Association Forum - Which Anchor for FL Keys and Bahamas

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Which Anchor for FL Keys and Bahamas

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

albert
Captain

Member Avatar

USA
262 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/13/2003 : 22:49:09

I'm planning to participate in the Bahamas Flotilla 2003. What ground tackle is recommended for Florida Keys and Bahamas.

Albert Iturrey
al@comhertz.com
Abacus': http://www.comhertz.com/abacus

Edited by - on

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2003 : 00:51:35

Albert,

I haven't actually taken my Catalina 25 to the keys or the Bahamas yet, but then again, I'll stick my neck out and say that I doubt that very many on this board have. Having gotten that disclaimer out of the way, here's my choice of ground tackle for cruising the east coast of Florida.

On the bow I have a Danforth (a Fortress would be nice) and a copy of a Bruce. Each is one size larger than recommended by the manufacturers. The Danforth has 20' of 3/16" chain and 300' of 3/8" nylon double braid. The Bruce clone has 30' of 1/4" chain, and 250' of 7/16" nylon double braid. Both rodes are terminated with eyes spliced around nylon thimbles. Both ends of the galv. chains are terminated with galv. shackles secured with SS safety wire. Bitter ends are tied off to something substantial in the locker with 3/16" or 1/4" lanyards a foot or two long. I have an adjustable divider in the anchor locker to keep the rodes separated. On the stern rail, I'll carry a standard size Danforth or close copy with a few feet of chain and 100' of 3/8" nylon double braid. The stern anchor will be holstered in a piece of 3" PVC pipe clamped to a stern rail stanchion for quick use. The stern rode will be in the cockpit locker ready to run from a bag or bucket, with the bitter end secured. I also will be carrying at least one spare large Danforth style with some chain and 100' of 3/8" or 1/2" nylon stuffed somewhere in the bilges.

I look forward to reading what others have used, or would use, down there.

I know you have an autopilot. Got your VHFs, GPS, large fuel & water tanks, cruising guide and chart kit, compasses, dinghy, passport, well insulated ice box, etc.? It sounds like an excellent adventure! Have you also considered the Abacos? That looks like some mighty fine C-25 cruising to me.

-- Leon Sisson

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2003 : 06:45:18

Hey Leon,

Thanks for sharing with us your ground tackle information.

One more question. Do you have any of these anchors mounted on a bow roller? I have been thinking of mounting a bruce, or plow on a bow roller, but haven't seen any other 25's with this setup. I wonder if it would get in the way of the locker door opening.

I also sail the keys and the upper gulf of Mexico. I have found that my Danforth is not worth a darn in grass.

Thanks

Frank Gloss
89WK/TR

Edited by - on

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2003 : 08:48:44

Frank,
<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>I have been thinking of mounting a Bruce, or plow on a bow roller, but haven't seen any other 25's with this setup. I wonder if it would get in the way of the locker door opening.<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>Yes, the 22# Claw (Bruce copy) is on a roller. I use the combination stem fitting bow roller from Catalina. This size almost interferes with the locker lid. I cut about a 1"x2" notch in the front lip of the locker for rodes, and I drilled a retaining pin hole in the Claw which, combined with the Catalina roller, positions the anchor so that it doesn't either fall over the bow or prevent the locker from opening. It's a tight fit, but works well. The roller is key to making the heavy Claw easier to use than the Danforth, which hangs under the pulpit.

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>I have found that my Danforth is not worth a darn in grass.<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>Yes, that's my reason for Danforth/Bruce combination - they compliment each other. The Danforth excells in soft bottoms where the Bruce might not hold as well. The Bruce works in hard sand, grass, gravel, rocks, etc., and resets reliably, where as those aren't strong points for the Danforth.

<img src="http://www.trailersailor.com/uploads/c25_bow_01j.jpg" border=0>

-- Leon Sisson

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2003 : 11:01:17

Man, if I had a setup like that, the powerboats in the slips around me would have holes in their topsides! <img src=icon_smile_evil.gif border=0 align=middle>

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

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3324 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2003 : 11:14:16

Leon, that sure is a heck of an anchoring armentarium! (But I wouldn't want to take it all racing...) That's more than we use on the 50' Catamaran at the Texas coast.
Derek

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

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
2984 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2003 : 12:44:35

Leon has the base's covererd very well. I'm planning for the April flotilla as well and I think part of the ground tackle desisions are based on what you have now and what you will anticipate needed for the future.

For example, my 16.5 lb claw which is sized for 24-30 foot boat on a 200 ft 1/2 inch rode with 15 ft of chain may be a little light for this trip. I have a 10 lb mushroom that I will use a snatch block and lower down the rode to increase the effectiveness of the claw and it will also serve to buffer the seas as we likely will spend two nights at anchor on the banks crossing to the Berry Islands.

Because of reversing tides on the shallow banks... the bahamian mooring is the anchor scheme of choice. Two anchors 180 degrees to each other off the bow. This places a need of course to have two suitable anchors and enough rode to support both.

Arlyn C-250 W/B #224
<img src="http://www.stewartfam.net/arlyn/rr.jpg" border=0>
N/E Texas and Great Lakes

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

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2003 : 12:48:48

Hi, I spent 4 months cruising in the Keys and the Bahamas in 2001 (not on my C25) www.indiscipline.org Click on Cruise 2001 to see all our adventures from Key Largo to Georgetown in the Exumas and back.

The bottoms in the Bahamas are all sand and you don't need anything but a couple of nice 15 to 20 lb Danforths. I would have at least 30 feet of chain on them. It's easy to get the anchor hooked on a rock or find yourself "anchored" in 4 inches of sand over hard rock so back down hard and dive on them and check them. If you find only 4 inches of sand you've got to move!

The "Bahamian Moor" is when you put out two anchors, one off the bow and one off the stern, but lead BOTH rodes to your bow. This is essential in the small Cays because you'll often be anchored in 15 feet of water between two sand bars or coral heads with about 30 feet of swinging room. Tides in the Bahamas are about 3 feet so always be in at least 9 feet of water (whatever the tide) and you'll be OK. Tidal currents and winds will reverse in the middle of the night.

Be prepared for anchoring in 30 to 35 knots of wind. A front passes through about once per week in the winter/spring.

In the Keys if you are anchoring in the mangroves it will be all mud bottoms. A 25 lb CQR on a lot of chain will hold your boat well in the mud. The danforths are useless. But in the Keys there are lots of cheap marinas, hotels with docks, Tiki bars, and other places to tie up. We anchored out there very seldom. In the mud, getting as much wight as possible on the bottom is essential. Also back down slow and give it time to sink in.

Since the CQR will not stow very well, you should probably carry this one on your bow roller as your principal anchor, with a 20 lb Dan next to it. Keep a 15 in the lazerette as a backup or for the Bahamian moor.

By the way, the key to doing the "moor" is to set your bow anchor like normal. Put out a huge amount of scope, as much as you can until your stern is over the place where you want the 2nd anchor. Carry it from the bow to the stern and drop it in. Take up on the first rode while letting out on the 2nd until the boat is where you want it to sit. Try to leave both rodes fairly slack. It takes about an hour to get it right. Remember to dive on them unless your sure they are really dug in.

In some of the bigger storms I had all three anchors out and never dragged or had a problem (other than rolling). For my 20,000 lb powerboat I had a 45 lb CQR on 100 feet of chain and 300 feet of 7/8 inch, a 25 lb danforth on 50 feet of chain and 200 feet of 3/4 inch and a 15 lb danforth on 15 feet of chain and 200 feet of 1/2 inch. In one big storm with all 3 anchors out it's almost impossible to adjust all three rodes so the boat is lying to them evenly. In fact, the 15 lb danforth was taking almost the whole load. When it was time to bring it in I found it was about 10 feet down in the sand!

Indiscipline 1978 FK #398

Edited by - on

John Mason
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
687 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2003 : 13:44:28

Anyone have experience with the Bulwagga anchor? It did well in the Practical Sailor anchor tests.

http://www.noteco.com/bulwagga/

John Mason
<img src="http://www.users.qwest.net/~jamason/ali.jpg" border=0>
pronounced "Ali Paroosa"
1982 - FK/SR #3290

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
2984 Posts

Response Posted - 03/15/2003 : 08:58:21

Jim, great report on anchoring in the bahamas...and I am liking your site and enjoying reading your fantastic cruise account.

Thanks for sharing!

Arlyn C-250 W/B #224
<img src="http://www.stewartfam.net/arlyn/rr.jpg" border=0>
N/E Texas and Great Lakes

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

Edited by - on

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.