Ground Tackle for Scottish Cruising

[Rich_F]

I'm moving my yacht up to the west coast of Scotland this summer, and am going to have to do something about the ground tackle. I don't think that 3m of chain is going to be enough!

The boat is 29ft, 3800Kg.

I'm currently inclined to go for a Spade anchor and 50m of chain. The Spade website suggests the model 80 (up to 35ft, 4500kg).

However, all that ground tackle is going to put a lot of weight on the bow, and I'm tempted to reduce my chain to 25m.

Anyway, I have three questions about all this, and would particularly welcome input from others that cruise that area...

1) Has anybody had a bad experience with Spade anchors, as compared with any other anchors?

2) Should I go up to the next model of Spade for extra security?

3) Would I be silly to drop to 25m of chain? Would that put me on a longer scope than most other yachts up there?

Thanks in advance,

Rich

 

[Aja]

Rich

I would consider that 25m of chain is on the short side. I have 50m of 5/16 chain on a 25lb CQR on a 31' grp Jeanneau. If you want to get anywhere near the shops/pubs in Tobermory without an hours row you will need to be able to anchor in 15metres.

In addition to the CQR I also carry a Danforth type. Neither have let me down. (so far touch wood etc.....)

Regards

Donald

 

[Badger]

Anchor Buddy

You might want to consider an anchor weight, check out www.anchorbuddy.co.nz. They are sold in the UK by Caley Marine in Inverness.

 

[Rich_F]

Thanks for that.

Just to make it clear though - if I went for 25m chain, I would also have around 50m of anchor plait, and expect to be deploying at least some of it on a regular basis.

My draft, by the way, is 1.6m.

Rich

 

[jleaworthy]

My sailing area is Adnamurchan to Summer Isles and the Western Isles. My own boat is 26' long and about a ton lighter than yours. I use a 25 lb CQR with 40 metres of 5/16 chain and 30 metres of anchorplait. My kedge is a 20lb Danforth with 5metres of 3/8 chain and about 40 metres of anchorplait. I also carry a 50lb Fisherman for use in kelp - there's alot of that here. I don't consider I have excessive ground tackle and would not be happy with less. If you are north of Adnamurchan you are very much on your own. Don't have any experience of the spade and have only seen the (very good) magazine reports. Make sure your chain is self-stowing - most aren't on modern yachts. You might need to make some modifications but it is vital particularly if you sail shorthanded.

 

[extravert]

I went all the way up the Scottish coast in 2001. The only difficulty I had anchoring was in sea lochs, some of which are notorious for having weedy and rocky bottoms. In one case, in Loch Eribol, only the fishermans anchor would hold. The other anchors (a fortress and a CQR) wouldn't hold at all.

Adventures of the <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.xrayted.fsnet.co.uk>Teddy Bear Boat</A>

 

[Rich_F]

Re: Anchor Buddy

Interesting.

If I do go for 25m chain, this would be an excellent addition to the setup.

But I'm starting to worry whether 50m will be enough!

Richard

 

[Rich_F]

Thanks - looks like I need a fishermans anchor too. This could work out expensive!

BTW, I enjoyed the adventures of Xray-Ted. Helped confirm that moving north was a good plan!

 

[Gordonmc]

50 metres 5/16 chain, 35lb CQR and 65lb fisherman for a 30 foot 8 tonner. I don't use anchorplait 'cos it stinks the locker up.

 

[hylas]

I will only reply to three points:

- 2) Should I go up to the next model of Spade for extra security?

my answer is NO.. as you could read on tests published by "PBO" July and August 2002.. (page 102): "the SPADE, for example, can hold 40 or 50% more than others anchors... "
On my own boat 12 m / 14 tons, my main anchor is a 15 kg SPADE..


3) Would I be silly to drop to 25m of chain?

I recommend to use about twice the LOA of chain.. (25 meters will be perfectly OK..) and then a Nylon rope (Preferably of the square line type (8 strands..) ) directly spliced ON the chain (see: http://www.bluemoment.com/warpchainsplice.html)

4 ) You might want to consider an anchor weight, Angel or Chum...

I consider those anchor weights as a perfect "gadget".... the use of 4 meters of additional chain will have the same effect .. and are much more easy to use..

fair winds and peaceful anchorages to all..

 

[JimMcMillan]

I go with Donald,I have similar setup on 30 foot except i use the Danforth first and the cqr as a kedge.Never dragged yet.Even in Plockton!

Jim

 

[spark]

I'm on Skye and will be launching a new 30' 3.5T boat this summer on which I intend to carry a Spade 80 (which I haven't yet tried but have been convinced by the test reports over the last couple of years) on 60m of 8mm chain as my main anchor. The spare will be a hefty (c. 50lbs - I haven't ever weighed it) fisherman which can swap places with the Spade on the main chain when the bottom dictates. I'll also carry a spare 10m of chain and 2 x 50m of 12mm nylon warp as spare anchor cable.

I reckon that a fisherman is essential in these parts for weedy/rocky bottoms. I've used them as the main anchor on everything from 18' skiffs to 60' gaff cutters and never had one drag. Get as big a one as you can manhandle - there's no subsitute for weight. Tripping line is also essential.


<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.qei.co.uk/spark>http://www.qei.co.uk/spark</A>

 

[JimMcMillan]

Oops,Sorry boobed, for Danforth read Bruce.