[C320-list] ANCHOR ISSUES

[Warren Updike]

Well, when one is challenged to anchor in the Down Under, I'm not surprised
that you have the rig you do.  For us on the Chesapeake, it is much like a
mill pond in most places.  Rarely am I anchored in more than 12' and 15 or
20 would mean I'm exposed to the open bay.  

I don't know that there is a direct relationship between anchor weight and
holding power.  On a previous boat I replaced a heaver iron Danforth with a
lighter Fortress.  The Fortress had good holding power and I was able to
sail without my chiropractor onboard.  Practical Sailor has done some
holding tests in the past.  Seems the best bites were not necessarily from
the most massive anchor.

Still, your needs below the line are quite different than ours in the North
37.

Warren & Pattie Updike
1994 C320 #62 "Warr De Mar"

-----Original Message-----
From: Stephen Cox [mailto:scox at timmin.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, December 05, 2012 8:30 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] ANCHOR ISSUES

> 
> any opinions on the Rocna 10 (22 lbs) vs the Rocna 15 (33
> lbs) as the more appropriate anchor for a 320. weight and lifting 
> issues are factors until we an figure out how to convert our old 
> Maxwell 500 to something capable of lifting the larger anchor.  Rocna 
> claims the 10 is ok for boats to 36 ft, the 15 to 39 ft, ignoring 
> displacement and windage.
> 

It always amazes me that the majority of US boats seem determined to have as
light an anchor as possible.  Does everyone only use their yacht for racing
around cans? Perhaps you only sail on millponds or only ever tie up for the
night at docks?  My boat is for cruising and as such I regard my anchor as a
lifeline and it needs to be a good one with a lot of holding power.  I have
a Rocna 15 on my boat along with 20 metres of 8mm chain and then nylon rode
as my main anchor setup.  I wouldn't have less and have thought about adding
more chain.  

Admittedly I have a Maxwell 1000 but a Maxwell 500 is rated as a 225Kg pull
at the chain wheel.  60m of 6mm (1/4") grade L chain weighs around 50Kg.  So
anchor and more chain than anyone would ever be likely to carry comes to
65Kg.  The winch should be OK to lift it I would have thought.   

Stephen Cox
Tegwen #1141
AUSTRALIA