What to do if anchor drags?

[Arthurwg]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

I’ve never heard anyone say CQRs are crap. They’re just not as good as the newer style anchors.

Mike you're right. Nobody actually said "crap." But you do here lots of complaints about CQRs. and if they're simply not good enough they are crap in my book.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by wedivebc

Why is that? Comfort or safety?

No lee shore so if the rode on his only hook parts he can start his engine, rig for heaving to on a favourable tack.. in this case to clear the small island behind him then settle down to ride it out..
Coming of the land the wind has no time to build a sea and get the boat bucking..
So.. Both comfort and safety.

[wedivebc]

Originally Posted by boatman61

No lee shore so if the rode on his only hook parts he can start his engine, rig for heaving to on a favourable tack.. in this case to clear the small island behind him then settle down to ride it out..
Coming of the land the wind has no time to build a sea and get the boat bucking..
So.. Both comfort and safety.

OK so my thoughts as a total newbie is to get away from shore and heave to if you can't hold your anchorage. The thinking is waves are safer than rocks

[DefinitelyMe]

Originally Posted by Arthurwg

And Don Street says that any serious causing boat should carry five (5) anchors.

Yea, but he’s of the era when you needed a different anchor to suit every different bottom type. These days the anchors are better in every way.

If you listened to every person who says “every serious cruiser must have x y and z” your bank account would be empty and your boat would have no space left inside it for you.

How are you making out now hd002? Sounds like you’re having one of those really irreplaceable experiences in life. Cheers for sharing it with us.

[markpierce]

Reset anchor. Also, consider moving to a more secure anchorage or going to the next destination.

[RaymondR]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

Hi, hd002e,

You should be carrying at least one more 'real" anchor. A Danforth, or better, a Fortress type, is pretty easy to deploy. If you lie to the two anchors, set the Danforth type well to the side of the CQR, making a V shape to your bow with the two rodes. That considerable lessens our yawing, and it should help you.

Another thing you can do is to place your drogue hanging just off the bottom, and it will slow the bow blowing down, as well.

Finally, when 40 kn. are predicted, you can have gusts to 60, It is a good time to remove the headsails, and store below decks, like people do for hurricanes. It's a pita, but helps the boat.

Ann

This is the technique I use when I get nervous, which tends to happen at a fairly low wind speed these days.

Also, I would not have the rope to chain splice in a second anchor, a good solid galvanized thimble and the biggest shackle where the pin will fit through the chain is the way to go.

[roland stockham]

Hope you made it through OK. My advice having used CQR anchors for many years is simply to get some heavy chain. 50ft of 10mm between the anchor and the rode will vastly increase the holding power. Most dragging problems seem to be from using rodes that are to light or short.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by wedivebc

OK so my thoughts as a total newbie is to get away from shore and heave to if you can't hold your anchorage. The thinking is waves are safer than rocks

If you have a wind blowing you on land yes, maybe.. however in this situation the wind was blowing off the land, no wave build up and his only worry was a small island to his stern which for him to be blown onto would have needed a wind shift from NW to the N or NE to become a real danger.
Basically he was caught in a Meltimi..

[Cpt Mark]

Originally Posted by roland stockham

Hope you made it through OK. My advice having used CQR anchors for many years is simply to get some heavy chain. 50ft of 10mm between the anchor and the rode will vastly increase the holding power. Most dragging problems seem to be from using rodes that are to light or short.

In light conditions this may be true but in over 20-25 knots or so the anchor is bar tight so having extra weight doesn't help you. People "think" the chain buries itself and also acts as an anchor. Not so in bigger winds. Chain might sink below the mud or whatever but it's not attached.

[greybeardloon]

How you holding up?? Hope you’re ok

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by greybeardloon

How you holding up?? Hope you’re ok

I’m betting it’s over now, and he is finally getting some sleep

[hd002e]

Hello all, I had tough three nights but now it is over. Much experience was gained during those three nights. I have a new anchor on my shopping list but I have to say the CQR was the champion. Three boats ripped their moorings in those winds and we held up no problem.

I would like to thank each and every one of you who has replied to me. It was very comforting to sit out at 3AM anchor watch and know that I had a boatload of salty sailors waiting to help me! Yay Cruisers Forum!!!

[boatman61]

Glad to hear its time to sit back and chillax a bit..
Dont bin your cqr though, keep it as your secondary because they are good anchors in their design parameters as yours has proved so well.
Enjoy..

[Mike OReilly]

Good on ya! Relax and enjoy your success. And I agree with Boatie; don’t toss the CQR, just get one of the newer ones and use it as your backup. They are not crap, they’re just not as good as newer designs.

Question though; you say three boats ripper their mooring. Were these folks hanging from their own anchor, or were they on a fixed mooring? I’ve heard of experienced folks who abandon fixed moorings in favour of their own anchor gear when faced with a significant approaching storm. Something about the typical short rode length used with moorings vs anchors I suspect.

[Don C L]

Good job! Now you've got an experience in success in your back pocket to refer to the next time it happens! And good job keeping the chafe at bay!