[C320-list] ANCHOR ISSUES

[Warren Updike]

I never had a problem with that Fortress anchor, it never broke-out on me.
It may have turned and reset during a night; but, I was never aware of
dragging.  I was very pleased with it.  Various tests by experts over the
years have spoken well for Fortress.  That said, some of the newer anchor
types may set faster and hold better; but, here on the Chesapeake where the
bottoms are nearly all mud (hard and soft) I think the Fortress is a good
value.
The only problem I ever had with it was the first time I used it.  We were
on Fairlee Cr. where, as you know, the bottom is soft mud.  It was night and
the dang thing wouldn't set.  I must have attempted three times before I
pulled it up on deck to inspect it.  There, in the crown, was a clam shell
in just such a position that the flukes wouldn't rotate.  After that was
cleared, it set easily and we had a quiet night.  So there you have it.  

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

-----Original Message-----
From: Rod Boer [mailto:rod.boer1 at verizon.net] 
Sent: Friday, December 07, 2012 5:23 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] ANCHOR ISSUES

Warren,

No, if the anchor really buried I just pull the rode tight and secure it
while Lee applies power and pops it loose. Like many folks on the
Chesapeake, I don't use the windlass.  I am referring to the weight of the
anchor and chain with mud all over them and the aggravation of dealing with
it.  With just the Fortress it would place less of a strain on my back. What
I was asking is whether in your experience the Fortress held in most bottoms
and areas of the bay?

Rod  

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Warren Updike
Sent: Friday, December 07, 2012 3:18 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] ANCHOR ISSUES

If you are talking about the "breakout" (getting by the suction of the
anchor in the mud,) I don't see that the weight makes much difference
although I allow that there is much I don't know on this score.  Have you
tried a trip line on the crown of the anchor for a reverse pull?  This line
could double as a float line.  Just pull up to the float, haul it in with a
hook, secure it and motor forward.  

On the matter of an anchor float, I now use one every time I anchor.  I've
had all too many instances of boats running over my anchor line.  It just
doesn't occur to some captains that in 7' of water with even a light wind
that my anchor rode may lie close to the surface.  It doesn't always work as
some will ride over my float anyway.

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

-----Original Message-----
From: Rod Boer [mailto:rod.boer1 at verizon.net]
Sent: Friday, December 07, 2012 1:48 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] ANCHOR ISSUES

Warren,

For the past 10 years, I have been using a Delta 35# on Odyssey, with a back
up of a Fortress 16 in the anchor locker ready to go if necessary. I am
getting very tired of pulling the 35# Delta out of the muck and I am
considering using the Fortress 16 as my primary and something else as the
backup.  I would think that the Fortress 16 should do well.  Could you
comment on this?

Rod
Odyssey

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Warren Updike
Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2012 3:30 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] ANCHOR ISSUES

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