DSK wrote:
"Jeff Morris" wrote

This is certainly contrary to the universal experience of cruisers.
Of course, pound for pound the CQR is particular inefficient,
especially at the smaller sizes. Perhaps you should get a modern
version of the plow.



We're thinking about either a spade or a bruce.


The Spade certainly has received a number of converts lately. I've
been very happy with Delta anchors, though if I were commissioning now
I might pick the Spade. While the Bruce sets quickly, its holding
power is rather limited.


Capt. Mooron wrote:

The CQR is my favourite anchor. If you set properly with correct chain
and rode... there is no reason to doubt the plow design as being
effective.


OK, how do you set it properly? We've been using a CQR anchor for two
years with less than stellar results... it's never dragged but it is
often slow to set and appears to not like a wider range of bottoms than
I'd have thought. If I can find a good enough deal on a replacement,
we're taking it off.

Prompt setting is a problem with the CQR. I got rid of mine partly
for the reason. The balance on it is such that it can land upside and
drag for 100 feet or more before it flips over. One solution is to
let is sit for 10 minutes or so before backing down. With the Delta I
wait for about 30 seconds to a minute so the point will start to dig
in, but it always lands point first because of the extra weight in the
tip.

In in very thick mud, the thick shank of the CQR can inhibit digging
in - that's part of the reason they went with a thinner shank on the
Delta, and also a reason not to use very heavy chain.

Another reason to go with a Delta or Spade is simply the weight
efficiency. Unless you have an electric windlass (or a cattle prod to
enforce discipline) the extra weight becomes a negative incentive to
resetting if the first set does not work out as desired. I've never
dragged a well-set anchor, but I have regretted my location a number
of times.


We have a 35# Danforth also but it's stowed in the lazarette and is a
PITA to get out & deploy.

One virtue of the Danforth-style is quick setting in many bottoms,
making it handy in emergency situations. I keep a Fortress with
modest chain on deck as secondary. It helps to have two bows!




.... My 26lb stainless plow with 100 ft of chain is my main anchor.
The chain is fastened by swivel shackle to 300 ft of 3/4" rode.
My second anchor is also a plow, galvanized, with the same set up. I
also have a 50lb steel fluke and a 60lb fisherman's anchor with 30 ft
lengths of chain for each and a spool of 1/2" braid I can use as rode.



1/2" braid anchor rode for a 30-footer?!?! And you should get longer
chains for your backups. Take 25' off the chain on your CQR and put it
on the fluke & fisherman.

That's a bit thin - I use 9/16 NE Rope 3-strand for all my rodes. The
3/4 inch, on the other hand, is overkill, since it won't stretch
enough to reduce shock loading. My previous boat (a Nonsuch 30 which
is somewhat bigger than the Nordica) came with 100' of chain and a
thick rode - I was much happier when I downsized everything and
replaced the CQR with a Delta.



We have 40' of 3/8" HT chain on each anchor. I'd rather have more but we
often anchor in 5' and that puts the chain right at the sampson post.

I use 50' of 5/16 - enough to reach the windlass gypsy in the deepest
water I normally anchor in. It does mean I've had 15:1 scope a few
times, but what of that?


I'd like to have a fisherman anchor, probably need one about 75#, as a
backup but they are horrible to stow.

The Luke can be broken down to fit in a bilge, but its expensive. A
lot of people are going to a large Fortress as a storm anchor, since
it can be broken down. The holding power of a FX-85 is immense.