Anchor Size

[erebus]

Spent some of the winter putting a new lewmar windlass on my 23 Sceptre.
My Sceptre has a nice teak pulpit for hanging the anchor, and previously I used a typical danforth, but it never really fit right and with the bow access on the Sceptre and a tiny wife, it was kind of a pain in the ass.

The anchor pulls up through a slot in the pulpit so, it doesn't stick way out over the bow, which is kind of nice. No typical bow roller, its got a roller in the slot.

Anyway, I'm switching over to a Lewmar Delta Anchor, and I have in my possession a 9# and a 14#.
The 9# fits fine, but I'm not sure its heavy enough.
The 14# I'd have to make some modifications to the pulpit, and then it would fit "pretty good".

So do you think the 9# would be sufficient for a 23 Sceptre with a bracket and a 225 ETEC?
There's 10' of chain on the rode, and I only anchor up at the beach for afternoons here on Cape Cod.

Just looking for some opinions on the weight. Ive already got the anchors, and really don't want to go back to the danforth. Not sure it would work with the line angle from the windlass anyway.

Thanks!

Here's a pic of the original setup. Windlass is now where the Hawse pipe was.

[smilinmatt]

I've got a 14# plow with 12' of 3/8" chain on my 23' Sceptre. The plow doesn't hold well in soft sand (I had one instance where I couldn't hold in 15-20 knots in 40'), but otherwise does well. If you only need it for anchoring on the beach, the 9# should be fine. If you're ever in an emergency situation where you need to make sure the boat stays put, I'd want the 14# on there.

[erebus]

Originally Posted by smilinmatt

I've got a 14# plow with 12' of 3/8" chain on my 23' Sceptre. The plow doesn't hold well in soft sand (I had one instance where I couldn't hold in 15-20 knots in 40'), but otherwise does well. If you only need it for anchoring on the beach, the 9# should be fine. If you're ever in an emergency situation where you need to make sure the boat stays put, I'd want the 14# on there.

Thanks, that's helpful.

95% of the time were anchoring in 3-5 ft of water (in sandy bottom) with a stern anchor also, and winds 10-15 at the very most.

Guess I'll try the 9#er for now and switch to the 14# if I run into any trouble.

[Beaver]

Since I use my 18 for spearfishing I’m constantly anchoring and it’s super important that it holds because I’m out of the boat. For me I hate pulling heavy chain and big anchors. I’ve found a light anchor with at least a boats length of chain holds really well. I run 23’ of chain on my 18 with a slide ring anchor and have had good success. The extra length keeps the anchor parallel to the bottom and protects the rope from chaffing.

[wattaway2]

Getting older and I’m a big fan of the Guardian and Fortress aluminum anchors

[Fr. Frank]

More important than the anchor is having the proper size and amount of chain and rode deployed.

For instance, I know that a 12# plow anchor will hold a 23' Tsunami/Scepter in the channel at Bahia Honda, with the current running 7 knots, AND in a thunderstorm with 50 knot winds and not drag even a little bit...IF it has the proper length and size chain, sufficient rode deployed, and the anchor properly set

I've held bottom in that location with my 23' Tsunami when a sudden squall came up in the middle of the flood tide and I was unable to start my motor. We didn't drag an inch. I was anchored in 22' of water with a Spade model 40 12# galvanized anchor hooked to 24' of 5/16" grade 40 chain which was in turn shackled to about 150' of deployed 3/8" nylon anchor line (out of 600' on board). I had to get a jump start later to get back to the ramp.

Oldtimers (like me) will tell you truthfully that the proper length of chain for your primary anchor in ordinary conditions is the length of your hull. Not an inch less. The correct length of anchor rode (chain + anchor line) to deploy is 7 times the depth (7:1) in windy or high current conditions, down to a minimum of 4 times the depth (4:1) in calm conditions.

I still use a Spade model 40 on my 18' SeaCraft, but only 300' of anchor line. I also carry an extra Spade anchor on board, broken down and stowed in the hull, along with an additional 300' of line and 20' of chain.

[Fr. Frank]

Spade anchor, rated in 2012 by Practical Sailor magazine as the best anchor you could buy.