Manson Anchor 45 or 60 lbs

[jorgenl]

This one is probably for Maine Sail...

I know that there are a few hundred threads about anchors on SN but I wish to ask a specific question, hope that is OK;

I am going to buy a new anchor for my Catalina 400 (40' boat 20,000 lbs or thereabouts). (current anchor is tiny...)

Manson recommends for the Supreme anchor:

40-45' boat = 45 lbs anchor ($431 @ defender)
45-55' boat = 60 lbs anchor ($600 @ defender)

Should I stick with the 45 lbs or go with the 60 lbs?

I will use the anchor primarily in the Chesapeake Bay and possibly east coast to Bahamas. 150' of 5/16 chain.

I would consider a Rocna but the sizing question would remain the same...

[Cruisingdad]

What do you have on there right now?

Brian

[jorgenl]

Originally Posted by Cruisingdad

What do you have on there right now?

Brian

I think it is a 35 lbs Delta. It looks small.

[lancelot9898]

I think most world cruisers would tell you to get the largest anchor that you can handle, however, my experience while more limited differs. I have a 37 foot heavy displacement sailboat here on the Cheaspeake and have anchored out maybe 30 times per year over the past 2 decades including a trip down the ICW to Florida and cruising LI Sound to Block Island using a 35 pound CQR. When a Cat 1 hurricane (Gloria) came up the Cheaspeake that was all I was using in a hurricane hole and the anchor held with me aboard. I don't think I'll do that again. Recently I did upgrade to the 45 pound Manson Supreme and did ride out a couple of nights last fall under gale force winds gusting to 50 knots. It did fine and with more use I'm gaining more confidence. The CQR is fine except in soft mud where I think the newer designs will out perform. Never could get a good set with the CQR in horseshoe bend in St Mary's so anxious to try the Manson there. I also use a little heavier chain per foot than you ( 3/8 inch BBB) and that makes some difference, but during the hurricane I was most worried about chafe to the nylon line which looked like a banjo string. The line is spliced to the chain and I use 80 feet of chain with 200 feet of 5/8 inch line spliced to it. I forget what price I paid for the Supreme, but it was cheaper than the Defender price. It was one of the few times West Marine ever had them beat on price!

[jorgenl]

Originally Posted by lancelot9898

I think most world cruisers would tell you to get the largest anchor that you can handle, however, my experience while more limited differs. I have a 37 foot heavy displacement sailboat here on the Cheaspeake and have anchored out maybe 30 times per year over the past 2 decades including a trip down the ICW to Florida and cruising LI Sound to Block Island using a 35 pound CQR. When a Cat 1 hurricane (Gloria) came up the Cheaspeake that was all I was using in a hurricane hole and the anchor held with me aboard. I don't think I'll do that again. Recently I did upgrade to the 45 pound Manson Supreme and did ride out a couple of nights last fall under gale force winds gusting to 50 knots. It did fine and with more use I'm gaining more confidence. The CQR is fine except in soft mud where I think the newer designs will out perform. Never could get a good set with the CQR in horseshoe bend in St Mary's so anxious to try the Manson there. I also use a little heavier chain per foot than you ( 3/8 inch BBB) and that makes some difference, but during the hurricane I was most worried about chafe to the nylon line which looked like a banjo string. The line is spliced to the chain and I use 80 feet of chain with 200 feet of 5/8 inch line spliced to it. I forget what price I paid for the Supreme, but it was cheaper than the Defender price. It was one of the few times West Marine ever had them beat on price!

Lancelot,

Excellent advice.

I want a good size anchor but not overly big either. Seems that the 45 lbs might do the job.

I am sure that the Delta is an OK anchor but I have read many good things about the Manson and the Rocna and feel that a good anchor is one of the most important thing on the boat, we love to anchor out and I promised myself to buy the best anchor I can get my hands on.

[erps]

I'm using a 45# Manson on our boat, about the same size as your boat, for coastal cruising in good weather. It's great. When we shove off on our cruise, we'll probably get a 60#.

One thing you'll want to check is your anchor roller. The manson has a thick shank that doesn't fit too well in some of the stock rollers.

[Cruisingdad]

I love the Delta. Mine is a 44 and it fits very well on the roller. However, that anchor is probably accurately sized for our boat. I simply chose to have two anchors: One is a CQR, the other is an oversized Delta. The CQR is my lunch hook. It is on a line-rode with 25' of chain. It has NEVER drug (a sailor's last words... but I do not use it if it is going to be blowing). THe 44 lb delta is what I use if I am going to be somewhere a while or a storm is coming. It is all chain.

Brian

[Cruisingdad]

Also, make sure you check with Sailnet before purchasing and tell them you are an active member of the forum. Would love to give the business to them where we can.

Brian

[sailingdog]

If you're going to be going in areas where you'll be caught anchored out in storms, get the 60 lb. anchor. Long term cruising is going to require the heavier anchor, especially if you're trying to spend as little time in marinas as possible.

If you were going to stay in the Chesapeake, I'd say go with the 45 lb. anchor...but you say you're going out to the Bahamas and Caribbean, so I'd say go with the 60 lb. instead.

My reasoning for this is that your primary anchor should be sized to handle storms, not just heavy winds... Many times, you don't have sufficient warning to dig your "storm" anchor out of the bilge, attach it to a rode, and then set it, before the storm hits.

Originally Posted by jorgenl

This one is probably for Maine Sail...

I know that there are a few hundred threads about anchors on SN but I wish to ask a specific question, hope that is OK;

I am going to buy a new anchor for my Catalina 400 (40' boat 20,000 lbs or thereabouts). (current anchor is tiny...)

Manson recommends for the Supreme anchor:

40-45' boat = 45 lbs anchor ($431 @ defender)
45-55' boat = 60 lbs anchor ($600 @ defender)

Should I stick with the 45 lbs or go with the 60 lbs?

I will use the anchor primarily in the Chesapeake Bay and possibly east coast to Bahamas. 150' of 5/16 chain.

I would consider a Rocna but the sizing question would remain the same...

[Bene505]

Not sure I understand the trade-offs here. The added 15 pounds means a lot more capability and less worries=easier sleeping at night. What's the issue? Unless you don't have a windlass. Then the extra 15 pounds would mean something.

Or am I missing something here.