Plough vs Brittany for Solent

[joss_stick]

I need a reasonable cost anchor set up for a ligth to medium displacement 33' yacht. No windlass and I want to keep it reasonably light, so chain and warp. I'm thinking maybe a Brittany or a Plough (CQR copy). Holding would mostly be in mud or sand. Does anybody have an opinion on this?

 

[cindersailor]

In my opinion reducing weight in the anchor/rode compromises performance. Advocates of the Fortress would no doubt argue with this, and I will admit to never having tried one. I think I would have difficulty sleeping with anything less than a 15Kg anchor (10Kg if you really must) and at least 10m of 8mm chain (+ lots of at least 14mm rope, preferably 16mm) on a 33 footer anywhere other than somewhere very sheltered. It should be possible to pull this up by hand, but it will be hard work. For me the cost/performance balance favours the Delta, but others have their favourites.

 

[tobble]

EVERYONE has an opinion on this! here we go again...

I have 15kg CQR copy I deploy with all chain for my sabre 27. I recently borrowed a bruce, i think about 12kg, which I have only used in tandem with the CQR a couple of times in blowy conditions. on those occasions, I set the anchors such that the CQR took the main strain and if it happened to drag the bruce would share the load. It didn't drag on those occasions! hope that helps. I'm sure a plethora of people will soon come to pass judgement or try to sell you an anchor /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

p.s. welcome...

 

[jimbaerselman]

As you'll discover from later posts, this will stir a lot of mud.

CQR and Britany will both need a scope of 6:1 to set properly and hold your vessel with full astern on (say 15hp) with 15kg anchors. Unfortunately, your CQR will always travel a metre or two before setting, and sometimes a lot more, meaning you have to try again. The Britany sets more quickly and reliably on a good bottom, but will often clog if there's weed around.

If you want an anchor which sets more reliably, or on a shorter scope (say, 4:1), you'd need a more modern design - Delta or Bugel or Spade. There are others. And with a more modern anchor, you'll get a little more 'pull' for the weight once it is set. Cue discussion from salesmen about how much more pull their particular anchor will offer . . .

You may find, however, that your bow configuration limits which anchors you will be able to use - depends whether you stow in the hawse or elsewhere.

Have fun sorting the wheat from the chaff . . . which blows away very easily . . .

 

[maxi]

Neither. You have a 33' boat worth £xxxx and presumably your family on board - why not buy a decent anchor to start with? Buy cheap and you will probably buy twice.

The CQR lookalikes just don't do as good a job as the CQR, which is a good anchor but has been overtaken by the Delta etc.

The Brittany is an el cheapo version of the good old Danforth but does not work as well, and I would certainly not trust it through a turn in the tide - unattended.

Pay the extra and buy a good stable anchor.

 

[jimbaerselman]

[ QUOTE ]
I would certainly not trust it through a turn in the tide - unattended.


[/ QUOTE ] I don't think I'd trust any design of single anchor in a turn of tide un-attended.

 

[Amari]

Hello Joss-stick
If you search the index you will find many threads on anchors, sometimes prolonged and vitriolic eg end last year/beginning of this.
My main thought is you need more than 10m of chain (re Cindersailor). The more the better, even 50 m. Hard work manually of course.
Of all the gizmos on board I value electric windlass most.
As far as anchor weight goes I have a Fortress kedge - light alloy and excellent and have just bought an aluminium Spade.Both expensive, if on a tight budget I would spend it on an electric windlass

 

[cindersailor]

I take your point, but I did say "at least 10m of 8mm chain". I personally use all chain, but I have a windlass. I know plenty of people use a short chain tail and the rest rope to save weight and they seem happy enough to trust it, although the scope obviously needs to be greater with this arrangement. I had assumed anchoring within the Solent and thus no need to cope with extreme conditions. The need to haul it in without a windlass dictates that all 8mm chain and a 15 Kg anchor is not realistic in anything much more than 5m depth.

 

[scarlett]

Neither and don't buy any other copy anchor. Get those mentioned. Fortress, Delta, Bugel or Spade. If only using in sheltered water follow manufactures guide size. If you plan to go elsewhere or be out in iffy conditions get one size larger.

 

[GMac]

On my 32fter of light displacement (2.5-3t, maybe 3.5 on Xmas cruise) I have 15mts of 7mm short link behind a 4kg Alloy Spade and 70mts of 12mm polyester ociplait.

No winch only a Mark1 Wife.

I have no problem sleeping with mum and the kids onboard, tide changes or 40-45kts of wind (so far). I also have no problem with sloopy anchorages apart from the kids getting grumpy.

Then again I know the products and how they work better than most. I would suggest unless you race your beast to go up to 14mm warp, probably 8mm chain (1.5 boat lengths min) and a
larger/heavier anchor. By 'larger' I mean the next size up newer design anchor (a 4kg alloy is 9kg in steel) i.e a 10-12kg. By 'heavier' I mean 15kg in an older style i.e delta, plow and etc

If that is too hard to pull up, shouldn't be that bad, I'd look at a winch rather than compromise my anchoring ability.

Happy and safe boating