Tandem anchoring with a fisherman

[Kelpie]

Apologies for another anchor thread... it's been a while.
Not looking to purchase any new equipment, but just use what I've got already. So a simple question:

My boat has a 10kg Bruce-u-like and a 15kg folding fisherman's. If I were to feel the need to anchor in tandem, in which order should I put these two anchors? I'm conscious of the fisherman having an exposed fluke.

 

[Salty John]

If I were tempted to anchor in tandem I'd put the Fisherman down first and then the Bruce. The Bruce would at least hold down the shank of the Fisherman and there would be less chance of the chain snagging the Fishermans flukes.

However, I wouldn't anchor in tandem. I think it is too difficult to set properly and open to tangles - just my personal opinion. Where would you lead the chain from to the second anchor? The Bruce only has a small hole in the crown for a tripping line and I'm guessing the Fisherman has nothing.

I'd run them out separately between 45 and 90 degrees apart.

 

[noelex]

There is no real attachment point for tandem anchoring with the Bruce. If you use the tripping line hole the pull will disrupt the setting and holding of the Bruce.
Fisherman anchors need to be much larger because of the small fluke size. 15kg fisherman anchor is small it would only be suitable for a small boat.
Fishermen anchors are great for cutting through weed, but they need to be very large to hold.

 

[Searush]

I would set the bower first, then the fishermans could act as an angel weight if attached to the end of your main chain by the ring on the top of the shank. You can then add a rope warp of about 3-4 times depth. I have done similar in the past in a blow & found it effective. The short scope of rope limits the swing as you are mainly lying to the Fishermans which will lift off the bottom in gusts & reduce the snatch. If the wind moves it will drag so that the chain lies in a big semicircle & little load is applied to the bower anchor. If you have the room to swing, you can let more rope go.

In effect, you are adding considerably to the effective scope of chain available to lie on the bottom & this significantly increases the effectiveness of the bower. Th fisherman adds no grip, but the weight improves the catenary for a rope/ chain combination.

I haven't often needed to do it, but just occasionally, the extra holding power can be useful.