[Rhodes22-list] More is better anchoring.

[Alex Bell]

Julie,

The Delta anchor should be just about all you'll need in most places. 
It's a plow that's a better design than the highly touted CQR which I 
managed to drag around for 45 minutes before I got it set the last time 
I used it ( on Kizmet). We have a Delta on Blewdaze carried in the 
lazerette in a bag with chain and rode. Never had to use it, but 
Blewdaze doesn't get much ancoring in.It's our "storm anchor" for her.  
We've used the danfroth type anchor hanging on the bow pulpit in 
moderate conditions and rockey bottoms on Navajo Lake. Never anchored 
around here in NC.

 Kizmet carries the CQR and a Bruce anchors. I use the Bruce for that 
boat since our bottoms are mostly muck and the Bruce sets easily. Wish I 
could trade the CBQ for a Delta.

I've never tied off to shore and anchored except for a lunch/swimming 
stop. Dealing with two anchors deployed and the risk of fouling your 
rode has kept me from trying that. Our biggest concern here is going 
aground in the much, so I want an anchor keeping me away from the shore. 
BTW, three anchors is more than mild overkill. I like that. Guess we 
could say we've got that third anchor in the dinghy, but it's a small 
mushroom good for an inflatable if you throw it ashore and bury it with 
sand. Sure wouldn't do much for the other boats. I think anchors need 
flukes of some sort to do any good. I had a folding grapnel kind of 
thing that I used for my Newport 17 once.... I used it to pull myself 
away from the dock area at Cowan Lake in Wilmington, Ohio. Anyone wants 
it, its there. Seems I threw it out to pull the boat one too many times, 
forgot to tie off the rode and I watched it sail out there with the rode 
trailing. That was years ago. I can laugh now.

Alex Bell

Julie Thorndycraft wrote:

> A big thank you to those who are supporting the 'more is better' 
> methodology of anchoring.  Using a light anchor for a lunch hook is 
> perfectly acceptable. Giving our fellow readers the impression that 
> using the same is acceptable for an overnight or unattended anchorage 
> is not. Safety is the issue here and trying to reset an anchor in 30+ 
> knot winds at 3am during a thunderstorm does not meet the safety 
> requirement. Chain will help keep the anchor set as seas and winds 
> increase. When it comes to anchoring, more is better (providing your 
> scope is not so extensive that you swing into your neighbor).
>
> As Blue Loon heads to the North Channel in a couple of weeks, we will 
> have three anchors - a Delta, the Rhodes issue Danforth, and a small 
> Danforth used as a 'lunch hook' and with the dinghy. We carry chain 
> and rode to allow for deployment of two anchors, if necessary. If 
> needed, we'll use the rode of one to tie off to shore in a med-mooring 
> fashion.
>
> We carry alot of extra gear on our boat, but if I need space the 
> anchors will not be removed. I plan on sleeping without the anchor 
> drag alarm going off on my GPS.
>
> Julie
> s/v Blue Loon
>
>