Kedge Sizing

gandy

gandy

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Hi,

Are there any rules of thumb for sizing a kedge? I want it to be manageable, which means as light as possible - but it's still got to be effective.

For our 26 footer I'm hesitating between 5kg or 7.5kg Bruce as a compromise between handling, effectiveness and ease of storage.
 
i have 28ft 5 ton yacht, and i have 7.5kg bruce with 8metres chain then octoplait...
go for one size down from your main bow anchor with chain then warp..

there is a table showing all this, jimmy green anchor guide shows main anchor weights and chain sizes.
 
A fortress anchor as a kedge is a very sound choice. maximising holding power whilst minimising weight. I certainly would not chose a bruce as even the larger ones are not as efficient as their competitors, and the difference gets more extreme the smaller the anchor.

The bruce really only has one good thing going for it, it fits nicely in the bow fitting.
 
I understand the Fortress has a higher quality finish (aesthetics rather than functional) and has the ability to alter the 'fluke' angle to ensure beter holding in different bottoms. This, if I recall correctly, requires a spanner! Hardly a task to complete when wanting to deploy the anchor! And also a higher price tag!

If on other similar anchors it is not necessary to alter the fluke angle, not sure why the Fortress does.

Of the Guardian anchor, one mail order catalogue (Mailspeed Marine) states "......offers the same benefits of the Fortress at an affordable price".
 
If you are interested in a lightweight anchor, you may consider the Fob light. It is made in France and as they weigh just a few kilos postage should be limited, or you could take advantage of a channel crossing to buy it in a French chandler, they are available in most places.
It has the two fluke setting angles as well, and they can easily be modified in two seconds without spanners. The whole anchor can be dismantled very quickly in 4/5 pieces and put in a bag.
Rec size for your boat should come between 100-200 euro.

I bought a 7.5kg one for my 40ft (sieze recommended for 15/16m yachts), cost around 300 euro iirc, and so far has been excellent, much better than I thought. The anchor + 7m of chain + 50m warp is a confortable weight to handle by hand (especially when dry-.<) or bring it in the dinghy; I found I use it much more frequently than the heavy bower which always requires the windlass. Only protected anchorages and winds up to 20/25kt for the moment; and I have rediscovered the pleasure of anchoring and weighing anchor under sail only /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Fob light
 
Thanks for the replies.

I was thinking Bruce, because it would suit my planned storage arrangements best (big deep bucket in the cockpit locker). Are they really that bad? Maybe 4kg Delta would be better. I have a 20lb CQR main, and want a different type for the kedge.

I haven't seen the "Fob" before, thanks. I'm not sure I trust aluminium anchors, although that's pure prejudice on my part.

There was a forum poll on anchor types, but I can't find it now.
 
[ QUOTE ]
If you are interested in a lightweight anchor, you may consider the Fob light. It is made in France url

[/ QUOTE ]

Go for the Fortress.. The FOBlight is a poor quality anchor and most of them (of those that have been used) are bent or even broken
 
oh yeah sorry, I forgot to remember that hylas only anchors in winds above 100knots /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

and according wave heights, of course /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

maybe he should check again what a kedge is supposed to do.. anyway I wonder why I wrote anything in an anchoring thread, too bad it seems more and more a "mine is bigger than yours" thing, too old for that /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
"mine is bigger than yours"

[/ QUOTE ]
Hi Roberto

Perhaps you should read my answer more carefully..

I didn't talk about "mine".. but only suggesting that the 'Fortress' (a competition anchor for me) is (Much) better than the FOBlight anchor..

But just for YOU I should point out that my "SWORD" anchor will be much better than these previous two!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
maybe he should check again what a kedge is supposed to do.

[/ QUOTE ]Which is?

[/ QUOTE ] I'm not sure I know the "correct" answer to that. My answer is I want the kedge to be easily deployable in situations when the main anchor isn't suitable, or is already deployed. Aground and wanting to stabilise the boat 'till it floats off might be one situation. Taking the anchor out in the dinghy might be another. Or some situation that I haven't forseen.
 
I refer you to this thread where the purpose of a kedge was discussed. You really do have to know what you're going to use it for before you can make a sensible choice of type and weight.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I refer you to this thread where the purpose of a kedge was discussed. You really do have to know what you're going to use it for before you can make a sensible choice of type and weight.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks.

I have no problem with liteweight anchors, in fact I have a alloy Spade and love it BUT it is more than capable of being the primary, actually it is. I carry a secondary, as everyone should, but it also is more than capable of being the primary in it's own right.

I just can't see why anyone would want to carry a anchor just for getting unstuck from a 'navigation issue' or so it's easy to fit in the ding. It seems to be a very northern hemisphere thing this.

Is a kedge used as a secondary or in addition too a secondary i.e you carry 3 anchors?
 
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