We will be anchoring soon and I need to evaluate the stock Danforth (Fortress) aluminum anchor that fits on the pulpit rack. Will it hold in a 10ft deep bay with 60ft of chain? My guess is yes for a calm shallow San Diego Bay. Your thoughts. Seems Cat wouldn't have put it on a pulpit rack if it wasn't adequate. How about deeper !ess stable anchorages....??
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Joe Lucido
1986 Catalina 36
Hull # 0625
M-25 Universal diesel
Oceanside, CA
I had a Danforth for years but ended up swapping it out for a 22.lb Bruce and have been plenty satisfied and I do a lot of anchoring out at Santa Cruz Island. But in only 10 ft of water, most anything will hold.
Phil L
Southern Cross
Channel Islands, CA
C36MKI #400
Sounds as if you are referring to a Fortress anchor, being aluminum. It is a Danforth style, but I do not believe it was supplied by Catalina. More than likely the previous owner(s). For overnight anchoring you scope should be more like 7:1 (70 feet or 10:1 100 feet). The Fortress has had great reviews, but it was also reported as having some difficulty in setting quickly compaired to others. I use a Delta set and have had good luck with it. I also have had Danforths and it is a very good anchor as well.
Gary Bain
S/V "Gone With The Wind"
Catalina 36', Hull #: 1056, Year: 1990, Engine: M-35
Standard Rig
Moored: Boothbay Harbor, Maine
Home: Auburn, Maine
Joe,
I don't believe that CY ever put anchors on pulpit racks. That was added by a PO. Many dealers add an "anchor package" when commissioning a new boat, but again, not on a pulpit rack. Your MkI does not have a true anchor roller that extends out beyond the stem, hence the pulpit rack. Some owners (including me) have cut off one of the two very small rollers near the stem and added a larger, sturdier anchor roller on one side of the forestay. There has been volumes written about various anchors in various conditions, and it's almost as contentious as religion or politics. 60' of chain is a very good starting point, and Danforth (or possibly you have a Fortress if it's aluminum?) anchors have a good reputation for straight line holding power in sand and firm mud. Not so much in other conditions, and not so much with wind shifts. Many owners have two or more anchors for different conditions. In the past few years a "new generation" of anchors have become very popular (for good reason!), such as Rocna and Manson Supreme. You might want to check them out, but they would require a different mounting arrangement than what you have now. Hope this helps.
Tom Sokoloski
C36/375IA Past Commodore
Noank, CT
Joe
Oh Boy is Tom right about anchors, everyone has one and theirs is the best!
We anchor out at Santa Cruz Island regularly so I went oversized on my ground tackle. I have a 22K Rochna anchor (with the roll bar) and after years of anchoring in anywhere from 15 feet to 60 feet this is by far the best I have ever used. I mean you better be holding on when that thing digs in, I use 100 feet of chain and the rest rode. This works well for us because in shallow water we just run the chain out and then 20-30 feet of rode and thats it. no need for a snubber. We are totally comfortable even when the 30 knot sundowners come off the island.
Hope This helps
Capt Bill
89 fin keel #1015
Newport to Ensenada Winner 2016
I recently upgraded a 22 Delta to a 35 pound Delta, as I wanted more holding power. Hopefully you have quite a bit of rode line in addiiton to the 60 feet of chain. As others have said, you should plan on a scope of 7:1 or 10:1 and the heihgt (depth) is the water depth PLUS the distance from the water to your deck.
But then day anchoring is one thing, but if you plan to stay overnight or go thru a storm, you can't have enough anchor line.....................
Ken Enstrom
2004 C-36 MKII #2199
Tall Rig, Wing Keel, M-35B
S/V Valkyrie - Sail Great Lakes