Howard, I'd love some input on how your delta has performed over the years, and what kinds of bottoms it usually works in. I'm trying to find the right anchor for a 16' sailboat I'm building. It needs to be able to handle mud, rocks, clay, and sand. If my dreams come true, it'll need to be a good bet in weeds, too. What do you think? Would your delta be up to the task on such a variety of bottoms? Cheers Steve Tyree P-15 Piragua Thimble Flatbote a building In a message dated 3/21/2005 9:08:30 AM Central Standard Time, haudsley@tranquility.net writes: I don't know how much rode everyone is carrying, but I carry a 9 pound Delta and about the same weight Fortress, and each has a rode of 20' of 1/4" chain and 150' of 3/8" nylon and it all goes in a small crate like container that is about half the size of a regular milk crate.
Don't know about the weeds, but I think it would work. I've mainly used it in mud, clay and small rocks/gravel bottoms. It's always held. The only time I can remember it dragging was when it was the only anchor out in soft mud and holding a raftup of 2 M17's, 2 M15's and one M23. After an hour or so we noticed we had gotten closer to shore than when we started. And again, this is the Delta. I think you would get similar results from a Bruce, and they come in different weights that might be more suitable to a 16 footer, depending on the weight. The 9# Delta is hard to find. I got mine from Defender and is the only place I have seen one smaller than 14#. The shape is like a plow and it sets and re-sets easily. The only time it has failed to set was when I tossed the anchor and chain out away from the boat, and the chain got fouled around the anchor, pulling it sideways on the bottom. So I always test it after I think it's set and usually use a 5:1 or 7:1 scope. The reason I don't use the Danforth/Fortress types was when I read that they can flip out and drag if the direction of pull changes from that in which it was set. As in you have set your anchor with the wind in one direction, but sometime in the night, the wind shifts 180 degrees, the boat swings and the anchor flips out and off you go. It may re-set and it may not. So I carry it as a spare and if a second anchor is desired...either off the bow or off the stern...with a pull from a constant direction. Once set like this, they are said to have phenomenal holding power. Neither one are particularly easy to stow. I keep both of mine in the cockpit locker ready to deploy at all times. The only emergency brakes I've got! Howard I'd love some input on how your delta has performed over the years, and what kinds of bottoms it usually works in. I'm trying to find the right anchor for a 16' sailboat I'm building. It needs to be able to handle mud, rocks, clay, and sand. If my dreams come true, it'll need to be a good bet in weeds, too. What do you think? Would your delta be up to the task on such a variety of bottoms? Cheers Steve Tyree P-15 Piragua Thimble Flatbote a building
On Mar 23, 2005, at 7:03 AM, Howard Audsley wrote:
The 9# Delta is hard to find. I got mine from Defender and is the only place I have seen one smaller than 14#. The shape is like a plow and it sets and re-sets easily.
Hi Folks, I just thought I'd chime in and say that I agree, the 9# Delta was a bit hard to find. I did buy one for my (ex-) M-15 and I got it at an excellent, Ma-and-Pa-type chandlery that I would highly, highly recommend. It's Downwind Marine in San Diego, California. They cater to cruisers and to sailors in general. If you happen to be a cruiser in San Diego, you can not only shop the store (more like an old-fashioned hardware-store-style than a glossy, Big Blue Box store look, and you can find everything from the latest gear to walnut-shells for your non-skid, to a part for an obscure, out-of-date pump). The employees are real, permanent employees with lots of experience, and they're very friendly and helpful. How many places will hold mail for you, host a weekly Wednesday-morning coffee-and-doughnut get-together, AND send your parts order to Panama after you've ordered the much-needed item over the SSB (which they monitor). Yup, it's a real haven. Check them out at downwindmarine.com. No affiliation, just a happy customer during two different long-term cruising stops in San Diego. It's the kind of place I hope is able to stay in business. Their prices may be low enough to offset any shipping charges - might be worth a look-see. I've also heard good things about Defender, although I've never shopped them - so this isn't a knock on them at all. FWIW --- Rachel
participants (3)
-
Howard Audsley -
IDCLLC＠aol.com -
Rachel