T&T: Anchor loyalty

[LRZeitlin at aol.com]

In a message dated 12/29/07 2:10:38 PM, Ownyacht writes:


> After anchoring from Key West to the Sassafras River this summer and in
> the rivers up to Knoxville last year, I'll keep my Bruce.
>

Loyalty to one's choice of anchor is a perfect example of "cognitive
dissonance." Before choosing an anchor, most boat owners are reasonably
rational and
objective. Or, given all the hype, folklore, and misinformation, at least as
objective as anyone can be regarding the various assets and liabilities of
each
anchor type. But after the choice is made, any information regarding the
advantage of another type of anchor, or any deficiency of the chosen anchor is
disregarded lest one's personal judgment is called into question.

Anchors similar to modern types of lightweight anchors have been used for
over a century. The Bruce anchor is nearly 40 years old. While intended for
anchoring oil platforms, it was adopted by boaters in the UK as a simpler and
cheaper, but not necessarily better, alternative to the CQR plough. I was
there
when the Bruce was introduced to the recreational boating market and I know
that
it was never selected because of its holding power. Anyone who has tried to
manhandle a plough to the foredeck in a choppy sea knows the advantages of the
one piece Bruce. In fact, under most relatively benign inshore conditions,
most
anchor types provide adequate performance. If a specific anchor had a
clearcut superiority, it would dominate the field. The fact is my local West
Marine
stocks many different styles and no one type significantly outsells the rest.

This is a discussion to which there is no right answer. We all can't be
right, nor can we all be wrong. The truly rational boater, of which I am not
one,
would carry at least three different kinds of anchor and select the one
appropriate to the conditions. Alas, I am of the one type fits all
persuasion.

Happy New Year.

Larry Z




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