Delta anchor really self launching?

[danielgoldberg]

We currently use a 60 lb CQR. We don't really have any complaints, save one. It's not self-launching, which means I need to manhandle the 60 pound hunk, along with the related 3/8" chain, off the roller and down into the water before relying on the windless. Also, but much less of an issue, the CQR is not the easiest anchor to set. That said, once we get her in, she holds like a champ, at least in our experience.

Nevertheless, it's tempting to get a 70 lb Delta for the self-launching feature, and I guess it would be an added bonus that the Delta supposedly sets more easily.

My main question is whether the Delta in fact is a self-launching anchor off of a standard bow roller.

Thoughts?

[btrayfors]

Dan,

I don't know about the Delta, but I have had both a 45lb and a 60lb CQR anchor. Self-launching has never been a problem. Here's my secret:

Before getting to the anchoring spot, go forward, pull a little chain off the windlass, and position the anchor at about a 45-degree angle on the bow roller. (The damned "smart" filter on this Board kept taking out the proper term, which is the same thing you do when you pull the hammer back on a gun).

Then, when you get over the spot where you want to launch it, you just have to press a button (mine is in the cockpit) and the anchor will deploy without any difficulty at all.

I've used the 45lb CQR from Maine to Grenada with great success EXCEPT for the Chesapeake region, where I use a Fortress or a Danforth. All-chain 3/8" HT rode.

Bill

[MJBrown]

Dan, we have a 35lb Delta with 3/8 chain on our B43 and it self launches without a problem.

[PCP]

Yes, it is self launching, but the Spade (very similar) is a far better performer.
If you have not problems with the extra volume (arc), the Mason would also be a better choice.

[wwilson]

Dan,

I changed from 45# CQR to 55# Delta 3-seasons ago. The CQR was self launching, the Delta does not. In our case the reason is the bow roller mechanism. The proper roller for the Delta (now installed by the manufacturer) has 2 rollers (fore & aft arrangement) so the Delta stows tipped slightly downward with enough weight to self launch.

The balance of the CQR was different enough that the standard single roller allowed self launch.

The Delta has proven a good move for us despite the loss of self launch.