In the SF bay, Danforths work fine. When I was in Belize, we had a primary
plow on 43' catamaran, which didn't hold no matter what we tried, but the
relatively tiny Danforth worked like a charm. I imagine that there is
something to be said for being familiar with what you have, along with
choosing the appropriate anchor.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

"Jeff Morris" wrote in message
...
Capt. Mooron wrote:
"Jeff Morris" wrote in message


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.


I've never experienced that with either of my CQR anchors. I found the
set was generally either a postive bite or a no-set.... and this is
immediatly noticable.

It could be the bottoms you're hanging on to.


I do not like danforths unless I'm setting in sand.

They bite instantly in sand, but they're even better in soft mud where
plow anchors often do the "slow drag." (I'm guessing you don't have much
soft mud where you are.) On other bottoms they can release and not
reset.




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.


My rational is that the 1/2" is for alternate use. I do not find the 3/4"
a hinderance at all... shock loading is handled by the chain and
snubbers if required.

Its a myth that chain gives shock absorbing in heavy whether. The
absorbing value starts at the maximum, and reduces to zero as the
condition worsens. If you use all chain or very heavy line, you need a
snubber.


I don't believe the Nonsuch 30 is a bigger vessel than mine at all.

Not a lot bigger, but somewhat bigger. And its a fin keel boat, not a
'crusher. In many ways, the Nonsuch is a 36 footer in drag.

LOA Nordica 30 29.49
Nonsuch 30 30.33
LWL Nordica 30 25
Nonsuch 30 28.75
Beam Nordica 30 9.77
Nonsuch 30 11.83
Displacement Nordica 30 10220
Nonsuch 30 11500
Sail Area Nordica 30 502
Nonsuch 30 540
Capsize Ratio Nordica 30 1.8
Nonsuch 30 2.1
Hull Speed Nordica 30 6.7
Nonsuch 30 7.18

In actual use it pays to utilize what works... and the system I now use
works.

On that I would agree with you. There are two different approaches to
anchoring: the "weight is great" approach, and the "light weight hi-tech"
approach. Both are self consistent and the choice is a personal one. I
went with the light weight approach because it offered me the best chance
of ending up in a spot I was comfortable with. With the heavier gear I
was prone to saying "I don't like it here, but I'll be damned if I'm going
to haul that thing again!" And of course with the catamaran, I wanted to
keep weight down, especially at the bow.