ksanders
Moderator Emeritus
NW we anchored 99% of the time for 8 years while full time cruising. Crushed coral, loose mud, heavy weed, packed sand, dirt on top of ledge. You name it. Was using a Rocna and very rarely a danforth when conditions required. Often in fresh breeze or with occasional squalls. Yes, I’ve changed my practice in response to what other more experienced cruisers explained to me and then from the result of my own experience. It’s not the weight of the anchor but rather the resistance of the substrate above it that translates to holding power. If you disturb the substrate above the anchor it will remain disturbed and generate less resistance from that point forward. Gentle pull on the anchor will allow it to continue to dig in over time further without much disturbance of the overlying substrate. We dived or looked at our anchor daily. Over several days (and not with a few minutes of backing down) it would bury completely. Using the new technique we never moved an inch. Big downfall of roll bar nextgens is the possibility of dislodged with significant shifts in current or wind. When fully buried had occasions the shank didn’t ****, the anchor stayed fully buried and the boat stayed put in sustained 20 to 30. Anchor weight is helpful in getting the anchor buried. Holding power is increased by increased fluke area as well. But the key issue is how much substrate is above the anchor and is it sufficiently compacted to offer good resistance.
On this I think we’ll agree to disagree.
I agree with your go slow technique. Maybe not as belated as you but the idea is the same.
Just take it easy and slow setting the anchor. Go too fast and it will just skip or lightly bury. Go slow and it will stick and stay stuck.
I am also a HUGE believer in lots of scope. You may need to shorten scope in a crowded anchorage but if you set your anchor at 7:1 you'll get a better set and then you can shorten if need be.
BTW I love my 33kg SARCA EXCEL but unfortunately I have to move to a anchor with a shorter shank for my new Bow Pulput Removal project, so I went with a Mantuc BR2 bow roller and a M2-85 pound anchor for my 47' boat.
Last edited: