On Thu, 20 May 2004 18:34:50 -0400, "Gene Kearns"
wrote:

On Thu, 20 May 2004 08:20:46 -0400, Peter W. Meek
wrote:

On Wed, 19 May 2004 17:54:46 -0400, "Gene Kearns"
wrote:

pwmeek wrote:
On adding chain to the rode: I like to have chain
equal to the weight of the anchor. Unless you
are anchoring in coral or some other abrasive
bottom, six to ten feet is plenty, so you up the
size of the chain to get the weight up. With a
25# danforth, use ten feet of 1/2" chain (overkill
for strength, but about the right weight).

If you are using this for the original 19' boat.... you certainly
*will* be anchored....

Actually, that IS the rig I use on my 20' center
console. I occasionally wish it were lighter, but
not as often as I am glad I have it when I make
a first-try set on hard clay in a 4 kt current.

I usually find that only an inch or two of the
flukes have penetrated into the clay when I
retrieve. Once another boat, that failed in
making a set, t-boned me (his side/my bow).
On that retrieve, nearly 6" had dug in.
Maybe not typical, but it's MY worst-case
anchoring problem.


A Danforth is absolutely the worst anchor you could be using if your
conditions are clay. Danforth's are beautiful in sand and soft mud,
but nearly useless in hard clay. I'd go for a lighter plow type
anchor like a S-L Delta set-fast. Less back breaking work and more
holding power.

My Bruce works well in clay. Also works in mud and sand and just about
everything. I have a CQR, Danforth and Bruce and just about always use
the Bruce as the primary anchor. It sets and resets fast, holds well
and is easy to break out.

Steve