Which anchor is all around best for a 11,000 # 30' sloop? There are many different kinds and all the manufacturers claim theirs is the best. And how many anchors does one need to carry for cruising and of what type.
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Check the archives
Hermit-
Do an archive search on anchors. You will find some long, l-o-n-g, and sometimes contentious threads that, taken together, probably will give you more than you ever wanted to know. I think the reason that you haven't had any replies yet is that this issue has been discussed several times just within the past few months, and each time it has tended to degrade into a pissing match that includes one or more anchor manufacturers slamming their competitors.
That being said, you will find some good, seasoned advice if you have the patience to wade through it. As far as your question on what is the best anchor, you might give a bit more weight to those posts that begin with "It depends..."
Gary
Even Keel II
Hermit-
Do an archive search on anchors. You will find some long, l-o-n-g, and sometimes contentious threads that, taken together, probably will give you more than you ever wanted to know. I think the reason that you haven't had any replies yet is that this issue has been discussed several times just within the past few months, and each time it has tended to degrade into a pissing match that includes one or more anchor manufacturers slamming their competitors.
That being said, you will find some good, seasoned advice if you have the patience to wade through it. As far as your question on what is the best anchor, you might give a bit more weight to those posts that begin with "It depends..."
Gary
Even Keel II
OK
There were so many threads in the archives with the word anchor, I couldn't find an article about anchors. I will just ask TonyB, he knows what he is talking about and he's not an anchor manufaturer.
Thanks for letting me know what was up. Some things just can't be talked about to any resolve in forums, I guess.
There were so many threads in the archives with the word anchor, I couldn't find an article about anchors. I will just ask TonyB, he knows what he is talking about and he's not an anchor manufaturer.
Thanks for letting me know what was up. Some things just can't be talked about to any resolve in forums, I guess.
It's not that it can't be resolved
It's just that there are so many variables. From cost to type of bottom to wind and wave action to swinging on the hook and it's ability to reset. It really gets down to your boat, your area and your money. How would you like it. The rest is up to you to be able to decipher the threads on anchors and their good parts, verses their bad parts. Which one has more of what you need. Good luck.
Keep it up,
Ctskip
It's just that there are so many variables. From cost to type of bottom to wind and wave action to swinging on the hook and it's ability to reset. It really gets down to your boat, your area and your money. How would you like it. The rest is up to you to be able to decipher the threads on anchors and their good parts, verses their bad parts. Which one has more of what you need. Good luck.
Keep it up,
Ctskip
Every Anchor is the Best!!
Just ask the manufacturer and look at their data!! Every manufacturer will have data that shows that their product is better than all others. Methinks that the real proof is in the application by real sailors in real situations.
I am sure that every anchor style has dragged in some situations and every anchor style has saved a boat from sure destruction on a lee shore or reef.
As EvenKeel says .... It depends !! .. search the archives. Try to read past the pissing matches and see what real situations you can find there. Then, close your eyes and eeny-meeny-miney-mo it ..... with lots of chain !!!!!
Just ask the manufacturer and look at their data!! Every manufacturer will have data that shows that their product is better than all others. Methinks that the real proof is in the application by real sailors in real situations.
I am sure that every anchor style has dragged in some situations and every anchor style has saved a boat from sure destruction on a lee shore or reef.
As EvenKeel says .... It depends !! .. search the archives. Try to read past the pissing matches and see what real situations you can find there. Then, close your eyes and eeny-meeny-miney-mo it ..... with lots of chain !!!!!
which one
Sounds like you're only wanting to buy ONE and you want it to be THE ONE. No one with experience will give you an answer you like. Not going to happen. I love my danforth. And I love my claw. And I love my plow. I love all my children equally, they're all special.
Some will suggest you have at least two, in case you loose one and still need to anchor (cause life happens). If you have more than one, you can get different styles. Three anchors and you're ready for just about anything. Two anchors would not be unusual for a 30' boat and three can be found on many. It's money spendin' time! Now ask if you should have separate rodes for each.
Sounds like you're only wanting to buy ONE and you want it to be THE ONE. No one with experience will give you an answer you like. Not going to happen. I love my danforth. And I love my claw. And I love my plow. I love all my children equally, they're all special.
Some will suggest you have at least two, in case you loose one and still need to anchor (cause life happens). If you have more than one, you can get different styles. Three anchors and you're ready for just about anything. Two anchors would not be unusual for a 30' boat and three can be found on many. It's money spendin' time! Now ask if you should have separate rodes for each.
Anchors
Just one more humble opinion on anchors. It sort of depends on where you anchor, or how far you travel. My normal cruising grounds are the gulf coast, where the bottom is mostly mud and sand. Always good holding. So, no need for the latest high tech, costly products. A simple Danforth works for me, 90% of the time. I carry a back up Danforth aboard, plus a big, oversized plow for harsher conditions and when I get into heavy grass.
If you anchor where you have rocks, or grass, then you will need more than a simple Danforth to be secure. So before you spend the bucks for the latest high tech, think about where you anchor, and what the conditions are. Then make up your mind. No matter what style anchor you choose, it never hurts to move up one size from what the mfg. recommends for your boat.
Just one more humble opinion on anchors. It sort of depends on where you anchor, or how far you travel. My normal cruising grounds are the gulf coast, where the bottom is mostly mud and sand. Always good holding. So, no need for the latest high tech, costly products. A simple Danforth works for me, 90% of the time. I carry a back up Danforth aboard, plus a big, oversized plow for harsher conditions and when I get into heavy grass.
If you anchor where you have rocks, or grass, then you will need more than a simple Danforth to be secure. So before you spend the bucks for the latest high tech, think about where you anchor, and what the conditions are. Then make up your mind. No matter what style anchor you choose, it never hurts to move up one size from what the mfg. recommends for your boat.
anchor
Some anchors are a couple of hunudred bucks for a 25# and another 25# is $3000. With a disparity in price like that, it makes me wonder what the difference is. I guess if it digs in, then you're good. The anchor locker is only so big, I just wanted to have an all around descent anchor. Is the standard to have chain for so far from the anchor then the rest rope? I bet there are a thousand answers to that question. I know no one want to steer me wrong, I just didn't want to buy an anchor in total ignorance and with out consulting you guys first. I suppose a danforth would probably work for starters. Thanks nice and easy for an example.
Some anchors are a couple of hunudred bucks for a 25# and another 25# is $3000. With a disparity in price like that, it makes me wonder what the difference is. I guess if it digs in, then you're good. The anchor locker is only so big, I just wanted to have an all around descent anchor. Is the standard to have chain for so far from the anchor then the rest rope? I bet there are a thousand answers to that question. I know no one want to steer me wrong, I just didn't want to buy an anchor in total ignorance and with out consulting you guys first. I suppose a danforth would probably work for starters. Thanks nice and easy for an example.
Hermit, do a little research....
rather than ask for the simple answer. There is no simple answer. You can buy a 22 lb traditional anchor from west Marine for 89 bucks, add 30 feet of 1/4 inch chain and 250 feet of 7/16 3 strand nylon rode and you're adequately covered. You can shop around for the chain and rode, but you'll still spend 200+ dollars.
Start your education here:
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/westadvisor/10001/-1/10001/AnchoringTechniques.htm
then go here:
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/westadvisor/10001/-1/10001/SelectingtheRightAnchor.htm
next go here:
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/westadvisor/10001/-1/10001/AnchorRodes.htm
etc.... etc.... etc....
rather than ask for the simple answer. There is no simple answer. You can buy a 22 lb traditional anchor from west Marine for 89 bucks, add 30 feet of 1/4 inch chain and 250 feet of 7/16 3 strand nylon rode and you're adequately covered. You can shop around for the chain and rode, but you'll still spend 200+ dollars.
Start your education here:
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/westadvisor/10001/-1/10001/AnchoringTechniques.htm
then go here:
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/westadvisor/10001/-1/10001/SelectingtheRightAnchor.htm
next go here:
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/westadvisor/10001/-1/10001/AnchorRodes.htm
etc.... etc.... etc....
"I guess if it digs in, then you're good..."
is not necessarily all that you want. If you anchor in areas with changes in currents (like tidal rivers and estuaries with switching currents) then you not only want but NEED an anchor that will reset itself when the current changes the boat's direction every six hours.
Since you didn't tell us that there's NO WAY for anyone to tell you what the "best" anchor is.
YOU need to determine, not based on price along, what you need for your application.
Also try this link, which Maine Sail contributed to. He also reported on that Rocna anchor on this forum, so if you do a search on Maine Sail's material and Rocna anchors, you'll find it.
It's a long thread, but good reading.
is not necessarily all that you want. If you anchor in areas with changes in currents (like tidal rivers and estuaries with switching currents) then you not only want but NEED an anchor that will reset itself when the current changes the boat's direction every six hours.
Since you didn't tell us that there's NO WAY for anyone to tell you what the "best" anchor is.
YOU need to determine, not based on price along, what you need for your application.
Also try this link, which Maine Sail contributed to. He also reported on that Rocna anchor on this forum, so if you do a search on Maine Sail's material and Rocna anchors, you'll find it.
It's a long thread, but good reading.
Best choice by practice
Good day to all of you.
The answer is covered 100% but, I am sure, some people is not familiar with anchors type so see this art. too. It is very representative.
Regarding how many anchors? Minimum 2 different.
Best regards and good rest of summer
Good day to all of you.
The answer is covered 100% but, I am sure, some people is not familiar with anchors type so see this art. too. It is very representative.
Regarding how many anchors? Minimum 2 different.
Best regards and good rest of summer
You really can't
go wrong with a Manson Supreme 25 pounder or a Rocna 22 pounder. I would also suggest a Sapde but they are scarce and very, very expensive these days..
go wrong with a Manson Supreme 25 pounder or a Rocna 22 pounder. I would also suggest a Sapde but they are scarce and very, very expensive these days..
consider a anchor bag for the 2nd anchor rode
Many good responses in the thread.
I bought a bag for the anchor rode and chain that works really well for a second anchor. It allows me to flake the rode into the bag and the bitter end comes out of a slot in the "closed end" of the bag. It has a wire hope in the "open end" that hold the bag open when I feed the rode into the bag. Handles on the bag allow me to carry the bag in one hand and the anchor in the other hand to deploy the anchor at the bow or stern or whatever.
I keep this anchor in a stern locker, so the anchor locker is not congested. But there is room to lay the second anchor and bag in the anchor locker if I like - but deploying my primary anchor would be hard.
Ideally, I would vote for two anchors of different types (for different bottom conditions), and a third smaller anchor that could be quickly deployed at the stern if you lost power in a restricted area, or to use as a kedge.
Many good responses in the thread.
I bought a bag for the anchor rode and chain that works really well for a second anchor. It allows me to flake the rode into the bag and the bitter end comes out of a slot in the "closed end" of the bag. It has a wire hope in the "open end" that hold the bag open when I feed the rode into the bag. Handles on the bag allow me to carry the bag in one hand and the anchor in the other hand to deploy the anchor at the bow or stern or whatever.
I keep this anchor in a stern locker, so the anchor locker is not congested. But there is room to lay the second anchor and bag in the anchor locker if I like - but deploying my primary anchor would be hard.
Ideally, I would vote for two anchors of different types (for different bottom conditions), and a third smaller anchor that could be quickly deployed at the stern if you lost power in a restricted area, or to use as a kedge.
I'll second the manson supreme
I also carry an over sized danforth, and a light claw as my lunch anchor. It never hurts to have at least 2 anchors on board, especially if you are in a tight anchorage where you want to drop 2 anchors to limit swing.
With a 30 foot boat you should have at least 30 feet of 1/4 inch chain and 200 to 250 feet of 1/2 to 9/16 line. I have a 32 footer each anchor has 35 feet of chain and 300 feet of 9/16 line. My lunch anchor has 15 feet of chain 200 feet of 1/2 inch line
I also carry an over sized danforth, and a light claw as my lunch anchor. It never hurts to have at least 2 anchors on board, especially if you are in a tight anchorage where you want to drop 2 anchors to limit swing.
With a 30 foot boat you should have at least 30 feet of 1/4 inch chain and 200 to 250 feet of 1/2 to 9/16 line. I have a 32 footer each anchor has 35 feet of chain and 300 feet of 9/16 line. My lunch anchor has 15 feet of chain 200 feet of 1/2 inch line
I'll 3rd the Manson Supreme
Earlier I was trying to avoid touching off another ugly thread by not giving specific recommendations, but I see we've all stayed pretty darn civil this time!
On my C350 I have a Fortress FX-16 as an easy to handle lunch hook, an extra large Danforth as a backup when things get ugly, and a new 35 lb Manson Supreme on 75 ft of chain as a primary anchor for use with the windlass. I've also used Deltas, claws, etc. So far, nothing has held a candle to the Manson in sand, mud, and mixtures thereof. Have not tried it in grass yet (I try to avoid tearing up any more grass from the Chesapeake-- we need every bit we have).
To be fair, and to try to head off any protests, the Manson is a knock-off the Rocna. The Rocna used to be much more expensive and more difficult to get than the Manson, but it's appearance in the West Marine catalog has changed this somewhat. There is a price difference, but it is not as huge as it was even a year ago. It is said that the Rocna is sturdier, but I can't imagine that I'll break my Manson any time soon.
I imagine that the multi-thousand-dollar anchors you've seen are in stainless steel. You flat-out don't need that.
Gary
Even Keel II
Earlier I was trying to avoid touching off another ugly thread by not giving specific recommendations, but I see we've all stayed pretty darn civil this time!
On my C350 I have a Fortress FX-16 as an easy to handle lunch hook, an extra large Danforth as a backup when things get ugly, and a new 35 lb Manson Supreme on 75 ft of chain as a primary anchor for use with the windlass. I've also used Deltas, claws, etc. So far, nothing has held a candle to the Manson in sand, mud, and mixtures thereof. Have not tried it in grass yet (I try to avoid tearing up any more grass from the Chesapeake-- we need every bit we have).
To be fair, and to try to head off any protests, the Manson is a knock-off the Rocna. The Rocna used to be much more expensive and more difficult to get than the Manson, but it's appearance in the West Marine catalog has changed this somewhat. There is a price difference, but it is not as huge as it was even a year ago. It is said that the Rocna is sturdier, but I can't imagine that I'll break my Manson any time soon.
I imagine that the multi-thousand-dollar anchors you've seen are in stainless steel. You flat-out don't need that.
Gary
Even Keel II
Thanks
I just didn't wnat to buy a fortress anchor and then come here and say I am having problems setting it, only to have you all tell me 'oh no you bought a fortress???' I didn't want to make a noob mistake.
I am going to buy or build one to start out. Then I will pick another one up later.
My cruising grounds are going to be the Corpus Christi Bay and the Gulf Coast.
I bought a boat on the cheap and am rebuilding the engine right now. I'm waiting on the parts to come in. I also need to buy halyards and running rigging. Then I should be able to set sail to a yard for a bottom job. A lot of work but I have mare ability than money.
I just didn't wnat to buy a fortress anchor and then come here and say I am having problems setting it, only to have you all tell me 'oh no you bought a fortress???' I didn't want to make a noob mistake.
I am going to buy or build one to start out. Then I will pick another one up later.
My cruising grounds are going to be the Corpus Christi Bay and the Gulf Coast.
I bought a boat on the cheap and am rebuilding the engine right now. I'm waiting on the parts to come in. I also need to buy halyards and running rigging. Then I should be able to set sail to a yard for a bottom job. A lot of work but I have mare ability than money.
Evenkeel, come up to this end of the bay we have SAV
"world without end" up here. All I can add to the thousands of words written on this subject is that an anchor must be heavy enough to start to penetrate the bottom and shaped in such a way as to dig in and create a maximum drag. Hundreds of people have tried to build better anchors and some have been quite successful. Many of the watermen still use folding stock pick anchors. The most frequent cause of a failure to hold is too small and and with too short a scope. If you must anchor in crowded places use a larger than normal anchor.
"world without end" up here. All I can add to the thousands of words written on this subject is that an anchor must be heavy enough to start to penetrate the bottom and shaped in such a way as to dig in and create a maximum drag. Hundreds of people have tried to build better anchors and some have been quite successful. Many of the watermen still use folding stock pick anchors. The most frequent cause of a failure to hold is too small and and with too short a scope. If you must anchor in crowded places use a larger than normal anchor.
SAV?
Ross- That one took me a minute. I assume you mean Submerged Aquatic Vegetation? I haven't run across it much in the middle bay. Plenty of soft mud that's hard to grip though. I've made a career out of dragging my old Delta back and forth across some anchorages. That's why I've been so pleased with the Manson.
I used to make it up your way more often when my slip was on the Magothy River. Herrington Harbor is nice, but it's quite a haul to get to any protected anchorage. Sometimes when we arrive late in the day we just want to get away from the hot Marina and anchor out, but the closest is a 2+ hour jaunt. Since it's a 2 1/2 hr drive to the Bay either way, I might consider moving to Havre de Grace next year.
Gary
Ross- That one took me a minute. I assume you mean Submerged Aquatic Vegetation? I haven't run across it much in the middle bay. Plenty of soft mud that's hard to grip though. I've made a career out of dragging my old Delta back and forth across some anchorages. That's why I've been so pleased with the Manson.
I used to make it up your way more often when my slip was on the Magothy River. Herrington Harbor is nice, but it's quite a haul to get to any protected anchorage. Sometimes when we arrive late in the day we just want to get away from the hot Marina and anchor out, but the closest is a 2+ hour jaunt. Since it's a 2 1/2 hr drive to the Bay either way, I might consider moving to Havre de Grace next year.
Gary
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