Stern anchor recommendation

[s/v Jedi]

There will always be people using two anchors in a V from the bow or from bow and stern etc. They don’t know the rule to use a single anchor in 99% of the time or they do but their anchor doesn’t hold and instead of replacing it with a good one, they opt to add another flunky one.

These are the boats we need to go out to with the dinghy during bad squalls to assist as they drag, get their anchor rodes tangled etc.

There are exceptions, that is the 1% left but they are seldom. Wind against current is not one of those as you simply use just your primary anchor. Anchoring on a river with tidal flow is a reason (Bahamian moor, not stern anchor) as is anchoring in small, narrow fjords etc. where normally lines are brought ashore (tricky no matter how it’s done if the wind pipes up).

The idea that there are different rules for a cat or that it’s just fine to anchor bow and stern with the wind on the beam (just like in a marina) are all in that profile of the boats that require assistance during squalls.

[smj]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

There will always be people using two anchors in a V from the bow or from bow and stern etc. They don’t know the rule to use a single anchor in 99% of the time or they do but their anchor doesn’t hold and instead of replacing it with a good one, they opt to add another flunky one.



These are the boats we need to go out to with the dinghy during bad squalls to assist as they drag, get their anchor rodes tangled etc.



There are exceptions, that is the 1% left but they are seldom. Wind against current is not one of those as you simply use just your primary anchor. Anchoring on a river with tidal flow is a reason (Bahamian moor, not stern anchor) as is anchoring in small, narrow fjords etc. where normally lines are brought ashore (tricky no matter how it’s done if the wind pipes up).



The idea that there are different rules for a cat or that it’s just fine to anchor bow and stern with the wind on the beam (just like in a marina) are all in that profile of the boats that require assistance during squalls.

20-30 years ago sitting to 2 anchors, whether a Bahamian moor or at 90 degrees to one another was very common for different reasons. One reason is the anchors back then didn’t set, hold or reset nearly as well as the anchors nowadays.
There are different anchoring methods for cats as they don’t always set to the current. With a wind against current situation the cat will either ride up hard on the rode chafing it on the hulls or spin 360 degrees until the current changes, this would be one of the only times to use a bow and stern anchor. You don’t have to tie up tight between them putting strain on both rodes, and if the wind changes to the beam then simply move the stern anchor rode to the bow.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by smj

20-30 years ago sitting to 2 anchors, whether a Bahamian moor or at 90 degrees to one another was very common for different reasons. One reason is the anchors back then didn’t set, hold or reset nearly as well as the anchors nowadays.
There are different anchoring methods for cats as they don’t always set to the current. With a wind against current situation the cat will either ride up hard on the rode chafing it on the hulls or spin 360 degrees until the current changes, this would be one of the only times to use a bow and stern anchor. You don’t have to tie up tight between them putting strain on both rodes, and if the wind changes to the beam then simply move the stern anchor rode to the bow.

Yes, I agree, that was the CQR era. I hear some still swear by them

Some monohulls have the same behavior, most go halfway in between current and wind. Problems are similar incl. anchor rode wrap around keel or rudder. A stern anchor is not needed for any of those situations. In most cases, a spring line from anchor rode to stern block/winch is all that is needed, same technique for coping with sideways swells in an anchorage. Of-course a good anchor is required for this. A Bahamian moor is possible as well but it often takes some figuring out to determine where to put down the 2nd anchor. These conditions are a struggle for all.

[Group9]

We've always used a Fortress as our stern anchor.

[barnakiel]

I too would say Fortress - style (aluminum Danforth style) can be a great choice. They have great holding and are easy to handle. They stow very well too.


b.