T&T: "Ideal" anchor rode (sharpened flukes)

[LRZeitlin@aol.com]

> The 12 lb. Danforth HT is used in grassy bottoms where the sharpened flukes 
> cut
> through matted grass and weeds. Most other anchors just skip over the 
> bottom.
> 

Apparently other boaters have similar trouble with grassy or weed covered 
bottoms. I received several e-mails about the sharpened fluke Danforth anchor.

Basically the anchor is a 12 lb. Danforth HT. I sharpen the points and edges 
of the flukes until they approximate the sharpness of a rotary lawn mower 
blade. Not razor sharp but enough to cut butter. The anchor is attached to a 3/8" 
nylon rode by 10' of 5/16" chain. When anchoring over a grassy bottom the 
anchor is dropped and a 3:1 length of rode is let out. I back the boat strongly. 
In less than a boat length after the line is taut, the anchor cuts through the 
matted grass and there is a significant tension on the deployed anchor line. I 
then let out the remainder of the line for a 7:1 rode.

This approach seems to work quite well in grassy areas where other anchors 
have difficulty setting. If you want to try this anchoring method it is only 
fair to point out that my Willard motorsailer is 30' long and has a 16,000 lb. 
displacement. Size your own gear for the dimensions of your boat.

Larry Z


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