Which Anchor?

Danforth and as heavy as possible. The other option is to get one that stows on the bow by using the electric winch so the weight does not matter.
My final offer is just chain so that you drag at the same speed as others !!
 
You've not got many helpful replies have you.

There are SO many questions on this topic that degenerate into slanging matches, and "my anchor choice is the best and everything else is crap" that everyone is sitting back waiting for it to start.

Well, you've already said that you don't want to spend £300 on a genuine CQR...so that quiets the CQR fans as they wouldn't be seen dead with a "copy"...And from the look and quality of what you see in the chandlers right now I'd probably agree.

For all-round use you won't go far wrong with a 10kg Delta, although I think the quality of the finish has gone down in recent years as manufacture has shifted to China. Again make sure it's a least a proper Lewmar model and not a cheap copy.

Danforths and the like hold great in straight line pulls, but it's generally accepted can present problems when wind or tide veers them around. The new generation Rocnas, Spades or Manson Supremes, etc, are increasingly the choice of many, but are (very) pricey in some cases.

I've gone through much the same thought process as you over the past few years and now have a Delta, Manson Supreme and Fortress type kedge available on board. The Manson Supreme is up front at present and so-far it's living up to expectations.

Just DON'T buy one of the awful looking copies of anything piled-up like heaps of scrap metal in the corner of many chandlers right now...not unless you're just looking for a lunchtime hook or to do a bit of fishing.
 
Anchor? Pah, your stuck in the past pal, lay your own mooring everywhere you go, all you need are 2 tonnes of concrete, 30' of heavy duty chain, a 30ltr buoy and 2 chain risers...Fits right on the bow roller and everything!
 
Yes, we have the same combination on our 28 foot Merlin (wing keel version), over the years I have found the Delta very reliable on several different boats. The present anchors are both 10kg.
 
Three hundred quid for an anchor is out of my league, so the Delta looks a sensible buy.
There are a lot of good secondhand anchors around as well, so you may pick up a CQR on the cheap (look for: Made in Scotland, on the shank). I use a Bruce with few problems so far, 10kg would work well for you.
 
Two quick points:
I once had a "Bruce" lookalike which was hopeless! on close examination there were some slight but probably crucial differences between it and a real Bruce. I would tend to avoid copies and lookalikes.
Get hold of (?borrow) an anchor which seems, on the basis of advice given, to be OK and which fits on your boat, and then run your own tests, anchoring in your favourite location and using your normal technique, with varying scope and including a pull at an angle to the direction of pull when you bedded it in. See what holds against a healthy burst of astern. Repeat a number of times. Select whatever works best.
 
I vote Delta too. Not CQR (no good in fine sand), or Bruce (not enough holding power in some conditions, even when properly dug in). Try using a CQR close in at Swanage, that will convince you not to own one.
 
Anchors....
For what it's worth, my research before buying meant that I read a bit, looked at anchor tests in mag's, looked at various websites, went to the Cruising Associations Mediterranean day and talked to many livaboards who cruise the World as well as the Med' and I decided to buy a 10kg Rocna.
Its lighter than my original 25lb CQR copy and so far seems to be better. ( Even SWMBO can lift it ) /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
You can get a cardboard sort of copy of the Rocna from dealers to allow you to see if it will sit on the bow roller. I cannot keep my Rocna in the bow roller and sit on a swinging mooring at the same time as the anchor is in the way. My old CQR copy could be in the roller yet swung out of the way and roped back.
I did a deal with a pal and he bought two at the same time from the chandlery and got a handsome discount.
I also learnt from those with experience, that in serious winds and tides I ought to double up on my chain length of 30M.
If you are going to sleep on the anchor in tidal areas, then I would tend to go for an anchor that has the very best of reputations, regardless of price.
If it's just fot rhe occassional picnic in a very safe anchorage then why spend more than you need.
For those with bad backs and no windlass like me, the new generation anchors do seem to be lighter, yet do a better job.

I have a brand new, unused 35lb CQR copy for sale . £50

cheers
Scotty
 
[ QUOTE ]

<span style="color:blue"> My suggestion is that you get a reprint of the Yachting Monthly article
"Anchor Test" published in December 2006 where 14 anchors were tested and then make up your own mind.
</span>

[/ QUOTE ]

If you have to change your anchor, why not thinking of « new gen » anchors.

Here is a summary of the December 2006 anchor test

Sailmagazinetest-Holding.jpg


Old generation anchors (CQR – Bruce - claw) didn’t set and hold – Danforth type ( Performance West Marine ) gave very poor results

Delta anchor gave only « acceptable » results

Best results are by far the ones of the « New gen » anchors ( Raya anchor was not available at this time ) Fortress anchor – Spade anchor - Manson Supreme – Rocna…

« New gen » anchors set faster, in nearly all type of seabeds and they have by far a more efficient holding.

For a 27 ft boats, I will suggest the Raya 800 (7,5 kg) Selection guide

João NODARI
 
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