What is your ground tackle setup?

[HeaveToo]

Just curious on what everyone else is using for ground tackle. 

I am using a 22lb Lewmar Claw anchor and I am going to 30' of 1/4" chain.  I think that is a pretty solid set-up.  I have another 120' three strand rode.  The rode has markers every 30 feet.

My set-up is based on what I am familiar with.  Doing a lot of cruising on the Chesapeake Bay I know that most of the anchoring is in mud.  On my past boat, Catalina 30, I used a 30 pound claw anchor with 30' of 1/4" chain and never failed to get a set.  Only once I had to go and try to set because it didn't set on the first try.  That set-up held my 10,000 boat in a 50knot storm where the initial gust sailed me 180 degrees and directly over where my anchor was set.  The claw seems to re-set well.  I figure that for my 3,500 pound Compac 23 a 22 pound claw should do just as well.

My equation:  Big solid hook + good amount of chain = good night's sleep!

Ever anchor with a questionable anchor and felt your mind wandering when you tried to go to sleep?  Then you wake up several times during the night and get out of bed quickly to make sure you are still where you anchored?

I have only drug anchor once.  Nothing like waking up at 3:30 in the morning and realizing that there is a small chop in the anchorage and it isn't hitting the front of your boat!

[Bob23]

  I use a Danforth type anchor. It's homemade out of stainless steel (no, I didn't make it- bought it at a nautical flea market) with about 20' 5/16" chain and 100 feet of 1/2" line. Keep in mind that the average depth of Barnegat Bay is about 10 feet, and that's being generous. I also carry a spare line which is 150' of 5/8"line. Both are stored in the forward compartment which I've divided into 2 separate compartments.
  I also have a spare Danforth (forged), don't remember weight, with another 100' 1/2" line that I keep in the port cockpit storage area. Whenever I anchor overnight, I deploy 2 anchors- cheap insurance and it reduces swing significantly.
  Now, mooring tackle is a whole different story.
Bob23

[NateD]

I am using a 22lb Lewmar Claw anchor and I am going to 30' of 1/4" chain.  I think that is a pretty solid set-up.  I have another 120' three strand rode.  The rode has markers every 30 feet.

I had the same setup on my 23. I had a backup wicked over sized Fortress and another 150' of rode if needed. The claw worked great in Mississippi mud, never drug in the mud. There was one night where I was anchored in a sandy bottom and the boat did drag a little (I think) during some nasty gusts. The boat to starboard of me that night (a Precision 23) broke completely free and darn near ended up on the rocks that night.

I've got a 2kg claw and 20' of 1/4" chain on my 16 now, held during 25-30mph gusts in sand this summer. I stayed up on anchor watch since it was my first night in those kinds of conditions with the boat, but she didn't budge and I'll sleep through the next one.

[Bob23]

  On a sidenote: I rarely sleep well when anchored in high winds, even though I have confidence in my ground tackle. I'm up every hour, looking at the compass, noting wind direction change and checking the barometer. The later is probably not necessary but it makes me feel like a real sailor.
   On another side note, next year in addition to the SS main anchor carried on the bow pulpit, I plan to carry a large (size?) forged Danforth on the bow rail so that'll give me a total of 3 anchors, each with it's own rode. I like cheap insurance!
Bob23

[HeaveToo]

Eventually I will do a 25 pound Manson Supreme and 30'-40' 1/4" chain.  That would be my ultimate set-up.  The new anchors get good reviews and a lot of the hard core cruisers that I know use them. 

I do get up from time to time with the Compac.  It is a new to me boat and I am still learning her.  I also hit my legs and arms on things since I am not use to my V-berth yet.  I also need to add some padding to my extra-firm new mattress (time to custom cut an egg crate mattress).

How hard to you guys back down on the anchor? 

I tend to back down very hard.  I gradually increase the throttle.  I use to back down to 2,000 rpms or more on my Catalina 30 and I knew that I had a nasty set.

I have gotten down on the Compac 23 sometimes but I have been able to hand pull the anchor up from time to time.  I always like it best when I have to use the motor to break the anchor free.

Another crazy one is when you get a cross chop in the anchorage.  I had one once on my last trip and it freaked me out at 2:00 am because it woke me up and I was very nervous, at first, when the waves were hitting the side of the boat.  I got up quickly and turned on the depth finder.  I saw 5 feet so I went back to bed!  LOL.  5 feet use to make me nervous and I am still getting use to seeing that and thinking I have plenty of room.  Still, I rarely anchor in anything less than 7 feet (old habits die hard).

[BruceW]

I've got a bruce-alike, from previous boats, so it might be a bit small. I have seen the Mansons, and there's a knockoff called Mantis that a friend uses. Anyway, I have a bow anchor roller that it sits in, with some, maybe 10 feet of chain and a spool of rode. My plan is to, ugh, drill a hole in the deck for the deckpipe, and run the anchor rode and chain into the locker. I guess I'll tie a board or something on the bitter end.

Or, maybe I'll take the dang thing out of the roller and keep it eleswhere so I can deploy from cockpit. I really like that method better than going to the bobbing foredeck to bend over and let the anchor out.

[HeaveToo]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYfoki6vW-M

I watched that video last night.  It is pretty good.

I agree with him.....Oversized anchor, oversized gear.  Multiple anchors complicate things!

[bob lamb]

Bob23;  what exactly is your mooring technique?  Probably putting my little ship  out there sometime soon.

BobL

[Mas]

Hey HeaveToo, i am assuming you are talking about a galvanized Manson 25lb? the stainless stuff costs more than some 23's!

30 ft of chain was more than i first thought i would use. why so much? has it been needed vs a smaller length? Just curious as we consider the ground tackle needs for No Mas. Her chain was removed at some point and only have rode at present, well heck only have wheel chocks at present!

[Bob23]

Bob Lamb:
   I can't believe you asked me this almost a year ago and I'm just seeing it!   My mooring tackle:  At the bottom I have a 5 foot screw in auger with a 8" plate screwed all the way to the bottom of the bay. And yes, put in by hand during a blow-out tide.  To that, 1/2" galvanized chain which gets replace every 4 years or so. The chain leads us up to our next stop- the 18" mooring ball which really serves as a marker and to float the chain. The very end of the chain has a galvanized ring which holds 2 5/8" lines which form my bridal and they each have their own float to help prevent entanglement with the chain. They each run through the chocks and are cleated off.
   Wish I had a pic of this: It would be much clearer than my early morning babblement.
Bob23

[BruceW]

In our creek, the guys use steel cable from anchor to chain, then chain & line. This is due to the deep mud.

I will be getting that setup when I can. For now, just a bruce-alike and chain, then rode. I will add more chain than the 10 feet I have also.

I do like the idea of marking the line, but I've been slack on that also.

[Mas]

All right you Chesapeake Bay 23 owners, HeaveToo has his ground tackle described, which has 30 feet of chain. Guess that what is needed for our Bay? The chain with her was removed, as were a few other items, so before we put her in the water again want to add enough chain to get the job done. We anticipate being on the hook a lot rather than staying at slip until we return to port. She will be in the water at a slip in-between trips. So what are the recommendations for chain and rode for our little boat? I also would rather have one good hook and line to do it all rather than multiple hooks and chain/rode. Makes stowage in the chain locker easier. We do have a separate Danforth style and separate chain/rode pipe for the stern if needed. Again minus the chain and rode at present. Just the anchor.

Thanx much all!

[cw021382]

No mas, on Empathy I have a 25lb mantus anchor, 30' of 5/16 HT chain, Crosby 5/16 shackel, and 300' of 1/2" 3 strand.  That is my primary setup that lives on the bow roller.  I also carry a 30lb sascot cqr knockoff with 10' of chain and 150' of  5/8" 3 strand for backup in a locker.  Also a 7lb Danforth stern anchor. 

Chris

[Mas]

Hey Chris, think i remember your sailing grounds as Florida, East coast?. Know you went to Abacos and surrounding area. Was the ground tackle your usual or did you acquire more for the trip?

Planning on using the Danforth for the stern and either upgrade the existing bow anchor and keep it as spare or a least add chain and new rode. Do you have a separate hawse pipe for the additional bow setup or just kept separate?

Dont hesitate to pm me or call if you any further info from your contact.

OBTW, Congrats on the addition to family!

[cw021382]

Home for me is Missouri lakes.  However, I bought Empathy specifically to trailer to new cruising grounds each summer.  The backup lives in a locker not on the bow.  I think all the new Gen anchors are good designs, and I only chose the mantus because I got a great deal on it.  I would like to replace the orginal Danforth with a fortress.  I oversized everything because I am comfortable pulling it by hand, multiple times if necessary for a good set.  You don't need such large ground tackle on a 23 95% of the time but when you wake up in the night to a storm it sure is comforting.

-Chris