I have a carver 370 aftcabin and my current anchor is a CQR 35 lbs. The entire boat is enclosed so there is a large wind effect. I have drug the CQR, the bottom was mud and sand. Now there is a sale on Claw anchors and I can get a 66 lbs claw for $75. This seems like it would be worth a try for that amount of money. I have checked and the windless will handle the weight. Now is that too much weight (anchor) for the anchor pulpit and or the boat.
Anchor question
- Thread starter PJ
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I have always gone one size larger than recommended for the boat size. I had a 32# claw anchor on my 32 Mariner and never lost anchorage even in stiff winds. You need to take into account where you anchor out, but it seems to me 66# may be overkill. Make sure you have at least 10-15 ft of chain. $75 for a 66# anchor sounds like a steal.
We have a 22 lb delta for our 3207, a boat size which is allegedly within that anchor's specs according to Lewmar, but I agree with cmariner32, I'd go one step bigger. We're on relatively quiet lake now but someday we'll buy a 35. However, anchor size aside, I found a decent length of chain really does make a huge difference in dragging. When we bought the boat the anchor rigging ("ground tackle") was awful, just a tangled mess of rope and about three feet of chain. I think they put just enough chain on that anchor to cross the bow pulpit and reach the chain locker over the windlass and that was it. We replaced the old chain with about 12 feet of chain instead and it made a huge difference. (I know 12' is still nothing for many boaters, but the max depth of our lake is only about 45 feet.)
370 Motoryacht
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My 370 has a 28lb danforth and I have never dragged it.
I think the pulpit wouldn't have a problem for 66 lbs, people stand out there all the time without issue.
I think the pulpit wouldn't have a problem for 66 lbs, people stand out there all the time without issue.
Yep, go up one size for sure. CourtShip - do you have a SeaWolf windless? I'm going for 150' of chain this year from 50'. Mostly because I hate when the windless jams on the chain/rope connection. The claw or Bruce anchor is by far the best for Georgian Bay andthe high winds we get once in awhile.
It is hard to recommend a certain type of anchor since every area is different. I have a 35 lb Delta that I was going to put on my 3608. It currently has a Danforth style anchor on it (not sure of the weight). This anchor has worked so well for me (only 1 season) that I have decided not to put on the Delta yet. Personally I think that 66 lbs is overkill for your 370.
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You can't beat a claw in the mud... Except a fortress but in my opinion it s not a good option in SC as you often anchor in tidal creeks and on e clogged with mud danforth do not reset
If your pulpit, roller and windlass can handle it, that 66lbs claw is the last anchor you will ever buy. I have held thru a 60kts squall with 3" hail (cracked a windshield) in Dewees creek without dragging a foot (176lbs claw in a sky lounge 70)
I ve never had good luck with deltas when anchored in mud, especially soft mud the shape if a delta just doesn't give enough holding power in soft mud. Sand, rocks is fine though
If your pulpit, roller and windlass can handle it, that 66lbs claw is the last anchor you will ever buy. I have held thru a 60kts squall with 3" hail (cracked a windshield) in Dewees creek without dragging a foot (176lbs claw in a sky lounge 70)
I ve never had good luck with deltas when anchored in mud, especially soft mud the shape if a delta just doesn't give enough holding power in soft mud. Sand, rocks is fine though
We dont know the circumstance of when you dragged. There are a zillion factors at work but bigger is usually better and that claw should keep the earth from moving if you have enough chain.
I dont favor CQRs; they just dont set well in many conditions.
i often wonder about reports of dragging anchors. Mostly I think they failed to set properly or failed to reset. With enough scope it would take a lot to drag any well set anchore through the mud. By design, once set, they are supposed to dig deeper if they drag.
I dont favor CQRs; they just dont set well in many conditions.
i often wonder about reports of dragging anchors. Mostly I think they failed to set properly or failed to reset. With enough scope it would take a lot to drag any well set anchore through the mud. By design, once set, they are supposed to dig deeper if they drag.
Wait one....donning Kevlar......There we go......the anchor serves two purposes. Get the tackle to the floor and make the initial grab. Beyond that, it's scope that is going to keep you in place. A Nimitz class carrier displaces 97,000 long tons. Each anchor and chain weighs a total of roughly 735,000 pounds. Do the math. I asked my first CO about the weight differential and anchor not dragging. He told me he could prove that in theory, he didn't need an anchor as the motion of the ship helped to bury the chain. Then he went on to say his commission was more valuable to him than his damn theory!
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Yes you can make up for a small anchor with extra chain and that works up to 10kts... Over that you need the hook to set.
Every week end I see guys dragging their anchor, it s very entertaining actually... But I bet those guys blame it all on their anchors when in fact it almost always the lack of scope, usually 2 to 3:1, along with backing up too fast...
I think over the last 5 years I ve using claws between the Bahamas and cape cod, they only fail to set on first attempt twice. And on average I anchor something like 200 times a year Pretty good odds
Every week end I see guys dragging their anchor, it s very entertaining actually... But I bet those guys blame it all on their anchors when in fact it almost always the lack of scope, usually 2 to 3:1, along with backing up too fast...
I think over the last 5 years I ve using claws between the Bahamas and cape cod, they only fail to set on first attempt twice. And on average I anchor something like 200 times a year Pretty good odds
Thanks all this has helped with my decision I will try it and see. If I dont like it, I can the sell it for what I have invensted. I have about 15 feet of chain and I always use plenty of scope. Yes when I have drug, wind and tide have been the issue, between capers and Dewees is my favorite anchorage.
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Scope is key.. 7:1 is a good starting point but if you have room a little more doesnt hurt In tight places I sometimes set with more scope and then reduce it to 5:1 or even 4:1 (all chain) although in that case resetting may be a problem
No, we have a Good Windlass, F850A, from the Good Windlass Company in New Jersey. They've been making that same model for a million years. Pretty good, handles both the chain and the nylon three strand rode pretty well, never had any problems with it yet.