2nd anchor, do you carry one?

[Seajet]

I carry a 7 kg folding grapnel as a 'Plan B' or kedge; it's used mostly in its' folded state lowered halfway down the main bower anchor warp as an 'angel' to take the shock out of waves and help the main Bruce anchor hold if the wind kicks up.

The theory is that it will also grab a hold on weed covered rocks - i.e. in an emergency situation - where the Bruce won't - but as grapnels rely on a small relatively weak pivot pin I wouldn't stay any longer than necessary !

 

[prv]

I carry a kedge, and regard it as necessary. It lives up forward, because my boat has a stern-heavy trim problem and every little helps, but the whole lot is in a mesh bag that's easy to grab and bring up to the cockpit.

It's a CQR because that's what came with the boat, although that wouldn't be my first choice for a kedge. About a boat-length of chain, then warp.

I don't really see it as a spare in case of losing the bower (though of course it would do that), more as flexibility for things like pulling myself off a mudbank, holding myself in position when drying out on a beach, or avoiding swinging in a narrow anchorage.

Pete

 

[Seah0rse]

3

I have three on board. Had to jettison one last year including the chain as it fouled on something on the seabed which refused to budge. Having the backups meant we could carry on our holiday without worrying.

 

[PetiteFleur]

I have a Fortress FX16 as a kedge with 10m x 8mm chain + rope - kept in a locker with other stuff. Used to be used regularly for anchoring as the C*** plough bower anchor didn't work - as I now have a Manson I suspect it'll just fester in the locker.

 

[Cardo]

Also check your insurance. Pantaneous required us to have a second anchor in order to cover us.

 

[Tidewaiter2]

Sail trim???

, - we are prob 12.5-13 tonnes all up, so might also be something to do with all that wieght plus fuel, water and an tiny in mast reefing main(our youngest said 'thats smaller than my oppy sail was' first time he saw it

 

[vyv_cox]

Three - Rocna as bower on all chain, Fortress as kedge on 8 metres of chain plus about 50 metres of octoplait, Delta as a spare with around 10 metres of chain and 30 metres of nylon three-strand. We have lost an anchor once when our original swivel failed, which is what started me on testing them.

 

[Spyro]

Ok so not many people needed a second because they have lost their bower but lots saying a second anchor as a kedge. Personally I've never needed to use a kedge but what is to stop me using my main anchor as a kedge.
BTW my fishermans anchor is heavier than my main so it's not so easy to chuck over the side.

 

[nevis]

2nd Anchor

Bower anchor 25LB CQR with 150ft 8mm chain, Fortress FX11 AND 300 FT 12mm nylon. Large fisherman with 3m 8mmchain and 150ft 10mm nylon. The Fortress is about to become the new bower anchor with the others as backup.I normally use the fisherman for lunch stops.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

The main consideration for the kedge is ease of deployment with a view to quick deployment in some cases. I guess if you can deploy your main bower quickly and easily, in a particular direction, say via a dinghy, then it could be substituted into kedge use. I would add that it usually means deploying with warp, so if your bower is all chain, then at least have the ability to open the shackle easily.

 

[prv]

Personally I've never needed to use a kedge but what is to stop me using my main anchor as a kedge.

It's already out, over the bow?

I guess some people use the term "kedge" strictly to mean an anchor for pulling a boat off the mud, but to me it means an anchor that's deployed from the stern. For example, last time I went to Bembridge I dropped the kedge out in the mud, chugged forward till we touched the sand, dropped the bower off and carried it up the beach, then pulled back on the kedge while letting out on the bower till we were moored over a suitable depth. That precise positioning let us sit on the beach (and walk ashore) for as much of each tide as possible, but still just be afloat at the time we wanted to leave the following day.

Pete

 

[rob2]

i have a CQR as the bower anchor and a small (7.5) bruce type as a kedge. I never expected to use the kedge until i lost concentration and found my crew had driven us up on a very public beach. We fastened every long rope together and roqwed the kedge out in readiness to haul ourselves off as the tide returned. I wouldn't have fancied trying to heave a larhe CQR out of an inflatable dinghy - but then I wouldn't fancy wrestling with a large fishermans either! In Scottish waters, I have spent the night hanging on a lump of kelp with a fishermans that nothing else would penetrate or grip, though.

In the shed at home is a duplicate CQR and a Danforth. For a long trip I would consider shipping the Danforth to add to the variety.

Rob.

 

[Searush]

Sadly, this guy might have been glad of a second anchor last week.

It doesn't say much in that report, but I understand the boat was found with the engine seized & the anchor & chain missing. The conjecture is that the bitter end may not have been well secured & that he may have gone over the side whilst trying to stop it all disappearing.

I have always had 2 & always 2 different styles & have used them for kedging off, a running moor, as chum weight and as a tandem anchor. Not yet need to replace one lost in action, but there is still time yet.

 

[Spyro]

Sadly, this guy might have been glad of a second anchor last week.

It doesn't say much in that report, but I understand the boat was found with the engine seized & the anchor & chain missing. The conjecture is that the bitter end may not have been well secured & that he may have gone over the side whilst trying to stop it all disappearing.

I have always had 2 & always 2 different styles & have used them for kedging off, a running moor, as chum weight and as a tandem anchor. Not yet need to replace one lost in action, but there is still time yet.

I doubt very much if this tradgedy had anything to do with not having a second anchor. However having given it some thought I think I'll invest in new smaller second anchor.

Any recommendations? (ducking for cover )

Anyone looking to buy a 30lb fishermans anchor. 3ft long and 5m of 10mm chain? see for sale section

 

[LadyInBed]

and a third

Is five too many
I reckon not having a second is like driving without a spare tyre - ok till you need it!

 

[rotrax]

How many carry a second anchor? I don't mean a small one for the dinghy.
I've been carrying round a large fishermans anchor and about 10m of chain as a spare since I got the boat. I never had one on my old boat and have never needed to use one. I could do with more space in the locker and I'm now thinking about leaving it at home.
Would this be unwise?
I suppose in the unlikely event that I lose one anchor I would then be sailing around without an important bit of safety kit. What are the chances of loosing one anchor and then needing to deploy another in an emergency?

Since starting this thread I've now almost talked myself into keeping it onboard

Our heavy long keeler has two on the bow- a Spade and a genuine Bruce plus a steel fortress as a kedge. Both bowers chain and warp, 10 metres chain plus Anchorplait on the kedge. So far only used the Bruce-it never shifts once set.

 

[john_morris_uk]

We always carry two.

33kg Rocna with 100m of 10mm chain.
Fortress FX23 with 10m of 10mm chain and 45m of 16mm anchorplait.

We also carry two - but not 100 metres of chain!!!

Spade with 40 metres of 10 mm chain (about to be 50 metres when I get my new connector)
plus Fortress, chain and nylon rode as above.

 

[NormanS]

I can't imagine cruising on the West Coast of Scotland with fewer than two anchors. My main is a 20kg (Genuine) Bruce. I also have a 20kg Fisherman, and a 20kg Danforth.

The first is on all 10mm chain. whichever is second has about 6m of 11mm (7/16") chain, and the rest nylon. I also have a tiny 4½lb Danforth, which I use for the dinghy, but which on occasion has been used to anchor the boat.

When laying out a second anchor, or kedge, I prefer to put a tripping line and buoy on it, and both the Fisherman, and the Danforth, with their moving parts have, at times, trapped the tripping line.

 

[mcframe]

+1
Bower; 15kg?Bruce + 10mmx35m,Delta 12kg under saloon sole, +10mmx30m under saloon table- had it regalv'ed and cannot decide where to stow it + Brittany 10kg +8x10m+ 30m 10mm warp in locker.

Can anyone suggest why I cannot sail at 4kts in light airs?????

No cruising chute, spinny or folding prop? ;->

 

[Boathook]

Main anchor is a danforth (16kg?) with 15m 8mm chain and them 18mm diameter 3 strand nylon. Kedge is a CQR same weight as the main but not ready for use until spare chain (about 6m of 10mm) and warp (45m of 18mm) is connected. Also have a drum with 50m of 14mm warp. Main anchor has done ok over the years but my cruising is the Channel so if the weather is bad I head in for shelter.