My F38 came with a 11kg Bruce anchor, which I think is too small. I am planning to upgrade to a 35lb CQR. Is this sufficient for general cruising in the Northeast? Also planning on installing a windless. Any recommendations for a clean fit on an F38?
There are a million opinions on anchors out there, and every sailor has their two cents. I will offer my own experiences and recommendation, but first: don’t go with a CQR. It’s an outdated design that just isn’t as good as any of the modern anchors. Look it up, it was designed in the 1930’s! It’s certainly an improvement over a fisherman anchor, but these days you can do much better.
I used to swear by my Rocna 15kg. It set every single time on the first try, almost immediately. It would also bring up a fair amount of the bottom with it when raised, which I took to mean that it bites down well. After four or five seasons without any dragging, I read about a pretty serious problem with the Rocna’s design, which seemingly applies to all roll bar-type anchors. The issue is that they tend to collect a lot of the bottom, and in certain bottom conditions the roll bar can keep that material packed on the anchor’s fluke and prevent it from re-setting. So, if you’re anchored and there is a 180º wind shift, the anchor will pull out (as any anchor would) but be unable to bite back into the bottom because its mouth is already full of mud. After reading this, I thought back to all the times I used a boat hook to dislodge the mass of packed mud and shell that my Rocna had brought up in its fluke, and it really clicked. Feeling how hard it was packed in there, I could totally see it preventing the point from re-penetrating the bottom after a wind shift.
For the next season, I sold my Rocna and bought a Spade S80. The Spade’s tip is filled with lead, so it is able to penetrate the bottom with a bit more force than if it was just steel like the rest of the anchor. This also makes sure the tip stays pointed downwards without relying on a roll bar. I’ve been very happy with the Spade so far. It still brings up some mud when weighed, but not nearly as much as the Rocna. I have also experienced a 180º re-set in high winds, and it only took a few feet to bite back down.
Anyway, this is just my experience, don’t put too much stock in it. Do some research, watch some YouTube videos (there’s one guy in the PNW who is very thorough in his anchor testing), and look at what’s available out there. Just don’t get a CQR.
As far as windlasses, I have a Lewmar V3. It’s worked fine for me. I have it installed so that the motor is just aft of the bulkhead for the anchor locker, so that it’s physically separate from any salt water that comes up with the chain. I highly recommend installing yours this way.
Do not, do not, do not get a CQR. The CQR is basically a 1st generation anchor designed by someone in the UK almost a hundred years ago. It was designed for the soft mud that was present in the area. I have owned a CQR, and virtually every time I dropped the anchor, I had to dive in and hand-set it.
I was an early adopter of Rocna anchors (which are 4th generation anchors), and I have been very happy with it. I have a 25kg anchor for my 40/40. The only problem that it has is setting in thick seagrass. It also doesn’t shed the bottom very well when pulling it up, so depending on the bottom type, you can spend a lot of time clearing it with a wash-down pump and boat hook. But, you will have slept well at night knowing that it’s holding.
I am having a new boat built, and it will have an Ultra anchor on it. Based on all of the tests that I’ve seen, it holds better than the Rocna, penetrates seagrass, and sheds the bottom very well.
– Geoff
Steve Goodwin - SV Panope has a Youtube channel - https://m.youtube.com/@flygoodwin
He has over 100 videos with extensive anchor system testing and tips.
Here is a summary anchor test video https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=smgWTtFuk3U
Anchor system debates can be quite passionate. But I think most would agree that the more modern anchors are a better choice.
I have upgraded from a cqr and a manual windlass to a rocna vulcan with no roll bar and a lewmar pro series windlass. However I have not had much chance to use the new system.
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Steve Goodwin - SV Panope has a Youtube channel - https://m.youtube.com/@flygoodwin
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Yes, that’s the guy! His videos are great. He has a cool/weird aluminum sailboat too.
Thank you for the advice. CQR is out the window!
I like what Geoff said about the Ultra- from what I’ve read, better than the rocna:). I have a rocna - holds great on the N ca coast 
. Like Geoff said it does come up muddy - I motor in circles after raising, with the rocna just below the waterline, and mud comes off clean. Very happy with it…… (have to ask Geoff- what boat 
)
I just updated my anchoring system on my 33 Cat-Ketch. I placed a Lumar 1000 just forward of the main mast. I am using my tried and true Fortress FX23 with 25’ of chain backed by 250’ of 1/2" triple braid. I know the FX23 may be a little overkill but in my case its make me sleep better. Most of the anchorages I visit are sand/mud bottoms. I have never draged using this anhor. The anchor windless has worked very well so far, the only issue I have is the rode penitration thru the deck can admit water during a heavy rain. I solve this issure by stuffing a piece of foam around the chain. I also cary a Fortress FX 16 when anchoring bow and stern or when a wind shift is forecast.
Regards
Erik
I added a generic 2 channel remote to my windlass
From amazon much cheaper than lewmar
Works great from anywhere in the boat