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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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15 lb CQR anchor-big enough?

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/26/2003 : 22:11:58

As you all know, Danforth anchors aren't worth a darn in grassy areas, have trouble resetting when the wind shifts and I have had trouble with getting a good bite with mine sometimes. A couple of weeks ago in the Keys the wind went through a complete 360 overnight with winds in the 20 knot range. Luckily the anchor got stuck on a piece of coral, otherwise I may have washed up on the island I was hiding behind. I have been considering another type.

I have a line on a used 15 lb CQR for 100 bucks.

Is this anchor big enough for a 25, and are any of you folks out there using one?

Frank Gloss
89WK/TR

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2984 Posts

Response Posted - 02/26/2003 : 22:46:50

While not specifically addressing your question, a couple of years ago, we were cruising Pensacola area and four of us rafted up. I was on and outside and my 12 lb Danforth wouldn't set in the silty bottom. Going to the 16 lb Bruce had it set well and hold the four boats in about 10 knots.

I believe the CQR or Bruce are far better than the Danforth in silt or grass. Danforths only are not adequate for cruising.

The problem in the past has been a CQR or Bruce were very expensive and many boats likely weren't equipped with them because of that. The Bruce patent expired opening the door to clones and we benefit. Don't think you would regret that deal you got spotted.

Arlyn C-250 W/B #224
R&R N/E Texas and Great Lakes

[url="http://www.cox-internet.com/arlynstewart/"]Arlyn's C250 Mods n Cruisin Stories[/url]

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Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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1893 Posts

Response Posted - 02/26/2003 : 23:35:58

Frank

A 15# CQR sounds a bit light for a C-25. However, $100 does seem to me like a good price for that anchor. I'd agree you're on the right track to be thinking of adding some sort of plow to suppliment the Danforth-style. If I'm not mistaken, you just got your 25' Catalina recently. Based on that assumption, here's a lot more C-25 ground tackle info than you really asked for.

I keep two anchors on the bow of my C-25. One is a 22# Bruce clone pinned on a roller with 30' of 1/4" chain and 250' of 7/16" rode. The other is a 20# Danforth Hi-Tensile hanging on pulpit mounts with 20' of 3/16" chain and 300' of 3/8" rode. Both lines are double braided nylon with the bitter ends secured with 3/16" lashings inside the anchor locker. I made an adjustable removable anchor locker divider to keep the two rodes separated and drained.

Although heavier, the Bruce style is easier to handle on its roller than the Danforth without a roller. I got a deal on the Danforth used. Otherwise if I had the cash to spare, I'd substitute an 7# aluminum Fortress in place of the Danforth for easier handling. Also, the Danforth did slip out of its hanging mount once, just as I was approaching a bridge on a down wind run. That required more exciting fast action than I would have wished for. The only time either of these anchors dragged, was when I dropped the Bruce style right on the lip of a steep ledge with short scope, and it didn't dig in before sliding down into the much deeper water. My bad.

-- Leon Sisson

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Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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3324 Posts

Response Posted - 02/27/2003 : 00:17:33

I have used a Danforth on Canyon Lake without any problems - but our conditions are usually benign.
We once anchored the 50' catamaran in the Gulf of Mexico with a
35 lb Bruce, 35' of chain and 360' of 3/4" rode (in 60' of water). It blew 40 knots all night and we stripped the gears on the windlass trying to raise it the next morning...I'm now a firm believer in that style of anchor.
Derek

<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3dc30b3127cce942c608d6f1e0000001010" border=0>

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EricCS
1st Mate

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USA
40 Posts

Response Posted - 02/27/2003 : 09:19:35

Frank,

I added a fifteen-pound CQR to Charm and have been quite satisfied with it. I also have the thirteen-pound Danforth which came with the boat. I've set both on a couple of occasions, but the CQR has been sufficient the vast majority of time.

The CQR is stored on a Simpson-Lawrence bow roller which I tucked between a bow pulpit stanchion and the Hood roller furler. That means the anchor rides to port when stowed, and the rode fairs to port when in use, but that has not presented any real problem.

HTH

Eric Spitzner, AP (eric@snet.net)
Catalina 25 #4445 "Charm"
41°16.18'N 72°54.03'W

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Bill Holcomb
Admiral

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USA
769 Posts

Response Posted - 02/27/2003 : 09:35:56

Hi Frank,

I think that the recommended weight for a CQR on a 25 ft boat is the 25lb model. 16 lbs sounds light to me.

Bill Holcomb - Snickerdoodle #4839

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 02/27/2003 : 15:33:05

yes, Leon, I just got the boat.
Thanks for the info on CQR's. Someone beat me to the deal though. I thought a 15 lb was too light too.

I know I'll sleep better on the hook with a better anchor than the Danforth.

Frank Gloss
89WK/TR

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 02/27/2003 : 18:08:44

After hearing and reading many glowing remarks about the Delta plow anchor, I bought a 14# Delta, which they rate for 20-30' boats. We haven't really tested it, but a quick search reveals analyses like the one at http://www.hypermax.com/multihullsmag/magazine/articles/delta.htm

I haven't rigged a bow roller to hold it--it and its rode currently reside under a dinette seat, with the original Danforth in the anchor locker as the lunch hook. (The Delta is not quite flat enough to go there.)

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette-Honda "Passage" in SW CT

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 02/27/2003 : 18:38:41

I'm considering the 16lb Claw that is in BoatUS' latest ad for $58.49.

<img src="http://ww2.boatus-store.com/images/thumb/110120.jpg" border=0>

Don Lucier, 'North Star'
C25 SR/FK
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2cc32b3127cce92e981259d130000001010" border=0>
Cradled on the hard, 200ft from Lake Erie

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RichardG
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 02/27/2003 : 19:29:43

Choice of anchor is an often discussed topic for all boaters. But with any anchor, the more chain -- the better. I have about 60' on my bow anchor and 25' on the stern. This may seem excessive (and heavy), but I often find myself forced to anchor in relatively deep water (50 - 100') and the extra chain creates comfort.

<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2cf39b3127cce92448c0b84670000001610" border=0>

RichardG 81 C25 SR/FK "Sanity"

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 02/27/2003 : 20:18:09

Hey Richard,

Where are you anchoring in that deep of water? Must take a ton of rode to get proper scope

Frank Gloss
89WK/TR

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 02/27/2003 : 20:24:31

Richard,

You must have arms like Popeye from hauling up 65-75 lbs of weight on the end of your rode, especially if the deck is pitching!

Don Lucier, 'North Star'
C25 SR/FK
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2cc32b3127cce92e981259d130000001010" border=0>
Cradled on the hard, 200ft from Lake Erie

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2984 Posts

Response Posted - 02/27/2003 : 20:27:47

Don, looks very much like the Horizon Claw at W/M and at a better price. I have used it now for four seasons and find it to work excellent. I keep it in a cockpit locker with the anchor hooked over the pile of rode so it really doesn't consume as much space as it appears it would.

Arlyn C-250 W/B #224
R&R N/E Texas and Great Lakes

[url="http://www.cox-internet.com/arlynstewart/"]Arlyn's C250 Mods n Cruisin Stories[/url]

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 02/27/2003 : 21:32:46

Arlyn,

Yes, it does look to be the same as the WM Claw. Thanks for giving me a positive review! Tomorrow, I'm going to the store to buy it.

Don Lucier, 'North Star'
C25 SR/FK
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2cc32b3127cce92e981259d130000001010" border=0>
Cradled on the hard, 200ft from Lake Erie

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RichardG
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 02/28/2003 : 12:24:58

Frank & Don:

Catalina Island from July 4 - Labor Day on weekends gets pretty crowded. Most of the good anchorage sites are taken up by privately owned moorings, which when not used by the owners get rented quickly first-come/first-serve (i.e. by Friday afternoon). Plus, the ocean drops off pretty quickly for most of the "inside" part of the island. This creates situations where you can find yourself forced to anchor very close to others and/or in somewhat deep water (or go home).

I have 350' of nylon rode behind the chain (for total of 410'). Even that doesn't give me enough for proper scope sometimes, but thankfully conditions usually aren't too bad that time of year.

I don't think it weighs that much in the water. But having a bow roller (http://www.boatersworld.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051& catalogId=10051& langId=-1& productId=656490) is extremely helpful so I don't have to use my arms much, except the last 10' or so. Instead, most of the power (and balance) comes from my legs which are firmly planted 5' or so back from the bow where it's much more spacious and stable. I remember the first time I did it before I installed the bow roller -- that was not fun!

RichardG 81 C25 SR/FK "Sanity"

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ronrryan
Admiral

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USA
561 Posts

Response Posted - 02/28/2003 : 12:35:28

Sorry to be a bit late on this one but--bad cold! We have not anchored out much of late but used to do a great deal of it--every weekend may thru october plus vacations, charters, etc. Have had extensive experience with danforths, considerable with plows, some with bruces (2). I believe the current bad rap on danforths is much overdone. They served people very well for many years. You had to be absolutely sure they were dug in well, of course, and had a good shot of chain to hold them parallel, and if wind shifts were predicted, everybody I knew set two anchors and kept an eye open, but once really set they held exremely well. The plows were the standard of long distance cruisers and the charter fleet for years, the key in my experience was they had to be dragged at least twice as far as a danforth or bruce to be fully set, back down hard. The bruces I had on two boatrs were a peach, set quickly and held through a couple of nasty nights, when I told Pat "I don't think that damned thing can possibly hold"...but it did, and I did not have to do a second anchor set in the middle of the mess. Before I would spend a hundred on a light plow, I would go get the Bruce clone and some chain for it. I currently have a 12H Danforth on the mortar tube up front, and as soon as I can rig a roller as ahown in tech tips, will have a bruce clone as well. All this and we hardly ever anchor now. I used to teach seamanship in another life, and told the classes "if you can't deploy your first anchor in thirty seconds, you need to revise your anchorin gear" God bless, ron srsk #2343 Orion SW FL

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 02/28/2003 : 19:20:31

Hi Ron,

SW Florida is one of the next places I want to explore.

So I take it for your area a Bruce is best. How is it in the Keys?

I want to add an anchor and keep it mounted on the bow roller. Is this feasable on the 25? The Anchor locker on the 89 is really deep and takes up too much room from the Vee Berth and would like to cut it up some and make more room for footroom.

Frank Gloss
89WK/TR

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ronrryan
Admiral

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USA
561 Posts

Response Posted - 03/03/2003 : 21:54:54

Frank, I apologize for delay in responding. I don't get to the keys much but know a bunch who do. Our local sailing squadron in Venice has a cruise there pretty often and of course individuals go as they are able, Marathon to Key West is a popular destination for those who have to time to make the trip, and Pelican Bay/Cayo Costa is a very common short trip for all, in fact our crowd is going this month for a cookout etc. I would never feel comfortable saying one anchor is BETTER than all others. But I will say that if twenty years ago as you walked the docks, Danforths were the rule, perhaps 80% plus, on the bow of boats up and down the coast, today that is not the case. The percentage of plows is considerable, and indeed I bet would be higher if they were not so dear. The Bruce or clone is VERY popular now, and I think with good reason. I remember reading comparison tests of many years which rather stated that the Bruce was a very good anchor at setting quickly, but perhaps did not hold quite as well as plows or some of the modern curious types. The Delta is said to set quickly and hold well. If you can get to back issues of The Practical Sailor there are extensive articles over the last ten years, and books as well. My personal choice of Bruce is based on the fact that I had a good experience a couple of nasty nights with the 22 pound Bruce. I think it is really a matter of personal comfort based on hearsay and data as to what you choose, except that Plows really are damned expensive for the original dropforged CQR, but then if that's what seems best to you (after all LOTS of voyagers who have wrung more salt water out of their socks than a longshore crab like me will ever sail over swear by plows) then the price of peace of mind may be right. The best advice I have has to do with how you set whatever anchor you choose: Be SURE you are well dug in, have plenty of scope, use as much chain as you reasonably can, and NEVER hesitate to go around and make another set if you are not completely satisfied with your drop. Pay no attention to kibitzers who say its good enough. Missed approaches dont kill people who go around, pushin the landing does, same with anchoring. God bless, ron srsk #2343 1981 Orion SW FL

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ronrryan
Admiral

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USA
561 Posts

Response Posted - 03/03/2003 : 21:58:17

Frank, just reread your query and as far as the roller goes I have not yet added one to my 25, but the tech tips has a good description. I added rollers to my last three boats and think they are essential to mental health, will soon do so to Orion, BYe, Ron

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