I have a H34 and have been using a 22# Bruce Anchor for years with no problems. However, this anchor may be a little light for my boat so thought I would get heavier one. I sail on the Chesapeake Bay most of the time. Any suggestions? I was thinking about a Delta but was also leaning to a 33# Bruce.
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Recommend the 33 to 35# Anchors
Bob - it's hard to argue with success. Maybe the anchor you're using is ideally suited for the type of bottom in your cruising area and that's why it's been so successful. Also, are you using a lot of chain? That helps too. On our H-35 which is about the same size boat as yours we use a 35# Delta and either 35 or 45 feet of 5/16 chain depending on which rode I'm using at the time. Even with this setup I've had situations where the set left me nervous. Some of our anchorages have bottoms which are difficult to anchor in without dragging, including Liberty Bay, my home port. My recommendation would be to go with the 33 to 35# anchor be it Delta, Bruce, or CQR and a sufficient about of chain. I've been happy with my Delta as a fairly universal anchor anchoring in all kinds of bottom types but with the heavier weight, and in sand to mud, I don't think it would make much difference which one you chose as it should work well. I have to admit, though, that the 35# and 45-feet of chain has been getting heavier lately!
Bob - it's hard to argue with success. Maybe the anchor you're using is ideally suited for the type of bottom in your cruising area and that's why it's been so successful. Also, are you using a lot of chain? That helps too. On our H-35 which is about the same size boat as yours we use a 35# Delta and either 35 or 45 feet of 5/16 chain depending on which rode I'm using at the time. Even with this setup I've had situations where the set left me nervous. Some of our anchorages have bottoms which are difficult to anchor in without dragging, including Liberty Bay, my home port. My recommendation would be to go with the 33 to 35# anchor be it Delta, Bruce, or CQR and a sufficient about of chain. I've been happy with my Delta as a fairly universal anchor anchoring in all kinds of bottom types but with the heavier weight, and in sand to mud, I don't think it would make much difference which one you chose as it should work well. I have to admit, though, that the 35# and 45-feet of chain has been getting heavier lately!
Anchors
I have been anchoring in the bay for 20 years with the 22 lb Bruce that came with the boat (H-34). I have carried a 22 lb Hooker (Danforth knock off) as a spare that has never seen the water in that time. We have been anchored in some major thunder storms that produced hurricane force winds and can report only minor dragging during the worst I can recall. I use an anchor rode that appeared in Sail Magazine several years ago that goes something like this. Bruce anchor, 5 feet of 3/8" chain, 20 feet of 3/4" nylon three strand, 20 feet of 3/8" chain, and 200 feet of 5/8" nylon three strand. The logic behind this setup is that it provides excellent cantenary to the rode without the use of all chain, and saves your back whenever you anchor in 20 feet or less of water (typical of bay anchorages). The 20 feet of chain weighs about 20 lbs, so when retrieving your rode you lift 20 feet of chain before you start to lift the anchor. You are never lifting more than about 27 lbs (weight of Bruce and 5' of chain). Of course if you anchor in water deeper than 20 feet, you will have to adjust the length of the 3/4" nylon to have the same effect. As for anchors, I think the Bruce is an excellent all around anchor. It does not hold as well as the Danforth, CQR, or Delta in some conditions, but it is very strong, will reset after the usual wind shift just before a thunder storm hits, and it will hook rocks or ledges in difficult bottoms. For the typical bay bottom of mud and/or sand, I would probably consider a 35 lb delta the very best choice for holding, but a bit more than I care to yank, even with the above rode. My guess is that if you buy a 35 lb Delta it will probably just end up being additional weight on the bow, but for more serious cruising (anchoring nightly and in all sorts of conditions) I would probably carry one for peace of mind. I would not buy a second larger Bruce. Just my opinion.
I have been anchoring in the bay for 20 years with the 22 lb Bruce that came with the boat (H-34). I have carried a 22 lb Hooker (Danforth knock off) as a spare that has never seen the water in that time. We have been anchored in some major thunder storms that produced hurricane force winds and can report only minor dragging during the worst I can recall. I use an anchor rode that appeared in Sail Magazine several years ago that goes something like this. Bruce anchor, 5 feet of 3/8" chain, 20 feet of 3/4" nylon three strand, 20 feet of 3/8" chain, and 200 feet of 5/8" nylon three strand. The logic behind this setup is that it provides excellent cantenary to the rode without the use of all chain, and saves your back whenever you anchor in 20 feet or less of water (typical of bay anchorages). The 20 feet of chain weighs about 20 lbs, so when retrieving your rode you lift 20 feet of chain before you start to lift the anchor. You are never lifting more than about 27 lbs (weight of Bruce and 5' of chain). Of course if you anchor in water deeper than 20 feet, you will have to adjust the length of the 3/4" nylon to have the same effect. As for anchors, I think the Bruce is an excellent all around anchor. It does not hold as well as the Danforth, CQR, or Delta in some conditions, but it is very strong, will reset after the usual wind shift just before a thunder storm hits, and it will hook rocks or ledges in difficult bottoms. For the typical bay bottom of mud and/or sand, I would probably consider a 35 lb delta the very best choice for holding, but a bit more than I care to yank, even with the above rode. My guess is that if you buy a 35 lb Delta it will probably just end up being additional weight on the bow, but for more serious cruising (anchoring nightly and in all sorts of conditions) I would probably carry one for peace of mind. I would not buy a second larger Bruce. Just my opinion.
Anchors Aweigh
Bob; I use a Horizon Claw 33lb with 22' of 3/8 chain on my 35.5. Excellent ! We sail in the ocean off the New Jersey coast. Its a lot easier to haul for me than the plow style I had. Fred Miller S/V M-Squared
Bob; I use a Horizon Claw 33lb with 22' of 3/8 chain on my 35.5. Excellent ! We sail in the ocean off the New Jersey coast. Its a lot easier to haul for me than the plow style I had. Fred Miller S/V M-Squared
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