Delta Plow selection help

quote:
Originally posted by Delaware Jim

I have a slightly different opinion about the Delta Plow... in 2007, I lost my Danforth anchor coming up the ICW in SC (snagged it)... I purchased a Delta Plow in Charleston coming north and had repeated failures in getting it to set in the muddy bottom in SC and NC... I finally wound up staying in Marinas teh rest of the way home as I could not trust it... I finally returned it for credit...

In short, the nature of the bottom is the key to the anchor type needed... I now have a heavy claw anchor tied onto the anchor rode, and a Danforth stored as a backup/use when needed for conditions.

Jim

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Well, like I said, it is all a matter of technique. Those are my primary cruising grounds and we anchor out extensively. There probably is not an anchorage in either state that will fit our boat that we have not over nighted in, and many several times. Georgia too. I can list them all if you like. Zero holding issues with our Delta, including some known tough spots like Beaufort SC with fast clocking tidal currents.

George
off to Cape Lookout Bight in the AM!
Hatteras 56MY
Boston Whaler 130 Sport.
 
I used a Delta 55# on my 40' Silverton coupled to 5/16" HT chain with mixed results. I found mine to be terrible in mud and it gave me problems setting in heavy grass. Some may say a 55# is overkill for a 40' power boat but I do not. This year I purhcased a new 88# Delta from Defender for $540. When one considers all the hype being thrown at the Rocna and Manson anchors, my 88 from Defender was a great bargin. One would need to consider remortgaging his home in order to purchase a comparable heavy Rocna anchor. YEAH, again some may think an 88 is gross over kill. But I want to be able to sleep without worrying "are we slipping??"

A comment on chain. Yes, chain does help set an anchor. But if your in a storm, chain is no better than just plain three strand in regards to holding.................NOT TO STRENGTH or chaffing. A good storm will pull chain as tight as a steel rod; there are many pictures of such conditions around on the net.

I am a big fan of OVER KILL with anchors if one has an adequate windlass. Think about it!

Foggy
 
I agree, you can't have to big an anchor as long as you have a windlass to handle it.

And that a combination chain and line rode is the way to go in a storm. Or an all chain rode with a long snubber line. You need the weight and abrasion resistance of the chain combined with the stretch of the line to absorb the bucking and transient loads placed on the anchor as the boat moves in the wind and waves.
 
We used our 44lb delta on our 46 footer from the Cheasapeake to Key West and beyond on a 5 month adventure this spring/summer. We only did 6 x one night marina stays. This means we were almost always on the hook, in all kinds of weather, bottom conditions, tide swings and current conditions. If set properly this thing works extremely well. If you are having difficulties getting this anchor to set on the east coast then your doing it wrong ;) We got pretty good at anchoring this year!
 
I went to the boat this past weekend and looked at the anchor while I was there. I couldn't find anything stamped on the anchor that would indicate a model, size, etc. I did measure it: height=34", stock length=27" and the fluke length=22". I pulled the batteries the weekend prior, so I'm going to have to wait till Spring to check the weight of the anchor and length of the chain.
 
Ya just gotta love the test conditions. I know, you have to pick something, and they did. But frankly, 20kts isn't really "bad conditions". It is certainly reason to find a spot sheltered from the waves, but winds reach 20kts during thunderstorms all of the time. Which means that the test conditions are lower than common situations you might not only encounter, but also when you really need the holding power.

Note that I am NOT picking on Danforth ( TY to Danforth for publishing information on their anchors. ), but on the industry. It seems that most anchor mfgrs test and publish results for conditions that are below "storm conditions". They should be aware that I am not greatly concerned about typical/average conditions where a large chunk of concrete ( or an old 8D battery wrapped in plastic ) would make an excellent anchor. Boaters need to know if it will hold when Muther Nature "cops an attitude". Tell me if your anchor will hold during a 50kt micro-burst. Now that is useful info.
 
And that is why you should always use the biggest anchor you can. At least one size up from the manufacturers recommended size for your boat.

Just because the day or night starts out good doesn't mean it's going to stay that way.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Capt. Bill1

Just because the day or night starts out good doesn't mean it's going to stay that way.

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Now that's a true statement!
 
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