Design an Anchor to Catch the Skipper

[Ships_Cat]

Again there are threads talking of the various merits and demerits of favorite anchors (or, in some cases, the anchors the poster designed) and quoting of references "demonstrating" such. And how various anchor types perform better in different seabeds, even carrying a number of different anchor styles to cope with those.

I have come to the conclusion that the most important aspect of anchor design is a design that catches the skipper and not one that anchors the boat. Sort of like how fishing lures are designed to catch the fishermen not the fish, if you see what I mean.

Most commercial vessels only carry one anchor type and seem to be able to cope, and usually those anchors are quite simple, not designed as if they were for digging potatoes or some modern art creation from the scrapyard.

We carry 3 anchors but all are of the exact same design (main anchor, spare for main anchor, plus a lighter one in case of need which has been never) and never have anchoring problems.

I wonder if those who carry several anchor types actually check the seabed and then shackle on the "correct" anchor for that?

I also wonder if the designers of anchors for smaller vessels (ie the size most of us operate) design the anchor to catch the skipper?

John

 

[BrendanS]

It's one of those areas where people design what they think is a good or significant improvement over previous designs, though the actual design is more in the head than down to actual proven use. The budgets of most people with a good idea don't run to significant testing, nor do the budgets of magazines doing sporadic anchor testing.

If the methods taken to test anchors in most of the reviews I've seen were applied to say medicines, then most of the population of the Western world would have no idea if the medicine were effective or not. Why can no one come up with a set of sensible real life testing standards, then rate anchors and chain by those standards. I know there actually are standards for larger vessels, but even those seem hit and miss in real life, as shown by Mirabella V, which redefined many of the issues in the report on it's grounding

It's about time one of the maritime courses at a university with a good pedigree, set up a PhD for a student to put some serious thought into how you can really test a set of anchors on different seabed types in different conditions, and then go about testing them methodically. Then select a PhD student with the ability to actually deliver. There could be a second PhD placement on designing a anchor which then overcomes the design flaws in the existing line up

 

[ParaHandy]

Testing

would you trust an elec eng graduate to wire a plug? ... hmm ... thort not ..!!!

 

[hlb]

No. Ships cat is right. The art of marketing which no one in business can dismiss is. Design an anchor that will fit in yer top pocket and hold a battle ship. Course everyone wants one and can be persuaded. Now my big bent second hand plow anchor has not got allot going for it in these stakes. But I drop it and the boat stops dead, anywhere. Even though I'm masivly short of chain. Anyway, the thing that stops you is the amount of weight on the ground. I dont recon that the shape of it makes much difference.

 

[BrendanS]

Re: Testing

I refer you to my comment

"Then select a PhD student with the ability to actually deliver"
Most wouldn't some can. That's what PhD's are about. Some are exceptionally bright, and able to think just a little. Some one, given three years to think had about it, would be able to come up with a testing protocol that actually works.

This process works well in most areas, and is a testing intellectual challenge if done well. I see no reason why a top notch student couldn't come up with some interesting ideas. The problem, realistically, is persuading a PhD student with the requisite skills, to take on the task. Most good/excellent PhD students pick and choose their projects.

 

[ccscott49]

Re: Testing

I have a bloody big FOB bower anchor which does the job for me. I like the CQR in UK where theres mud, but in the meddy it tends to not work as well. My brother sailed round the world, he had three anchors of different types, but only ever used his CQR, technique is more important than the anchor. If I could get one here, I would buy a northill, and forget any other anchors, they are excellent, I will no doubt hear from some manufacturer or other ot the contrary but I kn ow they work in most if not all bottoms (seabed that is). IMNSHO

 

[jerryat]

We carry four anchors, two identical CQR's (bowers) a Bruce kedge and a Fortress. We actually tend to use only one, or both, of the CQR's for the vast majority of the time and often the kedge with it (them).

We've only used the Fortress, an FX16, on a couple of occasions just to try it out.

As others have suggested, if it works for you, you tend to use it. Over the years, from the UK and France, to the Med. and the Caribbean, we have used the CQR (s) and have NEVER had a problem. Yes of course we have been unhappy with an initial 'set' and have gone round again (and again sometimes!) for another go, but once the anchor has gone in, it has never moved more than a few feet before coming to a dead stop.

Like others, I firmly believe that anchoring, largely irrespective of the the type of well-known anchor, is a matter of technique. How many times have you watched a boat come in, dangle a few feet of chain over the bow, then rocket backwards expecting the thing to magically dig in somehow? It needs patience and a basic understanding of what is happening under the water.

A few years ago in Ibiza, we were anchoring off Ibiza town. Our anchor was dropped and we laid back to it for a few minutes to allow it to set, pulled it in under motor and broke out a beer. Our friends arrived shortly afterwards, dropped their anchor, went astern, dragged, and repeated the operation several times. In the end I donned a snorkle and dived down to watch what was actually happening.

He came in, dropped the CQR, and shot back. It was startling to watch it skate across the seabed on it's side, trying to turn and dig in but not having time to do so. I told him to try again, but let the wind blow the boat back this time as he laid the chain chain out. Bingo!! I watched the anchor move, turn, and just sort of 'snub' into the hard sand. I surfaced, got him to wait for a few minute, then went down to watch as he GENTLY motored astern.

Fascinating. The anchor turned sweetly to a near vertical positon as it dug in, then stopped. Increased power scarcly moved it before it stopped again. Anchored!!

Just my thoughts/personal experiences, but it's worked for us for around 30 years, so I think we'll stick with what we've got until some new design can be clearly shown to be consistantly superior.

J

 

[snowleopard]

[ QUOTE ]
I wonder if those who carry several anchor types actually check the seabed and then shackle on the "correct" anchor for that?

[/ QUOTE ]
Something like that. When the Delta drags and comes up smeared with liquid goo we put the Fortress down.

 

[Gunfleet]

<<most of the population of the Western world would have no idea if the medicine were effective or not.>>
I thought that was the case with most medicines.