Delta anchors
- Thread starter san
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I have a 44lb delta on a boat that weighs twice what yours does. It's one size up from what the boat and anchor manufacturer recommended. Most boat supply catalogs have a sizing chart in the anchor section. I like it's holding power where we boat. We often have large tidal swings and the Delta has never failed us and we anchor four nights out of five.
Deltas have great holding power in the ground conditions that we use. I would also recommend up one size to the 33 lb. Then again, it depends on your comfort zone. If your just using it for a lunch hook then it will probably be fine. Un-attended or over nighters, go up to 33 lb. What are the bottom conditions???? Sand, rock, grass, mud?? Tidal swings or current shifts??
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LOL ! instead of just relying on the manufacturer claim, i also like to hear from foks who actually have experience with a product. ever seen a manufacturer telling someone "don't buy ours" ?
that said, i'd also go with the next size up unless you really don't have room for a larger anchor. i don't like the concept of a lunch hook... even if i just stop for lunch, i don't want my lunch to get cold because my anchor isn't holding
that said, i'd also go with the next size up unless you really don't have room for a larger anchor. i don't like the concept of a lunch hook... even if i just stop for lunch, i don't want my lunch to get cold because my anchor isn't holding
i agree with pascal....on everything
and will raise the thought of ....with in reason is an anchor ever really to big??? i do not mean a 100lb anchor on a 20' boat but if you are lamenting between a 22# and 33# obviously there is enough room....why not just go bigger....for peace of mind sake.
my primary anchor is a delta plow 35# plus i carry 90' of chain...i do not want to worry if my anchor will hold.
and will raise the thought of ....with in reason is an anchor ever really to big??? i do not mean a 100lb anchor on a 20' boat but if you are lamenting between a 22# and 33# obviously there is enough room....why not just go bigger....for peace of mind sake.
my primary anchor is a delta plow 35# plus i carry 90' of chain...i do not want to worry if my anchor will hold.
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When we were in the keys on the gulf side in 8 to 10 feet of water with all grass bottoms. It was windy and there were about 10 of us. I was the only one with a delta and I was the only one that did not have to reset my anchor and I only had about 2.5 to 3 times the depth of rod out.
DDL: I have a couple of questions. If you have the time to respond, I'd be grateful.
44 lb Delta on a 17 ton boat. I use a 33 lb (15 kg) Bruce w 60' of chain and 300' rode on a 6 ton 34' o/a. 3 bummers in 6 summers, and I'd blame myself rather than the anchor.
Where do you boat? IIRC you went North of Nanaimo last summer, but I can't locate your post. Can you give me some specific anchorages? Delta is developing a favourable reputation, and I'm thinking of adding it as a second anchor replacing a light Fortress. Any comments?
" ...four nights out of five." Well, then, there will be two of us out there.
We'll watch for you this summer. [:-blindfold]
Old_Salt
44 lb Delta on a 17 ton boat. I use a 33 lb (15 kg) Bruce w 60' of chain and 300' rode on a 6 ton 34' o/a. 3 bummers in 6 summers, and I'd blame myself rather than the anchor.
Where do you boat? IIRC you went North of Nanaimo last summer, but I can't locate your post. Can you give me some specific anchorages? Delta is developing a favourable reputation, and I'm thinking of adding it as a second anchor replacing a light Fortress. Any comments?
" ...four nights out of five." Well, then, there will be two of us out there.
We'll watch for you this summer. [:-blindfold]
Old_Salt
quote:
Originally posted by Old_Salt
DDL: I have a couple of questions. If you have the time to respond, I'd be grateful.
44 lb Delta on a 17 ton boat. I use a 33 lb (15 kg) Bruce w 60' of chain and 300' rode on a 6 ton 34' o/a. 3 bummers in 6 summers, and I'd blame myself rather than the anchor.
Where do you boat? IIRC you went North of Nanaimo last summer, but I can't locate your post. Can you give me some specific anchorages? Delta is developing a favourable reputation, and I'm thinking of adding it as a second anchor replacing a light Fortress. Any comments?
" ...four nights out of five." Well, then, there will be two of us out there.
We'll watch for you this summer. [:-blindfold]
Old_Salt
Actually the boat weighs in at 32000 lbs (full, fuel, water waste and equipped for cruising) and we have 300 feet of chain. That's 16 tons isn't it? I suspect the chain doesn't hurt. I've used a fortress in these same waters on a much smaller boat and had trouble getting it set. It seemed to want to float on the way down. I didn't like it.
As to specific anchorages most were in or near Desolation Sound last year but I'll try: Pender Hbr in Garden bay, everyone anchors there; Tenedos Bay in Desolation Sound north of the big island at the head of the bay in the 2nd or smaller bight. We stayed there 3 days stern tied to shore; Pendrell Sound about half way in on the east side in a little bight, again stern tied to shore; Teakerne Arm far eastern end, stern tied; Von Donop Inlet, 2 days far NE end; Francis Bay as deep inside as we could go; Octupus I. Marine Park right in the middle of the most western bay; Kanish Bay in northern bight before Small Inlet. Keep in mind we were in Desolation in early and mid-Sept and had most anchorages to ourselves or with 1 or 2 other boats, the exception being Von Donop where there were several boats. We've also used the 44 lb Delta on a lighter boat on other trips in Gorge Harbor, Thurston Bay, Cameron Hbr., Drew Hbr., Grace Hbr., Secret Cove, Princess Louisa and others and never had a problem with it holding.
Hope this helps.
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"I've used a fortress in these same waters on a much smaller boat and had trouble getting it set. It seemed to want to float on the way down. I didn't like it."
the key with the fortress is too make sure the boat is stopped as the anchor goes down, then bck up slowly as you deploy scope. i used very little reverse when deploying mine, i let the wind push me back. in very light wind (under 10kt) i will briefly pt one engine in reverse, on and off. if it's real windy, over 15/20kts, i often slow down the natural motion of the boat by putting the engines in fwd.
this way, i've only had my Fx55 fail to set just once. and once it's set, i know it's coming out, at least in the typical mud i anchor in. getting it out, usually requires some forward power or at least a couple of minutes with the chain vertical and taught.
that said, conditions in the PNW are obviously very different with so Fl !
the key with the fortress is too make sure the boat is stopped as the anchor goes down, then bck up slowly as you deploy scope. i used very little reverse when deploying mine, i let the wind push me back. in very light wind (under 10kt) i will briefly pt one engine in reverse, on and off. if it's real windy, over 15/20kts, i often slow down the natural motion of the boat by putting the engines in fwd.
this way, i've only had my Fx55 fail to set just once. and once it's set, i know it's coming out, at least in the typical mud i anchor in. getting it out, usually requires some forward power or at least a couple of minutes with the chain vertical and taught.
that said, conditions in the PNW are obviously very different with so Fl !
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I'm switching from a Delta to a Fortress for my main anchor this year. Bent the hell out of the Delta's shank last year while fishing. Didn't think it was coming up, had to spin the boat around and managed to free it. The shank is almost at a 90 angle now!
I have all chain rode so it sholdn't be a problem with the Fortress.
I figure if I bend the Fortress, they will replace the parts.
Just hope I never have to cut it free, not cheap.
Jonathan
I have all chain rode so it sholdn't be a problem with the Fortress.
I figure if I bend the Fortress, they will replace the parts.
Just hope I never have to cut it free, not cheap.
Jonathan
DDL:
Thanks for taking the time to respond. We frequent many of those anchorages when South of Johnstone Strait so that gives me a good idea of your use of the Delta. You can have Pendrell and Teakearne to yourself, though. I have never felt really comfortable going to sleep at the top of a cliff!
Old_Salt
Thanks for taking the time to respond. We frequent many of those anchorages when South of Johnstone Strait so that gives me a good idea of your use of the Delta. You can have Pendrell and Teakearne to yourself, though. I have never felt really comfortable going to sleep at the top of a cliff!
Old_Salt
Conditions in the PNW may be different than South Florida, Pascal, but the technique of getting my Bruce to the bottom, straight down, in a hurry, and letting the wind and current soak it in without too much extra rode out, works for me. So if you ever want to go for a boat ride in the PNW, I'm o.k. with you setting the anchor while I pour the Scotch.
Old_Salt