[Rhodes22-list] Go-To Anchor

[Dennis McNeely]

Hmmm - apparently not much of an expert when it comes to actually putting
the link into the message. Apologies - see
'http://www.creativemarine.com/newprodct/anchor%20test/soft_mud_bottom_ancho
r_test.htm'

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org
[mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org] On Behalf Of Dennis McNeely
Sent: Sunday, January 15, 2006 12:41 PM
To: 'The Rhodes 22 mail list'
Subject: RE: [Rhodes22-list] Go-To Anchor


I don't claim to be an expert - but ran across this link for soft mud
anchoring. The site is commercially sponsored, but gives a link to the
actual test results for a variety of anchors set and dragged behind a 1200
hp tug.

Note that the anchors weighted from 16.5 to 52 pounds, but apparently the
manufacturers recommend those respective sizes for a boat 33 to 38 feet in
length (!)

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org
[mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org] On Behalf Of Bill Effros
Sent: Saturday, January 14, 2006 4:07 PM
To: R22 List
Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Go-To Anchor


I set up my anchor rodes with and without chain.  As noted last year I 
had more than a dozen anchors on board at one point.  I set up hardware 
so that I could quickly snap things together and take them apart.  I 
expected to be mixing and matching all summer.  I have anchors and rode 
all over my boat.

I was very surprised, at some point roughly half way through the summer, 
to discover that I kept coming back to the same set-up over and over.

My Go-To anchor is a 2 1/2 pound Guardian (made by Fortress, but the 
less expensive model), fully assembled, with floating anchor rode (3/8"? 
1/2"? -- I'm not sure), no chain, pre-spliced eye, stored in a 
Rubbermaid container under a cockpit seat, not fastened to anything at 
the bitter end, deployed from the stern, tied off on a stern cleat, set 
from the stern, then walked to the bow.

I have removed all vinyl clad anchors from my boat except for the 
"bullet" anchors which are essentially nothing more than shaped lead 
covered with vinyl.  They weigh 15 lbs each, and can be used as kellets 
or paper weights.  So far they have only been tested as paper weights 
and they are more than adequate for this task.  The cladding completely 
defeats the design of pointy or sharp edged anchors by blunting the 
points and the edges.

My Go-To anchor is always on board, and always at the ready.  It is easy 
to deploy and easy to retrieve.  It always sets properly, and has been 
tested in the most extreme conditions I would ever use an anchor.  It 
has never come close to starting to deform, and has always been more 
than adequate for holding our boat.  It often comes up clean, but if 
not, a couple of dunks is all it takes to make it like new.  There 
hasn't been any corrosion.  I don't take the time to wash it off after 
use, I just put it back under the seat.  I have 2 guardians; the Go-To, 
and another, disassembled, in the Laz. and a Fortress FX-7 on the bow, 
detached from anchor line in the bow tray.

I also have 3 folding grapnels of different sizes, and a "sand screw" 
for beaches.

As mentioned previously, I have never had the need for anything more 
than the Go-To, and doubt I ever will.  I plan to experiment next summer 
with variations on "Bahamian" anchoring where you set multiple anchors 
at different angles from a single point on board so that when the wind 
shifts you drop off one anchor and pull on another.  I believe this set 
up is stronger both in terms of rode and ground tackle than a single 
anchor and rode with the same rating.  From Ben and Bob's accounts of 
hurricane anchoring, and what I have read, I think I would set multiple 
anchors in hurricanes and then quickly get off the boat. 

I kept going for the Go-To because it is so easy to handle.  I still 
have plenty of anchor rode with chain, but it always comes up dirty, so 
I pick the all rope rode, given my druthers.  The only thing I like 
about the chain is that it provides a warning before the anchor breaks 
out of the water.  What I don't like is that you can't "feel" the bottom 
the way you can with an all rope rode.

Bill Effros


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