How Many Anchors?
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ksanders
Moderator Emeritus
If you are anchor'd out and you loose your anchor when you get under way (generally because it gets hung up and you cannot retreive it) how will you deal with the situation???
In most locations on the eastern seaboard I'm betting that you'd go to a harbor or marina that night, so replacement would not be an emergency.
We (in Alaska) boat in areas that sometimes it might be very unplesant or difficult to get to a place to dock the boat for the night, so we carry a spare anchor, and spare rode.
That said in 15 years and many hundreds if not thousands of times dropping the hook, I've lost one anchor and it was due to a windlass failing so a spare wouldn't have helped anyway.
based on all that I'd say that you have little need to carry an extra anchor.
In most locations on the eastern seaboard I'm betting that you'd go to a harbor or marina that night, so replacement would not be an emergency.
We (in Alaska) boat in areas that sometimes it might be very unplesant or difficult to get to a place to dock the boat for the night, so we carry a spare anchor, and spare rode.
That said in 15 years and many hundreds if not thousands of times dropping the hook, I've lost one anchor and it was due to a windlass failing so a spare wouldn't have helped anyway.
based on all that I'd say that you have little need to carry an extra anchor.
O C Diver
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Minimum one.
I use the same type all the way from the Chesapeake to Fort Myers. I have a second as a back up, not for different bottoms. Have a third which is also for the dingy, when I need to limit stern swing.
Ted
I use the same type all the way from the Chesapeake to Fort Myers. I have a second as a back up, not for different bottoms. Have a third which is also for the dingy, when I need to limit stern swing.
Ted
psneeld
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I would never cruise with less than two.
You might have to cut one free and have to anchor again prior to getting anyplace, particularly for single engine boats.
I am with the working anchor on the pulpit and big fortress at the ready at the stern crowd.
You might have to cut one free and have to anchor again prior to getting anyplace, particularly for single engine boats.
I am with the working anchor on the pulpit and big fortress at the ready at the stern crowd.
We carry 3; our main anchor plus a close equivalent (spare/backup) and then a small Danforth type to use as a stern anchor to keep us from swinging if needed.
Capt.Bill11
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Two mains of different types/styles and perhaps one set up for a stern anchor.
tadhana
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I would always recommend at least two anchors. In decades of cruising and thousands of anchorings along the east coast (Maine to Key West and Punta Gorda), we have not yet lost an anchor. IF we did we, I would like to know I had another immediately ready. We primarily use a 44# Manson, and have a 44# Bruce in the starboard side anchor locker with its own separate rode. We have a smaller Fortress at the stern, but have never used that one.
ranger58sb
Guru
We carry two, a SuperMAX on the bow and a (big-ish) Fortress, usually dismantled and stowed.
I'd likely carry one more on the bow different style from MAX and Fortress, if I had an easy/elegant way to mount another roller. This as a faster hot spare, and also in case different substrate encountered along the way rears it's ugly head. OTOH, so far we've never been faced with substrate the MAX won't grab in.
-Chris
I'd likely carry one more on the bow different style from MAX and Fortress, if I had an easy/elegant way to mount another roller. This as a faster hot spare, and also in case different substrate encountered along the way rears it's ugly head. OTOH, so far we've never been faced with substrate the MAX won't grab in.
-Chris
HopCar
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The minimum number of anchors is at least ten. Of course I sell anchors.
Seriously two anchors and two rodes should be plenty. I have three anchors but I don't think I've ever used either of the backups.
Seriously two anchors and two rodes should be plenty. I have three anchors but I don't think I've ever used either of the backups.
MurrayM
Guru
Our boat came with a small 7.5kg Lewmar Claw, so we promptly got a new 10kg for regular use. The smaller anchor has only been used once upwind in gusty conditions (off the midship cleat) to keep Badger aligned with the bow anchor and a stern tie.
Will have a third, larger anchor and much longer rode to anchor during winter in water up to 100' deep. (Some bays are very small with fast drop offs which limit swinging radius, and can freeze over close to shore where creeks and/or rivers enter the bay).
Three seems a safe minimum...
Will have a third, larger anchor and much longer rode to anchor during winter in water up to 100' deep. (Some bays are very small with fast drop offs which limit swinging radius, and can freeze over close to shore where creeks and/or rivers enter the bay).
Three seems a safe minimum...
Nomad Willy
Guru
I have a total of 11 anchors but at this time only carrying 4 aboard.
The working anchor is a modified 15 lb Manson Supreme w the roll bar removed and picket fence like structure on top of the shank. It works much like the Boss and Vulcan. The objective for the mod was to keep the anchor in the (laying on it's side) setting position while being deployed and insurance that it can't flop over on it's "back". The roll bar I thought reduced penetration and holding power. Time will tell how well it works.
My "storm" anchor (kept on the foredeck) is a modified 18lb XYZ Extreme. It has a different toe than usual .. a wide 4" chisel shaped removable toe. This anchor I used in a gale of at lest 50 knots. Two sets as we needed to move the boat in the night. Could hardly stand on deck. No dragging at all on either set.
I have 4 Danforth types. 13, 18, 22 and 35 lbs. the 13 came w the boat when we bought her and originally from Willard in 1974. It's been very dependable. The 35 lb was made by a salvage co, is all welded and heavy duty. The 22 has forged flukes and shank. Haven't used the 22 or 18.
The Claws are 33 and 22 lbs. the 33 a Lewmar and the 22 a "no name". I like the 22 and haven't used the 33.
One 35 lb Dreadnought. Only used once. Fastest setting anchor I've ever set. Started to back down and discovered it was hooked solid.
Two Northill. One is quite small (6lbs ?) and the other is a foldable SS flying boat anchor.
On the boat now is the mod Supreme (working), the XYZ, the 22 Claw and the trusty 13 lb Dan.
T
The working anchor is a modified 15 lb Manson Supreme w the roll bar removed and picket fence like structure on top of the shank. It works much like the Boss and Vulcan. The objective for the mod was to keep the anchor in the (laying on it's side) setting position while being deployed and insurance that it can't flop over on it's "back". The roll bar I thought reduced penetration and holding power. Time will tell how well it works.
My "storm" anchor (kept on the foredeck) is a modified 18lb XYZ Extreme. It has a different toe than usual .. a wide 4" chisel shaped removable toe. This anchor I used in a gale of at lest 50 knots. Two sets as we needed to move the boat in the night. Could hardly stand on deck. No dragging at all on either set.
I have 4 Danforth types. 13, 18, 22 and 35 lbs. the 13 came w the boat when we bought her and originally from Willard in 1974. It's been very dependable. The 35 lb was made by a salvage co, is all welded and heavy duty. The 22 has forged flukes and shank. Haven't used the 22 or 18.
The Claws are 33 and 22 lbs. the 33 a Lewmar and the 22 a "no name". I like the 22 and haven't used the 33.
One 35 lb Dreadnought. Only used once. Fastest setting anchor I've ever set. Started to back down and discovered it was hooked solid.
Two Northill. One is quite small (6lbs ?) and the other is a foldable SS flying boat anchor.
On the boat now is the mod Supreme (working), the XYZ, the 22 Claw and the trusty 13 lb Dan.
T
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Phil Fill
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Old schools was two different type of anchors, usually a danforth for soft bottoms and a QCR for rocky and weed bottoms. When we bought the eagle, 21 years ago, it had a danforth and QCR main anchors and a smaller danforth for a stern anchor. When we started mooring on the commercial docks most commercials had a Fordjord. The Fordjord is now the primary anchor.
Several years ago there where several long discussions about the new improved anchors, so I walk the marina looking at the anchors on 50+ foot boats. I noticed the new improved anchors had two common feature, the angle of the shank was 45+ degrees before it started to pull the anchor up out, and the edge and tip where thin and sharp. Both features would allow for a shorted rode, and a quicker set. So I changed the shank angle to 45 degrees and sharpened the edge and point.
Being old school two different types of anchors and a third for backup stern.
Several years ago there where several long discussions about the new improved anchors, so I walk the marina looking at the anchors on 50+ foot boats. I noticed the new improved anchors had two common feature, the angle of the shank was 45+ degrees before it started to pull the anchor up out, and the edge and tip where thin and sharp. Both features would allow for a shorted rode, and a quicker set. So I changed the shank angle to 45 degrees and sharpened the edge and point.
Being old school two different types of anchors and a third for backup stern.
AKDoug
Guru
I am a two anchor/two rode guy also. My primary is a 15K Rocna and my backup is a 10K Rocna (never been wet yet). Primary anchor line is 45' of 5/16" chain on 600' of 5/8" nylon, secondary is 20' of 5/15" chain on 400' of 5/8" nylon, so both are compatible with my windlass.
I go way too far out to get back in a day at 7 knots, and am almost always single handing. Marinas are non existent, and most of the anchorages are fairly deep. I also carry scuba gear on board so recovering the anchor by diving is an option if it hangs up and I am in less than 150' of water.
We have major tide swings here so an anchor that resets well after a tide shift is critical. I never did have my 20H Danforth unhook with my last boat but I didn't go where I do now and my anchorages are deeper. The Rocna tolerates shorter scope better than the Danforth did.
I go way too far out to get back in a day at 7 knots, and am almost always single handing. Marinas are non existent, and most of the anchorages are fairly deep. I also carry scuba gear on board so recovering the anchor by diving is an option if it hangs up and I am in less than 150' of water.
We have major tide swings here so an anchor that resets well after a tide shift is critical. I never did have my 20H Danforth unhook with my last boat but I didn't go where I do now and my anchorages are deeper. The Rocna tolerates shorter scope better than the Danforth did.
Drake
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We carry a Mantus 85# as primary and Fortress FX 37 as backup and stern anchor. The Mantus so far has set 100% of the time, first try. Fortress is perfect as a stern anchor. Easy to deploy from the dinghy.
Bay Pelican
Moderator Emeritus
Almost equivalent, Rocna, Bruce then smaller Danforth for the stern.
I have been with boats that have lost the anchor and had to use a spare.
ranger58sb
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78puget-trawler
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Would normally just have two but since I replaced my bent one with a lighter 22-H Dan, I figured no point in throwing the other heavier Dan away, so I lashed it to the aft cabin rail for a storm anchor. I know it did hold like iron once!
HopCar
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Ted, I'm shocked! Your anchors are too small, they are the wrong kind and I suspect you don't have enough chain!
Actually that's a really nice set up.
Actually that's a really nice set up.
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That's a nice setup, Ted. I like redundancy!
I have the Danforth that came on the boat secured in the ER as a backup to my 15 kg Lewmar Claw. I also keep a spare main rode there.
My stern anchor is a small Danforth... maybe 13 lbs(??) on a boat's length of chain and rope combo rode. It's used more to control swing than to fight current.
I have the Danforth that came on the boat secured in the ER as a backup to my 15 kg Lewmar Claw. I also keep a spare main rode there.
My stern anchor is a small Danforth... maybe 13 lbs(??) on a boat's length of chain and rope combo rode. It's used more to control swing than to fight current.
Nomad Willy
Guru
Perhaps You'd like to try my heavy duty 35lb Dan that I got from Dunlap Ind. Supply in Everett? Compared to most Dans it has shorter and wider flukes. And a 3/4" shank and stock. Give it to you for $30 .. same w my high performance Dan. Only the HP Dan is high aspect ratio and very slender shank.
Going to the boat tomorrow ... coffee?
caltexflanc
Guru
That's what we did too, a Delta and twoo Danforths respectively. Two will do, especially if one is a lightweight Fortress which because of its ease of handling can serve as spare main and stern anchors. We carry two on the Whaler as well, both little Danforths, bow and stern for going-to-the-beach duty.
Great Laker
Senior Member
Like others, I have three:
A Manson claw on the bow that came with the boat and that has proven to be good all around and in rocks.
A over sized Fortress as a backup bow anchor and that is good in sand and grass and as a second bow anchor in series in a serious storm.
A small Danforth for use as a stern anchor to stop swing in a small or narrow anchorage and for use in the dinghy.
A Manson claw on the bow that came with the boat and that has proven to be good all around and in rocks.
A over sized Fortress as a backup bow anchor and that is good in sand and grass and as a second bow anchor in series in a serious storm.
A small Danforth for use as a stern anchor to stop swing in a small or narrow anchorage and for use in the dinghy.
O C Diver
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It's a manly windlass (man-ly adjective having or denoting those good qualities traditionally associated with men, such as courage and strength).
Ideal Windlass Company
Ted
Nomad Willy
Guru
Larry,
What's your experience with the Manson Ray (Claw) anchor?
I don't ever rember it mentioned on this forum. For others (not famillar w the Ray) it's very unique in that it's made very differently. I've only seen one anchor test involving the Ray. A very small test (three anchors) in South America. Being very expensive few buy it and little is commonly known. So what does one get w the Ray?
What's your experience with the Manson Ray (Claw) anchor?
I don't ever rember it mentioned on this forum. For others (not famillar w the Ray) it's very unique in that it's made very differently. I've only seen one anchor test involving the Ray. A very small test (three anchors) in South America. Being very expensive few buy it and little is commonly known. So what does one get w the Ray?
ksanders
Moderator Emeritus
I doubt it...
So far from all the posts here about carrying redundant anchor's I've not read even a single post about someone that actually had to deploy their redundant anchor.
Since I've never needed mine, I wonder about the wisdom of even carrying it.
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