But seriously though, folks, the fisherman's anchor

Re: Well, mines a vote foir the fisherman.

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Why did Yachting Monthly neglect to test the good old fishermans in their Anchor test this month? Surely an anchor design that has barely changed in 500 years has the right to be the benchmark in any test.

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Probably because it aint coooool or yotty enough? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Re: Well, mines a vote foir the fisherman.

because weight for weight it's result wouldn't register on a graph with modern designs!

I admit to having one which I used to use as a 'hook' on rocky and reefs - Christchurch ledge being an example. It doesn't hold at all in sand.

Also an issue of 'which fishermans' - really wide range of designs some with signoficant stocks and reasonably developed flukes; others more like back to back fish hooks!
 
Re: But seriously though, folks, the fisherman\'s anchor

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Do any of you use a fisherman's? Regularly, occasionally, in extremis?

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Ermm.............I do. I have a 45lb fisherman that was specified by the WFA for a 25ft 4 ton boat. I'm 32ft and 14 tons. I also have a CQR. In extremis I use them both 'backed up'

What became of the 'Sandford Sea Claw'? Like a Bruce: in mud it would haul out a divot and scoot off with it.
 
Re: But seriously though, folks, the fisherman\'s anchor

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Walking around some Solent Marinas I couldnt help noticing how many high spec expensive anchors still had the chandlers barcode sticker on them /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[/ QUOTE ]Always bring a smile to my face too.... and its not just the odd one here and there... you can see dozens of 'em..... bit of a shame really... they don't know what they are missing....
 
Re: But seriously though, folks, the fisherman\'s anchor

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Are these Spades and Rocnas any use in these situations? Or do they just look good at the bow?

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On the July 2001 (Independent) Anchor tests have been done by the French sailing magazine “ Voiles magazine” they wrote.. (translated from French)

It is well known, by principle, the only anchors which are susceptible to hold on weed are the Fisherman and the Grapnel. To check it, we went to a weedy place (Zostères) with a Fisherman and a Grapnel.

The folding Fisherman is nice and looks like models used by our ancestors.
Unfortunately, the results we have obtained have been mediocre and non significant . Don’t bother.. we have tried our 12 kg Grapnel in the same conditions.. with as bad results ..

Due to this deceptive experience, we have tried two non hinged anchors with a ballasted tip: the 16 kg SPADE and the 16 kg Brake. These two anchors have had the same behaviour than in previous grounds: Immediate setting and an holding without dragging from 500 to 600 kg with peaks up to 1000 kg..

Conclusion: on a weedy bottom a “new generation” anchor give good results. Its ballasted tip can rapidly penetrate the sea bottom under the weed…
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Re: But seriously though, folks, the fisherman\'s anchor

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Quite a number of folks around here use the fisherman anchor, but mostly the folding ones that has the large wide flukes, if you know what I mean?


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NoahArkanchor.jpg
 
Re: Well, mines a vote foir the fisherman.

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A danforth (Brittany) is the best anchor for the Atlantic and med!!!!


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Did you say " CORKSCREWING "?? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

corkscrewing-reduct.jpg
 
Re: Well, mines a vote foir the fisherman.

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Why did Yachting Monthly neglect to test the good old fishermans in their Anchor test this month? Surely an anchor design that has barely changed in 500 years has the right to be the benchmark in any test.


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Well it wasn't just a test, was it, it was some kind of marketing exercise involving West Marine and the US magazine 'Sail', of which Peter Neilson, once deputy dawg at YM, is Editor.
Not that I'm being cynical or anything.
 
Re: Well, mines a vote foir the fisherman.

We sometimes dry the boat out for scrubbing on offshore sandbanks.I allways notice that when covered with water your feet sink easilly into the sand but once the tide has drained away it becomes firm under foot.

This is the reason (I think)why anchors seem to hold well in sand but it cant be replicated on a beach.

After using a variety of anchors i have found the bruce and cqr on sand and the fishermans amongst rocks(with a tripping line) are the best. The Danforth is a bit user unfriendly (dangerous to fingers)and the spade seems to be either excellent or useless depending on the bottom quality I suppose but not reliable enough for me.
 
Re: But seriously though, folks, the fisherman\'s anchor

You do not see any old salty sea dogs with tattoos of CQR's or Danforth anchors on their forearms.
 
Re: But seriously though, folks, the fisherman\'s anchor

True, but most of those tatoos show the fisherman fouled with the rope that it's fastened with. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Regards, Mike. P.S I carry one as back up to my trusty (rusty) C.Q.R which hasn't let me down up to now.
 
Re: But seriously though, folks, the fisherman\'s anchor

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(cut)Do any of you use a fisherman's? Regularly, occasionally, in extremis?

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I have a CQR Bower (was a Danforth on previous boat) and a Fisherman's kedge. Designs chosen to to suit differing local cionditions.

Kedge has been used "in extremis" - sort of - for pulling me off a sandbank when aground, and as second, in-line tandem anchor to improve holding in severe weather - also have an angel weight to send down the line if needed. Finally, I have used it to lay a temporary in-line mooring with the bower and a central swivel.

So, yeah I have one & I find it useful. Now what yer gonna do?
 
Re: But seriously though, folks, the fisherman\'s anchor

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, yeah I have one & I find it useful. Now what yer gonna do?


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Sounds like you hold your fishermans in the same esteem I reserve for my spirit stove. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gifThey have been around for years ,they work why be conned into thinking otherwise?
 
Re: But seriously though, folks, the fisherman\'s anchor

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Sounds like you hold your fishermans in the same esteem I reserve for my spirit stove. (cut)

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Hell, it's paid for, so it will earn its living until it HAS to be retired. I believe in conspicuous non-consumption. AND I run a bicycle re-cycling project, so getting rid of stuff is a definite no no!
 
Re: But seriously though, folks, the fisherman\'s anchor

"So, yeah I have one & I find it useful. Now what yer gonna do?"

B*gger, spoze that means I ought to liberate mine from under the garden roller.

PS - Any one else suggested you stay out of the water in the walrus hunting season?
 
Re: But seriously though, folks, the fisherman\'s anchor

In some weed and weed is growing a lot in the Baltic the weed on the sea/river bed is solid and only the fisherman had a fluke long enough sharp and heavy enough to get through it and hang on!!I was worried when it first blew but learnt to know when the fisherman was "in" when anchoring in weed

No other anchor held! They all dragged when i put my engin in reverse and streched out the line and chain i just couldent get even the Brittany or Bruce to bite but the fisherman went in and that was that i was parked!!

Ive also bought a grappel which holds well to keep me of rough walls and peirs. that i throw out to the side to keep my topsides from being detroyed everytime a boat passed!First time i ever used a grapple even for the dingy!!!

In the med or even on the atlantic coast its a question of is it worth carrying a heavy fisherman which then lives under the bearth or more fresh water?Wine? or other heavy things??I was really down on my marks as it was!!My boot top when loaded was a good 4 inches below the water!!!And 15kgs is 15 liters of water which is enough to wash cloths 2 or 3 times or wash me 3 or 4 times!!Or a months washing water!!
 
Re: But seriously though, folks, the fisherman\'s anchor

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<span style="color:blue"> In some weed the fisherman had a fluke long enough sharp and heavy enough to get through it and hang on!! </span>

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Well, this is a very common belief!!...It is well known, by principle, the only anchors which are susceptible to hold on weed are the Fisherman and the Grapnel.
Unfortunately.. if you compare side by side a Fisherman and a “modern technology” anchor, you will soon realise that the “modern technology” anchor looks similar than the HALF of the Fisherman.. (with a fluke long enough..)

Heavy enough?? If you compare it with a “modern technology” anchor of the <u>same weight</u> ?? Where will be the difference??

<span style="color:purple"> “Unfortunately, the results we have obtained have been mediocre and non significant. Don’t bother.. we have tried our 12 kg Grapnel in the same conditions.. with as bad results.."</span>

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”No other anchor held! They all dragged when i put my engin in reverse and streched out the line and chain i just couldent get even the Brittany or Bruce to bite but the fisherman went.. “

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Very limited experience!.. when you said “Brittany or Bruce” this is only two models... did you try “other anchors”??

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”Ive also bought a grappel which holds well to keep me of rough walls and peirs. "

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<span style="color:purple"> “we have tried our 12 kg Grapnel in the same conditions.. with as bad results..” </span>
I have never considered the Grapnel as an anchor.. but only as a grapnel..


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”In the Med or even on the Atlantic coast its a question of is it worth carrying a heavy fisherman

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The word there is “HEAVY” ... if you main anchor is as heavy than the Fisherman.. you don’t need this antic gear.. keep it for your garden..
 
Re: But seriously though, folks, the fisherman\'s anchor

Well, I have been following this natter with great interest, (sad or what?) /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif.........It seems to me that there are three distinct camps, those that prefer modern techno - anchors, those that prefer to use well tried and tested anchors, and those, (who don't seem to have posted any comments), that like to buy these things to adorn the boats as jewelry! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I have come to the conclusion, such as it is, that it's simply a case of, what works for you, or to put it another way, not so much horses for courses, as horses for cruising areas?

It's also interesting to note, that three of us who have contributed to this dicussion, that like and use the Fisherman, share very similar cruising grounds. Namely myself, Graham, and the Walrus! (sorry Steve), /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Also, (and call me cynical if you like), tests don't really prove over much, in my opinion, they are about as much use as statistics, and can be manipulated in much the same way, dependant on what the desired outcome is?

Going back to the weight question, is it not true to say, that a Fisherman Anchor, with large flukes, will have more holding ability, in mud, sand and gravel, than one that is like a couple of fish hooks, back to back? The fish hook variety in my experience are excellent for penetrating down through weed / kelp, and or holding on a rocky bottom, whereas the fisherman with large flukes, is pretty good at holding in mud, sand or gravel. Stowage of a Fisherman Anchor, is also not much of a problem, (if of the fold flat variety) so it's use as a kedge anchor is fairly convenient, not so good for stowing over your bow roller that's for sure.

Lets be honest, if you are anchoring in the Med, with naff all tidal range, and on a balmy sunny day, with barely enough breeze to flutter your ensign, a bag of rocks dangled over the side will hold you quite nicely.

Which brings me back to "horses for courses",.................the fact is that around here, the two main types of anchors most commonly used, are the CQR types, and the Fisherman. That hasn't come about by accident, or fashion, it's come about by finding what is best, in this area, over many years of usage.

Interestingly, the one other type of anchor, sometimes used in this area is the Danforth, but still backed up by the good old Fisherman, and as I said in my earlier post, the Fisherman we use mostly is the type with large (long and wide) flukes.

My own preference is to carry, one of each type of Fisherman, and one CQR.............works for me /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Re: But seriously though, folks, the fisherman\'s anchor . . .

. . . is there for the next time there isn't an empty mooring in Braye, or I want to stop by the Rosiere steps, or give the crew a hernia apiece trying to weigh in Havre Goslein (where those diamond markers are quite important after all.)

That was long before I bought Ebb Tide of course. She was kept in Guernsey and came with two anchors - both Fishermans. So that bent bit of metal hanging over the bows is just posin'.

And now I'm worrying about the bar code . . .
 
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