Anchor Upgrade...need Real World Reviews

[Danno1966]

I have a 27 foot cruiser on the California Delta. I regularly anchorn in 12 to15 feet of water slight current and can get windy...12 to 15 knts....
My anchor is a 13lb West Marine fluke, 25 feet of chain ...I have several anchorages I like and half are mud bottom and the other half very grassy. My anchor sticks and holds great in the mud, but in the grassy spots not so well...it will set, but if the wind kicks up it will drag about half the time. Not happy. Adding scope doesn't seem to help in The weeds . I don't spend the night at anchor, mainly hanging out during the day.

I'm liking the Fortress, but it's a fluke and may still be a problem in the grassy bottom? I like the Delta anchor but it requires lots of scope...
Any real world experience with these anchors in similar conditions/bottoms? Other suggestions? I like the newer styled anchors but they are just out of my budget.

Dan

 

[FunInDuhSun]

For your boat any 13# anchor should only be onboard for use as a secondary hook.You need a heavier anchor that will penetrate the grass and dig into the bottom.i have similar bottom conditions where I boat and found the Fortress F23 the minimum size. Further, the fluke design tends to sail when deployed and doesn't always set the first time. Adding chain or a weighted ball to the shank helps a lot but still isn't 100% reliable. My ultimate solution was to upgrade to a 35# Delta deployed from a pulpit. This setup has never failed me to set first time.

 

[alldodge]

With basically soft stuff I would suggest what you have or a plow anchor. The fluke/Danforth needs to be set first. Drop, pay out and back up until it hooks. The plow/Delta will go deep and hook but also needs to be set.

Go up to a 20 pounder, your chain is good, and adding more will only help

 

[paulswagelock]

Our area is mud and grass. As mentioned, a fluke needs reversed on to set it. I had terrible luck with my fortress, just would never hold, always sliding along. Went to a 14 pound delta plow type, holds every time even with short rode. 29’ 6000 lb boat for reference.

 

[Danno1966]

Our area is mud and grass. As mentioned, a fluke needs reversed on to set it. I had terrible luck with my fortress, just would never hold, always sliding along. Went to a 14 pound delta plow type, holds every time even with short rode. 29’ 6000 lb boat for reference.

I back it to set it every time...in the mud areas it sets and holds solid...its the grassy areas that it sets, but will often, not every time drag ... your Delta type....is it an actual Delta (Lewmar) or a "Delta type"? Curious how good those are. Are there brands to stay away from as cheap knock offs?

 

[Danno1966]

With basically soft stuff I would suggest what you have or a plow anchor. The fluke/Danforth needs to be set first. Drop, pay out and back up until it hooks. The plow/Delta will go deep and hook but also needs to be set.

Go up to a 20 pounder, your chain is good, and adding more will only help

The Fluke in all the tests say they aren't recommended for grassy bottoms, so I'm afraid that bigger will not be much better. Considering the Delta. I'm also looking at the Rocna Vulcan...supposed to be even better, but pricey.

 

[Danno1966]

For your boat any 13# anchor should only be onboard for use as a secondary hook.You need a heavier anchor that will penetrate the grass and dig into the bottom.i have similar bottom conditions where I boat and found the Fortress F23 the minimum size. Further, the fluke design tends to sail when deployed and doesn't always set the first time. Adding chain or a weighted ball to the shank helps a lot but still isn't 100% reliable. My ultimate solution was to upgrade to a 35# Delta deployed from a pulpit. This setup has never failed me to set first time.

I deploy from a pulpit with a windlass....
What size boat do you have? 35lb for my boat seems pretty big. I'm 27 feet, 8.5 beam and only about 6500lbs.

 

[FunInDuhSun]

I have a 34’ flybridge sportfish. My first Delta was 22# and worked fine in normal conditions but I upgraded to 35# because I often spend nights at anchor and want the extra safety margin if the weather turns.
EDIT: I’ll also add that when anchoring, - ALWAYS - set it with engine power.

 

[alldodge]

The Fluke in all the tests say they aren't recommended for grassy bottoms, so I'm afraid that bigger will not be much better. Considering the Delta. I'm also looking at the Rocna Vulcan...supposed to be even better, but pricey.

Your opinion

 

[Danno1966]

Your opinion

Whats that mean?
It's not my opinion that write ups and all reviews including West Marine say it's not recommended for grassy bottoms. Look it up for yourself. It's not opinion that those reviews are out there...its a fact.
Are you saying that an anchor that's isn't known for grassy bottoms just isn't big enough? So you're relying on weight rather than design and bite?

 

[alldodge]

While there is write ups, been my experience that a danforth does work in grass. Several of my Bud's boats use them in grass and they work. These are 30+ size boats. Just don't believe 100% of everything you read

I use a Bruce my self

 

[paulswagelock]

I back it to set it every time...in the mud areas it sets and holds solid...its the grassy areas that it sets, but will often, not every time drag ... your Delta type....is it an actual Delta (Lewmar) or a "Delta type"? Curious how good those are. Are there brands to stay away from as cheap knock offs?

Actual Lewmar brand. Never tried a knock off as the lewmar brand isn’t too expensive.