How big an anchor...

[TiggerToo]

would you recommend for a 23ft pocket cruiser?

 

[Searush]

would you recommend for a 23ft pocket cruiser?

What for? As in where & how do you sail & what rode will it have?

I had a 15lb Danforth on 50m of chain my 25' twin keeler for use generally in sand & mud & 30' tides. I also had a rope to add to the butter end if needed. I probably wouldn't go much lighter, but I doubt you would need much over 25lb anyway.

 

[TiggerToo]

What for? As in where & how do you sail & what rode will it have?

I had a 15lb Danforth on 50m of chain my 25' twin keeler for use generally in sand & mud & 30' tides. I also had a rope to add to the butter end if needed. I probably wouldn't go much lighter, but I doubt you would need much over 25lb anyway.

Med.... around the Tyrrenean

 

[Searush]

Med.... around the Tyrrenean

Hmm, no idea of the bottom there, but certainly no tides to speak of. Check what the locals use, might be a rock with a hole in it I guess. If rock then something with a hook like a CQR might do well enough. The Med guys will be along in a minute with better knowledge.

 

[TiggerToo]

Hmm, no idea of the bottom there, but certainly no tides to speak of. Check what the locals use, might be a rock with a hole in it I guess. If rock then something with a hook like a CQR might do well enough. The Med guys will be along in a minute with better knowledge.

nope, sand. Current boat owner has a CQR and is dissatisfied with its holding ability. I bet CQRs are best in good Scottish or Welsh mud

 

[Norman_E]

Lots of people in Turkey use local copies of the German Bugel Anchor. Generally a sharp point and a roll bar seem to be preferred in the Med because of the prevalence of weed over sand, which leaves quite a few other choices. In the Med generally there are a few fairly slow coastal currents but no tide to speak of, but the problem is that strong winds can come up quite suddenly, so reasonable holding power is required. I was in one storm in Gocek, where more than half the anchored boats dragged. I use a CQR and have had no problems, but others have.

 

[Searush]

nope, sand. Current boat owner has a CQR and is dissatisfied with its holding ability. I bet CQRs are best in good Scottish or Welsh mud

My current one does. What scope is the former owner using & is it rope or chain. Weight on the bottom can make a real big difference to holding power, especially if the pull is a close to horizontal as possible - hence the use of Angel weights to alter the catenary & reduce snatching.

 

[Tranona]

Arguably a Delta is the most commonly used anchor because it seems to set quicker than a CQR and it is reasonably priced. However, the roll bar type anchors, most of which are much more expensive are claimed to be even better. In the Med, setting in what is often hard mud/sand with weed over the top is more of an issue than resetting that you get in tidal waters.

For size, refer to the manufacturers recommendations.

 

[Puggy]

I had a Delta in the med and it served me very well, when those with CQRs were dragging out the bay. I have a Delta now, and I am sure the newer spade anchors are better but my Delta has never let me down yet, and the major problem I have is it holds so tight it can be hard to break out, so I would recommend one based on personal experience.

Size? The Lewmar chart would recommend a 6kg anchor. I would say buy the biggest you can lift and fit on your bow roller. You won't be thanking yourself for saving a few pounds/euros on the anchor when the wind is howling and the boat is sailing around on her rode.