Stuck anchors

[nightsky]

I just bought a Vulcan to replace the original Bruce that came with the boat when I bought it (not sure if this anchor is the one that Carver supplied when the boat was new). I have never had any faith in the Bruce and wanted a newgen anchor. Haven't tried the Vulcan yet. Hope it was a good choice.

[Senorjeem]

Well, I am still looking for my Carver, and in the process I came across a 350 that I think tried awfully hard to power out of a stuck anchor situation. There are stress cracks in the fibreglass radiating out from the windlass. This was also the boat that smelled like an outhouse. Can't say enough about proper use of snubber lines and if necessary, pulling with equipment designed to be pulled on.

[Viper]

The area sees a lot of stress. It's not uncommon to see gel cracks around there. How deep and wide the cracks are will determine if it's a concern at the time or not. Of course if there's signs of a wet core, it requires immediate attention. Anything that can be done to alleviate the stresses in that area sure help but there will be times where no matter what you do, Mother Nature or idiots on the water will win and overcome all the precautions you take.

As for the outhouse, that too is not uncommon with all brands after a certain age. It's the nature of the hose and system. Replacing the hoses is a pretty common high priority item shortly after a purchase for most.

Good luck with your search. Keep us posted.

[jsinton]

I only use 1/4" chain for my claw anchor and have a buoy on the end. Haven't lost an anchor for a while now.

[jsinton]

My boat lives on the hook, so anchors are important all the time for me. They all hold great when they are set properly and pointing in the right direction, ie hard to come loose when they are set and pointed right. Bruce or claw anchor works great. It's biggest strength is when the boat flips direction in the wind, and the anchor pulls loose. It will reset the most easily. The Bruce is also superior in rocky situations, as it can grapple easiest. Plow anchors are harder to set, and come loose when you change direction and drag along the bottom wrong side up. Danforth can be a pain and come loose too when direction changes and drag wrong side up. My boat is an Irma survivor, she rode the hurricane. I got a 30kg claw anchor on 70 foot of 1/4 galvanized chain with a lively bungee shock cord. My anchor never moves by itself. It does take three men and a boy to raise, so I leave it there on a mooring ball, and move only in a blue moon. I use a 10kg claw for my day anchor.