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 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
 General Sailing Forum
 Spare anchor choices		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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Jeff McK
Captain

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USA
389 Posts
Initially Posted - 03/06/2005 :  19:44:19  Show Profile
My primary anchor is a Danforth type hi-tensile 14# with 150' of 1/2" 3 strand & 10-15' of 1/4" chain. I want to get a spare/storm anchor for cruising in the Chesapeake Bay (mud & sand bottom mostly). Obviously, more compact is better, but I don't want to sacrifice holding power.

The current leading candidate is a Fortress FX-11(7#) with similar rode. I also plan on getting a carrying case so I can stow all this below in one place.

Defender lists this setup for just over $280 delivered (vs WM at ~$370). Does anyone out there have any thoughts or alternate recommendations on this plan?

Thanks


Jeff McK
Formerly Event Horizon (sold)
C250 WK #805
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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts
Response Posted - 03/07/2005 :  18:16:11  Show Profile  Visit JimB517's Homepage
My experience anchoring in The Bay was that the danforth types don't do well - the mud is deep and soft. For a backup you should get some type of plough. A Delta fast set or a Spade is a very good choice.

Spades especially are well rated in soft, deep mud. I'd go with one about 15 lbs if the Chesapeake was my home grounds.

By the way, I carry 3 anchors on Indiscipline. I'm going to store the extra chain in the keel well (fin).

I anchored my big trawler in The Bay using a 45 lb CQR plus 100 feet of 5/16 chain and did fine. My Danforths would not hold at all.
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Jeff McK
Captain

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USA
389 Posts
Response Posted - 03/08/2005 :  14:44:09  Show Profile
Jim,

Thanks for the first-hand advice. I took a look at WM's page on anchors. They rate danforth-type anchors as good for mud & sand, but I find that personal experience from others is more useful.

I'll look into the other types of anchors as you suggest. Since you mentioned the so-so holding of danforth-type anchors in the Chesapeake Bay, do you thing I'd be better off switching to one of the other styles as a primary?

The only reason the danforth is the primary now is that it came with the boat & I simply haven't had an urge to swap it out.
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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts
Response Posted - 03/08/2005 :  17:00:04  Show Profile  Visit JimB517's Homepage
Yes, if The Bay was my primary cruising area I'd go with a spade as the primary.

Danforths do well in hard mud, clay, sand. Nothing better in sand. Mud that is 10 feet thick ooze like I found in the Bay, they do not hold.

You do have the book "The Bay" don't you?
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Jeff McK
Captain

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USA
389 Posts
Response Posted - 03/09/2005 :  09:19:31  Show Profile
Jim,

I don't, but from your question it sounds like I should. When I looked on Amazon I could not find it by that name. Who is the author/publisher?

Sounds like a trip to WM for a 14# Delta Fast Set will be on the agenda this weekend. I just hope it will fit in the anchor locker.

I'm 99.9& in the Chesapeake for now. Based on your experience, is 150" of 1/2" 3-strand nylon plus the chain going to be enough or should I go to 200" for the new primary anchor?
Edited by - Jeff McK on 03/09/2005 09:31:02
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ronrryan
Admiral

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USA
561 Posts
Response Posted - 03/09/2005 :  10:26:22  Show Profile
I am not a Chesapeake resident but have sailed there some in the past, and you might have to anchor in 15 feet on occasion, no? At the standard of 7 to 1, this would be 105 ft, but don't forget to allow for freeboard in the calculation, which would add another 20 or so--getting pretty close to a light allowance for reserve and really nasty conditions. I would go with 200 (have never used less, often more). Save your 150 with a greater bunch of chain for a backup, fair winds, ron srsk Orion #2343 SW FL
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Jeff McK
Captain

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USA
389 Posts
Response Posted - 03/09/2005 :  10:51:59  Show Profile
Ron,

Thanks for the advice.

Most of the anchorage area depths where I cruise range from 5' to >25'. That would put standard scope at 35' to 160' (or more), so your point is certainly valid. Reverse calculating this for a 215' rode would put my max anchoring depth at ~30' (without adding more line). Assuming I can stuff it all in the locker this should do the job.

The danforth will go into a storage bag as a backup/lunch hook.
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Greg Jackson
1st Mate

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84 Posts
Response Posted - 03/11/2005 :  09:58:05  Show Profile
My personal opinion is that Danforth is a bad choice for a backup. A backup is often needed in an emergency. Danforth is a very lightweight anchor. If you toss it out while you're drifting in a strong breeze, it will have a more difficult time setting.

In a number of tests the Bruce type showed the highest success rate of getting a good grab the first time. It's overall holder power is less, but it's success at grabbing is much higher. When drifting toward the shoal you often don't get a second chance.

Greg
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ronrryan
Admiral

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USA
561 Posts
Response Posted - 03/11/2005 :  15:26:19  Show Profile
Jeff, I agree with other advice that in soft mud a Danforth is not as good an anchor as a Bruce (or clone) or plow types. If you can get your anchor up out of your well, leaving room for line and chain, you could easily store 250 feet of 1/2 inch. One way to do this is on a roller, another is by ring clamping (With plenty of clamps) a suitable piece of PVC or fiberglass tube to one of the forward pulpit stanchions and sticking the anchor into it with the plow end upwards. You can then lead the chain back clear of everythimng into the rope locker, being sure to secure chain and anchor so it can be smartly deployed but will not launch itself when it feels like it. With regard to Danforths, they were the standard for many years and under the right conditins (rather firm muddy sand) will hold a battleship, if dug in at a low scope angle as they should be, their holding power is amazing. (Dont throw your danforth away). Good luck, sleep tight, ron srsk Orion SW FL
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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.