The reason I use 3/8'' chain is, I get it for free.

Scotty

"Jeff Morris" jeffmo@NoSpam-sv-lokiDOTcom wrote in message
...
Sorry about another blank post - too much coffee again ...

I'm not a fan of a single small Danforth, but I will explain why I would
favor a 35# Delta
with 5/16 chain and /16 nylon, over a 45# CQR with 3/8 chain and 5/8
nylon.

First of all, the Delta has been shown to set faster and hold better than
the larger CQR,
but assuming that their holding abilities are roughly the same, I favor
the lighter gear
because its easier to set and easier to retrieve. I've found that most
people, myself
included, tend to leave a heavy anchor where it is first deployed, even if
the situation
is not ideal. With light gear, I'll often reset if I'm not happy with the
result, or if
the situation changes.

So to answer your question, heavy gear deployed in a marginal position is
not as desirable
as lighter gear deployed in an optimal location.

Since I sail a lightweight boat, I have no desire to load it with
oversized gear; I'd
rather use the extra weight to carry multiple anchors and rodes, to use
when the situation
gets more complicated.

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
Also, using two lighter anchors is not the "heavier is better"
technique, that
would
advise using a single large CQR and a heavy chain.

Please indicate a situation where a lightweight danforth would do better
holding than a heavier danforth.

RB