By a show of hands; Stern Anchoring?

[capt-couillon]

Used lots in SC GA with big (>7ft) tides and narrow areas for a number of reasons. Cheap Danforth style stern with 100' rode in a bag.
Big tides in narrow areas = heavy currents at tide change. Some cases over 4 kts.
With a single hook forward, on the swing in a muck bottom, the anchor breaks out, and at 4 kt current drags rather than resets. With anchors out bow and stern, even in pluff mud bottom, no swing, no breakout, no problem.

Don't want to use it in a std anchorage where everyone else is expecting you to swing with the tide/wind. Unexpected results.

Also useful in a narrow area where you need to make sure you are not going to swing into the channel at 0200.

[Horror Hotel]

I respectfully think you have it a little backwards. It follows the common misconception that strong current requires more anchors. If you can't use one anchor in strong reversing current, you need a better anchor. I never put out more than 1 anchor if in a tidal area (almost everywhere). Maybe in really narrow channels or to keep the stern properly aligned to the surf, but strong reversing current as a requirement for multiple anchors is a old wives tale. Off the stern or 2 off the bow, it's a signal that the primary isn't doing it's job. I've anchored in high current tidal areas primarily and never had a anchor break free.

[capt-couillon]

(Respectfully) Not a debate, only an observation in admittedly local conditions...
Ga and SC pluff mud bottoms are essentially a non-Newtonian fluid (think condensed tomato soup) and a single bow hook in strong reversing currents will put you in the marsh every time. Regardless of anchor type, weight, or scope.

Just a personal observation and not really pertinent to the OPs Mexico location.

[Horror Hotel]

I've anchored in GA and SC many times, over a period of many years, going back and forth during my winter migration and never ended up in the marsh. I've anchored in the company of many other cruisers and never seen anyone use a stern anchor. I guess we must do things radically differently and not run with the same crowds. You seem pretty sure, so it must be a issue for you. I find it unnecessary 99.9% of the time. I also try to spread the word that 2 anchors are generally unnecessary for reversing current conditions. It's a persistent wives tale, a pain in the butt, and commonly offers less holding than 1 anchor. Being on bow and stern anchors is terribly ineffective if a strong beam wind arises.

[Dale Hedtke]

Thanks for the great report on your website. Seems like you made a very sound decision. I too would be pleased to get away with such relatively light damage.

I do note from the photograph, however, that the welds on the anchor roller assembly are fairly small and the left side welds have failed. (see how the weld material has adhered to the "horizontal" tubing but not the roller sideplate?) I would fault the manufacturer (probably a subcontractor) for this. Something to consider on all designs like this.