Anchors and bow rollers

[guydickinson]

I have a heavy plough anchor (a CQR copy I think). The only way I can get the thing out without breaking my back is by sitting it on the bow roller. Problem with that is the shaft is too fat and even with the best anchor connecting device it still gets stuck (and threatens to remove a few of my fingers!).. I wondered about swapping it for a Delta - it seems lighter for the length of boat (34 ft) and also a thinner shaft so it should run easier. Only problem may be the shaft is a little shorter. Wondered if anyone has had any similar experiences and therefore solutions?! Thanks.

 

[earlybird]

I exchanged my CQR for a Delta for the same reason that you describe. A further benefit is that the Delta definitely sets more quickly, and, IMO, holds better.

 

[Zed Nivel]

are you without windlass - i cant believe if so with the size of your boat! Its a must and then the anchor ( never swap out a CQR unless its to a better CQR) handling is only 1. dismantle the security bolt and 2. push it out over the bow roller 3. let it go with Down button. ?
Sorry man if I didnt understand - i absolutely dont want to be guilty stepping into the tulips.....
/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[mireland]

Have a look at Rocna anchors. Pricey but they look awful good to me if you plan to swap anchors. No connection with them by the way.

 

[Searush]

[ QUOTE ]
are you without windlass - i cant believe if so with the size of your boat! Its a must and then the anchor ( never swap out a CQR unless its to a better CQR) handling is only 1. dismantle the security bolt and 2. push it out over the bow roller 3. let it go with Down button. ?
Sorry man if I didnt understand - i absolutely dont want to be guilty stepping into the tulips.....
/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

What's the problem? I have a 32' boat with 15kg CQR & manual windlass, but always set & stow by hand as it is much quicker. As you can see from my avatar, I am hardly a youngster & often sail solo.

I realise a 34' boat will also be beamier, but not really that much harder to manage I would have thought. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[billcowan]

Agree with Searush, pulling up a 15Kg (Bruce in my case) and up to 60m of 8mm chain by hand is no problem. The manual windlass I have only only ever used when the anchor had been snagged under cables/mooring chains etc that had to be lifted enough to deploy the tripping hook.

The secret of course is as the boat pitches on the swell, only pull as the bow goes down and hold on the upstroke. Let the boat do the lifting.

The difficult bit is getting all that chain to go down the hawse hole without it building an alp inside the chainlocker!

 

[Amari]

I'm past first flush of youth and have inermittent bad back which made handling 15 kg Bruce on my Wauquiez 35 ft difficult at times, even with powered windlass. thus changed to alloy Spade 9 kg. Very pleased: sets more easily and lighter to handle

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Agree with comments above that the delta is a better anchor (and for the sake of clarity, i've owned and used both extensively), but also, have you thought about a self stowing bow fitting..... I have one, and the anchor just neatly slides into it, and stays there..... never need to lift it back inboard..... so no back breaking activity of any sort.....

 

[ean_p]

Hi
Can you post details and/or a photo of the self stowing unit please as very interested in these.

regards

Ian p.

 

[craigsmith]

Ian, most modern anchors are designed to self-launch and self-stow, assuming the roller allows it. The CQR wasn't, and generally won't unless it is angled downward by quite a degree (contrary to the foredeck profile of most yachts). You haven't once mentioned the actual weight of your anchor, and obviously your boat bow will speak to what would be appropriate.
Pre-fab roller assemblies are widely available for smaller anchors. A dual roller tilting model might be an idea, as this should assist with self-launching, but only for smaller boats - the reduction in strength for veering loads isn't a good idea.

If you think your CQR copy is too heavy to manage, then a Delta can be sized a bit lighter, although still a plough, but a Spade or Rocna could be less than half the mass for still superior performance in terms of both setting and holding.
A CQR, particularly a knock-off, is just about the poorest performing and least efficient type of anchor one could possibly use these days. Further, these three all have practical shank profiles, the Rocna the most if I do say so myself.

 

[ean_p]

Hi Craig , thanks for your input . I assumed from Morgana's text that his self stow was for a Delta which is what I'm interested in as my lump is also a Delta. As to size then to some extent I'm more inclined to 'scaling up' any ideas but the reality is to get a sight of the idea and see if it can be of any use. As mentioned elsewhere on these fora we sit in front of HMS Explorer ( a coastal patrol) and she is fitted with a 'sliding' self stow for a unit similar to a Delta so we are currently thinking in these terms. Lateral strength is high in our mind too as any form of articulated unit has inherent weakness's. Hence looking for all the ideas available.

 

[MacMan]

Have you considered an Aluminum Spade ? No reduction in holding capacity - technically not as much ability to set through a difficult surface but I doubt you will have a problem. We hold a heavy 33 foot cat with a 9kg Alu Spade.

 

[guydickinson]

Thanks v much for that. Actually the only positive thing about a CQR is that the (pivotted) spade can be angled to one side when sitting on the roller so a mooring chain can be run out on the next door roller - other anchors sitting there probably need hoisting up the pullpit a bit or some other arrangement!