Second anchor suggestions

Aurelia · Posted: Tue May 26, 2015 7:00 pm Post subject:

We are a little strange in some of what we carry but in this case it does work for us and maybe others. We don't carry a normal second rode and anchor but instead we carry what we can use more frequently and still provides backup functions.

We have two 50ft anchor buddies on board and each is rigged with its own 3ft length of 5/16 chain and small 1kg claw anchor on one and grapple on the other. I have other line on board and could connect the two together plus some other line to make an easy 200+ft double anchored rode that would slow us down if the main is lost. We don't have a windlass so the only thing to go wrong with the main Rocna setup would be to lose it. The anchor buddies otherwise get used regularly for shore work and dinghy management and I have been known to hang one directly down off the bow eye while anchored with the main to simple reduce our swing in very protected sites. Works well and I have been surprised how well these small anchors can hold in bottoms we frequent. The claw is stronger holding in my experience but the grapple provides different holding properties when needed and enough for the dink anytime.

Greg

Greg

Sunbeam · Posted: Tue May 26, 2015 7:13 pm Post subject:

Interesting about your anchor setups, Aurelia.

I have a setup that was my dinghy rode from a previous boat (I carried it in the dinghy, in other words), and, somewhat to my surprise, I found it really handy for various uses aboard the 22 at Powell. I can't remember the exact details, but it's something like 75' of 3/8" 3-strand; 20' of chain (1/4" I think); and then a tiny Bruce - I think a pound or so. That anchor size because it would fit through the round deckplate on the dinghy stowage compartment.

This was one setup for which I actually did "throw out the anchor" in some (but not all) cases. Anyway, very handy for numerous purposes.

I also carry a main on the bow roller, which is a 15# Manson Supreme, ~225' of 1/2" Brait, and 25' of 1/4" G4 chain, and a second setup (in a duffel bag) which is a 9# Bruce clone, ~250' of 1/2" 3-strand, and 20' of 1/4" G4 chain. The Bruce clone is slightly ungainly for carrying around the boat/in the dinghy, etc. so I am going to try a small Guardian (Thanks, Casey!). Not sure it will replace the Bruce clone though.... maybe it will be a (fourth!) anchor aboard. Good thing two are very small/light Very Happy

Blueback · Posted: Tue May 26, 2015 9:13 pm Post subject:

thataway · Posted: Tue May 26, 2015 10:06 pm Post subject:

Channel Islands is one of 5 major marine sanctuaries on the West Coast. Certainly that should help to increase the kelps survival and proliferation there. (Monterey, Farallones Cordell Bank, and Olympic Coast are the other sanctuaries, where the kelp forests are being re-established.) Over all there has continued a decline in the Giant and Bull Kelp forests along the West Coast. There are many factors involved in the decline of the Kelp forests, and their restoration.

I doubt that Boris wished for any harm to th Kelp forests, and that was just an observation. I can remember since the 50's having to look for sandy patches to set the anchor in all of the channel Islands. This is good stewardship. In Florida there are steep fines for harming grass beds in certain areas. Yet it seems to be well established that tug and barge traffic has largely impacted the grass beds along the Gulf Coast ICW. Although there are many difference between the Pacific kelp, and the Gulf Coast Sea Grasses, there are many similarities, in that they are essential for the ecosystems health in the ocean.

Kushtaka · Posted: Wed May 27, 2015 1:43 pm Post subject: longline gear!

Most aren't fortunate enough to have this privilege, but I usually carry a subsistence longline complete with a decent danforth anchor with my old rode and chain on it, as well as a small danforth that isn't bad as a stern anchor sometimes, but wouldn't hold the boat in any kind of current or blow.

Thus, I can pull my longline with a buoy (that is pretty tricky to do and not lose fish!), and have a backup anchor without any extra gear!

BUT, now that I'm reading, I think I might swap that steel thing out for a Fortress. Then that extra anchor can pack up under the settee (where the current one is) and leave room for more stuff!

Thanks for asking a good question that got me thinking about my setup!

thataway · Posted: Wed May 27, 2015 2:46 pm Post subject:

One caution about Danforth's. There are real High Test Danforth anchors. These have almost an identical pattern as the Fortress, with the "T" inner part of the fluke. These currently come in 5# 12# and 20# (Plus larger which we are not interested in. They are excellent anchors. They are better steal, and drop forged. But, they do not have the "mud position" of the 45 degree fluke angle, which the Fortress has. This gives the Fortress almost twice the holding power in soft ooze mud.

There are probably more fake "Danforth" anchors, out of thick gauge folded Sheet metal than any other anchor or around. I have a collection of them in my garage, which have come with various small boats thru the years. In sand, they work fine, in most cases. But if the going gets tough, they are more likely to bend, break or come out of the bottom.

Another anchor loved by many cruisers along the East Coast is the SuperMax. Update, they are going to be produced in Virginia shortly, and now have a #9 (10lbs), for boats up to 3,000 lbs--at only $99. The next size up, is $350 and called the #12 @ 18 lbs. for a boat up to 5,000 lbs. The next is the #18 (28 lbs) and good for a boat up to 10,000 lbs, @ $450. The #18 comes in both a adjustable and fixed fluke angle, at the same price.. The claim is that less scope is better in some circumstances…Hard for most of us to get our heads around. I have written to the owner asking about the #9, and may try it on the C Dory 22.

journey on · Posted: Wed May 27, 2015 3:17 pm Post subject:

Blueback,

I wonder if you've been to the Channel Isles, off Santa Barbara? They're one of the homes of the deep bull kelp forests and a ring of kelp surrounds the islands except for a few entrances. I've motored out there in the dinghy and it's amazing to see the stalks rise up out of the depths with the fish wending their way amongst them. As a matter of fact, they've stopped cutting the kelp forests off Point Loma and that forest is thicker than ever. I don't think kelp is disappearing from SoCal. It's beautiful, but don't take your boat there. I did once when I was learning, it wrapped around the prop and killed the engine. Had to wait until the waves pushed me inshore to start the engine and get out of there. Once again, luck beats skill. And don't cut the Entrance bouy into San Diego Harbor, you'll be coming to a stop in the kelp.

If you get the chance, visit Santa Cruz Island. You'll find that the "harbours" are just an indent in back of some point, a couple of acres. Losing a little kelp off the bottom there is of little consequence. There's still a lot floating around the harbour and just outside the surf line. And you can see the stuff grow, the bull kelp grows a couple of feet a day.

If you're used to the Pacific NW, kelp may be a precious commodity. Certainly it's never interfered with my anchoring there. I enjoy both SoCal and the PNW but they are different. And need different anchors.

Boris

Blueback · Posted: Wed May 27, 2015 8:38 pm Post subject:

jimicliff · Posted: Thu May 28, 2015 8:24 am Post subject:

Amazon has a great buy on the #9 Delta, I only use 10ft of chain and this device DIGS in. The danforth is just old technology. Oh I'm a 16 so maybe consider more weight not sure you need the weight because this thing DIGS in when you set it properly.

thataway · Posted: Thu May 28, 2015 1:45 pm Post subject:

Robert H. Wilkinson · Posted: Thu May 28, 2015 10:09 pm Post subject:

Kushtaka · Posted: Fri May 29, 2015 1:42 pm Post subject:

Larry Patrick · Posted: Sun May 31, 2015 10:14 pm Post subject: Stern storage

With fortress fx 7,can you get it to break down to fit in stern,step storage lockers? Want to keep chain and rhode in there,hoping may be able to fit anchor? Being that space is limited and trying to keep deck and other areas open for use trying to think of better organization for next trip. Don't want milk crate in way if possible. thanks.

thataway · Posted: Sun May 31, 2015 11:28 pm Post subject:

I don't know about the 23, but it would be hard to keep the 7 Fortress broken down in the 22 lazarette. Don't know about the step lockers, because of the width of the fluke. I keep all 3 of mine under the dinette seat, along with their rodes, a shovel, a spare prop, prop wrench extra dock lines etc. It only takes a couple of seconds to grab the assembled anchor and a rode for deployment.

If you want to leave the lines outside, then hang them in the cockpit from the sides if necessary.

anchorout · Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2015 4:47 pm Post subject: danforth

Danforth anchors have been around for a while and work well. My uncle piloted a Higgins boat in WWII and told me that the way they refloated landing craft stuck on the beach was to take a danforth back from each quarter and, with the engine in fast forward, winching the boat out to deeper water, the prop wash digging it's own channel. Amazing holding power.

One problem I have found with them is holding in an environment with shifting tides (Bahamas). A CQR or Delta will reset and dig itself back in, as the boat changes 180 degrees with the tide. A Danforth will often foul itself and skate along on its back, refusing to hook back up. Not an issue with a Bahamian, 2 anchor rig, but I would never use a one danforth primary in this situation.