Kedge for the Med and what's in a name?

[Gypsyjoss]

Kedge for the Med and what\'s in a name?

My Sadler 32 (recently kept in UK) has no kedge, which is pretty important in the Aegean as most mooring is bow to. The suggestion is for a 20lb(aprox) Danforth but:
1. Danforth make Standard, Hi-Tensile and Deep Set models. A 12lb Hi-Tensile has greater holding power than a 25lb Standard. Both are the recommended size. The High Tensile fluke length is 3 inches shorter. And how about the Fortress? The recommended size is the FX11 at 7lb with dimensions same as the Danforth Hi Tensile. Is it the holding power I should be looking at, evidently not weight or fluke length? Anyone got the Hi Tensile type?

2. Ebay has lots of Danforth 'type' anchors. How do you know if they're any good? Sentinel is often advertised-cheaper than Danforth. Is it good?

3. Has anyone heard of Meon anchors?

4. I had a 5kg Danforth kedge on my Cobra 850. It oftened failed me and one desperate night I put out a 6kg Bruce copy which solved the problem and never failed me for the following 3 years! It wasn't ideal for hanging off the pushpit! Is my experience typical and a 10kg Bruce would be a better choice for a kedge than a fluke type anchor if it wasn't for the storage problem?

 

[bazobeleza]

Re: Kedge for the Med and what\'s in a name?

I used a danforth type as kedge / lunch hook with great success, often in situaions where the CQR main wouldn't bite.

It did fail this year (after 10yrs hard use) when the shank broke when trying to raise it, but I will be replacing it with a similar type.

I like the lightweight of the alloy ones but I can get a couple of the cheaper danforths and still have change so IMHO their cost of the alloy ones outweighs all the other benefits, also a problem with the meon, rocna et al.

I might even get a bruce and a danforth type, you can never have enough types on board if you can store them.

 

[ems]

Re: Kedge for the Med and what\'s in a name?

I have 2 15kg Danforth lookalikes for normal use, and a 15kg fisherman which I use on rock and heavy weed. Been in the Med for 5 years with no problems. I thought about an alloy anchor, but my latest danforth cost £39 and holds well.
If I ever have to abandon a fouled anchor, I would rather lose a cheapie.
The boat is a 9mtr Catalac, dislacement 4.5 -4.75 tons.
Hope this helps.

David

 

[samwise]

Re: Kedge for the Med and what\'s in a name?

If previous forum anchor queries are anything to go by, expect this one to run and run. However... having spent the last two years in the Med, I cannot commend the Fortress too highly. In a couple of tough situations it dug in and held brilliantly. The fact that it is so light is a big bonus because it is no hassle to handle -- for example dinghying out top set up a fork moor. We went for an FX18 for our 10m Westerly. Certainly more expensive than ordinary Danforth types, but in my view well worth the money.

 

[mocruising]

Re: Kedge for the Med and what\'s in a name?

I use a Fortress in the Med. as a stern anchor reason being its light and the boat is heavy. Recommend one anyday.

 

[LadyInBed]

Re: Kedge for the Med and what\'s in a name?

Moor stern to - problem solved!

 

[tri39]

Re: Kedge for the Med and what\'s in a name?

Exactly, back in and use your main anchor dropped well out and you'll be in a much better situation when an onshore squall arrives. In fact the more time I spend in the Med, the more I anchor off anyway, cheaper and less damage!

 

[Gypsyjoss]

Re: Kedge for the Med and what\'s in a name?

Thanks guys. Food for thought! Though I will always be bows to! I often sail short-handed and need the better control of the boat and anchor going forwards. apart from which there's the added privacy and the Sadler 32 has c--p access at the stern.

 

[jordanbasset]

Re: Kedge for the Med and what\'s in a name?

Hi some times because of the depth near the harbour wall you will need to anchor bows to so it is good to have the option /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif