Why Are Next-Gen Anchors Considered 'Better' ?

[osirissail]

Actually, those type anchors - home-built- are the majority of the style used by the locals on any island. You will rarely see any of the modern type used on yachts/cruising boats.
- - Typically they are made from left over construction supplies which are obtained free. Re-bar iron is most the most popular material welded into what we would normally consider to be a kledge or grapple anchors.
- - But what important to that is they almost never use the anchors as they are hanging to local private moorings or in the case of the the fishermen they drag their vessels up onto beach.
- - Those larger fisherman/recreational boats that are bought and brought done to the islands have the standard CQR or Dansforth.
- - Their anchoring techniques are almost always funny and tragic at the same time. After dropping to the bottom they put their boats into maximum reverse and have about 5 to 10 kts going while they try to set the anchor. They scratch their heads with no idea why they cannot get a set. Or they do and the bow of the the boat dips down to water level in a rather dramatic bob and rise.

[imagine2frolic]

Originally Posted by hpeer

After careful consideration and much study I think I have found the best compromise between cost and weight.

How can you possibly argue that this won't hold?

Now "Getting it up" might be a problem even a nubile youn'em would have difficulty with.

This anchor looks to be what is used in the Philippines. Hoime made & ctude, but apparently does the job. Stern anchored, and bow on the beach. The anchor can been seen next to the c;losest man sitting down........i2f

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by osirissail

Sorry to "tick you off" but out in the real world of world cruising losing an anchor is not uncommon. Losing an anchor also includes breaking one.

Quite, as a diver I always carried a 25kg lifting bag with me and over the years earned a bit of pin money from lifting lost anchors amongst other souvenirs. Shame we couldn't find the large stainless steel anchor a gin palace managed to get rapped around a Solent racing mark bouy, that would have bought a few rounds.

Pete

[s/v 'Faith']

I once pounded in a tent stake with a rock...

... those hammer salesmen are shysters... I can not believe how they have managed to fool everyone!

[estarzinger]

I was just trading e-mails with John Neal (Mahina Tiare III, Hallberg-Rassy 46). Some of you will know that he is one of the most experienced cruisers around today - way more miles than I have. He's in NZ right now getting ready for a leg to Tahiti.

Just out of curiosity I ask him what anchor(s) he was using. His answer:

"We are still using a 75 lb CQR for primary and 44lb Delta for secondary. We never drag, but wish we had a Delta for the primary - think it is a very versatile anchor.

Blowing a hoolie here; 40 g 55. Not that good for doing deck work, but heck, it's not raining and we get to see family soon."

Does not 'prove' anything, other than a skilled seaman can make a cqr work all around the world.

[noelex 77]

Originally Posted by estarzinger

Does not 'prove' anything, other than a skilled seaman can make a cqr work all around the world.

I have cruised with a CQR for 25 years (some part time some full time) and still have one on board. Yes we made it work, when there were few other options, but why would an experienced seamen risk an expensive boat when he seems to be conceding there are better anchors available?

[Laidback]

Why Are Next-Gen Anchors Considered 'Better' ?

One has to consider them to be 'Better' --- cause they cost more !

[estarzinger]

Originally Posted by noelex 77

why would an experienced seamen risk an expensive boat when he seems to be conceding there are better anchors available?

You can ask him if you want, but I would think he will say 'never dragged' is good enough.

[noelex 77]

Originally Posted by estarzinger

You can ask him if you want, but I would think he will say 'never dragged' is good enough.

I thought

Originally Posted by estarzinger

wish we had a Delta for the primary

shows what he would prefer. Seems like false economy to me.

[estarzinger]

Originally Posted by noelex 77

Seems like false economy to me.

I believe we all have things we 'wish for' - perhaps a Ferrari or more hair - but don't 'need'. He's running a business (sailing school) and is careful not to waste money. In that regard, keeping an anchor that does not drag seems like good economy to me . . . but really if you want to debate it you should ask John. He has a nice website and is a nice approachable guy.

[mikereed100]

Originally Posted by hpeer

After careful consideration and much study I think I have found the best compromise between cost and weight.

How can you possibly argue that this won't hold?

Now "Getting it up" might be a problem even a nubile youn'em would have difficulty with.

That is a sweet anchor indeed, but I think you might be happier if you were to spring for the spade or the ray. It only hurts once and you will spend the rest of your nights sleeping like a babe. Maybe expensive for an anchor, but dirt cheap as insurance.


Mike

[hpeer]

My problem, with the closed roller in the bow sprit, is that I have on.y 5-1/4" from the concave of the roller to the bowsprit.

A 45lb CQR just fits.

Looking at the Delta drawings it shows the 45lb CQR to be 4-1/2" through the bolt which is the highest part.

A 55lb Delta is slightly over 5=1/2" in the same place. So that won't store quite right. I don't want to go down a size.

A 40lb Ray is 6-1/4" in that spot.

BUT a 66lb Spade (A140) is only 4-3/4".

An A160 (77lb) is 5".

This would seem to imply that the Spade shaft is thicker (vs. higher) than other shafts. But there is no mention of that I could find. Looking at comparative photos this seems to be true but I can't tell for sure.

If not, then the Spade shaft would seem to be weaker than comparable anchors.

Anyone got a Spade out there that can confirm that their shafts are thicker?

(All smart ass remarks aside, PLEASE!)

[SA/USA]

Do you want the measurement at the thickest part of the shaft? Or do you mean the actual hieght of the shaft? The shaft of a Spade anchor is more narrow at the bottom and thicker at the top. I can supply you with any measurements you may need.

[hpeer]

What I was trying to is that the Spade shaft has similar or better strength than a similar anchor, say a Delta.

The dimensions are one way of evaluating, assuming similar material.

The Spade looks attractive because it seems it would fit where others would not. The converse of this is, perhaps, it fits because it is of lighter material.

Thanks.

[SA/USA]

The difference is that the shank is made of three pieces welded together to form a stronger shank. Not lighter. That is why is not as high as the other anchors and can fit better where other anchors don't.