Best Anchor for Windless

[T.Z.]

Best Anchor for Windless

Happy new year all. I have just mounted a new pulpit and windless. I need an anchor.What is the best anchor to get.Something that will just fall when I hit the switch. I fish 30 to 150 feet.Some sandy some rocky bottom. Any input will be greatly appreciated.Thanks, Todd Zernick.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Best Anchor for Windless

Re: Best Anchor for Windless

Welcome to the forum, Todd. And Happy New Year!!! <br /><br />Anchors are numerous and varied, as are the opinions as to which is best and for what substrate. How any anchor performs will be effected by the scope of the rode and the length of chain (if any) on the rode near the anchor. Some anchors are great when using a lot of anchor rode played out; but otherwise lesser anchors may be a better choice if you use a shorter rode or less chain. One of the best resources I have found for anchor performance and selection are the evaluations published by Powerboat Reports. I’ll dig up some info on PBR’s evaluation of the ‘overall’ performers and post it.<br /><br />Btw, your anchor isn’t going to know anything about that windlass. It doesn’t care. However, you may need an appropriate bow roller for whatever anchor you decide.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Best Anchor for Windless

Re: Best Anchor for Windless

Lotsa info on this on the web. Do a Google search on Danforth. This is one of the more popular anchors for most bottoms and small boats (aircraft carriers excluded). They are made by slugs of manufacturers. They are about the only one used in south Florida.

 

[Sea Six]

Re: Best Anchor for Windless

Re: Best Anchor for Windless

The World's Best (and most expensive) Anchors!<br /> http://www.fortressanchors.com/

 

[Boatist]

Re: Best Anchor for Windless

Re: Best Anchor for Windless

Frotress is a great anchor and I love mine but they are not for everyone. If you find your spot put motor in reverse and drop anchor this anchor may not be for you. Th Fortress is very light so unless you have lots of chain to drop anchor you must find your spot, put motor in reverse until get some sternway then take motor out of gear and pay out line until anchor hits bottom and you have proper scope then tie it off at set anchore. The anchor is a great anchor and it dig in fast and deep but being light if you get too much stern way the anchor may never hit bottom.

 

[Capn Mike]

Re: Best Anchor for Windless

Re: Best Anchor for Windless

The most common Columbia River anchor is a rocker-type....shaft with a "T" and flukes on each end of the "T." Heavy, and drops nicely, even in current (can't find a picture @ this moment). I second Boatist' comment....I tried a Fortress and it sailed away too easily in currents.

 

[Bahama J]

Re: Best Anchor for Windless

Re: Best Anchor for Windless

I have used a Danforth on several boats (23' size) and have dragged anchor several times. I have also used a CQR on a Golden Hind 31 when we lived aboard on the Chesapeake Bay. We never drug with the CQR. But the secret is using 30' of chain as well as the nylon rode.<br /><br />Based on 40 years of sailing I would bet my life on a CQR.

 

[T.Z.]

Re: Best Anchor for Windless

Re: Best Anchor for Windless

Thanks for all the input guys. One thing I dont want to do is spend to much money on something that might get away.I have a large stainless steel Rock anchor. After fitting it up on the pulpit,it looks like it will work pretty good.I have had pretty good luck with it in the past. Thanks again for all the input.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Best Anchor for Windless

Re: Best Anchor for Windless

I had problems with a Fortress setting and worried that if it came loose from swinging it wouldn't reset. Not good if you're sleeping. <br /><br />This is what I replaced it with.<br /><br />

<br /><br />It also drops much better than the Fortress did. Of course you have to unhook the bungee cord first!

 

[Stratocaster]

Re: Best Anchor for Windless

Re: Best Anchor for Windless

Read up on Bruce anchors. I've had two, and I can say that in the Pacific NW they are amazing. I've stayed solidly dug in while boats all around us have dragged, on more than one occasion. Every time I pull that sucker up it has thirty pounds of mud on it! The Bruce knockoffs (eg: The Claw) are a lot less expensive if that is a concern.