Cruisers Forum
 


Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums. Advertise Here
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 27-06-2017, 08:55   #1
Registered User
 
UNCIVILIZED's Avatar

Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Up the mast, looking for clean wind.
Boat: Currently Shopping, & Heavily in LUST!
Posts: 5,629
Anchors 4 Kelp, Weed, & Rock: What do you prefer to use & why?

So... it seems that the Achilles Heel of many anchors, including the New Gen. ones, is a bottom thick with weeds, or kelp. And or, a combination of same overtop of rocky bottoms. Which said large slabs & boulders truly constitute the sea floor in some areas. Sometimes being quite craggy, & snag prone, while in other locales, most of the rocks are worn smooth like old pebbles in a stream. Albeit being much, much larger in size.

Thus I'm curious as to what anchors folks prefer to use in such circumstances, & why. Including as well, what your 2nd (or 3rd) choice(s) for such would be? And again, why? Plus, have you trialed your choice(s) much in such bottoms, especially when the weather turned has foul? If so, under what conditions, & with what type of rode?
Also, other than a tidal shift that caused the rode to wrap the exposed fluke, what do you reckon would cause or has caused, said anchor(s)/anchor types to break free?

Comments on say a Northill vs. a Luke of the same weight? Meaning which one do you prefer? And also please share any keenly insightful thoughts on the performance of either or both in such bottoms? As any & all of the above info, & answers to the posed questions would surely be appreciated.

BTW: The "Luke" anchor to which I'm referring needn't be a name brand Luke, but rather any similarly patterned fisherman or "kedge" qualifies. And regarding "Northills", the anchor needn't be one of the original folding, stainless types, as designed & made for US Navy PBY's. Anything of a similar pattern, including ones made of mild steel & galvanized, is close enough.

And if you've got a rock/weed anchor which you feel is outstanding, & is in keeping with the thread's theme, by all means, post some pics, & tell us a story or two about your perfect "weed eater"

EDIT: Anyone ever weld up their own Northill? And if so what'd you use for steel, & did you test it for micro cracking & such, prior to reaching for the torch?
__________________

The Uncommon Thing, The Hard Thing, The Important Thing (in Life): Making Promises to Yourself, And Keeping Them.
UNCIVILIZED is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27-06-2017, 09:27   #2
cat herder, extreme blacksheep

Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: furycame alley , tropics, mexico for now
Boat: 1976 FORMOSA yankee clipper 41
Posts: 18,967
Images: 56
Re: Anchors 4 Kelp, Weed, & Rock: What do you prefer to use & why?

my holds in everything bruce is just fine for the jobs... with all chain rode i do well in windy anchorages with and without fetch and choppy waters. even does well in katabatic winds experienced in la cruz and barra de navidad. . we have rocky anchorages in mexico-- continuation of land mass formation. some anchorages are protected from open ocean some not ...
zeehag is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27-06-2017, 10:07   #3
cruiser

Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Pangaea
Posts: 10,856
Re: Anchors 4 Kelp, Weed, & Rock: What do you prefer to use & why?

We switched to using an oversized Ultra specifically for the weed, grass and rocky bottoms we encounter.
Kenomac is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27-06-2017, 10:09   #4
Registered User

Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,604
Re: Anchors 4 Kelp, Weed, & Rock: What do you prefer to use & why?

I always thought the Bulwagga was a pretty interesting design, which if I understand correctly takes it's name from the Bulwagga Bay of Lake Champlain, a spot notorious for having a weedy bottom. I believe it was out of production for a while but looks like it's back.

Bulwagga Anchors
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_1765.JPG
Views:	366
Size:	19.2 KB
ID:	150785   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_1764.JPG
Views:	331
Size:	36.0 KB
ID:	150786  

Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_1766.jpg
Views:	378
Size:	426.5 KB
ID:	150787  
Delancey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27-06-2017, 10:18   #5
Marine Service Provider

Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Little Compton, RI
Boat: Cape George 31
Posts: 2,962
Re: Anchors 4 Kelp, Weed, & Rock: What do you prefer to use & why?

45lb Manson Supreme with 5/16" chain. Never dragged in any bottom, though sand over hardpan is most dicey. Anchored in rocks and kelp a-plenty, with huge tides and katabatic winds.
__________________
Ben
zartmancruising.com
Benz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27-06-2017, 10:25   #6
Registered User
 
Panope's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Washington State
Boat: Colvin, Saugeen Witch (Aluminum), 34'
Posts: 2,269
Re: Anchors 4 Kelp, Weed, & Rock: What do you prefer to use & why?

Since filming/posting this video, I have now used the Spade anchor in this exact location 6+ times. It set immediately each time. I feel confident that the Spade works better in this seabed than my Manson Supreme.

Steve

Panope is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 27-06-2017, 11:26   #7
Registered User

Join Date: Oct 2008
Boat: Custom cutter, 42'
Posts: 701
Re: Anchors 4 Kelp, Weed, & Rock: What do you prefer to use & why?

I've welded up my anchor, not a Northill, but a Rocna copy. Used mild steel, A36, a standard and very common steel for welded structure. It was scrap metal, cost nothing. Tom Colvin made his own anchors and as I recall they were Northill design.

If working with mild steel there is no need to look for micro cracking. These steels are designed for welded structure, with a large difference between yield and ultimate strength. This means they can be deformed a lot before they crack, and are thus able to easily absorb the stresses which welding creates. I would not be concerned about micro cracking unless you were working with high strength steels. If you want to build an anchor and want to use higher strength materials than mild steel you might want to look at the HSLA (high strength low alloy) steels. They are easily weldable and show significant strength increase over A36.

If you really care about saving weight you can weld up an anchor in one of the weldable and heat treatable alloys. After welding with these you can have the anchor hardened and tempered. That will be one hell of a strong anchor. 4130 is an alloy specifically designed for welded structure and will heat treat to well over 200K PSI. If tempered to the 150K PSI range it will be quite tough and strong as hell.
Pauls is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28-06-2017, 09:09   #8
Marine Service Provider

Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 321
Re: Anchors 4 Kelp, Weed, & Rock: What do you prefer to use & why?

The world has moved to plow type anchors, although many of us manage with the CQRs and Danforth types we've already got. Anchoring on kelp is next to impossible and environmentally destructive. If you're on a rock bottom, setting a buoyed tripping line is essential. If the anchor has snagged a deep crack or other chink in the rock, you're not going to be able to break it out in the "rode up and down" method without breaking the anchor, it's got to come out "backwards"

Good luck

John Mardall
Vetus Maxwell Group
JOHNMARDALL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28-06-2017, 09:22   #9
Moderator Emeritus
 
sailorchic34's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: SF Bay Area
Boat: Islander 34
Posts: 5,486
Re: Anchors 4 Kelp, Weed, & Rock: What do you prefer to use & why?

One flaw of the northhills and luke is in anchoring in locations with tidal currents and winds opposite each other the boat will tend to sail/circle around the anchor. This wraps the rode around the lazy fluke, which will be BAD. For other locations, Northhills work well. That is a critical flaw in the luke/northhill anchors.

Mind you I'm never had an issue with the Bruce in heavy weeds. I've not anchored in kelp or rock yet.
sailorchic34 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28-06-2017, 09:32   #10
Registered User

Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Gulf Coast of FL
Boat: Pearson
Posts: 408
Re: Anchors 4 Kelp, Weed, & Rock: What do you prefer to use & why?

a forged grapnel, at least 20' chain, it tells no lies.
__________________
Ken Z
Ken Z is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28-06-2017, 09:35   #11
Registered User
 
wrwakefield's Avatar

Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Meandering about the Gulf of Alaska coast [NNE Pacific]— where the internet doesn't always shine... [Even Elon's...] Homeport: Wrangell Island
Boat: Nauticat 43 [S&S Staysail Ketch]
Posts: 1,662
Re: Anchors 4 Kelp, Weed, & Rock: What do you prefer to use & why?

Hi Uncivilized,

Since installing a 99lb steel Spade as our primary bower the beginning of this year, we have only anchored in thick kelp twice. Both times it set quickly and held against our typical final set procedure of full backdown for a minute or more [with anchor bridle deployed; ~1k lbs bollard pull with 22" 3 blade prop- estimated, not measured.]

From experience in the S Pac [on different vessels] I also keep a 100lb Luke [or perhaps it is a 110lb?] I wouldn't hesitate to use it as a rock pic if the Spade demonstrated unreliability- but with caution regarding the potential for fouling the lazy fluke.

More first hand experience in heavy kelp at high latitudes is well documented on Attainable Adventure Cruising.

Following is an excerpt from the above reference:

Quote:
...We have anchored hundreds of times from the Bahamas to Greenland since buying our first SPADE in 2002.

We have never dragged a SPADE once set, and we have only failed to get a SPADE to set half a dozen times...

KELP
We have first hand experience using the SPADE [many times in Greenland, Iceland, etc.] in very thick kelp with great success. It just burrows through to the bottom, pretty much no matter how thick the weed.
In case this is useful.

Cheers! Bill
__________________
SV Denali Rose
Learning every day- and sharing if I can.
wrwakefield is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28-06-2017, 10:32   #12
Registered User
 
S/V Alchemy's Avatar

Join Date: May 2008
Location: Nova Scotia until Spring 2021
Boat: Custom 41' Steel Pilothouse Cutter
Posts: 4,976
Re: Anchors 4 Kelp, Weed, & Rock: What do you prefer to use & why?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Panope View Post
Since filming/posting this video, I have now used the Spade anchor in this exact location 6+ times. It set immediately each time. I feel confident that the Spade works better in this seabed than my Manson Supreme.

Steve

Actually, it's this video that is driving our decision to acquire a big Spade for our main anchor, so should we ever meet, first pint's on me.
__________________
Can't sail? Read about our travels at https://alchemyonpassage.blogspot.com/. Can't sleep? Read www.alchemy2009.blogspot.com for fast relief. Can't read? Avoid www.volumesofsalt.blogspot.com, because it's just personal reviews of sea books.
S/V Alchemy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28-06-2017, 10:33   #13
Registered User

Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: New Zealand
Boat: Moana 33
Posts: 1,092
Re: Anchors 4 Kelp, Weed, & Rock: What do you prefer to use & why?

Quote:
Originally Posted by JOHNMARDALL View Post
... Anchoring on kelp is next to impossible and environmentally destructive. ...
Kelp has to be the most challenging. There's a perfect little bay I visited once, kelp from end to end, but it's a beautiful, narrow, sheltered, deserted spot so I dropped the CQR. Five times we slid right out of the bay like I hadn't even dropped the hook (had to sail back in - engineless in those far-off days); sixth time I dropped a tiny little rusted fisherman anchor and we stayed there about a week, no problem.
NevisDog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28-06-2017, 11:04   #14
Registered User
 
Cheechako's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Skagit City, WA
Posts: 25,453
Re: Anchors 4 Kelp, Weed, & Rock: What do you prefer to use & why?

A Bruce is what I would use. Probable only circumstance though...
__________________
"I spent most of my money on Booze, Broads and Boats. The rest I wasted" - Elmore Leonard











Cheechako is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28-06-2017, 11:05   #15
Registered User
 
jhulmer's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Biloxi, MS
Boat: 1978 Cabo Rico Tiburon 36 "Isabella"
Posts: 597
Re: Anchors 4 Kelp, Weed, & Rock: What do you prefer to use & why?

Quote:
Originally Posted by S/V Alchemy View Post
Actually, it's this video that is driving our decision to acquire a big Spade for our main anchor, so should we ever meet, first pint's on me.
x2 for me also!
jhulmer is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
anchor

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Rig question. What do you prefer and why? N1EYO Deck hardware: Rigging, Sails & Hoisting 7 03-12-2013 20:11
For Sale: Anchors , Anchors and More Anchors MermaidLil Classifieds Archive 11 19-01-2012 09:28
Rock Hall Landing Marina, Rock Hall Maryland mellenburg Marinas 4 29-09-2008 18:36

Advertise Here


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 19:00.


Google+
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Social Knowledge Networks
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.

ShowCase vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.