"Doug Dotson" wrote in message
...
I have to agree that the CQR is more difficult to set and there is
definitely a technique to setting it. I saw far more CQRs in the
Bahamas than any other anchor. Our 45 poundes saved our
cookies when the Spade wouldn;t set. You can;t just drop it
and back down on is though. Our Spade just flopped over on its
side and dragged and wasn;t heavy enough to get a bite.


One lesson learned in our Nonsuch, which refused to back in a straight line
anyways, was to just wait for a few minutes, and then very gradually add backing
power. This certainly works for the Delta which almost always sets within a few
feet of where it lands; I've heard that CQR owners use the same tecnique and I'd
guess it also works for the Spade.

A Fortress (or Danforth) however, shouldn't need this as long as there is enough
scope - 2:1 is too little, 3:1 is better - its very satisfying to feel it dig
in. Of course, more scope should be let out in most situations.

I'm planning on getting a 45 lb Fortress as a sand/grass anchor and
also to use as a storm anchor.

45 pounds? Do you mean the FX85 which is 47 pounds? This a monster (the shank
is 51"), which I wouldn't mind having as a storm anchor, but it seems a bit
large to keep on deck. How big is your boat?

BTW, I've had Danforth style anchors tear out some weeds, then flop over and
refuse to reset because the weed is holding the flukes up. THis is why I
wouldn't use a Fortress as the only anchor overnight, except possibly in soft
mud. Perhaps the FX85 is big enough to avoid this problem, but how can you
really be sure?



DOug
s/v Callista