What is your ground tackle setup?

[HeaveToo]

You want 1 foot of chain for 1 foot of boat usually.  Some would say that 25 feet of chain would be enough.  I like more chain and it helps the boat a little with the angle of the rode to the anchor.  It also helps to have more if you are in a blow or a bad storm at anchor. 

The Mantus is a good anchor, from reviews.  I would consider one.

My top three anchors would be:  Rocna, Manson Supreme, and then the Mantus.  All three being the new style anchors that are supposed to have superior holding. 

I do know that a Lewmar claw will work well on the Chesapeake Bay based on my previous experiences.  I do debate on what size to get for some things and I am a fan of a heavy anchor.  We get nasty storms in the evenings sometimes and it is comforting to have a heavy setup with NOAA is sending out weather alerts for storms with gusts to 50 knots.

[hoddinr]

It is a great idea to have two different types of anchors on your vessel.  Especially when sailing in waters where there is shallow sand over limestone hard pan, like the Florida Keys, Dry Tortugas.  The main point is that a Danforth or Fortress type will dig into shallow sand and hold while the plow, CQR, or Mantus would just skim along the surface sand where there is not enough depth of sand for it to bury itself.  Having the danforth in the cockpit locker saved my vessel at least once while out at the Dry Tortugas when a night time squall came up.

An Island Packet 44 had to cut both anchors away and sail out of the anchorages after BOTH of his identical Bruce (plow) anchors failed to hold.  The next day they were back tied up to the old coal docks diving for their anchors and chain.

Ron

[HeaveToo]

I always carry a danforth as a backup.  Still, knowing the local waters that you cruise helps.

I know that my Lewmar Claw will set in 99% of the places.  I also know, from experience, that the Danforth will set and hold.  The reason I don't favor the danforth is that when you get that strong wind gust at the beginning of the storm that is a 180 degree shift the Danforth won't reset, the Claw will.