Anchor Choices...

[Highlander40]

Glad to hear the cost put into perspective.
What's a boat dollar or two compared with the value of the whole boat?

Aside from the looks, will a stainless anchor last forever? The galvanized ones will rust eventually.

I have never re-galvanized an anchor but the spade may not be a candidate due to the two part construction.

[Hudson Force]

I have a 45lb CQR (plow) on 200' of 5/16"HT chain & a 45lb Bruce on 20' of chain wiht 250' of nylon rode. In addidtion, I have a rarely used 30lb folding grapnel for rock that I thought I would use more often in Maine, but not so. I find this combination suitable for my fulltime cruising needs from Maine to the Florida Gulf Coast & the Bahamas. 90% of my anchoring is in sand or mud between 10' and 20'. 'take care and joy, Aythya crew

[Highlander40]

It didn't take too long to figure out. There are places in Maine where you just don't anchor!
The good places are easy.

[Liam Wald]

Be forewarned no anchors will work on Beneteau, Jeaneau, or Bavaria Boats!

[Islandmike]

We used a 60lb manson Supreme, with all 3/8 chain with our 30K sailboat, and never, ever had a problem from CT to FL.

[yelken]

I have used a Rocna this summer and am very pleased with it. It set each time and dug in very well. When the bottom is mud, it picks up mud at the roll barr joint. IMHO a minor point compaired to its safe holding.

[Penelope]

I'm in the Anchor buying mode. I just bought a FX-37 for a storm anchor for Penelope. I hope its big enough. I also have a 45#CQR , I'm going to buy a FX-21 this week. And I'm kind of looking at one more steel anchor. Penelope wieghs 17tons. And is 38ft long.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Penelope

I'm going to buy a FX-21 this week.

Why would you buy a smaller FX, if you're not certain the "37" is big enough?

I’d discount* the Fortress (and all manufacturers’) recommendations by (at least) one size:
➥ http://www.fortressanchors.com/fortr...hor_guide.html

* Boat size recommendations are for boats of average windage and proportions in 30 knots of wind, average bottom conditions, and moderate protection from open seas. Remember that the loads in 42 knots of wind are twice as much as in 30 knots.

I think the Fortress anchors are a great value, and wouldn’t sail without one (or more) in my arsenal.

[RaySea Lady]

A few tests on the Ultra were done here. Check out post 39 and 46 by Gmac.

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f118/rocna-doesnt-fit-do-i-go-with-ultra-or-delta-32052-2.html#post375721

I had a CQR 35 LB and I bought the ultra 35KG, but my boat is in storage for the winter, so, I will try it out in the spring.

the above thread discusses the issues at length. Mine were primarily to not change the bow chute which a Rocna would not fit.

But all indications are that the Ultra will perform as well as the Rocna.

[barnakiel]

Now, the poster never read the earlier threads ? ;-))))

LOL

FACT: Depending on the bottom type at your location.

BIASED OPINION: Reportedly, the best all-rounders disputably are things like (I know, I am doomed) Spade, Manson Supreme and Rocna (brand names used only and exclusively for demonstration purposes). Some older designs (Delta, Bruce) are said to work fine (we had Bruce during our circumnavigation as the main anchor). Now, some older designs (e.g. CQR) have very strong following even though a group of pure maniacs (count me in) will claim they are not as good as the newer designs. BTW Fortress has good reputation too, esp in mud/sand areas.

FACT: Nothing beats a G4 10mm (3/8) chain and a lot of it. Except more and heavier chain can be carried and handled.

BIASED OPINION: Light polypropylene line will float and you can get it flashy green or rescue orange. I would go for the rescue orange one.

LOL

FACT: get yourself a GOOD (e.g. Bruce, Delta, Manson Supreme, Rocna, Spade, to name a few) OVERSIZED ANCHOR and attach it to your boat with high quality OVERSIZED CHAIN. Properly sized chain is still OK as long as it is properly sized.

BIASED OPINION: It is better to spend the money on an insurance policy and never leave the dock.

;-)))

[barnakiel]

BTW

SS vs galvanized:

SS is nice and expensive while we do sometimes lose or abandon anchors. So, at least from the replacement cost perspective, a galvanized beats the SS.

b.

[Penelope]

Heres Penelopes Anchoring Gear Primary 45# CQR 300 ft 3/8ths BBB 100ft 5/8ths nylon. FX-21 as secondary anchor 15ft 3/8ths BBB 300ft of 3/4nylon. FX-37 Storm Anchor . what do you think?

[RaySea Lady]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

BTW

SS vs galvanized:

SS is nice and expensive while we do sometimes lose or abandon anchors. So, at least from the replacement cost perspective, a galvanized beats the SS.

b.

The cost of losing a stainless anchor is definitely a concern, this is why I added:
QuicklineUSA - Quickline Flat Rope & Reel

a quickline attached to the head of the anchor as a permanent part of my ground tackle. Should I get caught on rocks etc... I can pull it out with the trip line.

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by RaySea Lady

a quickline attached to the head of the anchor as a permanent part of my ground tackle

It is an option indeed. At times there may be various limitations to use it.

I stopped using the quickline after I had people in dinghies run over the float and get entangled, esp. at night. I do not one one of them to think it is a crab pot marker and lift my hook of the bottom on an iffy night.

[Highlander40]

In areas with known rocks and boulders, the line makes sense but why would you ever put the hook down there?

The dangers of using an anchor marker in known good bottoms far out weigh the dubious benefits.

I understand the situation where the place you really want to visit has lousy bottom. On the Maine coast that happens a bit.
On a offshore island with exposure to the NE we saw locals anchor almost in the surf because that's where the sand was. Out in deeper water the bottom was loose round rock with no holding at all.