second anchor deployment

The thread immediately strayed to STORM while the original poster never mentioned the conditions. I have deployed two anchors off the bow in "normal conditions" in a tidal river with reversing currents. So there's a situation. Another is when I needed the boat kept clear of the narrow river channel because to swig was to get in the way of a towboat, and I used a stern anchor. Situation 2. I am not opposed to the use of two anchors, both of suitable size for whatever conditions because do you really want to put all your eggs into one shackle, I mean basket.

While generally opposed to generalizations, I firmly believe that most here could not successfully use the engine(s) to lessen the strain on the ground tackle in a REAL storm because the boats tend to wander all over meaning you will end up with zero viz trying to make sense of a spinning compass and the boat's centerline relationship with the anchor(s). You can do more harm with engine power pulling in the wrong direction and side load a working set of ground tackle and/or spin the tackle into the prop(s).

I for one do not ever intend to have my boat and me in such a situation. I hide whatever boat I own in hurricane holes with five or six anchors and me ELSEWHERE.

Growing up my dad always ran 2 anchors. One was called the "lunch hook" and the other the "overnighter". It was a beast and he also had a weight he could attach ( kellet ? ) Since we didn't have a windlass I was always glad when we depolyed the lunch hook because it was significantly lighter and easier to raise. I think it makes sense to have a lighter duty set of ground tackle when it's short term on a calm day, as long as you keep an eye to the weather.