Bahamas (Abaco's) anchoring

[madhatter1]

What kind of bottom? I have had good luck with true Danforth (Guardian aluminum) in FL in sand. I know how to set and bury it. Plus I have a large (same type) stern anchor that I can take way out and drop where I want with the dinghy. We will only be anchoring in fair weather in locations of reduced or little current. So only thing to basically worry about are pop up storms. I was thinking go to a big Bruce as recommended but do I need to? Plus I am very familiar with setting the Danforth.

Should I explore new anchor type as must have or am I better off with what I have and am familiar with?

 

[Pascal]

Problem with danforth is that sometimes they don’t reset on a current switch especially if grass is involved.

I m a big fan of Bruce/Claw anchors. Been using them for years and years everywhere from cape cod to the Exumas. The key though, like any anchor is to over size it. I ve used a 110 pounder on a 70 and a 176 on an 84. They ve held us in some real nasty blows.

 

[Dan Mapes]

We had a danforth aluminum and I would never recommend it in the Bahamas. We used it at Great Sale Cay once. It wound up bouncing across the bottom. When I pulled it up it was a ball of sand and grass. Wound up with a delta (larger than spec'd) that worked well enough.
I'd vote to leave that danforth home.

 

[madhatter1]

Is the bottom loose sand and grass?

 

[Pascal]

Most of the times in the Bahamas the bottom is sand, often with grass. Except in areas with current where it s rock and hard to get a set, it s noted as scoured on the charts

In 15 years and probably over 1000 sets I can count on the finger of one hand the number of times the Bruce didn’t set on the first time.

 

[Fanfare]

I have used real Danforth 35HT steel anchors for years in the Bahamas. Almost always set except sometimes where large balls of grass roots get caught between the points, another time where I caught an underwater lawn chair. I use all nylon rode. Drop anchor, fall back with wind or current letting out +/- 50 ft of line, hand tug until you feel it grip, then back down gently to be sure it is set. Then I release 10X (water depth plus 8 ft. bow height) (I am not that good at math!) Back it in with reasonable reverse. Since many Bahamas anchorages have strong tidal currents I usually do a Bahamian moor, taking a second 35HT from the bow chock outside the rail to the stern, dropping back on the bow anchor line another 50 ft or so, drop the second, now stern, anchor, pull boat ahead on the capstan while tightening the stern line until positioned in the center. You will pivot around this point with tide changes. No bowsprit on the 50MY so always some hand work getting the anchor in.

I usually use reverse to pull my primary anchor deep into the bottom until the flukes are buried. Sometimes nothing of the anchor shows at all, just rode going into sand. Have to use the engine to get it out, capstan and often a brief hard reverse to wash the debris off. Never had one of these pull out. Keep a 60HT for storms but haven't had to use it in years.

I usually swim the anchors to be sure they are set. Many cuts between the shallow bank and the deeper offshore places are nothing but scoured out coral. Your set as above will feel fine but you are only hooked on a bit of rock. I don't think any anchor can hold you safely there. You are better off behind an island in the sand where you can be secure.

Sailboats use all chain rodes and swing differently than a power boat on chain or nylon. I like lots of room to swing. My GPS has an anchor drag alarm which I try to remember to set at the anchor drop point not after anchor is set.

There is nothing better than being in a secure anchorage, preferably without another boat or light in sight in the Bahamas, to justify owning a boat. Enjoy it!

 

[madhatter1]

A friend has a 44 pound Delta I am going to try. I looked at the 66 pound claw and it just looks way too big and heavy.

 

[Pascal]

A friend has a 44 pound Delta I am going to try. I looked at the 66 pound claw and it just looks way too big and heavy.

44 lbs for a 46 footer is too small especially if you have a tower. Ridiculously big is how i like my anchors!

 

[Captain Ralph]

44 lbs for a 46 footer is too small especially if you have a tower. Ridiculously big is how i like my anchors!

I was about to type the same thing.

Weather in the islands can change quickly and get ugly, last for 10 minutes and sunny/calm again.
Put something substantial down rite the first time and relax.
I learned this the hard way thinking a lunch hook for a few minutes would work,,, NOT..

 

[Pascal]

The concept of a lunch hook has never made sense to me… I don’t want my lunch to get cold because my anchor is dragging

This is what a mean by “ridiculously big” : this 116 I m running these days came with two 200 pounder like the one of the port side. After the first trip to the Exumas 3 years ago, I replaced it with a 400 pounder. Even with 12:1 scope the smaller anchor would barely hold. These big ones are hard to find but Sam’s had a couple of them left from when Hatteras was building 100 footers…. Now I sleep well at night but still use an anchor alarm on my cabin

 

[madhatter1]

I put the 44 Delta on this morning. It shrank once on the boat. Going to check it out and then probably going to get either the 55 or the 70. Plus add some chain.

 

[Pascal]

I put the 44 Delta on this morning. It shrank once on the boat. Going to check it out and then probably going to get either the 55 or the 70. Plus add some chain.

Deltas work great in a variety of bottoms incl grass but not in soft mud. Not an issue in the Bahamas

 

[madhatter1]

Okay, I’m sold. Had a decent current in Johns Pass and dropped the hook and let the boat drift back, pick up speed, and pull out rode. Hit the up button to lock windlass and when the line got tight it snapped the boat around to an instant stop. This was sand mixed with silt from the tides. Impressive. I’m thinking the 55 pound with a decent amount of chain should be good.

Might buy the 44 pound anyway and put on the 34.

 

[Captain Ralph]

Okay, I’m sold. Had a decent current in Johns Pass and dropped the hook and let the boat drift back, pick up speed, and pull out rode. Hit the up button to lock windlass and when the line got tight it snapped the boat around to an instant stop. This was sand mixed with silt from the tides. Impressive. I’m thinking the 55 pound with a decent amount of chain should be good.

Might buy the 44 pound anyway and put on the 34.

The real test, self setting when pulled around.

 

[ian w]

So are fortresses good in the Bahamas

 

[Dan Mapes]

So are fortresses good in the Bahamas

They work well enough in marinas. Sorry. I would never recommend an aluminum version in the Bahamas.

 

[rsmith]

Save the money on all that anchoring crap and get a slip every night. You’ll sleep better. And while all those poor bastards are swinging around on their anchors at midnight in the middle of the white out thunder squalls that come through about then, you can be sipping arum and coke at the local watering hole.

 

[bostonhatteras]

Save the money on all that anchoring crap and get a slip every night. You’ll sleep better. And while all those poor bastards are swinging around on their anchors at midnight in the middle of the white out thunder squalls that come through about then, you can be sipping arum and coke at the local watering hole.

X2 I've never slept well on the hook, ever. In a crowded anchorage, over night a strong wind came up and I ended up standing at the lower helm for about four hours ready to press the starter buttons. Or some ass with a 25' boat tells you you're taking up too much swinging room despite you were there first. You'll be looking over your shoulder every time you leave the boat on the hook. Everyone else will be laughing and having a great time and you'll be entirely consumed in thought about what's happening with the anchoring system. just my .02

 

[ian w]

I did anchor off Powell key one year ,went to sleep,then woke up off Spanish key 4 miles away

 

[Pascal]

No a FX is not great in the Bahamas as they clog and don’t reset on a tide shift

As to anchoring vs docking, we much prefer anchoring, even on the job where we don’t have to pay for the dockage. Big anchor, good spot and an anchor alarm by my bed. Better view, nice breeze, privacy. So much better than a marina! We anchor close to 100 nights a year, never dragged or lost sleep.