Can Anchors Break ...

[SURV69]

Of course they can, but I've never heard of one breaking.

All these anchors seem to have long shanks with a hole at the end, which appears to mimic the strength of a link of chain(that is the hole at the end closely resembles a link). If I remember right, I think I've heard of chain breaking, and the chain pull(stress), is not as complicated as a locked-in anchor being twisted along with the pull stress...

So I'm curious, is this perceived weak link(my perception), actually there ... is it a weak-link, and if so, what can be done about it?

[boatman61]

I have had a CQR shaft snap on me while I was ashore.. luckily the crew of a Portuguese fishing boat grabbed the boat as she drifted by and held onto her till I got back.. else she'd have been blown out into the Atlantic.
We'd had sustained winds of 35kts+ for 5 days on the anchorage at Cascais and I'd taken the opportunity to dash ashore for fresh provisions during a lull..
Scary S$!t...

[noelex 77]

I have seen a couple of anchors that have broken at the toe/fluke, but never personally seen one broken the shank or attachment point.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by noelex 77

I have seen a couple of anchors that have broken at the toe/fluke, but never personally seen one broken the shank or attachment point.

The previous owner had drilled a small hole in the shank a bit under halfway up so he could pin it to the bow roller while sailing to stop it bouncing.. the flukes buried well in sand but all that constant yawing back and forth for so many days took its toll.. snapped right where the hole was..
Moral: Don't try and be a clever bugga with your ground tackle..

[sailing_gal]

I have seen an anchor for a 30 meter boat that broke. It was an appropriate sized (huge) anchor, broke right at the connection between the fluke and the shaft. Defintely worth examining your ground tackle periodically.

[Scaramanga F25]

I have bent a shank on a 35lb Delta.

[skipper53]

Had a Danforth type break the entire shat away from the flukes. Shouldn't have used it in a rocky bottom. Shouldn't have been anchored there at all as it turned into a lee shore situation with the passage of a strong water front that spawned tornadoes.

[Dave22q]

I think everybody agrees. Yes, anchors can break but it is a very rare event. Certainly you should carry a spare but are more likely to need it due to heavy weather than replacing a broken anchor.

[S/V Alchemy]

Originally Posted by boatman61

I have had a CQR shaft snap on me while I was ashore.. luckily the crew of a Portuguese fishing boat grabbed the boat as she drifted by and held onto her till I got back.. else she'd have been blown out into the Atlantic.
We'd had sustained winds of 35kts+ for 5 days on the anchorage at Cascais and I'd taken the opportunity to dash ashore for fresh provisions during a lull..
Scary S$!t...

That anchorage is uncomfortably open and surrounded by low hills. I know it's expensive, but I'm surprised you didn't make for the marina.

[Mojadito]

This one broke in calm winds as I was backing down to set it. I am sure there was a crack or flaw in the casting, and of course I never inspected it that closely. But I do now.

[skipper53]

Making me lose confidence in the 35# CQR I just bought used.....Please DON'T start a thead about docklines breaking!!!

[a64pilot]

I have seen a CQR break right at the knuckle, like in the above photo.
I have also seen CQR's that are so worn there that they were obviously past retirement, but we're still being used too, I would not trust one worn like that.



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[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by Mojadito

This one broke in calm winds as I was backing down to set it. I am sure there was a crack or flaw in the casting, and of course I never inspected it that closely. But I do now.

Sure looks likes cqr knockoff. The genuine article has cqr cast into the shank.


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[savoir]

There have been reports of the Chinese version of the Bruce anchor snapping the shank. I have bent the shank of a Danforth but they are designed for that. They don't like a rocky bottom.

[SV Bacchus]

Holy Moly! Something else to add to the "gotta worry about it" list..

Certainly makes sense but newbies, like us, don't think about everything. I suppose after a particularly rough anchorage, like after some kind of blow, it would behoove everyone to inspect the anchor closely.

I'm sure everyone looks at the ground tackle after such event looking for chafe (if not all chain), bent shackles, etc. but how many actually inspect their anchors closely, not just a cursory glance?