Need to upgrade main Anchor

abalmuth

abalmuth

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I'm looking to upgrade my primary anchor, a 44 lb. Delta with all chain.
Boat: 54', can be 55K+ lbs loaded, and good size sail area.
Could be all types of bottoms throughout the east coast.
I also have a Fortress FX-55 as backup which im sure does its job well
My last boat of similar size etc. had a 66# real Bruce claw and held really good.

I'm guessing the ageold styles still do a good job but would like to hear about your experiences with some of the newer type anchors that you would bet your life, which sometimes could be the case
 
You re going to get a ton of answers... Fortress have incredible holding power in a variety of bottoms (except grass) but do not reset well in a wind or current shift as they get clogged up with mud, weed etc.

I am a big fan of the bruce/claw been using them for over 10 yesrs in all kind of bottoms from cape cod to the bahamas. I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of time they failed to set on the first try or dragged. On average we anchor well over 100 times a year. In the oast week, we ve had up to 35kts here in th exumas and have anchored 10 different times. NEver failed to set, never dragged. We ve endured aome memorable blows, including a 3 hours 70kts derecho in th exumas, a aquall line in Edgartown MV with a 70' swan rafter on our single anchor, a massive thunderstorm in the swamps noth of Charleston with 3" hail that cracked a windshiled.... and nore

The key, like all anchors, is scope and sIze. I am planning on putting a 110lbs Claw on my 53 After i have replaced teh windlass. The 66 would work but i feel better with th bigger one. I put in the 176 on th 84 Lazzara i run...

I e are many fans of the Rocna and other styles, but the Bruce works very well a fraction of the cost
 
My Delta held and set/reset well but it rusted quickly. Next time I would try a bruce type. I would go with the biggest size the windlass can handle.
Any Danforth type doesn't like grass and I have had rocks and even a big clam get stuck between the flukes and stop it from setting. As a back up fine.
 
Looks like a Bruce type is the contender, now if only i can find a real Bruce and not a knock off

Thx
 
I have a FX-55 if you want it LOL. It did absolutely nothing but get balled up at Great Sale Cay with sand and weeds in the Bahamas. It failed the first time we anchored with it in the Bahamas with it and all chain. We ran with a 55 Delta which I had powder coated after that.

I'd go so far as to replace the FX-55 as a backup. The aluminum is too light in the flukes to get deep in anything but a perfect bottom for its type.
 
The Lewmar Claw maybe a knock if but it s just as good. Doesn’t rust quickly either. In the past I used a Northstar Claw which started rusting after a couple of years

Deltas are good in sand and weeds but terrible in soft mud. There is spot on Biscayne Bay which has a soft mud bottom and I could never get a Delta to hold there no matter how much scope I used
 
quote:
Originally posted by boatbum

I have a FX-55 if you want it LOL. It did absolutely nothing but get balled up at Great Sale Cay with sand and weeds in the Bahamas. It failed the first time we anchored with it in the Bahamas with it and all chain. We ran with a 55 Delta which I had powder coated after that.

I'd go so far as to replace the FX-55 as a backup. The aluminum is too light in the flukes to get deep in anything but a perfect bottom for its type.

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Dan, I can always use my current Main 44# Delta as a back up to the back up

Pascal
My experience with Lewmar has been good and their Claw has risen to first choice
 
Why not go with the larger 55# Delta?

I've had great luck with them in the northeast and down in Florida.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Robyns Nest

Why not go with the larger 55# Delta?

I've had great luck with them in the northeast and down in Florida.

Click to expand...
Actually i know of another 530 owner in Portland OR that just got a 55# Delta- Im waiting to see how much he likes it.
 
IMO not big enough. You have a lot of windage on that boat
 
quote:
Originally posted by pdecat

IMO not big enough. You have a lot of windage on that boat

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Its from a high fiber diet:D

It's also one of the reasons i took down the bridge enclosure & made canvas for all bridge items. Since i rum most often from the lower helm this is not an issue when the weather gets
Crappy- still tall

cra
//imgur.com/thVi6Hz
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I love my new Rocna. The design lends itself to scooping and resetting all night long.
 
I've seen a number of Rocnas in the Bahamas. Just make sure what ever you chose will fit into the pulpit.
 
quote:
Originally posted by boatbum

I have a FX-55 if you want it LOL. It did absolutely nothing but get balled up at Great Sale Cay with sand and weeds in the Bahamas. It failed the first time we anchored with it in the Bahamas with it and all chain. We ran with a 55 Delta which I had powder coated after that.

I'd go so far as to replace the FX-55 as a backup. The aluminum is too light in the flukes to get deep in anything but a perfect bottom for its type.

Click to expand...


Had one as a backup on my old boat. Tried it first as a primary and hated it.
 
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