JamesGould
New Member
Anyone any experience of delta anchors in a big blow? Grateful for any advice, just had to 'retire' my CQR and want to explore the options.....
Delta Anchors
- Thread starter JamesGould
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webcraft
Well-Known Member
The RNLI use them, and some charter companies seem to be fitting them.
Can't comment personally except to say that they look a bit like the Spade in design, which we are very happy with. Delta are cheaper as well. I would probably go for a Delta if re-equipping.
- Nick
Can't comment personally except to say that they look a bit like the Spade in design, which we are very happy with. Delta are cheaper as well. I would probably go for a Delta if re-equipping.
- Nick
Lizzie_B
Well-Known Member
We have been very happy with ours. It hasn't budged in some pretty atrocious conditions.
Kingston anchors produce a version of the Delta called the 'Quickset' which has small lateral fins added to the basic design which are supposed to make it more stable and quicker setting. We have just got one to replace our claw as it is much more compact and easy to stow as well as having a higher holding power than the claw (according to the USCG) A 22lb quickset equals a 33lb claw. (I have lots of anchors on my boat-which is why I still have a boat- but that's another story). Holding figures are quoted on the BoatUS website.
Kingston anchors produce a version of the Delta called the 'Quickset' which has small lateral fins added to the basic design which are supposed to make it more stable and quicker setting. We have just got one to replace our claw as it is much more compact and easy to stow as well as having a higher holding power than the claw (according to the USCG) A 22lb quickset equals a 33lb claw. (I have lots of anchors on my boat-which is why I still have a boat- but that's another story). Holding figures are quoted on the BoatUS website.
snowleopard
Well-Known Member
I've been using a Delta for several years and have been very happy with it. We've had a few windy nights and it's never shifted. It doesn't do too well in very soft mud and you have to set it gently - dropping it and charging back on full reverse will make it drag. Once set it stays set.
It may look a bit like a Spade but works on a quite different principle.
It may look a bit like a Spade but works on a quite different principle.
starboard
Well-Known Member
I consider the Delta to be the best thing since sliced bread!! Here on the west coast of Scotland I anchor most of the time, the worst wind recorded at anchor was on the island of Soay where we had 68kts over the deck, I use a combination of 10mtr heavy chain and 14mm warp. When you drop the hook let the windage of the boat set the anchor....do not give it bags of welly astern as this does not help.
I was involved many rears ago with trials and the RNLI in an attempt to find a secondary anchor to the Fisherman as used at that time on all offshore lifeboats. The Delta proved to be so immpresive that it was addopted by the fleet as a secondary anchor.
Good luck
Paul.
I was involved many rears ago with trials and the RNLI in an attempt to find a secondary anchor to the Fisherman as used at that time on all offshore lifeboats. The Delta proved to be so immpresive that it was addopted by the fleet as a secondary anchor.
Good luck
Paul.
snowleopard
Well-Known Member
P.S.
I take it from your ID that you are one of the minority with the correct number of hulls. Like me you will have more windage than a half-boat of the same length. You will also want to keep weight down.
FWIW we have a 16kg Delta with 20m 6mm chain and 80m 12mm nylon. The boat is 40 ft & 5.5 tons. The combination has served us well in a wide range of anchorages on both sides of the atlantic. The only times it failed was in soupy mud where we used a Fortress instead.
I take it from your ID that you are one of the minority with the correct number of hulls. Like me you will have more windage than a half-boat of the same length. You will also want to keep weight down.
FWIW we have a 16kg Delta with 20m 6mm chain and 80m 12mm nylon. The boat is 40 ft & 5.5 tons. The combination has served us well in a wide range of anchorages on both sides of the atlantic. The only times it failed was in soupy mud where we used a Fortress instead.
No experience of a big blow but while walking around the marina I have noticed that delta anchors require high sided bow rollers due to the odd shank shape.
My 16kg model is looking for a new home, it has only experienced 3 trips under water. This is not an implied criticism of the Delta more a comment on the skimpy bow roller of my racer/cruiser.
My 16kg model is looking for a new home, it has only experienced 3 trips under water. This is not an implied criticism of the Delta more a comment on the skimpy bow roller of my racer/cruiser.
starboard
Well-Known Member
I'd rather have an anchor that I know will give me confidence to get a good nights sleep than one that looks pretty in the bow roller.
A friend of mine just bought a new Naajad 375, because of my confidence in the anchor he fitted a "Delta" anchor, it is a bit of a tight fit on the Naajad due to the shank size but at least it gives him confidence to leave his £200,000 boat safely at anchor. It would appear Naajad fit the "Bruce" as standard as that is the anchor that fits the bow fitting well!!!!!! in my opinion not the best of anchors to put your life savings in.
Paul.
A friend of mine just bought a new Naajad 375, because of my confidence in the anchor he fitted a "Delta" anchor, it is a bit of a tight fit on the Naajad due to the shank size but at least it gives him confidence to leave his £200,000 boat safely at anchor. It would appear Naajad fit the "Bruce" as standard as that is the anchor that fits the bow fitting well!!!!!! in my opinion not the best of anchors to put your life savings in.
Paul.
DeeGee
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Anyone any experience of delta anchors in a big blow? Grateful for any advice, just had to 'retire' my CQR and want to explore the options.....
[/ QUOTE ]From the many discussions on anchors, I conclude that most peps use ploughs of one sort or another and swear by their variation. Read a bit more carefully and it is clear that what you attach to the anchor is inevitably the really important thing. IMHO a Delta, CQR, Spade, Bruce with ample (??) chain on it is what you need.
Anyone any experience of delta anchors in a big blow? Grateful for any advice, just had to 'retire' my CQR and want to explore the options.....
[/ QUOTE ]From the many discussions on anchors, I conclude that most peps use ploughs of one sort or another and swear by their variation. Read a bit more carefully and it is clear that what you attach to the anchor is inevitably the really important thing. IMHO a Delta, CQR, Spade, Bruce with ample (??) chain on it is what you need.
[ QUOTE ]
I'd rather have an anchor that I know will give me confidence to get a good nights sleep than one that looks pretty in the bow roller.
[/ QUOTE ]
I was not referring to the esthetics of the Delta anchor, more the essential requirement that an anchor remains attached securely to the bow when not deployed.
The Delta as a low center of gravity on the seabed (= good) but in a stowed position on a bow roller the COG is higher than a CQR hence the need for bow roller mods in many cases.
I'd rather have an anchor that I know will give me confidence to get a good nights sleep than one that looks pretty in the bow roller.
[/ QUOTE ]
I was not referring to the esthetics of the Delta anchor, more the essential requirement that an anchor remains attached securely to the bow when not deployed.
The Delta as a low center of gravity on the seabed (= good) but in a stowed position on a bow roller the COG is higher than a CQR hence the need for bow roller mods in many cases.
Robin
Well-Known Member
There is a way to secure it snugly without high sided rollers. We have a small 'boomerang' shaped bow fender, the type with 3 eyes, one central and 2 at each corner and this is fitted snugly under the bow roller, it is white and is quite inconspicuous. The Delta anchor is then pulled in tight into the fender which fits into the curve under the head, the fender distorts slightly and the Delta is held firm. In addition I fitted a couple of plastic cleats wither side of where the shank sits and snapshackle a short line to the tripping line hole and then take it to each cleat in turn, zigzagging over the shank. If we want to lift the anchor on board we use the same short line between the trip line hole and the chain shackle to make a lifting handle.
I have always been a big fan of (genuine) forged CQRs but inherited a 16kg Delta with our current boat, actually one size smaller than the 45lb CQR we had before. The Delta sets instantly and has held us firmly in the 3 years we have had it and many nights at anchor. The worst conditions were a F6 'Vent Solaire', the South Brittany special that blows straight onshore in the early hours with a fetch of +/- 10mls and quite a swell. We have also sat out a F8 with it but in a bay sheltered from any swell.
As has been said, going 100mph astern isn't the way to set an anchor, it should be allowed to start to set with the gentlest of drift whether wind or engine created. Once it has started to set however then progessively more power can be applied in astern to really dig it in.
Robin
I have always been a big fan of (genuine) forged CQRs but inherited a 16kg Delta with our current boat, actually one size smaller than the 45lb CQR we had before. The Delta sets instantly and has held us firmly in the 3 years we have had it and many nights at anchor. The worst conditions were a F6 'Vent Solaire', the South Brittany special that blows straight onshore in the early hours with a fetch of +/- 10mls and quite a swell. We have also sat out a F8 with it but in a bay sheltered from any swell.
As has been said, going 100mph astern isn't the way to set an anchor, it should be allowed to start to set with the gentlest of drift whether wind or engine created. Once it has started to set however then progessively more power can be applied in astern to really dig it in.
Robin
SQUIRRELS
Well-Known Member
My CQR is also about to become a secondary in favour of a delta. This is based on my hubby's past experience sailing east coast, w.coast of scotland and the med in a vancouver. However, buying the delta is only one part of it, make sure you carry sufficient chain for your cruising ground and that shackles are all in first class order.
snowleopard
Well-Known Member
The Delta is self-stowing but as it comes aboard it may initially be on its back until gravity causes it to rotate until the flukes are downward. The rotation is quite violent and the flat of the shank has to rotate in the bow roller. The roller must be at least 3" wide, preferably 4" or there is a risk the shank will flip out of the roller as it rotates.
For those advocating large amounts of heavy chain, bear in mind the weight penalty on a cat.
For those advocating large amounts of heavy chain, bear in mind the weight penalty on a cat.
Robin
Well-Known Member
Yes I would agree with that too. We use a S/S swivel connector and are careful to wind in the first part of the shank (a bit narrower) slowly and usaually the swivel does its job without too much violence!
I rate the Delta higher than the CQR which I still think is an excellent all rounder. It has one advantage with it's articulated head that it can be tied to one side in the roller, well clear of any line in the second roller. However from a performance viewpoint, diving on the anchors when opportunities arose show the Delta to set almost on contact with the bottom whereas the CQR always showed an initial furrow in the bottom before catching. We still carry a CQR as a spare/kedge plus an aluminium Fortress as well.
I've not had a chance to try any of the newcomers like Hylas's Spade but from the traditionals that I have used, CQR/Danforth/Fisherman/Bruce/Delta the CQR and Delta still rate tops in my book to dangle off the bow.
I can understand why chain weight might be a problem for you Cats, perhaps that is why us sensible sea Dogs have monohulls /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Still you do have the option of getting much closer inshore than we can!
Miaow...
Robin
I rate the Delta higher than the CQR which I still think is an excellent all rounder. It has one advantage with it's articulated head that it can be tied to one side in the roller, well clear of any line in the second roller. However from a performance viewpoint, diving on the anchors when opportunities arose show the Delta to set almost on contact with the bottom whereas the CQR always showed an initial furrow in the bottom before catching. We still carry a CQR as a spare/kedge plus an aluminium Fortress as well.
I've not had a chance to try any of the newcomers like Hylas's Spade but from the traditionals that I have used, CQR/Danforth/Fisherman/Bruce/Delta the CQR and Delta still rate tops in my book to dangle off the bow.
I can understand why chain weight might be a problem for you Cats, perhaps that is why us sensible sea Dogs have monohulls /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Still you do have the option of getting much closer inshore than we can!
Miaow...
Robin
Telstar26
Well-Known Member
offtopic but 3hullsbest?
hylass
Well-Known Member
(webcraft - Can't comment personally except to say that they look a bit like the Spade in design, )
Oh NOOOO !.. Webcraft, the Delta anchor is NOT similar to the SPADE !!!..
If they are two similarities between these two anchors, the first one is that they are “boat anchors” :0) and the second one is they are both good modern anchors..
But here stop the comparison..
- The penetrating angle of the Delta is similar to a “spatula”, the one of the Spade has the angle of a “wood chisel”. Guest which will set better??
- The weight distribution on the tip of the Delta is about 25% of the total anchor weight. The one of the Spade is 50% or the double.. Guest which will set better?? (and none of them will need a “roll bar”)
- The holding surface of the Delta is like a plow.. (Holding coefficient 0,5) the one of the Spade is concave (Holding coefficient 1.7) Guest which will hold better??
- if you compare prices, you should compare the price of the Delta with the one of the Océane anchor (similar manufacturing techniques) and guess which is the cheapest??
Oh NOOOO !.. Webcraft, the Delta anchor is NOT similar to the SPADE !!!..
If they are two similarities between these two anchors, the first one is that they are “boat anchors” :0) and the second one is they are both good modern anchors..
But here stop the comparison..
- The penetrating angle of the Delta is similar to a “spatula”, the one of the Spade has the angle of a “wood chisel”. Guest which will set better??
- The weight distribution on the tip of the Delta is about 25% of the total anchor weight. The one of the Spade is 50% or the double.. Guest which will set better?? (and none of them will need a “roll bar”)
- The holding surface of the Delta is like a plow.. (Holding coefficient 0,5) the one of the Spade is concave (Holding coefficient 1.7) Guest which will hold better??
- if you compare prices, you should compare the price of the Delta with the one of the Océane anchor (similar manufacturing techniques) and guess which is the cheapest??
