Anchor choice for Puget Sound?

C

Chubby Bunny

New member
Our new (to us) '98 22' Cruiser came with an 8.5# Danforth fluke anchor that I suspect is little more than a "lunch hook" but it holds great in the sandy, shallow bottoms I've found along the South Sound.

Knowing that we'll want to anchor overnight in shallow, protected areas throughout the sound in the future, do I want to:

(A) Do nothing because the 8.5# fluke is fine;
(B) Upgrade to a heavier fluke or plough (which one and why); or
(B) Get a mushroom anchor for the stern and always plan on dropping both anchors for overnighting?
 
Chubby Bunny-

A) Do nothing because the 8.5# fluke is fine;

Only time will tell. The Danforth doesn't work as well in rocks and weeds, though, and doesn't reset itself very well during a tidal change (current change of direction). It works best in sand and mud, and must have a good 10-15 ft or more of chain to work right (maintain horizontal pull).

(B) Upgrade to a heavier fluke or plough (which one and why);

Folks up there like the Bruce (claw) anchor, 11 or 16.5 lb, usually. Works well in all bottoms and resets in a current change well. The Plow anchors, such as the S/L Fastset, also perform well in a similar manner at 9 or 14 #s. These are your best choices. Still need 10-15 ft or more of chain, depending on how much current you plan on anchoring in.


B) Get a mushroom anchor for the stern and always plan on dropping both anchors for overnighting?

This may work in certain situations, but in my estimation, would be a formula for an attack of twist and snarl of anchor rodes in changing currents. The mushroiom drags easily, too easily!

HTH!

Bon Voyage!

Joe.
 
Just a comment--I would wonder if the 8.5 lb anchor is really a Danforth?
Does it say "Danforth" on it? There is much to be said for a "genuine" anchor. All too often these are cheap knock offs which are not perticularly good anchors. The steel is not as good, the angles of the flukes are not precise, they are welded instead of forged etc. (I have used some in non critical applications with reasonable success, but if My life depended on it, I would want a genuine Danforth, West Marine Performance (made exactly to the Danforth High Test specs), A Delta Quick Set, Genuine CQR or a genuine Bruce. One of the reasons I comment, is that I don't remember Danforth ever making a 8.5 lb anchor.

The other comment: In my opinion a mushroom anchor does not belong on a serious cruising boat. It might be OK for a skiff when you are drifting down a river--but never rely on it for holding. There are some specific very large mushrooms, (over 100 lbs) which are made for long term mooring in mud, along with heavy chain.

For stern anchors I like Fortress or Guardian. They are similar to the Danforths, but ligher in weight. Agree that any of these need chain to be most effective.
 
CB,

Here's what has worked for me from Olympia to Sitka, AK.

A 16.5 Genuine Bruce on the bow with 30ft of 1/4 chain and 300ft of 7/16 nylon line.

A 13lb Danforth on the stern with 30ft 1/4 chain and 300ft of 7/16 nylon line.

More chain is better, but at least use a "boat length" bow and stern.

Line length should be 7 to 10 times the maximum depth of water where you will anchor.

That's the summary!
 
SeaDNA - I couldn't help but think of you this Saturday when we pulled up next to a big bubble Bayliner...You're right, it would make a great anchor!

thataway":3g4tb5sp said:
Just a comment--I would wonder if the 8.5 lb anchor is really a Danforth?
Does it say "Danforth" on it? There is much to be said for a "genuine" anchor.
Click to expand...

Thataway - Upon re-examining the anchor, it is indeed a Danforth but it is an "8S" for eight standard, not 8.5 as I misread it through all of the seaweed upon first retrieval.

Based on comments elsewhere in the forum (thanks, Sneaks), I think I see more interest in claws than ploughs. Also based on several positive comments about the Lewmar, I think I'll go for the Simpson Lawrence knock-off of the Bruce. Sounds like the Bruce is expensive (all of the megayachts at Elliot Bay Marina are clad with them) and their US distributor, Imtra, can't be bothered to respond to my Web form inquiring about a Seattle dealer.
 
Chubby Bunny--thanks for clarifying the 8 S--Indeed that is a Danforth. The Standard anchors are brake folded heavy sheet metal flukes. The HT (High Tensil) anchors are forged flukes. The HT have sharper edges, will bite better and have considerably more holding power. However I don't recommend the Danforth pattern for the PNW. It is an excellent anchor for sand, and some muds--only fair in rocks, which is much of what you have in the PNW.
 
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