This guy has his own YouTube channel and he tests anchors, with videos of them in real world applications. I have not scratched the surface of it yet... https://youtu.be/tDV6KzXh5GI
Testing anchors
- Thread starter localboy
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Here's a Cruisers Forum on Setting Anchors. A sailboat, wherein the You Tube above is from a powerboat. Both give good results and slightly different aspects of anchoring.
One problem is that both tests set in a good sandy bottom; one that I've not encountered too often. I'd like to see how each anchor sets in different bottoms: mud, rocks, seaweed, etc. I've found that I need a different type of anchor for SoCal than for the San Juans: seaweed vs mud. In a simple sand bottom, good anchors give good performance; witness the diversity of anchors at your local marina. However, there are anchors that work better in particular situations. For example, a CQR works great in rocks but will drag in mud. I've found that my Bruce works well in the San Juans, but doesn't penetrate kelp at Santa Cruz Island, where I use a Manson or Danforth.
Also there are different situations that anchors have to deal with. One is a tidal current changing. One doesn't see any of that down south, but there's a lot of currents up north, on the left coast. Also, when the wind blows, my boat sails from side to side and when it reaches the end of one swing, there's a hard pull. Don't see much of that in those tests, either one.
Never the less, a good anchor is a good anchor: don't buy copies.
Boris
One problem is that both tests set in a good sandy bottom; one that I've not encountered too often. I'd like to see how each anchor sets in different bottoms: mud, rocks, seaweed, etc. I've found that I need a different type of anchor for SoCal than for the San Juans: seaweed vs mud. In a simple sand bottom, good anchors give good performance; witness the diversity of anchors at your local marina. However, there are anchors that work better in particular situations. For example, a CQR works great in rocks but will drag in mud. I've found that my Bruce works well in the San Juans, but doesn't penetrate kelp at Santa Cruz Island, where I use a Manson or Danforth.
Also there are different situations that anchors have to deal with. One is a tidal current changing. One doesn't see any of that down south, but there's a lot of currents up north, on the left coast. Also, when the wind blows, my boat sails from side to side and when it reaches the end of one swing, there's a hard pull. Don't see much of that in those tests, either one.
Never the less, a good anchor is a good anchor: don't buy copies.
Boris
colbysmith
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Ahh, the reason I prefer tying up to docks or shore. No chance of dragging those! 
Colby
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Well, it looks like both You Tube videos were by the same guy. He does a comprehensive series of tests with all the various types of anchors we normally use.
If you do have to anchor whilst you cruise, you'll find some of the best places such as Santa Cruz Island and meet a goodly slew of nice people. We've also seen wild life, such as bear cubs, beavers and of course lots of grizzlies. It pays to learn how to anchor and get a good anchor.
Boris
If you do have to anchor whilst you cruise, you'll find some of the best places such as Santa Cruz Island and meet a goodly slew of nice people. We've also seen wild life, such as bear cubs, beavers and of course lots of grizzlies. It pays to learn how to anchor and get a good anchor.
Boris
Colby, odds are you'er right, but the now passed on C-brat, Yellowstone John could tell quite a story with the after effects captured on photos of a terrific thunder storm that created strong & long lasting enough winds to rip the shore supports of a marina dock with boats attached & him aboard one & blow it across Fort Peck Lake in Montana & leave it all jumbled up on the far shore. The photos showed quite a mess & he was fortunate to live through the experience, as it happened in the middle of the night, while he was sleeping aboard.
Personally I love swinging gently on the hook in some remote location with wildlife about & other people not.
I did enjoy watching some of the anchor test videos & wasn't surprised by the results.
Jay
Personally I love swinging gently on the hook in some remote location with wildlife about & other people not.
I did enjoy watching some of the anchor test videos & wasn't surprised by the results.
Jay
colbysmith
Active member
I have to admit, I've had a few nice nights hanging on the anchor...in secluded coves. But I've also had a few occasions where it was no fun being up in the middle of the night trying to reset the anchor! Nor do I sleep well unless I know the anchor is SET! (unless stern tied to a fairly soft beach.) Don't think I'd want to be out in winds that strong, even if tied to a dock or shore....
Right now we are gently swaying in Liberty Bay on the hook. 90% of the bay is empty after last night's fireworks show. No one is within a 100 yrs of us. Wind is up a tad, so I'll let out more rode.
The guy does test all different anchors, hence my posting. My brother just sold his CQR and installed a Spade.
The guy does test all different anchors, hence my posting. My brother just sold his CQR and installed a Spade.
Interesting but what is important is how the anchors work in the real world--day after day. One thing I object to in this guys' videos are all of the strings on the anchor--probably to keep the camera aligned--but don't work all that well doing that...and may influence the sets.
What is important is technique and as Boris says, having the correct anchor for the sea bed.
I carried 3 major types of anchors on my large cruising boats--a CQR Plow, a Danforth HT and a Fisherman or Luke fluke type of old fashion "yachtsman" anchors. There were several of each, and large sizes.
Cruising today, these would probably be modified to Ronca or Manson, Fortress, and keep the Fisherman. These with appropriate type of size and length of chain and then rope rode. For the large boats the chain was 200 feet, with 400 feet of rope. Secondary anchors were on 50 feet of chain and 300 feet of rode.
C Dory experiment of 10# boss is working very well. I picked up an !! Fortress this spring, to supplement my 7 Fortress--fluke area is key. So far this combination of anchors and 50 feet of chain, with the 8 plait rope rode of 300 feet.
Having enough chain/rode, and the slow set, then full power pull back to be sure it is set...
What is important is technique and as Boris says, having the correct anchor for the sea bed.
I carried 3 major types of anchors on my large cruising boats--a CQR Plow, a Danforth HT and a Fisherman or Luke fluke type of old fashion "yachtsman" anchors. There were several of each, and large sizes.
Cruising today, these would probably be modified to Ronca or Manson, Fortress, and keep the Fisherman. These with appropriate type of size and length of chain and then rope rode. For the large boats the chain was 200 feet, with 400 feet of rope. Secondary anchors were on 50 feet of chain and 300 feet of rode.
C Dory experiment of 10# boss is working very well. I picked up an !! Fortress this spring, to supplement my 7 Fortress--fluke area is key. So far this combination of anchors and 50 feet of chain, with the 8 plait rope rode of 300 feet.
Having enough chain/rode, and the slow set, then full power pull back to be sure it is set...