way to lie). Thanx for the input.

 

[Tom French]

Pay not attention.

I too have two anchors in on the bow, and have also been accused of having a anchor fetish. A Bruce and a Super Max occupy the bow station, the Dansforth occupies a spot in the aft compartment and is just so much movable ballast, I don't use it unless I have to, (which is never) it's failed me to meany times. The Super Max digs in like a bull dog and the Bruce is a great backup anchor when it's needed. The anchoring condition in Northern Lake Michigan and Huron range from sand to mud to weeds to rocks and gravel. If you carry only one kind of anchor your asking for problems. More is better.

 

[Gene Gruender]

more is better!

On my Hunter 37 Cutter I have a 60 lb CQR on one roller, a 33 Bruce on the other. Just behind that I have a Fisherman in the anchorwell for rocks and weeds. (I strongly recommend them.) In the locker at the stern I have another 22 Bruce rigged and ready to toss out, and in the bilge I have a 35 Danforth.I have had all 4 of the ones on top deployed at one time, so your "paranoia" could be justified.