Conference unifix::sailing

I've always assumed that a storm anchor is one that keeps you anchored in a 
storm. The holding power of Northill anchors is less than that of many other
anchors (per pound of anchor weight) -- see note 373. Personally, I'd use 
some other type for a storm anchor. Very experienced, long-time liveaboards
we know say that Danforth Deepset plows are the way to go. Since their boat is 
uninsured (and is about all they own) and since they spend at least six months 
a year cruising between Florida and Nova Scotia, this is indeed a strong 
recommendation. 

    Alan,
    
    Just looked up that anchor in Defender Industries catalog.
    They have an anchor selection guide. For boats 34 to 38 ft.
    the minimum suggested holding power is 1575 Lbs for 20 K winds,
    2850 holding Lbs for 60 K winds. They list one Danforth Deep set
    Plow at 1800 lbs holding power, and at the grand sale price of
    $ 459.95. "Excellant for heavy kelp and grass covered bottoms".
    The Danforth T3000 is listed as having 3000 lbs. holding power
    for $ 149.95. 
    
    They don't list a heavier holding power in the plow.
    
    I know that I see more and more plows being used over time in
    the R.I. area. Seems that might be becoming the anchor of choice.
    Although the plow is listed for kelp and grass. Most anchoring
    I've done has been in mud and sand or gravely bottoms....
    
    Interesting on the rating of holding power between the two anchors...
    Don

    I'm considering trading my CQR 45 for the biggest Danforth Deepset
    plow in the catalog (model 1800 I think).  Any comments or other
    experience with these models? (I read the MB&S review).
    

Coupla' comments:

Didn't Crusing World have a fairly detailed comparison among various 
anchors, both holding power and failure testing, just a few months ago? 
I was impressed by the Deepset Danforth's performance; the Plow wasn't as 
good in absolute holding power, but better in many conditions that the
other heavy types. 

We used to have a 35-lb CQR on Puffin (33', 11 tons, much windage).  It 
dragged in some conditions that it seemed to me it really shouldn't have, 
and my faith in it was ever after shaken.  (I bought I 40-lb Danforth with 
20' of 1/2" chain (!) as an ultimate anchor, and I can assure you, it 
*never* dragged ;-)!  We rode out Hurricane David and some mighty heavy 
squalls with that thing down, but getting it up was major work.) 

We used Bruce anchors in the Outward Bound pulling boats in Florida, and 
they were a joke in that oolite sand.  OK in muck, though they tended to 
creep under load without pulling out.  Not worth the zinc to galvanize 'em.

Best for kelp, heavy weeds or hard rocky bottom has always been the
heaviest yachtsman-type you can manage.  (If you're not familiar with the 
term, the yachtsman's design is pretty much what a kid would draw for you
if you asked for a picture of an anchor.)  The Herreshoff version of the
yachtman has somewhat broader flukes, which add to its ability in softer
bottoms, but detract from holding on a rocky one.  

Just like having to adjust sail choice and size for wind conditions, it 
really behooves the prudent skipper to adjust anchor choice according to 
bottom conditions.  No one type works universally; each has at least one 
dangerously ineffective application.

J.

    John,
    
    I could not find a 40 lb Danforth anchor in the Defender Industries
    catalog. They show T Deepset Hi-Tensile
    		       H         Hi-Tensile
    		       D Deepset Standard
    		       S Standard
    		       P Deepset Plow
    Could you set me straight?
    Don

>>>    I could not find a 40 lb Danforth anchor in the Defender Industries
>>>    catalog. They show T Deepset Hi-Tensile
>>>    		       H         Hi-Tensile
>>>    		       D Deepset Standard
>>>    		       S Standard
>>>    		       P Deepset Plow
>>>    Could you set me straight?
>>>    Don

Mine's a 40S.  The only other model available when I bought it was the 
H-series, and the significantly higher cost wasn't justified.  With a 40S 
and perhaps 25H (or smaller) costing about the same, I went for serious 
bulk, also to justify the 1/2" chain.  I wanted heft to put it down 
through weeds and pot warp, and to hold it there relative to maximum
anticipated load.  the physical strength of the anchor itself wasn't much 
of an issue.  The H-series really was less a response to wanting greater 
holding power -- you could always buy a bigger size for that -- than it 
was to making handling easier for the same hlding power.  (Next time I'd
definitely opt for 7/16", since the total package less rode weighed
more than 120 lbs I once calculated.) 

As to it not appearing in the DI catalog, they usually don't carry much 
stuff for really big yachts.  But Danforth does in fact make them, right 
up to sizes fit for a 50,000-ton freighter.

J.

I no longer have a big boat, and probably won't for at least a long time, 
and whenever I do get one, it certainly won't be close to 11 tons; perhaps 
I should sell this Ultimate Anchor.  Anyone interested?  I'll figure a 
price and put it in 263.

    I have searched the notes on Anchoring and have not seen much on the
    Delta anchor. Can anyone point me to tests or articles on them? I am
    also interested in first or second hand experience using them.
    
    I am doing some analysis and planning for a ground tackle upgrade on
    Viking Rose and am considering a large plow-type anchor (CQR, Delta or
    Danforth Deepset plow).  Opinions are welcome.
    
        Howard

    Opinion:

    I have a 35 pound Delta for my 30 footer, which I have used whenever I
    anchored overnight.  (This size anchor may be overkill for my boat,
    but I like to sleep at night :) )  I have never had a problem with it,
    although I usually wind up anchoring over soft, muddy bottoms, which
    is where plow-type anchors excel.  But it has kept me in place in some
    pretty hefty winds.


    Anecdote:

    I bought the Delta at Boat/US in 1991.  I was a bit confused as the
    price on the anchor itself did not agree with the price on the shelf
    which did not agree with the anchor guide posted nearby.  Then price
    that the register rang up was even cheaper then any of the other three
    prices.  When I asked the manager what the story was, he said that
    Boat/US was dropping the Delta line so everything was on clearance.

    Apparently Boat/US management was unaware that Practical Sailor and
    other magazines had recently given the Delta a favorable rating!  The
    result was I got a great anchor at about half the member price.  I'm
    sure they woke up at some point and began carrying the Delta line again,
    at regular prices.