So, let’s see.
Last autumn we emptied the boat, and going through the stuff that was stored outside in a shed.
27 lb CQR, 7 lb grapnel, 18 lb grapnel, and a larger must be almost 30 lb grapnel. The CQR was on the bow roller.
On our 26, thinking about a Rocna or equal.
Would you keep 4 anchors on board? The smallest grapnel maybe for a dinghy…
What do you have on board?
Last summer was our first summer, this summer is going further afield, so suggestions welcome.
John, ns26c Kingston, bath on.
My boating is in areas with mainly sandy bottoms. Have been using a Rocna, very satisfied with the performance. Sets and re-sets quickly. Breakout isn’t inordinately difficult. I’ve carried a second anchor but never used it. I guess that depends on the kind of boating you plan to do.
27 and 30, depends on the bottom, 18 makes a good lunch hook of the stern. 7 definitely for the dinghy..
Cheers
Brian McCuaig. NS30u
Whitby, Ontario
“Having a yacht is reason for being more cheerful than most." -Kurt Von.negut
Grapnel is used to retrieve your lost Ankor lines Danforths are great in sand 22 lb would work well on a 26 ft boat ,CQR s don’t work so well in sand better in clay and muck. And how much chain well in the Bahamas 10 to 15 ft and good Ankor road your good . If your traveling having four Ankor is smart I have left many ankors locked in a reef and was glad that I had extra. My boat a 33 we have two plows ,two Danforths and one folding yachtman also called a fisherman 40lbs .good luck
What anchor? One of those questions that will never see a “final answer”. I think it depends on where you will be anchoring and some anchors that are popular and effective in one type of bottom are deadly in another. So look what other folks use and like in your area.
That said I think some anchors need size. CQR for example, the folks I know who use one swear nothing under 35 lbs works well. And avoid knock offs. Up in the North Channel where we anchor 90% of the time in grey clay bottom I use a 33lb Bruce with 5/16 G4 chain on my 26. Works wells and any issues we have had have been due to operator error not the anchor. Bruce recommended a 16lb anchor for a 26. There are many Bruce knock offs, avoid them at all costs. When you compare them side to side you will see why. Up north they are the most popular design because in that bottom they work well.
Now you can only find used Bruce anchors, but you can find them on ebay and similar places. I have see a fair number of Rocna and Mason but have no experience with them.
Danforth and Fortress anchors are around as well. I don’t use one as I feel they are terrible at resetting in clay or weed when they wind shifts. Of boats that I have seen dragging most are Danforth. That said, in sand / gravel bottoms maybe they are fine.
Chain matters as well, you need IMHO 60 feet to create sufficient cantenary effect on the anchor. Anchoring, take your time, let it settle in, if possible let the wind drift you back then slowly add reverse. If you are not happy where you are, move. Time will make it less of a happy place.
Double anchoring. In some cases quite popular to deal with current or tidal action. . Where we are I’d never do it. If I have to move in the middle of a midnight thunderstorm and 40k of wind I so do not want to be dealing with that concept. One BIG anchor up she comes and off we go.
Cheers
Thor
One anchor in the great lakes just remember to mouse your shackle and secure the bitter end of your rode. Why would they have those heavy grapnels on board? And the CQR would be a far better anchor in any case.
We bought a 10kg knock off shiny Bruce style anchor at the boat show on sale just like this one:
https://ca.binnacle.com/p2609/Anchor-Bruce-Type-10-Kg-316-Stainless-Steel/product_info.html
It works very well and has dragged only once in mud and a very strong wind. It sets in mud and weed and resets quickly if the wind shifts. It looks great after 10 years of use.
You need a length of chain. We now have 35 feet of heavy chain and this works well taking up shock loads. The Nonsuch likes to dance around on anchor.
You may be tempted to go to a heavier anchor but just remember that you (or your partner) have to lift the chain and anchor and if you are in deep water that can be very heavy at first.
Tom
26C
Penetang
Primary is 15 kg Bruce shackled to 50’ of 5/16" chain, spliced to 250’ of 9/16 "8-plait nylon rope. Back-up is a Danforth 13S on a similar rode. Since installing an electric anchor windlass I always use the primary anchor. Back-up is stowed below. I do secure the bitter ends of the anchor rodes. Learned the necessity of that the hardway.
David Young
Bay Cat, 30U #402
Suttons Bay, MI
USA
Hi -
Adding to the commentary on anchors -
For my 30 Ultra, a several seasons ago I upgraded to a Rocna Vulcan (no roll bar) 15kg (33lbs), The original anchor that came with the boat when built was a 25# CQR, which I felt worked well for the boat. I never had a problem with it. However, many years of my parents (the original owners of the boat) complaining that the boat often dragged on anchor, and being nervous about that anchor weighed heavily every time I anchored and I finally upgraded to the Rocna Vulcan.
In addition, I upgraded to 30’ of chain (the original only had 6’ of chain… perhaps part of the ‘problem’?). My understanding is the ‘rule of thumb’ is at least one boat-length of chain. 60’ would have been even better but was not in my budget at the time.
I am very happy with the Rocna Vulcan. It usually sets on the first attempt (but sometimes it may take two or even three tries - just depends on conditions). Once certain it has set (as Thor noted, drifting back on the wind, putting on some throttle (a couple of times)), adjusting to the required amount of scope, and then letting it just sit and checking my GPS… it has never yet dragged, and we have been through some very high overnight winds (30kts+) and chop in a few anchorages of both sand or mud. Patience is important!
Having no windlass, we have to manually pull the anchor out but have only once or twice was it much of an effort (other than just hauling in 120’ of rode) - usually my girlfriend is at the helm/throttle and I pull in the rode. If the anchor is really dug in, a single wrap on the Sampson post and a bit of throttle has always pulled it out - so far.
I am not a large, strong, or as young as I used to be, individual. At 5’6", 150lbs and 61 years of age, I hope to manage for at least 20 years - my parents sold me the boat when my dad was 82.
We do carry the old CQR with us when we go on extended trips - just to have a back up.
Hope this is helpful…
Peter Grabow
S/V CAKE WALK III
1987 30 Ultra 430
Jersey City, NJ
Hi all;
Thanks for the replies to my original question. It’s been 25 years since I did any anchoring, and that was on a boat I had in the Med. I can’t honestly remember what kind of anchor it was.
Last summer I did go through the marina to see what others had; my (informal) synopsis was that many boats had CQR or Bruce (sometimes both) on the bow, some Danforth, but the boats where utility had the edge on shininess had Rocnas or something visually similar (Mantus?). So, a bit all over the map. Kind of like choosing a car make/colour, I guess.
The suggestions and comments have all been welcome, at least by yours truly. We do hope to go and practice anchoring this coming season, (did not try last summer) so the comments may help assuage a bruised ego (mine) when things don’t go right, and we need to think our way towards success.
Oh, and last year I did pull the anchor off and the rode out, measured it, and put it all back in, this time with the bitter end tied around the mast, not loose. (Maybe will lash it in place, so it can be cut quickly if required)
See you out there, hopefully not dragging past you at 5 knots; 
JohnS NS26C 046 lying Bath, ON.
I dragged the 35 lb CQR that came with my boat one night a couple of years ago. After some research I decided on a 35lb Mantus with 60’ of chain. My reasons were these:
-CQR is a good anchor but it must be set carefully and often drags a ways before it catches.
- In the crowded anchorages here in the gulf islands I wanted something that set immediately, exactly where I dropped it.
- While I haven’t had it that long it has done just that. It is like throwing a dart at the bottom. It sticks, right there.
A great resource for anyone considering a new anchor is the independent video testing done by “SV Panope”. You can find their extensive research and recommendations on their YouTube channel.
Paul M
NS30U #211, Sandpiper
Cowichan Bay, B.C.
Great video Paul!
I’ve seen a lot of reviews on anchors before but the camera system this gentleman developed to show the anchors perform underwater was fascinating and very informative.
Thanks for sharing it.
Jim Krzyzewski
N30U #422 Toyger
Port Ludlow WA
Brilliant video - really teaches us “non-anchorers” a fair bit.
Thanks, Paul.
Ernie A. in Toronto
I think anyone considering a new anchor should spend several hours (and you can) watching his videos. I’m glad I could help.
Paul M
NS30U #211, Sandpiper
Cowichan Bay B.C.