Supreme Boss 10 lb anchor review

Thanks for the good laugh foggy.

I don't have any problems with anchors, but do like to try and give my reports to others, so that they may find solutions to their problems.

I base my decisions on many years of boating and many thousands of nights at anchor, not what some fellow writes in Practical Sailor--Which I subscribed to for only a short time.
 
Bob, have you put all your years of experience and knowledge in a book to
share your opinions and findings including those that contradict writers who
publish or do you prefer limited audiences on blogs like this?

If you have a book, please inform me and I'll purchase a copy.

Aye.
 
Foggy,

What authors do I contradict? Please be specific. Do I think that a lot of the material in Practical sailor is a waste of time--yes. I choose a long time ago not to take my time writing about our travels and experiences. I was asked by an NPR Station to do a weekly video show as we traveled for 4 years that is a huge time commitment. I declined. (However we did make videos and slide shows which were presented on the professional lecture circuits for a few years. For many years I gave cruising seminars and presentations at various yacht clubs. After that I did a number of Presentations at Trawler Fest (before it was sold to :Passage Maker magazine, and they used only their authors.) I also gave a number of lectures at SSCA meetings and wrote a number of letters in their bulletins during the years I was A commodore member. Many panels I have been on were with people who have written books. I also wrote a booklet on medicine at sea, and allowed SSCA to sell until I resigned. I was asked to update one of the common medicine at sea books--however upon my review, and several colleagues review--we decided it needed a complete re-write--and the company was only willing to pay $200 and they didn't want to spend the money necessary for a compete revision.

I don't know if you have written any sailing books, but I suspect not. I have friends who have, and it is very time consuming and expensive, even with self publishing. I have proof read and edited books some of my friends wrote. As far as books on Anchoring Earl Hinz contacted me about several anchors, and suggestions for his last edition on Anchoring and Mooring.

Steve Dashew cornered the market on book writing with his encyclopedic books, and videos--now his excellent series of blogs. I have had some input into several of his publications--specifically the one on heavy weather sailing. Unfortunately the weather fax charts which I had taken during a 9 day hurricane wind force storm crossing the Atlantic East bound, were on wet thermal paper, and they did not survive--so I could not-show the entire system's actions. I have had a few articles in Lattitude 38 back many years ago.


I know a number of authors, and long distance cruisers who scratch their head, and say "oh Damn" I have to have another chapter or column out in a week. Not the way to live a relaxing life.

In your recommendation of "increase the size of the anchor which works for you and use at least 2x your boat length of chain." That is a bit naive. There are anchors which work far better under specific conditions--thus the well equipped cruising boat has several anchors to choose from, rather than just get one big anchor. Not that a storm anchor is un-necessary. So far the anchor which is closest to ideal is the Super Max. It is difficult to stow, and does not work specifically well in sea grass. All of the anchors, and which type works best is a subject for another day.

As far as C Brats and a half a dozen other boating forms, (as well as few RV blogs, I choose to take the time where I feel I can do the most good educating boaters as they come along in their endeavors. I happen to like both the C Dory boat, and really enjoy the wonderful people who make up The C brat extended family. A lot of the C Dory experience is not just the boats, but sharing genuine friendship with those who are active in the club. Hopefuly you will join in that activity and get to know the members in person.
 
Hi Bob
Sorry for my delay. I've been working which may seem strange to some.
Not meant to be derogatory but after your previous catharsis, I am getting
a better picture of what's up here.

You are correct. I have made mistakes and posted errors. Sorry about that.
Few have responded except you. But that is fine with me.

There seems to be more than a few followers of yours here on this blog who
are more than a little impressed with your posts, credentials and experience
you continually insert for all to absorb. And be clear I feel no sense of
competition with you as it is so obvious who would come out on top. I am
certain more than a few C-Brats are very grateful for your generous comments
and helpful suggestions.

What is emerging here, it seems to me, is a picture of a big fish in a small
pond.

The interesting thing is "why", with your self-proclaimed decades of nautical
technical to feet-on-the-deck experiences and know how, and thousands of
boating days of anchoring out, logging untold thousands of sea miles in who
knows how many places, why would you not be cow-towing with the big dogs
like the Richard Bertrams, Dennis Conners, Gary Jobsons, Steve Dashews, Jimmy
Spithills and Ted Turners of the world? (I know some have passed on but that's
not the point here.) It seems that blokes of their ilk, some who courageously
put their experience and knowledge in the written word, or better in hard form,
would provide you with much more stimulating conversation, questions and
challenges than hanging out and being omnipresent on C-Brats. You might
even learn something from these types.

Instead, you elect to be here with us; you discredit those who have put their
ideas into form, published books and/or articles being the undisputed authority
of your own with us - the unknowns and less experienced. To trivialize anchor
testing from recognized marine centers and conduct your own "experiments"
on the same made my day and speaks for itself.

Again, I ask "why?". To run with the big dogs means you would be required to
ratchet things up a notch or so, be under their scrutiny at a higher level of
expertise and, if your comments or opinions were challenged, you would need
to answer. You don't have to do that here. In essence, you are "the word".

I have reached my own conclusion as to "why" you choose to do what you do in
this matter which I will keep to myself and let others draw their own conclusion.

Aye.
 
Foggy: I would submit that a clear picture is also emerging of you. Maybe not one you'll be proud of when you have a chance to do some self-assessment at a later date. I'm looking for an anchoring system for my new boat (not a C-dory) and am very interested in Bob's thoughts on the matter, as well as input from other sources. He's been of real service to me and others for quite a while, and one of the reasons I still use this site even though I went a completely different direction with my latest boat purchase. Not really sure what your contribution will be but hopefully the tone will improve. Mike on Westward
 
I think someone might have missed a few things along the way. First I don't worship Dr. Bob but I do like the fact that is a C-Brat. Him being a Doctor and with a lot of experience with both motor and sailboats I value his opinion and think he deserves my respect. I don't think any of us needs to have a reason to be here. I don't know Dr. Bob all that well outside of a few dinners together. From my point of view anyway he is a kind, thoughtful man who always is ready to help people here on this site and in person. He has invited myself and countless others to visit him at his home near Pensacola Florida. He certainly has more experience boating and fixing them than most. Someone told me there is a reason you have two ears and one mouth. I often think about responses to things that I don't agree with or might be funny in a snarky way but most of the time I try to think will my post really serve a purpose. So if anyone wonders about Dr. Bob's motivations or intentions I think they need to look at what their own contributions to the C-Brat community and are their posts really relevant. I don't always agree with Dr. Bob I did what Foggy suggested got a heavier anchor (Manson Supreme #25 and went to 50' of chain with 250' of eight plait rode and it cost me a pile. :mrgreen:
D.D.
 
First I want to apologize to the C Brat community that this thread has been highjacked. I will start a separate thread on the testing of the Boss 10 lb when I get one of my boats in the water. Currently I am doing some upgrades on the 22, which were put off by health problems during the last year.

Foggy,

Thank your for your thoughts. You do not know me, my background and you might be surprised at who "of the "big dogs", including several you mentioned, who are personal friends of mine. My choice not to publish is a personal one which I posted above. I was blessed when I was young to be tutored by some well published sailors in the 1940's after WWII.

I have two motivations for posting on this specific list--one is to try and give back to the boating community some knowledge which has been passed along to me by very kind sailors along the journey of life, and to enjoy the fellowship of this wonderful extended family. I find the C Dory, and the group of people associated with these boats to be truly exceptional.

I also use my real name, and my home is always open to C Brats.

Regards,

Bob Austin, Pensacola, FL
 
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