Looking to upgrade my anchor in the off season. Any advice on style or size would be appricated. Boat is a 43' motoryacht and weighs about 34,000 lbs. Most anchoring would be on the Chesapeake which seems to be a lot of sand and mud. Anyone have any thoughts on the Fortress? Is it best to oversize?
Anchor selection help
- Thread starter woodchuck
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It s always best to oversize! I like the fortress, I have one on my boat and it holds VERY well. The problem with FX is that like all danforth they don't reset well on a current or wind change so if you need to anchor in places where the current will shift the FX may not be the best choice
On a boat your size, the FX 55 would be best, not the 37
I go thru the Chesie twice a year and anchor there a few times on each trip using a Bruce. It s never failed to set on the first attempt and with the help of the chain it always resets. That s with a wide beam 70' enclosed flybridge, now using a 176 pounder but the previous 110 lbs Bruce did just fine in normal conditions although above 40kts it would start running out of holding power. The 110 was at the edge of the recommended size, the 176 is "oversize" and has held me at 60kts
In your case, i d pick a 60ish Bruce
I haven't used a delta in the Chesie but I ve had issue getting them to hold in soft mud whereas the Bruce does better. Where the delta shines is in getting thru grass though
Here in Miami there is pocket of soft mud at a popular anchorage by Key Biscayne. Both the Bruce and the FX hold well, but I can never get a delta to hold
On a boat your size, the FX 55 would be best, not the 37
I go thru the Chesie twice a year and anchor there a few times on each trip using a Bruce. It s never failed to set on the first attempt and with the help of the chain it always resets. That s with a wide beam 70' enclosed flybridge, now using a 176 pounder but the previous 110 lbs Bruce did just fine in normal conditions although above 40kts it would start running out of holding power. The 110 was at the edge of the recommended size, the 176 is "oversize" and has held me at 60kts
In your case, i d pick a 60ish Bruce
I haven't used a delta in the Chesie but I ve had issue getting them to hold in soft mud whereas the Bruce does better. Where the delta shines is in getting thru grass though
Here in Miami there is pocket of soft mud at a popular anchorage by Key Biscayne. Both the Bruce and the FX hold well, but I can never get a delta to hold
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we boat in the Chesapeake, and have a 36'acmy loa 42, and use a delta as the main anchor and 30' of heavy chain it works very well, But if you go in to places like Urbanna where the bottom is tore up and soft they don't bite well then the danforth is used.
We're on the Chesapeake, boat size and shape somewhat similar to yours...
I've used a Delta; I think an elegant design, but one size larger than recommended for our boat has NOT/NOT worked all the time in soft mud. (It now lives oboard as an available spare.)
We carry a Fortress -- one size larger than recommended -- on board (dismantled, in bag) as our secondary working anchor, along with spare rode. It works very well; haven't had problems with resetting. Two sizes larger would be even better
Our primary working anchor is an adjustable SuperMax (recommended size), and it has always worked. Soft mud, hard mud, sand, grass, whatever. (No experience with this anchor in a rock bottom, though; can't speak to that). I would normally choose one-two sizes larger than recommended, but this came off an earlier smaller boat... so we haven't upgraded yet... and haven't needed to.
FWIW, we keep only a short (25') chain leader on the rode, and we have a saltwater washdown at the bow... to keep the typical Chesapeake mud off the foredeck and out of the rope locekr to the extent possible. I would prefer to carry more chain, but the mud gets into the links, what a mess...
-Chris
I've used a Delta; I think an elegant design, but one size larger than recommended for our boat has NOT/NOT worked all the time in soft mud. (It now lives oboard as an available spare.)
We carry a Fortress -- one size larger than recommended -- on board (dismantled, in bag) as our secondary working anchor, along with spare rode. It works very well; haven't had problems with resetting. Two sizes larger would be even better
Our primary working anchor is an adjustable SuperMax (recommended size), and it has always worked. Soft mud, hard mud, sand, grass, whatever. (No experience with this anchor in a rock bottom, though; can't speak to that). I would normally choose one-two sizes larger than recommended, but this came off an earlier smaller boat... so we haven't upgraded yet... and haven't needed to.
FWIW, we keep only a short (25') chain leader on the rode, and we have a saltwater washdown at the bow... to keep the typical Chesapeake mud off the foredeck and out of the rope locekr to the extent possible. I would prefer to carry more chain, but the mud gets into the links, what a mess...
-Chris
Capt. Bill1
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Look at Rocna, Manson Supremes, SuperMax, and Fortress. Go at least one or two sizes up and use plenty of chain.
My theory of anchoring is to put out as big an anchor as you can at all times. That way you are much less likely to wake up and find yourself dragging when the wind pipes up at 3 am.
Carry at least one other different type of anchor than whatever style you get as a primary as a back up. With it's own rode and chain of course.
It's no secret that I am not a big fan of the knockoff Bruce "claw" clones out there for, as Pascal mentioned, the simple reason that they drag unless they are way over sized. But they do set quickly and can reset well. But others reset just as well while having higher holding power overall.
My theory of anchoring is to put out as big an anchor as you can at all times. That way you are much less likely to wake up and find yourself dragging when the wind pipes up at 3 am.
Carry at least one other different type of anchor than whatever style you get as a primary as a back up. With it's own rode and chain of course.
It's no secret that I am not a big fan of the knockoff Bruce "claw" clones out there for, as Pascal mentioned, the simple reason that they drag unless they are way over sized. But they do set quickly and can reset well. But others reset just as well while having higher holding power overall.
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We use a Rocna as our primary anchor after not being happy with the delta plow that came with the boat. We have an FX 55 that works very well and is our main secondary anchor for rough conditions or if we are concerned when leaving the boat unattended (diving etc.)
The Rocna sets very well and is similar in design to the Manson Supreme which I would have bought but it did not fit our anchor roller as well as the Rocna. The bigger the better and lots of chain.
The Rocna sets very well and is similar in design to the Manson Supreme which I would have bought but it did not fit our anchor roller as well as the Rocna. The bigger the better and lots of chain.
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I've had a Rocna for almost 6 years now. It's not one of the questionable ones that West Marine is offering refunds on (Kudo's to WM on their handling of this). I've never lost a hook with this anchor in any condition. I always let out plenty of chain, and my old boat had heavy 5/8" chain which may have helped also. I often dove on my anchor in the first year to see it and it was always buried too far to see or even dig down to.
I boat in Georgian Bay and have been in weeds, sand, mud bottoms often. I'm in rocky bottoms less often and these are the only bottoms that I cannot get a hook first time.
Now I just switched boats from a 47' Marine Trader to a 466 Carver. The first time I tried to set the anchor on the Carver I had problems. There was a rock which made it more difficult but I'd anchored there many times without issue. The chain on the carver is 3/8" so it's lighter, and (according to buddies in a nearby boat) the carver is much faster in reverse than my old boat. I didn't realize this and it took a few tries to get the hook (I used to drop about 5-10 feet more than the depth+pulpit height and then start moving back. This method doesn't work with the carver - I'm still getting used to it, but I only got to anchor once before hauling the boat out this fall).
I can comment on the design of the Rocna (if not their current build issues). It does set pretty much immediately as advertised (they say within 1 metre, and that's been about my experience - but I think some practice may be in order) Once set, this thing is solid. Even spinning 180 degrees in 60kts winds won't pull it. I've had a raft of 5 boats (~30' each) in high winds held just by this anchor and even when we ended up facing the opposite direction we were fine (The anchor ball disappeared that day, but turned out that it got caught around the chain as we turned and the anchor actually buried itself deeper).
Pulling the anchor up after being under tension can be an effort, your windlass won't do the job no matter what windlass you have! I use a fairly strong line for my anchor ball and use that as a trip line. This works really well, just pull it up, attach it to the capstan and it's up with little effort.
My anchor is a 40kg.
I boat in Georgian Bay and have been in weeds, sand, mud bottoms often. I'm in rocky bottoms less often and these are the only bottoms that I cannot get a hook first time.
Now I just switched boats from a 47' Marine Trader to a 466 Carver. The first time I tried to set the anchor on the Carver I had problems. There was a rock which made it more difficult but I'd anchored there many times without issue. The chain on the carver is 3/8" so it's lighter, and (according to buddies in a nearby boat) the carver is much faster in reverse than my old boat. I didn't realize this and it took a few tries to get the hook (I used to drop about 5-10 feet more than the depth+pulpit height and then start moving back. This method doesn't work with the carver - I'm still getting used to it, but I only got to anchor once before hauling the boat out this fall).
I can comment on the design of the Rocna (if not their current build issues). It does set pretty much immediately as advertised (they say within 1 metre, and that's been about my experience - but I think some practice may be in order) Once set, this thing is solid. Even spinning 180 degrees in 60kts winds won't pull it. I've had a raft of 5 boats (~30' each) in high winds held just by this anchor and even when we ended up facing the opposite direction we were fine (The anchor ball disappeared that day, but turned out that it got caught around the chain as we turned and the anchor actually buried itself deeper).
Pulling the anchor up after being under tension can be an effort, your windlass won't do the job no matter what windlass you have! I use a fairly strong line for my anchor ball and use that as a trip line. This works really well, just pull it up, attach it to the capstan and it's up with little effort.
My anchor is a 40kg.
the rode is very important as well. More chain is better IMO.
Grass, rocks, beer cans and shells foul danforth types though they work well in pure sand, if you can find any.
Plow types such as delta and bruce seem the best today, forget the CQR though. I have delta, dont remember the size, and 300' of chain. No problems as yet. If i was changing I would seriously consider the bruce because I looks like it has a better design for resetting after tide change.
Always get at least one size bigger, with a windlass it doesn’t matter and you will sleep better.
Grass, rocks, beer cans and shells foul danforth types though they work well in pure sand, if you can find any.
Plow types such as delta and bruce seem the best today, forget the CQR though. I have delta, dont remember the size, and 300' of chain. No problems as yet. If i was changing I would seriously consider the bruce because I looks like it has a better design for resetting after tide change.
Always get at least one size bigger, with a windlass it doesn’t matter and you will sleep better.
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I would call the Bruce/Claw a plow due to the angle of the primary surface. This is why there is a big difference in softer mud between the delta and the claw which is more like a scoop
Anchor and rode is one thing but technique is just as important. Praetorian mentions reversing speed between a trawler and carver, this is a key point. Your engine type/size will affect how you set the anchor. With a trawler, sailboat, or gas boat and smaller props / less torque, you may need to use both engines in reverse and even increase RPM on a single engine. With larger diesel you often just need to get one engine in gear for a couple of seconds only, or you will just yank the hook off the bottom.
Most of the time when I see people having problem getting a set, they either have insufficient scope or they reverse to fast. It s almost funny because from the side you can see the chain reacting to the anchor skipping off the bottom
On the average day with say a 10kts breeze I usually let the anchor dig in without using any power just with the wind pushing the boat. Only after the anchor has caught and the boat has snapped in line will I use some power to set
With the FX, if it s windy and i m driftin too fast I may actually slow the boat down with the engines to have more chain weight down on the bottom otherwise the lightweight FX will skip and clog itself
On the recent trip down from Nantucket I anchored about 35 to 40 times and not once has the Bruce fail to set and hold. Worst it s held in so far was about 60kts just north of Charleston in the spring and this summer in Edgartown with about 40/45 kts ... And a 70' swan rafter along side!
The 176 is not quite oversized for the boat... The 110 i used for 2 1/2 years was at the upper limit of the recommendation for the boat (53 to 70')
That said if I was anchoring more frequently in hard bottoms and/or grass, I would probably consider a Rocna which has a scoop shape like the Bruce instead of the plow shape of the delta
Anchor and rode is one thing but technique is just as important. Praetorian mentions reversing speed between a trawler and carver, this is a key point. Your engine type/size will affect how you set the anchor. With a trawler, sailboat, or gas boat and smaller props / less torque, you may need to use both engines in reverse and even increase RPM on a single engine. With larger diesel you often just need to get one engine in gear for a couple of seconds only, or you will just yank the hook off the bottom.
Most of the time when I see people having problem getting a set, they either have insufficient scope or they reverse to fast. It s almost funny because from the side you can see the chain reacting to the anchor skipping off the bottom
On the average day with say a 10kts breeze I usually let the anchor dig in without using any power just with the wind pushing the boat. Only after the anchor has caught and the boat has snapped in line will I use some power to set
With the FX, if it s windy and i m driftin too fast I may actually slow the boat down with the engines to have more chain weight down on the bottom otherwise the lightweight FX will skip and clog itself
On the recent trip down from Nantucket I anchored about 35 to 40 times and not once has the Bruce fail to set and hold. Worst it s held in so far was about 60kts just north of Charleston in the spring and this summer in Edgartown with about 40/45 kts ... And a 70' swan rafter along side!
The 176 is not quite oversized for the boat... The 110 i used for 2 1/2 years was at the upper limit of the recommendation for the boat (53 to 70')
That said if I was anchoring more frequently in hard bottoms and/or grass, I would probably consider a Rocna which has a scoop shape like the Bruce instead of the plow shape of the delta
For the Chessie, it is hard to beat a Danforth or Fortress. Does great with the mud goop there. I too use a Delta and have done so happily on the Chessie, as well as the rest of the eastern seaboard, but I always think about switching to the spare Danforth there, just never get around to it. My boat had a 60HT Danforth as the primary when I bought it in Baltimore and I used it on our maiden cruise around the Chessie and down to NC; held extremely well and we anchored every night. The only reason I switched is because we were headed for a lot of reversing current situations further south. I know a lot of guys who swear by the Supermax for soft mud, no direct experience other than a couple of nights up in Nova Scotia on a buddies boat, an extremely experienced sailor and boater who really liked it.
Anyway. if I were to be based in the Chessie, I'd put the Danforth back on.
BTW ranger, we anchored in Selby Bay for two days of a rotten Nor'easter about 3 years ago (had the Delta by then). Nice area, but the weather was so bad we never put the dinghy in the water.
Anyway. if I were to be based in the Chessie, I'd put the Danforth back on.
BTW ranger, we anchored in Selby Bay for two days of a rotten Nor'easter about 3 years ago (had the Delta by then). Nice area, but the weather was so bad we never put the dinghy in the water.
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This past summer I bought a Manson Supreme. Granted, I have only used it a dozen times. But, so far, I haven't found anything that it will not set the first time and hold rock solid.
I have not used it in any appreciably strong winds but I have used it in some quite strong, reversing current.
Bob
I have not used it in any appreciably strong winds but I have used it in some quite strong, reversing current.
Bob
Capt. Bill1
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"I would call the Bruce/Claw a plow due to the angle of the primary surface."
You might but it's not a plow.
As you noted, a plow style anchor looks much like just what it's named for, a plow. The newer style plows have a concave face to them with a sharp tip that digs in fast and through bottoms that other types of anchors might have a hard time getting into. Then the wide concave face gives them high holding power.
They really are hard to beat as an all around anchor.
You might but it's not a plow.
As you noted, a plow style anchor looks much like just what it's named for, a plow. The newer style plows have a concave face to them with a sharp tip that digs in fast and through bottoms that other types of anchors might have a hard time getting into. Then the wide concave face gives them high holding power.
They really are hard to beat as an all around anchor.
Another consideration for the Bruce/claw anchor, especially in the muddy Cheasapeake, is how easily ot cleans off when it comes up. Go forward or backward a bit & all the mud washes off. The Fortress/Danforth style gets caked with muck & does not wash off easily because of the right angles on its flukes.
Capt. Bill1
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Ah yes, iPhone doing it's own thing as you type. I feel your pain.
I should have added that the newer plows with the concave faces have morphed into what they now call "spade" anchors.
Capt. Bill1
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Call me crazy, but I'll take holding power in an anchor over easy to clean any day.