tips for anchoring in grass

[Jimmyhenry]

Spent three days anchored in mud on Great Barrier Island,NZ. Storm conditions. Dragged steadily at 10metres an hour. Changed to a Delta. Dragged regularly. Finally got the Rocna 33. Never dragged since.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by Seighlor

I gave up on the Bruce after dragging multiple times in the Florida keys. The Bruce would consistently grab a wad of grass, complete with roots, and drag immediately while backing down. I went to my backup Danforth hi-tensile and had an immediate set.

I understand there are now better anchors than the old-school Danforth, but it's still a good anchor.

You may have had a Bruce knock-off or if original, a size or two too small

[wsmurdoch]

My major tip when forced to anchor in grass is to set an anchor alarm.

My experience is CQR, Delta, Bruce, and Rocna all (except the CQR) over sized for my boat, all deployed in the Bahamas, all set slowly on long scope with a springy snubber, all tested at full reverse, and all dived on, inspected, and thought secure. While none of my experience rises even close to "statistically significant", I have had troubles with them all.

Sleep lightly,

Bill

[goincruisin]

I just came across this thread - so apologies for not joining sooner.

Seagrass beds are by and large very sensitive ecological areas and should, if at all possible, be avoided. In many jurisdictions anchoring is strictly prohibited in these areas. These prohibitions are expanding constantly and for good reason.

What we can do is ensure that we only use anchor tackle we know will not drag if we do need to anchor in grass. This will at least ensure minimal damage.

greetings to all & fair winds
Alex

[Seighlor]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

You may have had a Bruce knock-off or if original, a size or two too small

Fact is, the anchor was a GENUINE Bruce, two sizes over what is recommended for the 44' vessel I was sailing. My secondary anchor, a thirty-five pound hi-tensile Danforth, was one size over the recommendation.

The Bruce failed on four attempts; the Danforth set and held on its first attempt.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by Seighlor

Fact is, the anchor was a GENUINE Bruce, two sizes over what is recommended for the 44' vessel I was sailing. My secondary anchor, a thirty-five pound hi-tensile Danforth, was one size over the recommendation.

The Bruce failed on four attempts; the Danforth set and held on its first attempt.

Well then, it happened so there it is. Normally a Danforth won’t ever work in grass while an oversized Bruce is so-so

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Seighlor

Fact is, the anchor was a GENUINE Bruce, two sizes over what is recommended for the 44' vessel I was sailing. My secondary anchor, a thirty-five pound hi-tensile Danforth, was one size over the recommendation.

The Bruce failed on four attempts; the Danforth set and held on its first attempt.

If you say so..