Anchor Choice

[MedDreamer]

Last weekend anchored up in a very scenic cove in Alcudia bay all was idyllic until I tried to lift the anchor - I gave up after ninety minutes of trying. So lost 12m chain and a CQR type anchor.

I need to replace them when we are next out at the beginning of July and would appreciate some help with the following

1) What type and size anchor should I choose for a 30ft 4 ton motor cruiser. My CQR, which was 12kg I think, has never let me down (in fact it stuck too bloody well!) but I have heard people say that a Bruce is more suitable, and an 8kg one would do the job as well as the heavier CQR.
2) I cant remember the gauge of the chain - I think it is 5/8ths does this sound right?

Will fit a tripping buoy and line in future as well

Thanks for any help you can give

Martyn

<hr width=100% size=1>Living the dream

 

[omega2]

put the shackle on the nose of the hook and use a light cord or plastic cable tie on the shank, this way the hook will come up backwards if a heavy load is applied.

<hr width=100% size=1>J HAMER

 

[MedDreamer]

Yes thanks for that, I''ve heard that works. I will give it a try

Martyn

<hr width=100% size=1>Living the dream

 

[duncan]

beware this - yes it works but you really need to recheck/replace the cable tie each time you anchor. They only need a small nick in them to weaken them dramatically - as I found out to my chagrin when my pride and joy was merrily heading off to sea from Swanage Bay, and I was just getting out of the tender on the beach. I eventually established that the ties could be cut on the anchor stowing arm on recovery and assume that it what happened in this instance.
I have now reverted to a more basic aproach and have only once (touch wood) had to tie of the anchor to with a fender buoy when finishing a fishing trip late one night - and go back and recover the next day.

<hr width=100% size=1>madesco madidum ..../forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[itsonlymoney]

Sorry for sounding thick but could you elaborate on that I do not understand and have a similar problem occasionally.
Ian

<hr width=100% size=1>Play the best game you can with the cards you've been dealt ! ! !

 

[MedDreamer]

Ian

I think they showed this method in Boat Mart a couple of months ago. Rather than shackle the anchor at the base of the stem, it is shackled "behind the head" (where you would tie a tripping line), then run the chain along the stem and fasten it with a cable tie to the base of the stem where you would normally put the shackle. Idea (I think) is that when the anchor is set the it digs in laterally as normal but when you lift it you are effectively pulling it out backwards. - It is supposed to work but even if I try it I think I will fit a tripping line.

Martyn

<hr width=100% size=1>Living the dream

 

[omega2]

if you look at the anchor you will find a shackle point at the sharp end it, fix chain to this, then lay chain along the shank of the anchor and were the hole in the shank is level with the chain, tie with light cord or a cable tie of sufficient strength to hold the boat in normal circumstances. If the anchor becomes fouled it is possible to put enough wellie on the thing to cause the tie to break, and with luck the anchor comes up backwards. We rig like this when wreck fishing, it does save money.

<hr width=100% size=1>J HAMER

 

[whisper]

Sorry, I don't understand this either perhaps I'm having a senior moment.
Do you really mean there is an attachment point for a shackle at the pointed end of an anchor? I've never seen one, I don't think - what type of anchor are you talking about and doesn't it interfere with the anchor penetrating the sea bed ?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[omega2]

look at the shank near the the bit that does the business and you will see it

<hr width=100% size=1>J HAMER

 

[whisper]

Ah, the bottom of the shank, normally near the back of the anchor - yes, seen attachment points there and have used them regularly in the Med. Sorry, your ref. to the pointy bit fooled me.
Thanks.

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