rode rider idea

[sailphoto]

I use a Kellet/Sentinel which is a 15lb mushroom anchor. I is spliced to a stainless D ring which I snap over the anchor line and lower with a 1/4" line to approx. a third down the rode. I use it everytime I anchor, because it helps set the anchor deeper in mild conditions, but more importantly it smooths out our ride at anchor.
When heavy weather is predicted I generally don't use the kellet, but instead set 2 anchors, my primary which is a slightly oversized bruce with 20' of chain, and a very over sized danforth. If an anchorage is busy I will do everything I can to position my boat so that I can put out at least 7:1 scope. The two anchors if placed properly reduce my swing circle. In these cases I won't mess around with the kellet because the rode will generally be straight in these conditions. Having the kellet has made our anchoring smoother, but being a cautious anchorer, nothing will replace a well set anchor(s) with proper rode. By the way if some of you haven't used a bruce anchor, you should look into them. Very versatile, pivots while dug in and never has failed to set. In fact I am starting to get a bit lazy about muscling the second anchor onto deck after three years with the bruce. Are others as devoted to their bruce anchor as I am?
Best regards
Dylan

[sailingdog]

A kellet doesn't help in bad conditions... as you have pointed out. The only thing that really helps in bad conditions is more scope and a heavier anchor.

As for bruce anchors, they seem to do fine, if they're oversized to begin with, but if they start to drag, I find that they rarely will reset...hopping and skipping over the bottom instead.

[Dewey Benson]

I get along very well indeed with my Bruce. I have never had one drag once well set in mud or sand. Wind and current shifts of 180 degrees don't break it free in mud or sand. 7 to 1 is pretty good scope and should be adequate in all but dire conditions.

I have had several different boats since I first bought a Bruce in 1985, I have had at least one on every craft and consider it my go to anchor for most conditions. I like to keep Danforths as kedge anchors as when using a kedge the circumstances will somtimes dictate that one should leave it. The Dan sets fast and is inexpensive.

My current primary is a 15kg (33lb) Bruce with 60' 3/8 high test and 450' rode.
I also carry a 45lb CQR as spare and a 30lb Danforth for a kedge. It is my intention to sell the CQR and replace it with a 20KG bruce. I have only owned my Freedom 39 since November and am still mulling over her final outfitting.

Dewey

[sailingdog]

I would recommend against dropping the CQR, and recommend swapping the 15 kg Bruce for the larger one. The reason I say this, is you may run into a bottom that the Bruce just fails to hold in, and a lighter one will be of little use, where a different anchor design might hold well.

I have seen enough situations where a Bruce has pulled out and failed to reset at all. I've also heard similar stories from enough of my cruising friends to want to avoid a Bruce on my boat. If the Bruce works for you, the more power to you...

Just out of curiosity, what kind of boat do you sail on?

[Dewey Benson]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

Just out of curiosity, what kind of boat do you sail on?

I recently (November) purchased a Freedom 39 Pilothouse. It is taking some getting used to. The trim is much different from the masthead sloops I have previously owned.

The Bruce I would replace the 45 CQR with is 20Kg (44lbs). If you set your anchors at 3 to 1 (common practice on all chain here in crowded SO-Cal) you will drag constantly. But if you set at 6 to 1 you will do just fine thank you.

The CQR's I have experienced will pop out in a 180 wind or current shift, then reset themselves in as much as 15 feet. This is a characteristic that makes me nervous as I have seen Anchors foul wierd stuff on the bottom and be unable to set. They are damn good at reseting themselves tho... I just don't like the idea. LOL!

Dewey

[sailingdog]

Does your Freedom 39 have a Hoyt Gun Mount Spinnaker pole setup??? If so, what do you think of it??

I use a 15 kg Rocna as my primary anchor, and use a 14 lb. Danforth as my kedge. But my boat is a good deal smaller than yours...only 28'.

[Dewey Benson]

No Gun Mount (as yet anyway) Kinda doubt ill put one on it's a tad crowded in my bow area and ive got two free flying lite air kites also.

That Rocna sounds pretty neat. You have had pretty goods results with it?

Dewey

[sailingdog]

Yes, but I haven't really put it to the test yet... I hope I never do...but I haven't put it through anything that I think has tested it to and degree either.

[Gene T]

Another use for a kellet not yet mentioned is the prevention of keel/rudder wrap on fin keel boats. In this case the kellet is let out just over the water depth.

I have had good luck with Danforth HT series, but I think the best anchors are Ronca, Spade, Delta, Bruce in that order. I wouldn't have a CQR on the boat, I would always have a Danforth or Fortress on board because of there specific advantages, but not for primary use.