T&T: Anchor loyalty

[Ownyacht at aol.com]

Last time I looked up the definition of cognitive dissonance it was not  
anywhere close to what you are saying. I am not in conflict with something that  I 
have always perceived to be true. I will still keep my Bruce.
 
R. Lee
 
 
In a message dated 12/29/2007 5:20:21 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, LRZeitlin  
writes:


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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