Anchor weights and type.

[Rockabilly]

Good evening, I'm currently refitting a Jaguar 27 and I keep finding bits and bobs hidden around it. Lots of rubbish to get rid of.
I was told it was complete, but needed to be put back together, which was close but not strictly true.

Anyway found the anchor and chain the other day. Haven't weighed it or for that matter took a lot of notice of it, but it looks small. Anyone have any guidance on weight, type and chain length? We are east coast and mainly mud or sand/shingle.

Tia.

 

[Tranona]

Typical anchor size would be 20-25lbs or 8-10kgs and 6mm chain. choice of length/rode type. I prefer all chain 50m, but many have mixed of say30/30m chain/rope. Actual type of anchor is a huge subject, but for most of your type of sailing a 10kg Delta would be fine, although their sizing chart will show your boat towards the top end of 6kg. size/weight is not necessarily a good guide to anchor effectiveness and if you pay more and move to one of the newer style anchors like Lewmar's Epsilon or a Rocna, Manson etc then you will find a 6kgs will be recommended.

 

[noelex]

Firstly, I would determine what type and size of anchor the previous owner left you. If you post a picture on the forum it should be easy to identify. If the size is not stamped on the anchor it can be weighed on scales or once you know the type you can check the dimensions against the manufacturer’s published dimensions to work out the weight.

If selecting a new anchor and planning to cruise with frequent overnight anchoring, the largest anchor that can be comfortably managed is a good starting point. This will depend on factors such as the size of anchor windlass installed (or the lack thereof), the size of the bowsprit anchor locker, bow shape etc so I cannot give you a single number.

Don’t forget the rode and snubber are also important, so review the suitability of these components as well.

 

[Neeves]

I suspect if you were to secure a 20kg anchor then you would be able to retrieve it fairly comfortably - but it would be ridiculously over sized - and not offer any advantage over a correctly sized anchor. Look at the manufacturer's sizing charts - they are precisely there to answer your question. If you are borderline on size by all means go slightly larger - beyond that (ie considering bigger) is a waste of money and, as I said, offers no advantage. You may find the yacht has 2 anchors - so have a check in the bilges and at the bottom of lockers.

When you have determined what type of anchor you have inherited and its weight we can then offer you advice. Until you make the checks - we are guessing. If you cannot identify the type of anchor then as suggested - take a photograph - it would be most unusual if you do not have a mobile phone 'containing' a camera.

I agree with Tranona - 6mm chain will be adequate and 50m a sensible length which you can extend with 12mm nylon.

Jonathan

 

[Refueler]

Lets be honest .. East Coast is generally mud and in the south and then moving to sandy northwards ... Delta's ... even Plough anchors work .. TBH - few anchors would not work there ...

The question is handling of the anchor and rode ...

Jag 27 is not a heavy boat but can be wind rode tugging at anchor ...

Personally - I would be looking in the 10kg range and maybe 15 to 20m suitable chain followed up by 20m+ of anchorplait rope.

My heavy Sunrider 25 (4T) has a 20lb Holdfast Plough anchor with 23m of chain ... 15m rope back up.

Seen here stowed on chocks ... with chain down to bow locker ...

I am not suggesting a Plough anchor - just showing the size and that this anchor has held my boat in some pretty awful conditions .... but there are better more modern anchors.
As I say - that has held my boat well and I see no justifiable reason to replace it.

If your Jag 27 comes with similar ... why not try it ... no need to rush out till you really know the results.

There are 'anchor' pundits on here that would want you to spend money on XXXXX and XXXX ... brushing aside the question of what do you have now and have you used it ?

 

[Chiara’s slave]

Lets be honest .. East Coast is generally mud and in the south and then moving to sandy northwards ... Delta's ... even Plough anchors work .. TBH - few anchors would not work there ...

The question is handling of the anchor and rode ...

Jag 27 is not a heavy boat but can be wind rode tugging at anchor ...

Personally - I would be looking in the 10kg range and maybe 15 to 20m suitable chain followed up by 20m+ of anchorplait rope.

My heavy Sunrider 25 (4T) has a 20lb Holdfast Plough anchor with 23m of chain ... 15m rope back up.

Seen here stowed on chocks ... with chain down to bow locker ...

I am not suggesting a Plough anchor - just showing the size and that this anchor has held my boat in some pretty awful conditions .... but there are better more modern anchors.
As I say - that has held my boat well and I see no justifiable reason to replace it.

If your Jag 27 comes with similar ... why not try it ... no need to rush out till you really know the results.

There are 'anchor' pundits on here that would want you to spend money on XXXXX and XXXX ... brushing aside the question of what do you have now and have you used it ?

Can’t say fairer than that. Unless the anchor is still in a plastic bag, and new, chances are it’s held the boat before, it can’t be totally useless. Try it.

 

[Refueler]

My new 38 has a horrible Bruce stowed in the transom locker ... yes I have a pet dislike of them ... not because of holding power or actual use ...

Its the number of times I've caught elbow etc. on those sticking out of boats stem fitting in marinas. Its oke when boat sits back a bit - but many are over the pontoon ...

Its in transom locker based on Baltic Moor ... anchor out stern and then nose to rocks / pontoon etc. The Bruce is shackled to the typical braid rode on a reel seen here.
The boat has no stemhead roller for anchoring. Again typical Swedish setup.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

Ours, though Baltic built, came, at least in UK, with an anchor roller on the front beam. The locker is in the usual place, so you have to carry the anchor back to the trampoline. Fortunately she came with 2 aluminium anchors to lighten the load. I wonder, in the light of your comments, if Dragonflys destined for Baltic customers have different anchor arrangements, there’s a big cockpit floor locker to keep them in if you wanted. I wouldn’t want to stow the weight that far aft myself.

 

[Refueler]

Must say though .. Baltic Stem has an advantage .... step through pulpit and removable bow ladder for access to / from rocks etc.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

Must say though .. Baltic Stem has an advantage .... step through pulpit and removable bow ladder for access to / from rocks etc.

You could do yourself quite a mischief on our bowsprit

 

[LittleSister]

If your Jag 27 comes with similar ... why not try it ... no need to rush out till you really know the results.

As refuelled says, most of the East Coast is not particularly challenging for anchoring (except if you find a patch of weed preventing the anchor setting) - lots of sheltered rivers and inlets for anchoring, and lots and lots of mud.

Whatever you have will probably do (unless it is grossly under or oversized), and if it doesn't you will have developed your understanding of the considerations and refined your preferences while you are trying it out.

 

[Refueler]

As refuelled says, most of the East Coast is not particularly challenging for anchoring (except if you find a patch of weed preventing the anchor setting) - lots of sheltered rivers and inlets for anchoring, and lots and lots of mud.

Whatever you have will probably do (unless it is grossly under or oversized), and if it doesn't you will have developed your understanding of the considerations and refined your preferences while you are trying it out.

A good set of videos to watch are : Keep Turning Left ... when he's doing the UK East Coast ..... plenty of anchoring examples ...

Good video series anyway ... instead of sailing videos being mostly about the 'harbour stop' .... KTL spends most of the videos actually sailing !