<< We would love to anchor out overnight, but have never
done it and have a few questions.
1. We have a P19 and one anchor, an 11 lb (I think)
Danforth. Should we get another anchor and put out
two, or should this one be OK? >>
I carry an 8.5 lb deepset danforth only. An 11 lb danforth is built to hold a
30 footer against a 20 knot wind on sandy or muddy bottom. Once you set that
sucker by motoring back (with current) from it after it holds, it will not
budge. I have remained anchored in a bay with a 40 Knot breeze on a 22'
Columbia attached to an 8 pounder. I jumped overboard and swam to shore
after boat began bouncing up and down 10' waves. Next morning, wind abated to
12 Knots and waves died down to 3'. The boat was still there! Had not
budged and inch. I always drop a 4 lb danforth off the stern to keep it
pointed to waves.
The trick is to "set the anchor" by backing down from it with current and
letting it dig in hard. Full astern usually works great.
<< 2. Will a Danforth be OK when the tide changes 180
degrees, or will it tend to dislodge when we rotate
around? Is there another anchor type you might
recommend to compliment the Danforth for a variety of
bottom conditions? In Charleston I think we have
sandy, muddy, and weedy bottoms. No rocks I believe,
unless you count oyster beds. >>
All anchors will rotate around. Once set properly they will rotate inside
sand and find new footing. No anchor holds better that a "real" Danforth in
sandy or muddy bottom. My experience with most knockoffs has been that they
will not hold half as well. In rocky bottoms most anchors will not hold
unless they snag a BIG rock.
I had to destroy a Danforth that set too well in order to leave an anchorage
in Baja California. It completely bent out of shape after I powered aft & fwd
at full speed for an hour and kept trying to winch it out with the genoa
winches. It came out finally with a bent shank and wing stuck to a piece of
rock...
Depending on wind and current it may not even budge.
<< 3. How can you tell if a mooring is public or private? >>
When a man onshore starts jumping up and down while making obscene gestures
at you... <EBG>
Best
Solar Fry
member Florida Potter Club on the internet
West Wight Potter 19 # 1028, "Elusive Margin"
Sovereign 13 # 12393, "Solar Fry"
Sunbird 201 # 2W0040, "Volatility Premium"
Pompano Beach, FL
Hillsboro Inlet Weather: Temp 84 F
Alternating showers and Partly Cloudy, wind E 3 - 8 MPH, Seas 1 - 4'
e-mail -> solarfry@aol.com