Anchor Size?

[spartonboat1]

I have a new to me Davis Talon XT delta type anchor at 35#'s. According to the web sites, this should be within the acceptable range for a 43'MY, but some reports are variable; at least it gets a good holding rating and sets quickly. WM catalog says really good to go, but some web say too small. A post to Passagemaker says for really good storm anchoring 50-55#'s is best.

Fortress gets very high holding rating but got big time flamed on the HOF for being a wonderful parasail under water and would not set!

What size (wgt) are some of you running. I assume 53's & up are whoppers, but what are the smaller 40's running- 43, 45, 46, etc.

I'm still up on the air about chain v rope, as the Great Lakes has no coral (zebra mussel shells?).

What say anyone about any of that? What size anchors, what style, what works, etc.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I've anchored through some strong Great Lakes storms with all chain rode and the OEM Danforth that Hatt supplied with the boat. It always held. Even when we thought we might be dragging anchor, we were not.

Everyone has their favorite anchor. Ask 10 different boaters and you'll get 10 different answers. Personally, I like the Danforth/Fortress style for holding in the lakes. I also like an all chain rode. YMMV.

 

[Glory]

One size up from the recomendations is the standard for me. On my 58YF i jest installed a 110# delts with 225' of 3/8" chain and 20' ot 3/4" line. The line is just in case, as unlikely as that might be, I need to cut the anchor free.

Remember when you put out the hook, if it doedn't stay where you put it the fun is over!!

JM

 

[Wild Bill]

The purpose of the chain is more than protection against chafing on the bottom. The chain acts as a shock absorber to protect your deck hardware and it helps to ensure that the shank lays parallel to the bottom. You should have a minimum amount of chain equaling 25% of the hull length of your boat. As far as the anchor weight, that would depend on the anchor type which would be determined by the kind of bottom you would be anchoring in. Here in my section of Florida, we have a lot of grass beds. A danforth type holds well but does not set easily so I use a bruce type. Follow the manufacturers recommendations as far as weight.

 

[Pascal]

35 is a little light on a 43...

I dont' have any problem with the Fortress parasailing in the water. but you cant' back on it until it's on the bottom along with some chain/scope. I see people getting in reverse as soon as the anchor hit the water and backing out at 3kts... In high wind i sometimes slow the boat down with the engines or i release the anchor manually instead of powering down with the windlass.

Chain is critical to setting and reducing scope on any anchor. i'd never be caught with just 25% of the boat length,except on a dinghy. if not all chain, at least whatever i normally use for scope. ex... if you normally anchor in 10', ten about 100' of chain is ideal.

the holding of the FX is terrific, as test have proven, in mud and sand. Like all danforths it doens't dig in grass so if you have a lot of grass, the delta is better.

the only real issue with the FX, again like all danforths, is that it usually doens't reset on a wind/tide shift because it clogs with mud or grass. otherwise, I always have to use engines to get it off the bottom... that's how well it buries in the mud.

I'm picking up a 110lbs claw/bruce later on today for a 70 footer I'm delivering to Nantucket in the next couple of weeks, we'll see how that works.

 

[Mambeaux]

I have a 43MY that had a Bruce 33# on it when I bought it. I changed to a
Delta Fast-Set 44 and sleep a lot better now when anchored now!

 

[NAN-PO 41]

I keep two anchors on the pulpit of my 41'tc. I have a 50# plow and a 40# Danforth. I don't use an all chain rode here in New England but I use 40' of 5/16 chain on the bottom end. I personally feel that you want to use the largest size anchor that you can handle comfortably not the smallest that will get the job done. ( you will sleep better ) I do have friends that use a Fortress and swear by it as being the best they ever used. Like was said earlier when it comes to anchors if you ask 10 different people you will get 10 different opinions. I did find the book about anchoring by Earl Hintz to be very informative.
Fred

 

[StratPlan61]

Spartonboat - I use a 66# Bruce-style anchor on my 61' (approx 95,000#) for my primary and carry a 45# danforth as a secondary. Most of the charts indicate I should be using a 110# Bruce-style anchor for my weight of boat. I have not had any problems with the 66# anchor holding.
I use 3/4" all-rope rode because my windlass only has a capstan for line, not chain. I must say though the line is quiet, cleans easily and stows quietly below deck in the locker. I have a dual rode locker and carry all-line 3/4" in both sides. I like line because it can be cut quickly. I always deploy a tell-tale float secured as a trip-line in case of fouling. Never have needed although.
When I bought my boat the PO had a large Fortress anchor on the pulpit but it was to crap so I gave it away.

 

[nyrussell]

Pascal,

You coming this way?

Noel

 

[Jaxfishgyd]

Had a 35 lb plow as my main....

Till it pulled one night during a storm.

Went to a 66 lb bruce.... No problem since then.

Also have a Fortress on the secondary line.

I use 40' of 3/8th chain with 250' of 5/8th rode.

But my anchoring is in less than 30' of water too...... Mostly mud here.

 

[Pascal]

Noel,, yeah... leaving next monday, planing about 16 days to Nantucket if everything goes fine... big IF obviously...

 

[nyrussell]

Stay in touch, If you stop close, let me know. If it is warm enough I'll have the grill going. If not still come on over.

Noel