Anchor Question (sorry)

[boom23]

You want a 88lb Rocna or 80lb Manson Supreme.
I got a 80lb Manson and it fits great on my 450.

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by DavefromNZ

Sorry I forgot to mention above that our anchor is 25kg. One issue worth considering about size is the strength of the windlass (our one is 1600W). At times it really strains pulling our 25kg anchor out from buried in thick mud and lifting kgs of mud. Also I wonder what is a maximum depth we could anchor in? I wouldn't anchor in more than 30-40m depth (say for a day fishing) as I expect that the windlass would not lift all the weight.

We also fitted Anchor Rescue - Home . Maybe over-the-top but tend to forget it is there after fitted but always an option to save a stuck anchor.

You shouldn't be using the windlass to unstick the anchor if it's well set in mud. Use the motors for this.

[FSMike]

Spent 10 years on a 45' Chris White cat using a 44 pound Delta on 50' of 3/8 chain plus rope.
Currently on a 40' Norm Cross tri using a 33 pound Rocna on 75' of 5/16 chain plus rope.
Very happy with both of them in my normal cruising area of Florida and the Bahamas.
Used Fortresses in both cases for additional anchors and soft mud conditions.

[Lagoon4us]

35 Kg or 78 Lbs KOBRA it unbolts to store with 80 Metres 13mm Short link chain, have had it in 50+ knots just digs deeper. Totally happy with it.

[DavefromNZ]

Hi '44 Cruisingcat',

Yes, good idea and would be an option if the going got tough. But usually would most of us not simply just haul up the anchor using the windlass?

[RabidRabbit]

If you want windlass to last I would never pull the rode in until the chain is hanging straight down, and this requires the motor. I would bet most here never pull the boat to the anchor, even with the most powerfull windlass. I have a maxwell that lifts 1870 lbs max, but never ask it to do near that.

[mikereed100]

Originally Posted by DavefromNZ

Hi '44 Cruisingcat',

Yes, good idea and would be an option if the going got tough. But usually would most of us not simply just haul up the anchor using the windlass?

Hi Dave,
To haul it up once unstuck yes, but not to break it out if it is well set. That puts too much strain on the windlass motor. I usually pull up tight then let wave action break the anchor out. If there are no waves I go forward and bounce up and down on the chain over the tramp while my wife keeps the chain tight with the windlass. Takes a while sometimes but gentle on the boat and the expensive bits.

[boom23]

Originally Posted by DavefromNZ

Sorry I forgot to mention above that our anchor is 25kg. One issue worth considering about size is the strength of the windlass (our one is 1600W). At times it really strains pulling our 25kg anchor out from buried in thick mud and lifting kgs of mud. Also I wonder what is a maximum depth we could anchor in? I wouldn't anchor in more than 30-40m depth (say for a day fishing) as I expect that the windlass would not lift all the weight.

I always use the engines to keep the anchor chain straight down when I lift the anchor. If the anchor is stuck, I use the engines again to break it loose. I try to make the windlass job as easy as possible.

Your 1600w windlass should be fine with a heavier anchor. Remember that you are only lifting the portion of portion that is vertical, i.e. not laying on the ocean floor. But, ask your preferred anchor/windlass company for an expert opinion.

My 450 has a 1700w windlass and I use a 80lb Manson. My ex-powerboat had a 1400w windlass with a 60lb Manson and 400ft of chain. In my area, anchoring in 100ft+ of water is almost required due to the quick drop of the ocean floor. I've never had a problem and I've lifted some humongous kelp plants with my anchor.

[foggysail]

My 88# Delta plows which is just fine if you enjoy popping out of bed every 15 minutes to see where you are. My 80# Manson Supreme never moves until it is hauled. Both conditions in ell grass and mud.

[boom23]

Originally Posted by foggysail

My 88# Delta plows which is just fine if you enjoy popping out of bed every 15 minutes to see where you are. My 80# Manson Supreme never moves until it is hauled. Both conditions in ell grass and mud.

This has been my experience also...

[Cotemar]

A Plow is made for plowing corn fields.
A Plow anchor must be made for plowing sea weed rows.
I have plowed through a whole harbor one night. Thankfully we never hit anyone before we woke up to see the new views

[Cheechako]

I used a 45 lb Delta on my 42 ft cat. Good anchor. I would go with a newer style anchor though... if I could convince myself they would reset after a wind shift. To me that's the big test of an anchor...resetting. All these anchor tests done by pulling in a straight line dont tell us anything we dont already know.... the Danforth is king when it comes to holding power. But which one will reset when it rolls over????

[Lagoon4us]

I have plowed through a whole harbor one night. Thankfully we never hit anyone before we woke up to see the new views... Sounds like a Jimmy Buffet verse????

[Factor]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

.........
To me that's the big test of an anchor...resetting. .........?

Totally agree, one reason I like my Excel is that its convex design means it doesn't come out of the bottom scooping up mud and thus has a much greater chance of resetting.

(cue some bloke here - who last time I mentioned this informed me that anchors reset buried, never come out so it doesn't matter - not my experience, but there you go.)

[casablanca]

We have a 60lb Manson Supreme on our 420 and 100m of chain. That's about as big an anchor as will fit.

Held like a Rock in a recent 50kt blow on the Gold Coast so it seems to have been the right choice so far. 4 boats dragged around us that night.