Deep Breath - anchor thread

[tidclacy]

Dare I say it but I have a Proper Rocna and have used it extensively on the East Coast, Holland and France. Never had a problem and have great confidence in it.

 

[Serin]

Dare I say it but I have a Proper Rocna and have used it extensively on the East Coast, Holland and France. Never had a problem and have great confidence in it.

I would bite the money bullet and go with a Spade or a Rocna quite willingly, except that the size guides don't really encourage me to go significantly down in weight, which is what I'm really looking for. I'm always a bit cautious because of the extra windage of the two masted rig.

 

[Tranona]

and asked her if she still wanted to help. Er......no.......

Obviously not got her trained - she should work that end of the boat and you stand at the other - shouting!

Seriously the answer is a self stowing anchor and an electric windlass.

 

[dom]

I would bite the money bullet and go with a Spade or a Rocna quite willingly, except that the size guides don't really encourage me to go significantly down in weight, which is what I'm really looking for. I'm always a bit cautious because of the extra windage of the two masted rig.

Have you considered an aluminium Spade? ...around half the weight of a steel one.

Edit: It would really need to live on a bow roller or in an anchor locker though, as Spade's aren't great on deck.

 

[tidclacy]

Seriously the answer is a self stowing anchor and an electric windlass.[/QUOTE]

Yes I would agree. We anchor so much more now with a decent anchor and electric windlass. Expensive, but so much easier and probably saved a load of dosh by not using Marinas so much.

 

[charles_reed]

Have you considered an aluminium Spade? ...around half the weight of a steel one.

Edit: It would really need to live on a bow roller or in an anchor locker though, as Spade's aren't great on deck.

Though a great fan of the Spade design, the aluminium one has a reputation for galvanic self-corrosion.
I was considering one when I went for the Mantus. Warned off by that nice man Vyv Cox.
I do have a Sowester Danforth that came with the boat, used quite frequently and hard to beat on a straight pull, resetting flaky. This is fitted with the "mud-flaps" as standard. Having seen the mixed results from single-handers using a stern Fortress, I don't consider it worth the extra over the Danforth.
The Rocna, Manson recommendations suggested little faith in their designs being far heavier than Delta, CQR or Mantus. As I am forced to keep weight out of my boat ends I ended up with a 25lb Mantus. Mis-set on 3/680 deployments, dragged 2/680 deployments (both times a sea-grass rhizome) Maximum continuous wind only a Bf 7 and noted gusts of 39 knots.
I'd not consider a Fortress as a bower, due to its already noted re-setting difficulties, but starting from scratch I'd definitely have one in my anchor armoury.

PS the Danforth already used x3 this season, mainly as a backup for the stern Delta kedge.

 

[Serin]

Seriously the answer is a self stowing anchor and an electric windlass.

Thanks, but - ain't gonna happen! (Unless Trump or Soros - is in need of a new little wifie and won't mind me pottering off in my own little old tub......) (Not even sure about that either. I'm not sure about Soros, but Trump is not really my type)

 

[Serin]

Have you considered an aluminium Spade? ...around half the weight of a steel one.

Edit: It would really need to live on a bow roller or in an anchor locker though, as Spade's aren't great on deck.

I have indeed, but not for long. I was put off by price and by the kinds of considerations mentioned by Charles Reed, plus some hints of doubts about shank strength. Also, I don't have an anchor locker and and don't plan to make the major alterations needed for he bow roller.

What I really need is an infallible (on every bottom), vastly strong, 7kg anchor that can live on deck in chocks, comes in at under £300 and is guaranteed never to let me down in any way. Should be simple, I would have thought........

But as far as I am concerned, this thread, so far, and the people who have kindly contributed, have helped me to think this thing through. I really appreciate that.

The plan is that when I can no longer use the boat it will be taken over by my nephew on my husband's side, who is a dinghy sailor, but getting really interested. I am delighted, as was my husband when we made the arrangement, because I couldn't imagine selling her to a stranger. Anyway, I suspect I'll be soldiering on with the trusty CQR and let him install what he chooses when his old Aunt is out of the way at last. (He's a lovely bloke by the way and a pleasure to have on board. I don't think he has any assassination plans at the moment )

 

[PetiteFleur]

I have a Fortress as a kedge, but have rarely used it recently as I now have a Manson bower which is excellent. The Manson replaced a CQR look-a-like which was rubbish and that is when I used the fortress. The fortress never dragged and was sometimes difficult to lift. In East coast mud.

 

[john_q]

Have you considered an aluminium Spade? ...around half the weight of a steel one.

.

Be aware, Spade no longer recommends using an aluminium version as your main anchor, sees the quote below from the UK Spade supplier January 2016

“They (Spade Anchor / Sea Tech & Fun USA the new Spade Manufacturers ) no longer recommend aluminium anchors as main anchors because of a problem with bending shanks particularly when using all chain rodes”

Also see http://www.spade-anchor.co.uk/sd_range1111.htm Their description of the uses of an aluminium spade

Main anchor for fair weather coastal cruising (with normal seabeds)

How do I know?

I have managed to bend 2 aluminium ones since 2004, now using the Steel version

 

[Serin]

Obviously not got her trained - she should work that end of the boat and you stand at the other - shouting!

Seriously the answer is a self stowing anchor and an electric windlass.

I don't think so. She is a sensitive soul and, anyway, I don't do shouting, although I suppose I could learn.

No more electrics, please (even if I could afford to put that setup in place) At least, not until I have got to grips with the electrics I already have, which may take the rest of my active life. My dear husband was a chartered electronics engineer and knew all this stuff. I have sometimes wondered if he could draw me a wiring diagram, using the glass on the table at a seance. I could do with one. (What an awful woman I am )

 

[charles_reed]

I have indeed, but not for long. I was put off by price and by the kinds of considerations mentioned by Charles Reed, plus some hints of doubts about shank strength. Also, I don't have an anchor locker and and don't plan to make the major alterations needed for he bow roller.

What I really need is an infallible (on every bottom), vastly strong, 7kg anchor that can live on deck in chocks, comes in at under £300 and is guaranteed never to let me down in any way. Should be simple, I would have thought........

But as far as I am concerned, this thread, so far, and the people who have kindly contributed, have helped me to think this thing through. I really appreciate that.

The plan is that when I can no longer use the boat it will be taken over by my nephew on my husband's side, who is a dinghy sailor, but getting really interested. I am delighted, as was my husband when we made the arrangement, because I couldn't imagine selling her to a stranger. Anyway, I suspect I'll be soldiering on with the trusty CQR and let him install what he chooses when his old Aunt is out of the way at last. (He's a lovely bloke by the way and a pleasure to have on board. I don't think he has any assassination plans at the moment )

Great to hear your background. Don't be put off by sneers about the CQR - though the copies are the invention of the devil. I used mine for 19 years, until the joint wore out. Most difficult of anchors to stow, needed sympathetic setting (and a long way) no good in sloppy mud or hard bottoms but incomparable in gravel. I'd rate it at least as good as the Delta and other ploughs.
In the final analysis the "new-age" anchors benefit from a quick, short set, a large fluke area and being almost idiot-proof. Of the 28 boats I've watched anchor in the last few weeks, only 4 have set their anchors properly (reverse to F5 minimum). Only 3 have dragged though, on a nice sand bottom.
Deltas the most popular (they're cheap), claw-type the second, surprising number of Ultra (lots of Turks who were the most enthusiastic draggers), Bugel, but only one CQR.
Bottoms are the most important anchoring factor, the anchorers' second and the anchor design a distant third.
That won't stop people looking for their deus ex machina of the perfect anchor.

 

[dom]

Be aware, Spade no longer recommends using an aluminium version as your main anchor, sees the quote below from the UK Spade supplier January 2016

“They (Spade Anchor / Sea Tech & Fun USA the new Spade Manufacturers ) no longer recommend aluminium anchors as main anchors because of a problem with bending shanks particularly when using all chain rodes”

Also see http://www.spade-anchor.co.uk/sd_range1111.htm Their description of the uses of an aluminium spade

Main anchor for fair weather coastal cruising (with normal seabeds)

How do I know?

I have managed to bend 2 aluminium ones since 2004, now using the Steel version

I always wordered about the ally shanks, but based upon your comments and the galvanic problem Charles describes I shall wonder no longer !!

 

[Bru]

I don't think so. She is a sensitive soul and, anyway, I don't do shouting, although I suppose I could learn.

No more electrics, please (even if I could afford to put that setup in place) At least, not until I have got to grips with the electrics I already have, which may take the rest of my active life. My dear husband was a chartered electronics engineer and knew all this stuff. I have sometimes wondered if he could draw me a wiring diagram, using the glass on the table at a seance. I could do with one. (What an awful woman I am )

I'm generally wary about putting myself forward on the forum (sensitive to the written rules and unwritten etiquette) but if you need help...

Consultation that doesn't involve getting tools out is generally charged by the pint rather than the pound too

 

[oldbilbo]

I've found my use of Fortress anchors sufficiently satisfactory to have made a contribution here, but I recognise no anchor is optimum in all conditions. I carry ( at least ) two types.

As for worries about auto-resetting after a change of tide stream, I'm of the old school. I don't expect that. Instead, I do what countless generations of seaman have found advisable - I keep an anchor watch around changes of tide. It's my responsibililty....

Besides, in a river, I can always deploy TWO anchors in a Bahamian moor.

Isn't that what the other one is for...?

 

[JumbleDuck]

Of the 28 boats I've watched anchor in the last few weeks, only 4 have set their anchors properly (reverse to F5 minimum).

At every turn of tide or change of wind? If not, why bother the first time?

 

[Serin]

As for worries about auto-resetting after a change of tide stream, I'm of the old school. I don't expect that. Instead, I do what countless generations of seaman have found advisable - I keep an anchor watch around changes of tide. It's my responsibililty....

Ah, yes. It's many an anchor watch I have kept over the years, often amongst inhospitable fangs of Brittany.....But as I have never yet had an anchor drag on the turn of the tide, I am reasonably confident about letting that habit lapse. That doesn't mean, though, that I won't get up and check if I am in any doubt - a very high spring, perhaps, or in strong winds. Or if I hear unexpected noises from the anchor.

Listening to the boat seems to me to be an essential element in the mix that makes up my general awareness of how she does and what is going on. Living with the same boat for 40 years lets you become very familiar with her language, although I did have to re-learn quite a lot when she was re-masted and rigged a few years ago. Some new words in her vocabulary, but she did get much quieter.

And I've set two anchors occasionally, but very rarely feel the need in the places I usually anchor.

 

[Serin]

I'm generally wary about putting myself forward on the forum (sensitive to the written rules and unwritten etiquette) but if you need help...

Consultation that doesn't involve getting tools out is generally charged by the pint rather than the pound too

Bru - thank you. In fact I knew your previous boat and may have exchanged greetings with you and your wife in the past. In fact I did think of contacting you earlier in the year when I had a mysterious electrical problem. That got sorted out with the help of a friend (I learned a lot in the process) but I have your contact details and you are first on my list to call when, (not if) the electrons start misbehaving again next time.

 

[Bru]

Bru - thank you. In fact I knew your previous boat and may have exchanged greetings with you and your wife in the past. In fact I did think of contacting you earlier in the year when I had a mysterious electrical problem. That got sorted out with the help of a friend (I learned a lot in the process) but I have your contact details and you are first on my list to call when, (not if) the electrons start misbehaving again next time.

:encouragement:

The beer is always here if you find yourself up Fambridge way and mayhap our wakes may cross if we ever get Pagan ready to go sailing again!

 

[NormanS]

Some of us have saily boats, and actually use them as such. Is there any particular difference in the force applied on an anchor by an engine, and the force applied by the wind? Maybe the much vaunted "New Generation" anchors are only suitable for motor boats? (Flac jacket ready).