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Anchor Types

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seadreams1
Deckhand

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1 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/06/2006 : 13:07:13

I sail on Lake Pleasant just north of Phoenix, can anybody recommend who sails there also, what type of anchor holds best for that type of bottom. I was considering buying a Delta, either a 14lb or 22lb. for the primary anchor, I also have a Danforth for a backup.

Edited by - on

SEAN
Admiral

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USA
772 Posts

Response Posted - 10/06/2006 : 15:28:48

I have a 14# delta I am real happy with it.
it sets real fast and fits in the locker with a danforth.
I would have bought the 22 but with the chain it would be to much to pull up.
I used the 20`x1/4 chain 200`of 1/2 line from west marine.

sail magazine has a right up this month on anchors .
delta and fortress had high marks for sand bottoms

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 10/10/2006 : 20:59:47

There was a real good article in this months Sail magazine dealing with different anchors and their holding strength. They put several of the most popular anchors through a pull test to see which ones had a stronger holding strength in "like" conditions. The winner was some type that I've never heard of before. I just remember the Claw didn't preform well. That interested me, I just bought a Claw last year because my Danforth did not fair well on one of my cruises in the Gulf the year before. I made the same trip to the gulf this year and used the Claw in the very same anchorage as before and the Claw held great. In Sail's test the Danforth out preformed the Claw, go figure. I've come to use the Claw as my anchor of choice. It has not failed me yet, however I keep both the Claw and Danforth with 10' of chain and 150'of rode on each in the anchor locker.

Edited by - Tom Potter on 10/10/2006 21:07:42

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 10/11/2006 : 00:45:15

Slightly off topic, but I have a very similar arrangement to yours Tom, a Danforth & a Claw. I've got about 100' of rode on the Danforth, and 200' + 25' of 1/4" chain on the claw. My question is, how do you keep the rodes separate in the anchor locker? I was careful to keep them separate as I stowed them, but there's still some overlap, and I'm sure the boat moving around will further jumble them together. I was thinking a rope bag for one of them, and let the other one take care of itself.

Another question is how best to bring the anchor up? What I'm concerned about is Rita having to grunt up a 22# anchor plus whatever 25' of chain weighs, plus whatever mud, etc. we manage to dredge up, plus the nylon rode. Until she's comfortable driving the boat, it's most likely that I'll be at the helm while she's tending to the anchor. Is it advisable to use the starboard winch to bring up the line until the chain breaks the surface? How does everyone accomplish this?

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Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 10/11/2006 : 20:07:40

David,
I just try to keep the rodes separated, they over lap big time. Only it hasn't caused a problem yet. The bag is an excellent idea, I believe I'm going to put that to use.
The wife is very comfortable at the helm, from day one I have been teaching her how to handle the boat. At this point she pretty much can single hand it, including taking her in and out the slip. When we anchor she takes the helm and I raise or lower the anchor. We worked out a plan using hand signals so not to have to raise our voices over the engine. I confess it was the wife's idea, we use the hand signal "R" for reverse, "N" for neutral, "F" for forward and "S" for stop. Works great! We can drop or raise the anchor without saying a word.

Edited by - Tom Potter on 10/11/2006 20:11:17

crcalhoon
Captain

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USA
303 Posts

Response Posted - 10/11/2006 : 20:13:05

I once hired a professional skipper for a few days and he noticed that I drove the boat while my wife handled the anchor. His response was along the lines of ". . .driving the boat is little muscle work, handling the anchor is big muscle work. Figure it out." My wife has never failed to remind me of this incident.

Edited by - on

David Scott
1st Mate

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USA
74 Posts

Response Posted - 10/11/2006 : 20:50:18

Most cruising boats use plow type anchors such as CQR,BRUCE,or DELTA. They all have their pros/cons. I have always preferred the CQR but thats just me because after a while I recognized its "feel" and knew,most of the time, when it was really set...and thats the key getting it set. Setting the anchor means backing down on it with the engine in reverse until the boat stops. This last principle also applys to smaller boats such as the C25/250. As for Danforth type anchors they are the best anchors for straight away anchoring,but if you are anchoring in current, with a tide change be careful,cause they can pull out. My new/old C25 came with two Fortress anchors which I haven't used yet...I remember when they first came out people had trouble with them...but maybe they were not used correctly...I will give a report when I have experience with them.

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 10/12/2006 : 07:39:17

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">including taking her in and out the slip<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
Tom, I totally agree with your perspective.
We have been trying to setup 'signals' that would work for us when I'm working the foc'sle and Peggy is at the helm during anchoring and coming alongside.

Your use of the sign language is pretty clever... But... How do you manage to get your wife to watch you for signals?

Paul.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 10/12/2006 : 14:41:44

We use a hand signal system too. My wife gives me the one digit when I tell her to do something.

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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.