Anyone rigged for a second anchor?

[zigzag930]

The majority of large cruising sailboats I've owned have had dual anchor rollers, but I've never seen this setup on a Hatteras. Is anyone using more than one anchor and if so, how do you configure for that?

I have a large plow anchor currently installed on the roller, but would like to be able use the all rope side of the windlass for a large Fortress anchor when needed. I haven't been able to figure out how to do that without removing the plow (Delta) from the roller.

Any thoughts or ideas?

 

[Pascal]

The fortress is light so you may not need a separate roller. You could hand drop it under the rail Other wise you need a second roller

The question is why would you want to use another anchor? Have the FX has a back up yes but otherwise just use your primary. Upsize it if you have to.

We anchor maybe 150 times a year and I ve never needed to use a second anchor. My primary is always oversized though

 

[zigzag930]

I wouldn't want to use a second anchor, but I was thinking I might want to use an alternate style anchor depending on the bottom conditions.

 

[Pascal]

Where are you from? Do you reply anchor in such different bottoms that you may need a different anchor? I can’t really imagine a situation where I d want to use a fortress without chain over a delta.

The only possible case would be in very very soft mud where Deltas aren’t the best although unless it’s really blowing, putting another 30’ of chain usually helps.

I don’t think it s worth trying to set up for a second anchor.

 

[zigzag930]

Live in SW Florida, but heading to the Exumas, Bahamas in the spring. I"ve had issues with plow anchors not holding well over in the Abacos, so thought having a different anchor available would help me sleep at night.

 

[JuiceClark]

I always keep a fortress anchor somewhere around the cockpit. On a Post, I had it mounted on the inside freeboard with those clip things the points slide down into. (pic below) There's SO much room under the cockpit of a 52C, I'll just keep one down there....when I find one used or on sale.

When fishing under a bridge or anchored around other boats, you should tie one off the back to keep the stern from blowing around and hitting something/someone.

 

[Pascal]

Been going to the Exumas for 15 years or so. Your delta will be fine as long as it is oversized... your profile says 58... on a 58 I d want something around 100 lbs.

Personally I m not a big fan of deltas as they don’t work well in soft mud. I ve been using Bruce/claw forever and they just work. Cheap too.

These days we only use our 53 for local cruising with a 75 Davis which is like a Delta. Whenever we start going to the Bahamas I will put a 110 claw/bruce

We just returned from a 6 week shakedown Exumas trip with the 116 lazzara i started running. It has two 196 Pool anchors which are useless. We were anchored 5 weeks out of 6 and everytime I had two use 12 to 14:1 ratio to hold. I spent time on line searching for an adequate anchor and ironically found it right here at Sam’s: a 396 stainless Pool. Picking it up this week...

 

[Captain Ralph]

We have 2 x FX85 on board for spares. Broke down and taking up minimal room. 20 foot chains and hundreds feet of 1" twisted nylon below.
All Collecting dust.

Our oversized Bruce/Claw with 300' chain has held up to every thing thrown at us, all over the south east, Tortuga and the Bahamas.

One day, I may thin one out.

I remember in the old days, A main anchor and a lunch hook. We never did the lunch hook thing. Same amount of effort to set / recall either one.
So, even if just for a quick set, Big un goes down.

 

[Pascal]

Yep. The concept of a lunch hook is plain dumb unless you want your lunch to be cold.

 

[zigzag930]

Thanks to all for the input.

I'm running too light with the current 65lb Delta, so will look for a 110+ hook that will fit.

We are pretty heavy at around 50tons, so I know the bigger the better for a good anchor set.

 

[Bob Bradley]

I've used a second anchor regularly fishing for blackfish (tautog) in Long Island Sound on wrecks. You have to be spot on with the anchor set. Wrecks in LIS are an oasis of fish in the middle of a mud and shale desert of nothing.


Step 1: locate wreck and drop wreck marking float on it (plastic gal jug tied off to Folgers coffee jug full of cement)
Step 2: position boat over wreck and drift away on current and wind
Step 3: drive back up past marker and 100 - 200' past (depending on speed of drift)
Step 4: drop first anchor, set anchor and see how close to marker you set up
Step 5: if not right over wreck, pull forward and set 2nd anchor to compensate - move side to side by pulling one and letting out more rode on the other.


Its easiest if you have a windlass with a capstan. You can wrap the 2nd anchor line around the capstan in the opposite direction of the primary anchor rode. Stepping on the button pulls on one while releasing on the other.

I don't like the Fortress anchors. They take forever to set and often drag across the bottom way too long before doing so. I think they actually float.

 

[miboatnutz]

Actually had a lengthy discussion with sister (co-owner of the boat) regarding this very subject a few days ago. Two fundamental questions arose.

1. Do most people carry two anchors aboard their boat? On our Chris Craft we actually have three anchors. One on the bow in an anchor roller (Delta), one on the foredeck (Danforth) and one in a locker on the aft cockpit (another Danforth). On the Hatt we only have one anchor which is a Danforth in the bow anchor roller.

2. On motoryachts, specifically the 53MY where do people store the second anchor? I'd like to put a second one on the foredeck in chocks like the Chris but the anchor takes up a lot of space. Actually had another crazy idea which was to put it in chocks on the swim platform. My thoughts were to put it somewhere so if I ever needed a second anchor in a hurry such as in a storm, it would be readily accessible.

 

[Pascal]

I have a backup FX 55 on my 53 which is stored under the forward bed (my forward stateroom now has a centerline full size). Will take 10 minutes to get it out which isn’t ideal. Some folks store them on deck but I’dlnt like the clutter.

I don’t think I ll ever really need to deploy the second anchor in a hurry. That would only be necessitated by loosing the primary and loosing both engines. Unlikely.

In all these years I ve only had to use the second anchor once, last month when the starboard anchor got jammed in its hull pocket by rough seas between chub and Nassau. So we used the port and I freed the stuck anchor the next day. First time in 30 years I had to use the back up.

 

[Scarlett]

Been from Mexico all through the South Pacific, New Zeland , Australia, Indonesia all the way to Thailand for 12 years and never needed anything more than a 66 lb Bruce with 300 feet of chain on my 43 foot sailboat. So I agree with most comments here. Have a backup anchor stored somewhere in case the worst happens and you lose your primary. John

 

[Fanfare]

I always keep two 35HT Danforths rigged on the foredeck, stacked one atop the other. I don't have a bowsprit so each goes out over the gunwale. I have often needed to use both in the Bahamas to rig for tide change, Bahamian moor. I always use nylon rode because I have an all rode windlass, no chain wildcat. I carry 50 ft. of heavy chain but seldom use it because hand lifting is a pain! I also carry a 60HT Danforth storm anchor although just one 35HT generally holds just fine. Also have a 45 lb. Danforth plow which I seldom use.

Fanfare came from the factory with a 500 lb. pull Ideal windlass which I damaged during an unfortunate altercation with a beach. Replaced it with a 1,000 lb. Ideal which has been fine. I am a 12v. boat so the wiring is impressive.

 

[jim rosenthal]

I don't think Fortresses float, but I wonder if they plane. They work better with a lot of chain to keep them on the bottom.

 

[Captain Ralph]

I don't think Fortresses float, but I wonder if they plane. They work better with a lot of chain to keep them on the bottom.

The lightness of the anchor it self may cause it to fly in the water. Then the chain is required as SOP to get it down. When on the bottom, they set and dig in per plan.
I have used many Fortress anchors thru the many years, NO complaints as long as the has SOME chain ahead of them. Then, they preform very well. Well used as working kedges on our work boats.

As I noted earlier, I have 2 FX85s as spares. Broken down, they stow well in a forward storage locker. Chain and Nylon on the ready (so for many years).

I send down the beast (Bruce/Claw) with all chain, when I want to hook up, first try and sleep (or lunch) well.