Two anchors -- How to rig, store for FL?

[Doryman]

In reading the cruising guide for the Gulf Coast and western Florida, in several places I am advised to put out two anchors -- I believe they call it a Bahamian Moor.

So -- I have a Manson Supreme on my new windlass. What kind of anchor (collapsable, storable, please!) should I get for my 2nd anchor? I am not about to take my old Bruce along too! How much rode and chain? On my old boat I had a collapsible Fortress that came in a bag and am leaning toward getting another one.

And most importantly, how do I set a Bahamian Moor on a Tom Cat? Due to the new windlass, I have had to move the former center cleat to one side of the drum and have placed another opposite it. Thus I do not have a center cleat on the foredeck any more. I could rig a bridle from the two cleats, through the chocks and then forward but I worry about getting the two anchor rodes tangled if I do that.

Thanks,
Warren

[JamesTXSD]

Hi Warren,

I'm sure you'll get lots of opinions on this. Here's a look at a Bahamian moor:

http://books.google.com/books?id=dZSrr0AfqnIC&pg=PA69&lpg=PA69&dq=Bahamian+moor+anchor&source=web&ots=i0n_NHW8NG&sig=mCPCKvcDzWNU2Adq_M1EOzG1JPE&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=6&ct=result#PPA70,M1

I generally do a modified version of this when setting two anchors, but putting the anchors out at 60º or so, with the wind direction in mind. I've not owned a TomCat, but have sailed multihulls plenty and know that you can anchor them like you would a monohull, but can effectively control your swing by using a bridle. Most of the time when we anchored in Florida, you could find good mud or sand bottom and one anchor worked fine. In crowded situations or with a storm coming in, two is better. Then you see what the conditions allow. Don't be concerned about asking for local advice... nice to know what the bottom is like and what to expect.

We've used Fortress anchors, but find you need a good length of chain to keep them down since they are so light weight; they are handy since they can be folded for storage. I usually use a danforth for my second anchor, and it worked well in FL. For storage, we just put our anchor and rode in a bag and keep it in the cockpit. If you are swinging on one anchor and need the space, you can always tie the bag on top (either in the dinghy or to the radar arch). I kinda like having the second anchor in the cockpit as a "just in case".

You can learn a lot about anchoring from Chapman's, but even more by asking locally. You may find that it's easier to set a second anchor with your dinghy... or set the first, drift back on extra scope, set the second, then tighten up the first again.

I recall our discussion about sea grass from last year... sea grass in much of Florida is protected (like coral) and you can be fined if you tear it up. The waterway guides will give you good suggestions on places to anchor... and again, ask for local info when you're in marinas or boat stuff stores... always someone who wants to tell you about "this special place."

Best wishes,
Jim

[El and Bill]

Warren -
We have anchored out along both coasts (and across the middle) of Florida with our 22 and never needed more than one anchor. We carry a second anchor (Fortress) in case we lose the primary, but have rarely used it (thank goodness).

[thataway]

I certainly agree with Bill. You don't need a second anchor in Florida. We happen to use one, mostly to keep the stern near the beach when swimming or in a crowded anchorage. I have rarely used the Bahama moor in all of our travels. I think the only time was in Beaufort NC, where there is a regularly changing current, and limited swinging. After 4 days there, our anchor rodes were so tangled it took about 3 hours to sort the two out!

A Guardian is an excellent back up anchor--this is the "cheap" Fortress. It will work well in mud as well as sand. The Manson Supreme will hold in most anything you will find down here. Get a 6 lb Guardian-it will fit nicely under the dinnett foot rest, along with a couple of hundred feet of 5/16" line or 3/8" line. 5/16 has a breaking strength of 3000 lbs, more than the anchor will hold--or the boat will probably put on it. Throw in a few feet of 1/4" chain and you are in business.

[Ancora Latina]

[thataway]

OK Joao--

What size Tempest do you suggest for the Tom Cat 255"--and how much does it cost--where can you purchase it in the United States---or should I have my son's Brazilian girl friend bring it back next time she goes back to Brazil?

[Ancora Latina]

Thanks for your request,

The Tom Cat 255 is 25’5” length overall / beam 8’6” and displacement 6,000 lbs.

You will find our anchor size suggestion on:

http://www.ancoralatina.com/acolhimento/ingles/selection_of_the_model/size%20selection.html

Please note that this size suggestion is for winds up to 60 knots – when most of our competitors suggest their anchor size for 30 knots of winds!.
As Cat’s have more windage than mono, I usually suggest one size bigger.

The RAYA 800 model (7,5 kg) is suggested for LOA 33’ and 4,5 tons of displacement and will be perfectly adapted for a Tom Cat 255 – this is the « SAFE SIDE » suggestion.

Costs are on:
http://www.ancoralatina.com/acolhimento/ingles/distributors/Price_list.html

The RAYA 800 is U.S. $ 280, 00 - “Tempest” model is U.S. $ 320

Shipping: We can send it by post – we also are studying the possibility of starting a manufacturing in the States or if you prefer, we will be very pleased to give it to your son's Brazilian girl friend.

João