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

This is one of the problems with a lot of chain: it makes it impossible
to feel when the anchor grabs.


I disagree..... I can definitely feel a solid hook up with chain. Matter of
fact I can see the chain become taut when the set is placed. If motoring I
back down for 30 seconds at 1800rpm.... otherwise I drop on the downwind and
pay enough to keep the rode straight.... then come about hard to whichever
side the anchor is on and allow the momentum to back me down for the set. I
get an 80% success rate and the failures are readily seen, felt and
corrected by another attempt.

Backing at 1800 for 30 seconds? You ought to be able to tell with a
range if you're holding.

I've seen people do the "downwind toss" - it looks slick when it
works. But more often than not I'm trying to place the boat within 10
feet of a spot. I usually don't have the luxury of an open anchorage.



I really don't know how you guys have such a hard time with CQRs... It's a
great general purpose anchor. I might have dragged 4 times in the last 20
years... none critical.

As I say, I like to end up in a predictable spot - the CQR felt like a
crap shoot. As for dragging, in the 12 years I've used a Delta I've
never dragged after setting. In fact, I never dragged with a CQR, I
just had trouble setting it and didn't like the weight. Dragging 4
times doesn't sound that great to me.

OK, there was one time with the Delta: we anchored for the afternoon
and noticed a slow drag immediately. Since we were planning to lunch
in the cockpit and relax for a hour or so, and had about 1000 yards to
the lee shore, we let it be and enjoyed the changing perspective. We
found out later we had anchored in soft spoil from the Boston Big Dig
and nothing was going to hold.

...