Anchor size

[Windkiller]

Hi there I have a 900 lbs full keel Danica 16 sailboat
She's actually 15 feet and has a skookum anchor roller
I currently have a pretty heavy Danforth with a good bit of chain and 150 feet of rode.
I'd like to get a plow or a bruce but currently can't afford one
Given that I'm using about 15' of chain, what weight Danforth should I be having? I've heard about 1/2 lbs per foot of boat length.
I also have a Navy style anchor that weighs a tonne(not literally of course..haha)

[SailerDoc2]

I suggest a fortress anchor. Light weight and very strong. You can carry a larger anchor without the weight. Leave the Navy anchor home.

[Windkiller]

h that's funny
I thought I had a Danforth but I went to the site and it looks exactly like mine
I believe I do have a fortress , perhaps a slightly too large one
I think I'll weigh it

[JimsCAL]

A Danforth and a Fortress look similar. The Danforth is made of galvanized steel while the Fortress is aluminum alloy. For a boat that size, an 8lb Danforth should be fine for most situations. If you are cruising, you need a spare anchor and rode. Replacing that Navy anchor with something more modern makes sense to me.

[bandaidmd]

I take it your trying to downsize? Whats you intended use,lunch hook in a protected harbor, overnight in the current or wind,What bottom, lots of different scenarios to consider. The one in your roller is prob 2 sizes larger than the chart recommends for a 16 footer but that's not a bad thing unless the weight hanging off the bow bothers you.Your current setup is about the best your going to get with a danforth/fluke style anchor. IMHO

[SailerDoc2]

I would keep my overly large anchor/rode stowed. Use a light weight every day anchor. The only time anchors are too large is on the boat. No sailer has ever wished for a smaller anchor, while anchored. Retrieving is a different story. If you anchor in shallow water, the weight difference will not be a big factor in a boat your size. I use the fortress because I anchor in deep water (fishing) and not a windlass fan (kiss).

I also believe you can use a shorter chain (4-5') with the smaller anchor. The chain is to position the anchor to catch.

Weight is a factor in boat performance. This is where large anchors weigh you down.

I am not affiliated with fortress.....just a fan.

Doc

[Windkiller]

So I weighed my Danforth (not a fortress sadly it's definitely galvanized)
I think it weighs in at about 9 lbs with 15' of chain
I also have a lighter Danforth that weighs about 5.5 lbs with about 6 feet of chain.
thought I'd get some numbers for more clarity

In the picture you can see the anchor box a previous owner installed on the foredeck..I would think with the heavier anchor on the bow and all that chain and rode stored in the box it would make me a little top heavy..yes?

For more casual usage do you think I could get away with the lighter smaller danforth and keep the larger one stowed for times when it might be needed?