Received 15lb Manson supreme anchor and rode this week

L

Larry Patrick

New member
If you were to carry a second bow anchor what would you choose? Also what stern anchors is recommended weight and brand? I realize stern anchors need to only be used when it is safe to do so. When renting a boat in the keys ,rental place said a guy threw out a stern anchor in vaca cut marathon and sank in a few minutes. I plan on getting a 22 c-dory so these anchors now will be swapped onto c-dory in future.thanks
 
Our primary anchor is a 14 lb. Delta. Our second anchor is a 7 lb Fortress. We carried a 16 lb Bruce for several years but switched to the Delta to get better setting in our waters. I don't think I would choose to anchor from the stern. In our waters many boats carry a "stern tie" which is a light, often poly line taken to shore and looped around a ring/ tree, etc. to reduce swinging at anchor in small or crowded places. It is secured to a stern cleat and when departing can just be pulled back to the boat.
 
Larry Patrick":27tsnaye said:
If you were to carry a second bow anchor what would you choose? Also what stern anchors is recommended weight and brand?
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I just recently bought a second anchor (not to be carried on the bow though). Considerations were what area I was going to use it in (bottom and typical surface conditions), how I would stow it, and how it might work as a primary (if I had to leave the primary somewhere). It's hard to find something that satisfies all these categories, especially when your cruising grounds are changeable. I considered a Fortress or Danforth, but then I have so many suitable Danforths back home, that I just couldn't bring myself to buy another one. There's also the fact that they are a bit "pinchy" to carry and have a lot of "poking" bits when stowed (the Fortress does take apart though but then you can't count on it super quickly). I also wouldn't be thrilled with either one as a primary because of the changing current/wind/resetting issue.

I ended up going with a "for now and we'll see how it goes" solution of buying an inexpensive Bruce clone. It's a bit more similar to my primary (Manson Supreme) than I would like, but on the other hand it will be easy to use ashore at Powell (no pinch points) and would make a decent substitute primary anchor. I have a feeling it won't be the ultimate solution though. It doesn't exactly fold down to stow.

I use a stern anchor sometimes, but as a second anchor to keep myself in a certain line/position vs. as a primary anchor. However I'm sure in the C-Dory there are some lakes/places/times that it would be fine to just drop a hook off the stern for lunch, etc.
 
I carry a 14 #Delta but the Manson Supreme 15 is probably a better anchor on the bow. I carry a 7# Fortress as second bow anchor. The two stern anchors are 6# Guardian and a second 7# Fortress as stern anchor.

On the West Coast it is very common to use a stern anchor to keep the bow into the swell in calm anchorages and often to the bank, rock or tree in the PNW.

There are also many places to put the stern of the C dory right next to the beach--in inches of water, and two stern anchors to the beach. This keeps the stern in place and allows you to step right off the stern into shallow water, onto a rock platform, log or even on occasion onto the sand.

The Fortress/guardian are small anchors that stow well under the foot well under the dinette table, complete with their chain and line. The second bow anchor is necessary if you want to move the boat, in some wind conditions and to help prevent "sailing" at anchor.

Vaca Cut: first you never throw an anchor. I winter at Marathon (Knight's Key)--and you don't anchor right in Vaca cut--you anchor along the sides because of traffic and current. Fishing is better along the 7 mile bridge anyway....If there are waves and current you don't normally anchor by the stern. Out of probably over a thousand nights at anchor probably 50% I had a stern anchor out--this was in much larger boats, and all over the world.
 
I am interested in picking up an extra anchor for my CD22 and was thinking of getting the 4 lb fortress (FX-4 which is recommended for boats 16-27 ft...
Does this seem reasonable. I like the idea of the stowaway bag also...
 
When I bought my C-Dory, it came with a 16lb Bruce, 25' chain, 165' 3/8" rode. I have had no trouble anchoring with this set up. However, I took it all off, found a holdall that carries it all, and stored it in the forward locker under the v-berth. I then invested in a 15lb Manson Supreme, 35' high test 1/4" chain, 200' 1/2" rode. So far I have only used the MS once for anchoring, with no problems. I plan on using it this season and see how it goes. When I have decided which anchor I prefer as my primary, then the other anchor will become my secondary.

Martin.
 
Mike_J":2fpgto1i said:
I am interested in picking up an extra anchor for my CD22 and was thinking of getting the 4 lb fortress (FX-4 which is recommended for boats 16-27 ft...
Does this seem reasonable. I like the idea of the stowaway bag also...
Click to expand...

Mike-

The Fortress anchors are wonderful in sand, mud, and small gravel, but have other holding limitations, such as in kelp, tight grass, and are not as good in rocks, clay, etc.

I have an FX-16 on my CD-22 and love it. It represents several sizes of overkill, but it only weighs 11 pounds and I'm confident it will hold in most situations with 100 feet of 1/4 chain and 250 feet more of 1/2" 3-strand nylon rope.

I'd think the FX-4, while rated for boats of this size, would be a little small unless used with considerable chain and most always in sand.

In mud and other more difficult situations, I'd prefer at least an FX-7, and personally would go with an FX-11 for my own sense of security, especially when sleeping at anchor.

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
There is no FX 4--the FX 7 weight is 4 lbs. It is a good back up anchor and stern anchor. I have 2 of the FX 7 and have used them as bow anchor--when the Delta would not hold.

Sure I have an FX 37 I use as a storm anchor--(left over from a larger boat)--weight is 20 lbs.

I have to disagree with Joe a bit. I have had good holding with Danforth anchors in many conditions--used it as the only anchor on my racing boats--and the Danforth HT and Fortress are very close, if not identical in design--weight is the difference. The Fortress is one of the best in mud. It will also work in clay--and many rocks--and grass as well as most anchors.

But you do have to have some weight in the chain.
 
My mistake. The 4lb fortress is the FX-7, and that is the one I was thinking of. I am looking at it as a backup and as an occasional stern anchor.
 
Bob- Thanks for the corrections. I've used my FX-16 in Shasta Lake here, other lakes, and the California Delta, and never had any problem, but have seldom been in a real stiff 30 knot or higher blow. Some of what I mentioned was from my memory of the discussion of the Fortress from earlier discussions.

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
FWIW, I carry a 15lb Manson Supreme with 50ft 1/4" chain and 300ft 1/2" 8-plait as my primary anchor. My backup is a 14lb Delta with 20ft of 1/4" chain and 200 ft of 1/2" 3 strand rode.

The Manson has worked well everywhere I've used it. While the Delta is a similar design, I already had it and didn't feel the need to buy another anchor of a different design (i.e. Fortress) just to have a different backup.
 
I have now used my 15lb Manson a lot so far this season. Really pleased with it. Sets first go, never a problem. I just had a few days out and anchored in a couple of places, 8 to 10 feet. The water was crystal clear and it was fascinating to watch the anchor set it self with just the weight of the boat backing off. I let out more rode while the admiral reversed the boat. I then paddled the dink back over the anchor to take a look. Yep, she was nicely set.
The Manson is now my #1, the Bruce stays in the locker as back up.

Martin.
 
I have a 14# Bruce we use in tight anchorages to limit swing. It takes up more room than a collapsible anchor (Danforth etc) but w/ all the eel grass etc up here in the PNW seems to hold better.
 
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