Navy anchors

[Paul Frederiksen]

Picked up a navy anchor at a yard sale. It weighs 35 pounds and cost me 25 bucks. I am thinking it is about perfect for a storm anchor for my twenty foot boat. Anyone have experience with these. They look like a danforth and work on the same principle but are cast out of iron and the flukes are about an inch thick and have a tear drop shape. You see big ones hanging off the big ships.

[Paul Frederiksen]

Picked up a navy anchor at a yard sale. It weighs 35 pounds and cost me 25 bucks. I am thinking it is about perfect for a storm anchor for my twenty foot boat. Anyone have experience with these. They look like a danforth and work on the same principle but are cast out of iron and the flukes are about an inch thick and have a tear drop shape. You see big ones hanging off the big ships.

[Paul Frederiksen]

Picked up a navy anchor at a yard sale. It weighs 35 pounds and cost me 25 bucks. I am thinking it is about perfect for a storm anchor for my twenty foot boat. Anyone have experience with these. They look like a danforth and work on the same principle but are cast out of iron and the flukes are about an inch thick and have a tear drop shape. You see big ones hanging off the big ships.

[paladin]

Yup. It's about the right size. Attach 60 feet of 3/8 inch BBB chain and 700 feet of 1/2 inch braided nylon anchor line and it should work. Now all you need is a similar size CQR, a 45 lb. Fisherman and a 50 lb. Grapnel and similar line arrangements for your forward anchors and duplicate for stern anchors and your set! http://media5.hypernet.com/~dick/ubb/biggrin.gif

[paladin]

Yup. It's about the right size. Attach 60 feet of 3/8 inch BBB chain and 700 feet of 1/2 inch braided nylon anchor line and it should work. Now all you need is a similar size CQR, a 45 lb. Fisherman and a 50 lb. Grapnel and similar line arrangements for your forward anchors and duplicate for stern anchors and your set! http://media5.hypernet.com/~dick/ubb/biggrin.gif

[paladin]

Yup. It's about the right size. Attach 60 feet of 3/8 inch BBB chain and 700 feet of 1/2 inch braided nylon anchor line and it should work. Now all you need is a similar size CQR, a 45 lb. Fisherman and a 50 lb. Grapnel and similar line arrangements for your forward anchors and duplicate for stern anchors and your set! http://media5.hypernet.com/~dick/ubb/biggrin.gif

[Andrew]

All that would sink my canoe.

[Andrew]

All that would sink my canoe.

[Andrew]

All that would sink my canoe.

[Mike Field]

Well, I wouldn't like to dampen your enthusiasm, Paul, but I always understood that the "big-ship-stockless" anchors (I assume this is one) are a snare and a delusion on small craft. They can't be trusted to hold, except as deadweights -- for which they're not heavy enough.

Apparently the main reason they're so popular is that they stow nice and easily with their shank in a hawsehole.

(Actually, I suspect their effectiveness on big ships, too. But how often do those vessels ever anchor?)

So I wouldn't be jettisonning your CQR, fisherman, or Danforth just yet....

[Mike Field]

Well, I wouldn't like to dampen your enthusiasm, Paul, but I always understood that the "big-ship-stockless" anchors (I assume this is one) are a snare and a delusion on small craft. They can't be trusted to hold, except as deadweights -- for which they're not heavy enough.

Apparently the main reason they're so popular is that they stow nice and easily with their shank in a hawsehole.

(Actually, I suspect their effectiveness on big ships, too. But how often do those vessels ever anchor?)

So I wouldn't be jettisonning your CQR, fisherman, or Danforth just yet....

[Mike Field]

Well, I wouldn't like to dampen your enthusiasm, Paul, but I always understood that the "big-ship-stockless" anchors (I assume this is one) are a snare and a delusion on small craft. They can't be trusted to hold, except as deadweights -- for which they're not heavy enough.

Apparently the main reason they're so popular is that they stow nice and easily with their shank in a hawsehole.

(Actually, I suspect their effectiveness on big ships, too. But how often do those vessels ever anchor?)

So I wouldn't be jettisonning your CQR, fisherman, or Danforth just yet....

[rbgarr]

You don't say in your post what size/type boat you'd use the anchor for but in general, I agree about the dubious usefulness of the navy anchor design for smaller craft. They were designed to be used with massive all-chain rodes and secure storage against metal hull sides via hawsehole as mentioned, with storm anchor attributes way down the list of design criteria.

Nevertheless, I use an 8 lb. version for a rocky beach dinghy anchor, and just wedge it in among the rocks. It is less painful to stub a toe on in the bottom of the boat! Good luck!

[rbgarr]

You don't say in your post what size/type boat you'd use the anchor for but in general, I agree about the dubious usefulness of the navy anchor design for smaller craft. They were designed to be used with massive all-chain rodes and secure storage against metal hull sides via hawsehole as mentioned, with storm anchor attributes way down the list of design criteria.

Nevertheless, I use an 8 lb. version for a rocky beach dinghy anchor, and just wedge it in among the rocks. It is less painful to stub a toe on in the bottom of the boat! Good luck!

[rbgarr]

You don't say in your post what size/type boat you'd use the anchor for but in general, I agree about the dubious usefulness of the navy anchor design for smaller craft. They were designed to be used with massive all-chain rodes and secure storage against metal hull sides via hawsehole as mentioned, with storm anchor attributes way down the list of design criteria.

Nevertheless, I use an 8 lb. version for a rocky beach dinghy anchor, and just wedge it in among the rocks. It is less painful to stub a toe on in the bottom of the boat! Good luck!

[Dale Harvey]

True navy pattern anchors don't hold very well. Only slightly different Sea-Claw pattern by Wilcox-Cittenden works great. Igorance on the part of boaters unable to distinguish between the two may have been one of the key elements in thier demise. They are now in reproduction with a cast bronze head and a heafty pricetag. Hold well without chain on a short scope for fishing, where you don't want chain ratteling around. Storm anchor? Not for me. Fisherman or CQR, several not one.

[Dale Harvey]

True navy pattern anchors don't hold very well. Only slightly different Sea-Claw pattern by Wilcox-Cittenden works great. Igorance on the part of boaters unable to distinguish between the two may have been one of the key elements in thier demise. They are now in reproduction with a cast bronze head and a heafty pricetag. Hold well without chain on a short scope for fishing, where you don't want chain ratteling around. Storm anchor? Not for me. Fisherman or CQR, several not one.

[Dale Harvey]

True navy pattern anchors don't hold very well. Only slightly different Sea-Claw pattern by Wilcox-Cittenden works great. Igorance on the part of boaters unable to distinguish between the two may have been one of the key elements in thier demise. They are now in reproduction with a cast bronze head and a heafty pricetag. Hold well without chain on a short scope for fishing, where you don't want chain ratteling around. Storm anchor? Not for me. Fisherman or CQR, several not one.

[Paul Frederiksen]

should have mentioned that this is a 20' day sailer/weekend cruiser in sheltered waters.

700' of rhode!?! where the blazes are you anchoring at, the mariana trench? If I have that much I could just tie it off to a tree. http://media5.hypernet.com/~dick/ubb/wink.gif

[Paul Frederiksen]

should have mentioned that this is a 20' day sailer/weekend cruiser in sheltered waters.

700' of rhode!?! where the blazes are you anchoring at, the mariana trench? If I have that much I could just tie it off to a tree. http://media5.hypernet.com/~dick/ubb/wink.gif

[Paul Frederiksen]

should have mentioned that this is a 20' day sailer/weekend cruiser in sheltered waters.

700' of rhode!?! where the blazes are you anchoring at, the mariana trench? If I have that much I could just tie it off to a tree. http://media5.hypernet.com/~dick/ubb/wink.gif

[Paul Frederiksen]

At 25 bucks it will make a good lawn ornament at least.

[Paul Frederiksen]

At 25 bucks it will make a good lawn ornament at least.

[Paul Frederiksen]

At 25 bucks it will make a good lawn ornament at least.

[paladin]

Well....700 feet of rode gives you an anchoring depth of 100 feet, but with that anchor you need 8 to 1 or 9 to one scope...so...at 9 to one you can hold in about 75 feet of water.....don't forget the chain http://media5.hypernet.com/~dick/ubb/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by paladinsfo (edited 07-07-2001).]

[paladin]

Well....700 feet of rode gives you an anchoring depth of 100 feet, but with that anchor you need 8 to 1 or 9 to one scope...so...at 9 to one you can hold in about 75 feet of water.....don't forget the chain http://media5.hypernet.com/~dick/ubb/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by paladinsfo (edited 07-07-2001).]

[paladin]

Well....700 feet of rode gives you an anchoring depth of 100 feet, but with that anchor you need 8 to 1 or 9 to one scope...so...at 9 to one you can hold in about 75 feet of water.....don't forget the chain http://media5.hypernet.com/~dick/ubb/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by paladinsfo (edited 07-07-2001).]

[Stephen]

I have a 21' boat that I sail on the west coast of Canada. I use a 35 pound Navy with approximately 10' of chain and then 250' of braided line. I use my anchor A LOT. It has yet to fail me. It is not just "dead weight" as others have said here. I have seen it set perfectly in several types of bottom. It has no sharp points - so I can stow it up forward and not worry about it wrecking anything. I think it is a great anchor.

[Stephen]

I have a 21' boat that I sail on the west coast of Canada. I use a 35 pound Navy with approximately 10' of chain and then 250' of braided line. I use my anchor A LOT. It has yet to fail me. It is not just "dead weight" as others have said here. I have seen it set perfectly in several types of bottom. It has no sharp points - so I can stow it up forward and not worry about it wrecking anything. I think it is a great anchor.

[Stephen]

I have a 21' boat that I sail on the west coast of Canada. I use a 35 pound Navy with approximately 10' of chain and then 250' of braided line. I use my anchor A LOT. It has yet to fail me. It is not just "dead weight" as others have said here. I have seen it set perfectly in several types of bottom. It has no sharp points - so I can stow it up forward and not worry about it wrecking anything. I think it is a great anchor.

[Scott Rosen]

Just finished re-reading LF Herreshoff's The Compeat Cruiser. He has nothing but contempt for the stockless navy-style anchors. He considers them worse than useless. He favors the fisherman type because it holds on short scope, although you need a pretty heavy anchor for a given size boat. I don't think the CQR was around in the early 50's when Herreshoff was writing.

The only anchor I've used that holds in any bottom is the CQR, and it comes in a small 15 lb model for small boats. I've never dragged with a CQR down, and it's always set on the first try and the design makes it almost impossible to foul with your rode. I also have a Fortress, which spends most of its life disassembled in my bilge. I used it once, and it held fine in mud, but I wouldn't trust it for anything other than a lunch hook in light weather. I wouldn't bother with a fisherman, because for my boat, at 30 feet, I'd need about 70 lbs., and that's just too heavy for me to handle. I get better holding with a 25 lb CQR, and I carry a 45 lb CQR just in case.

Anchoring is not the place to look for bargains or to skimp. You may not think you will need a heavy duty anchor, but it only takes one freak squall off a lee shore to appreciate the peace of mind you get with good ground tackle.

[Scott Rosen]

Just finished re-reading LF Herreshoff's The Compeat Cruiser. He has nothing but contempt for the stockless navy-style anchors. He considers them worse than useless. He favors the fisherman type because it holds on short scope, although you need a pretty heavy anchor for a given size boat. I don't think the CQR was around in the early 50's when Herreshoff was writing.

The only anchor I've used that holds in any bottom is the CQR, and it comes in a small 15 lb model for small boats. I've never dragged with a CQR down, and it's always set on the first try and the design makes it almost impossible to foul with your rode. I also have a Fortress, which spends most of its life disassembled in my bilge. I used it once, and it held fine in mud, but I wouldn't trust it for anything other than a lunch hook in light weather. I wouldn't bother with a fisherman, because for my boat, at 30 feet, I'd need about 70 lbs., and that's just too heavy for me to handle. I get better holding with a 25 lb CQR, and I carry a 45 lb CQR just in case.

Anchoring is not the place to look for bargains or to skimp. You may not think you will need a heavy duty anchor, but it only takes one freak squall off a lee shore to appreciate the peace of mind you get with good ground tackle.

[Scott Rosen]

Just finished re-reading LF Herreshoff's The Compeat Cruiser. He has nothing but contempt for the stockless navy-style anchors. He considers them worse than useless. He favors the fisherman type because it holds on short scope, although you need a pretty heavy anchor for a given size boat. I don't think the CQR was around in the early 50's when Herreshoff was writing.

The only anchor I've used that holds in any bottom is the CQR, and it comes in a small 15 lb model for small boats. I've never dragged with a CQR down, and it's always set on the first try and the design makes it almost impossible to foul with your rode. I also have a Fortress, which spends most of its life disassembled in my bilge. I used it once, and it held fine in mud, but I wouldn't trust it for anything other than a lunch hook in light weather. I wouldn't bother with a fisherman, because for my boat, at 30 feet, I'd need about 70 lbs., and that's just too heavy for me to handle. I get better holding with a 25 lb CQR, and I carry a 45 lb CQR just in case.

Anchoring is not the place to look for bargains or to skimp. You may not think you will need a heavy duty anchor, but it only takes one freak squall off a lee shore to appreciate the peace of mind you get with good ground tackle.

[paladin]

700 feet of anchor line for the Marianas Trench...hell man, thats not even adequate fishing line there.

[paladin]

700 feet of anchor line for the Marianas Trench...hell man, thats not even adequate fishing line there.

[paladin]

700 feet of anchor line for the Marianas Trench...hell man, thats not even adequate fishing line there.

[Ed Harrow]

Speaking of anchoring, have you noticed how the "new" sailboats veer back and forth when anchored/moored in a breeze. Plays hell on anchoring. We've some friends that have a new, fast, googe boat, and they have way too many anchoring horror stories.

[Ed Harrow]

Speaking of anchoring, have you noticed how the "new" sailboats veer back and forth when anchored/moored in a breeze. Plays hell on anchoring. We've some friends that have a new, fast, googe boat, and they have way too many anchoring horror stories.

[Ed Harrow]

Speaking of anchoring, have you noticed how the "new" sailboats veer back and forth when anchored/moored in a breeze. Plays hell on anchoring. We've some friends that have a new, fast, googe boat, and they have way too many anchoring horror stories.

[Scott Rosen]

High topsides = high windage at anchor.

Add that to a light displacement, fin-keel round-bottom boat, and you have a boat that will literally sail on its anchor rode, tacking back and forth. Lots of the plastic stinkpots do the same thing. Ed, you won't have that problem with your new boat. http://media5.hypernet.com/~dick/ubb/smile.gif

[Scott Rosen]

High topsides = high windage at anchor.

Add that to a light displacement, fin-keel round-bottom boat, and you have a boat that will literally sail on its anchor rode, tacking back and forth. Lots of the plastic stinkpots do the same thing. Ed, you won't have that problem with your new boat. http://media5.hypernet.com/~dick/ubb/smile.gif

[Scott Rosen]

High topsides = high windage at anchor.

Add that to a light displacement, fin-keel round-bottom boat, and you have a boat that will literally sail on its anchor rode, tacking back and forth. Lots of the plastic stinkpots do the same thing. Ed, you won't have that problem with your new boat. http://media5.hypernet.com/~dick/ubb/smile.gif