Contentious topic: what anchor is best for general use on a NS30C? We have a 10kg CQR on 75’ of 8mm chain and 150’ rode. Usually works well, especially when solidly embedded in a hectare or two of weeds. Last week in strong wind gusts we dragged anchor (Toronto outer harbour, 40’ deep into mud and clay, 25kn+ gusts). I like Bruce anchors but others may have other experiences. Probably 15kg would be better. What style and weight is good, bad or ugly?
BTW, we installed a Lofrans Lion 1000 anchor winch last year, well worth it, wonder how we survived before.
BTW, also installed a Lewmar 140TT bow thruster, use it when docking our fat boat into a small space in a crosswind, can’t say enough about it.
I have a Bruce which worked really well during a particular windy night on this year’s 4th of July weekend in Fisherman’s bay on Lopez island. There were a lot of boats in the bay, and a lot were dragging - the air blue with curse words. Our Bruce worked fine with lots of scope - despite a little tacking. I would have felt more secure if I had a Rocna or a Spade, but work with what you got.
Howard Wright
Merrythought NS26C
Friday Harbor, WA
I changed my Bruce to a Rocna Vulcan anchor, 15 kg.( believe) after getting advice from two serious sailor friends and reading reviews. The anchor sets easily and has held well in shifting winds. The most wind I have experienced with this anchor is 25-30 knots. it also fits onto the roller and the bow pulpit, very important!
We have the following primary and secondary anchors on our 30C, always use the CQR as it sets vey easily and holds very well.
26# CQR Plow w/ 60 ft 3/8" chain and 200 feet 5/8" nylon rode
33# Bruce Claw w/ 100 ft 1/4" chain and 250 feet 3/4" nylon rode
Windless - Lofrans Royal (manual)
We have only had an issue once where it didn’t set correctly due to heavy weeds, winds kicked up to 30kn+ and started to drag, luckily we were onboard and were able to quickly haul it up and found a more sheltered spot. And took note to test by backing down more/longer in the future!
Will Benjamin
Nonsuch 30C 181
Bainbridge Island, WA
We have a 15 kg Bruce on 60 feet of 5/16 G4. We have endured all manner of the nasty weather and it has never let us down. The only event that occurred was due to a poor choice of anchoring location
For what it is worth, I have a N 36, my bower is a spade 45 LB (replaced a 45LB CQR) it has very similar dimensions to the CQR and fits the bow pulpit very well. I had found that the roll bar anchors did not fit well, the spade had very favorable test results with a heavily weighted tip, it sets very quickly and performs well in wind direction changes, I also oversized the recommended size. I have 200 ft. of 3/8" chain and 100 ft. of 5/8" nylon 3 strand, I use two 1/2" nylon snubbers attached with a long soft shackle, my windlass is a Newmar V2. I keep a secondary anchor ready on the bow for soupy liquid mud, a 37 lb Danforth high tensile, it has 60 ft of 3/8 chain with 200 ft of 5/8" 3 strand nylon. I anchor out frequently and this combination gives me great peace of mind, cheap insurance for my money. In reserve I keep a 60 lb Manson as a storm anchor below, I thankfully have not needed it as of yet and I have not YET dragged.
We have a Spade S80 on the bow roller with an electric winch. We’ve only anchored about a dozen times (we got it last season and have a mooring ball at home). The Spade has been completely reliable: set it, reverse to 2,000 rpm just to make sure, and go to sleep. The first 75’ is 5/16" G4 chain, spliced to 150’ of three-strand nylon rode. We keep a Fortress as a kedging/back-up anchor; it hasn’t been out of the lazarette yet. All recommended.
Safe sailing!
John Hinman
Larkspur, N30U #351
Center Harbor, ME