GL: anchor advice

[Bob Austin]

I believe by know you have the message--it is not what anchor--but what
anchors.  You need two bow anchors.  The 22/25 plow is not big enough for that
size boat.  I would only consider a 65 lb CQR for that boat--or perphaps
better a 55 lb Delta (they set faster and hold better on a shorter scope if
necessary).  You might get away with a 45 lb CQR--but again, I think that
Delta is better and a better buy.  You also need a Danforth or Fortress
anchor--the spade type.  If you get in a real blow you will have both anchors
out.  Be sure that the chain fits the windlass which you have.  Hopefully you
will have both a cat head and chain wheel.  My personal preference is 150 to
200 feet of chain, backed with rope rode--one the loop it will be rare that
you are anchoring in more than 30 feet of water, so you will be on the chain
most of the time.

If you want to spend more money--the Spade and Creative Marine's Super Max are
excellent anchors.

My personal experience (and some of my other world cruising buddies) is not as
good with the Bruce type of anchors--but that is just a personal opinion.  The
one place I might consider a Bruce is in the Pacific Northwest--but we
anchored in that area 500 nights over 3 years and only drug once--and those
conditions (2" diameter rocks) probably no anchor would work well.

I do like the Northill pattern anchors.  I have to disagree with Ron a little.
I have never seen an Aluminum Sea Plane folding Northill anchor--there were
three sizes built of Stainless steel during WWII for sea planes.  The largest
of these was used for the bow of the PBY.  I own two sizes of these anchors
and they hold up well--but the pins and bolts have to be checked for wear
regularly.  They are not perticularly good for rocks,.  They were designed for
sand and grass over sand--where they excell.  There are long spikes on the end
of the flukes, which can be sharpened and will penetrate grass where other
anchors will not.  However it is not a good idea--and in some areas illegal to
anchor in grass sea beds because of ecological damage.

Bob Austin