Anchor Question

[Tony B]

What style anchors do you use the most on lakes and rivers? I have a Danforth, a plow and a claw anchor. The danforth is no problem, I hang it from the rails. I only have 1 bow roller and can keep either the plow or the claw but not both. I just cant afford the room for both and adding another bow roller is not practical and a 45 Lb. anchor is not the kind of thing I want to be carrying across the deck.
Which one would you keep?

[rebel heart]

Is it pretty silty? Like loose dust?

[Vasco]

Out of the three the claw would be the best one.

[mamaitresse]

Originally Posted by Vasco

Out of the three the claw would be the best one.

but an anchor cannot grip a lake or river or sea or ocean....it's whats on the bottom that counts...the question is like asking "what size dock line do I need?" or "how long is a piece of string?"

[barnakiel]

We used a Danforth (copy) while anchored up river (soft oozing mud). It held very well.

b.

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by mamaitresse

but an anchor cannot grip a lake or river or sea or ocean....it's whats on the bottom that counts...the question is like asking "what size dock line do I need?" or "how long is a piece of string?"

The OP was asking which anchor to keep out of the three he's got. The Danforth is not a problem so the choice is between a plow and a claw. I would take a claw over a plow any day. Neither is ideal for all types of bottoms but which anchor is?

[mamaitresse]

Originally Posted by Vasco

The OP was asking which anchor to keep out of the three he's got. The Danforth is not a problem so the choice is between a plow and a claw. I would take a claw over a plow any day. Neither is ideal for all types of bottoms but which anchor is?

The primary question was (of the three) which anchor is best for lakes or rivers.

The secondary question seemed to be about storage. The claw (bruce) might be a very good all round anchor, but it is crap to store.

There is possibly an implied question of which is the best anchor for any bottom and which is easiest to store. The claw might be the right answer..it might not be.

I reiterate my point that at least some information on typical bottom type is a sensible inclusion in the question.

M

[Tony B]

What I was eluding to was what kinds of bottoms will I generally encounter on rivers and waterways. Sorry, I thought that was obvious. Sometimes what is in my head doesnt always get translated on paper, unless of course, we are talking about a blank page.
Anyway, I was hoping some "Loopers" or eastern waterway river rats would reply.
My only issue is that I only have a bow pulpit set up with only one bow roller. Both the Bruce style Claw and the CQR Plow require a bow roller and I presently dont have the time to modify the bow pulpit and don't want to add a bow roller off-centered for the second anchor - at least not for now. Any suggestions as to what else could be done?

[boatman61]

Hang the Danforth on the rail.. settle the Bruce (Claw) on the bow roller and chuck the Plough in your Garage...
I'd stick with the Danforth upriver... your only gonna be pushed one way out of tidal waters... but once in tidal areas I'd switch to the Bruce and keep the Danforth as a Kedge...
Hope thats what you were asking for....

[River Cruiser]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Hang the Danforth on the rail.. settle the Bruce (Claw) on the bow roller and chuck the Plough in your Garage...
I'd stick with the Danforth upriver... your only gonna be pushed one way out of tidal waters... but once in tidal areas I'd switch to the Bruce and keep the Danforth as a Kedge...
Hope thats what you were asking for....

+1 excellent answer