TWL: SuperMax anchor with chain
I am impressed with all I hear about this anchor, however, based on its
method of operation, I conclude that the anchor's unique setting
characteristics are negated using an all chain rode. The chain's catenary is
a detriment two ways: 1) on initial setting, the required short scope is
hard to obtain and 2) maintaining a short scope does away with the shock
absorber effect of the catenary.
So I was going to get a 88 lb Delta. Please show me the error of my ways, if
any.
Bob
M/Y Susan Marie
Hatteras 58 LRC
Chesapeake Bay
At 11:20 AM 01/26/2001 -0500, Robert Calhoun Smith, Jr. wrote:
I am impressed with all I hear about this anchor, however, based on its
method of operation, I conclude that the anchor's unique setting
characteristics are negated using an all chain rode. The chain's catenary is
a detriment two ways: 1) on initial setting, the required short scope is
hard to obtain and 2) maintaining a short scope does away with the shock
absorber effect of the catenary.
So I was going to get a 88 lb Delta. Please show me the error of my ways, if
any.
Bob and to those that might be trying to make the same decision ...
Bob: We use all chain with a Super Max on a 25,000lbs boat. Very happy
with it. I call it my drop and forget anchor. The only time I was not sure
of it's set was once in the Bahamas on a hard bottom and a big current
change. We set out a second anchor. We attach a bridle to the chain.
The bridle is made up of two 5/8 nylon bradded line with one of those
rubber shock absorbers on each leg. The bridle attaches to the chain with
a stainless cargo hook. Then I let the chain out until there is slack in
the chain. We added a stainless swivel between the chain and the anchor.
Last year we anchored in a high current area for a few days. When I pulled
the anchor, the chain was so twisted that had to pull it all out and
untwist by hand. I set the anchor by letting out 3-4 scope, pull back
with the engines, after it's set I let about 3-4 more. We don't anchor in
very deep water down here. The deepest was off the beach to watch an Air
Show. We had all 200ft out in 50 ft of water. A bad storm came up, we
were about the only boat that did not move. (at least it looked that way)
jd
Joe DellaFera / Margaret Murray
36' Prairie DC "SAMAKI"
Pompano Beach, Fl.
I have had incredibly good performance from a Max in Maine. Sets every time
the first time, holds like crazy, and easy to retrieve. Based on several
years good experience, I bought a Super Max to use on the boat here in the
Florida Keys. Disaster. Used it with both an all chain rode and a
chain/rope rode. Neither worked worth a darn. Dragged it all over the
bottom and had no more luck setting it than I did with a Fortress on
another boat a few years ago. Hard sand bottoms with plenty of sea grass do
not seem to be its thing. I switched back to a Delta and had good
performance and recently changed again to a Spade with excellent
performance. As an aside I used a CQR on the ICW a few years ago and found
it wanting in heavy mud.
As others far smarter and saltier have postulated, I too have become
convinced that no one anchor works everywhere. Carry a Delta or CQR.
They're fine anchors. A Super Max makes a good second anchor for muddy
situations. A Bruce tends to set quickly even where others fail though it
doesn't have the ultimate holding power. However, on a calm night, that may
be all that's needed. And finally I do carry a large Fortress which I may
have to set by diving, but which could prove good in a serious storm situation.
Tom
Thanks, Tom. Did you use all chain with the Max in Maine?
Bob
M/Y Susan Marie
Hatteras 58 LRC
Chesapeake Bay
From: Tom Clements tclem@acadia.net
Date: Fri, 26 Jan 2001 16:12:58 -0500
To: Trawler World list trawler-world-list@samurai.com
Subject: Re: TWL: SuperMax anchor with chain
I have had incredibly good performance from a Max in Maine. Sets every time
the first time, holds like crazy, and easy to retrieve. Based on several
years good experience, I bought a Super Max to use on the boat here in the
Florida Keys. Disaster. Used it with both an all chain rode and a
chain/rope rode. Neither worked worth a darn. Dragged it all over the
bottom and had no more luck setting it than I did with a Fortress on
another boat a few years ago. Hard sand bottoms with plenty of sea grass do
not seem to be its thing. I switched back to a Delta and had good
performance and recently changed again to a Spade with excellent
performance. As an aside I used a CQR on the ICW a few years ago and found
it wanting in heavy mud.
As others far smarter and saltier have postulated, I too have become
convinced that no one anchor works everywhere. Carry a Delta or CQR.
They're fine anchors. A Super Max makes a good second anchor for muddy
situations. A Bruce tends to set quickly even where others fail though it
doesn't have the ultimate holding power. However, on a calm night, that may
be all that's needed. And finally I do carry a large Fortress which I may
have to set by diving, but which could prove good in a serious storm
situation.
Tom
No. About 25 ft. of chain and then 5/8" rode on a 35 lb. Max (predates
Super Max).
At 04:42 PM 1/26/2001 -0500, Robert Calhoun Smith, Jr. wrote:
Thanks, Tom. Did you use all chain with the Max in Maine?
At 04:12 PM 01/26/2001 -0500, Tom Clements wrote:
I have had incredibly good performance from a Max in Maine. Sets every time
the first time, holds like crazy, and easy to retrieve. Based on several
years good experience, I bought a Super Max to use on the boat here in the
Florida Keys. Disaster. Used it with both an all chain rode and a
chain/rope rode. Neither worked worth a darn. Dragged it all over the
bottom and had no more luck setting it than I did with a Fortress on
another boat a few years ago. Hard sand bottoms with plenty of sea grass do
not seem to be its thing. I switched back to a Delta and had good
performance and recently changed again to a Spade with excellent
performance. As an aside I used a CQR on the ICW a few years ago and found
it wanting in heavy mud.
Tom
On our last boat our main anchor was a Fortress. We had some problems
getting it to set in grass bads. Took a high speed grinder to the tips.
Made them as sharp as I could. ( I can understand why manufacturers
deliver anchors with rounded edges,) The modification made a big
difference. I plan to do the same to my Super Max ASAP...jd
Joe DellaFera / Margaret Murray
36' Prairie DC "SAMAKI"
Pompano Beach, Fl.
"Robert Calhoun Smith, Jr." wrote:
So I was going to get a 88 lb Delta. Please show me the error of my ways, if
any.
Bob,
Al I can say is that I have a Super Max with an all chain rode and it works
very well indeed. Just follow the setting instructions and then let out your
final amount of scope. The anchor has set first time every time and buries the
blade in about four feet. We have used it in the Bahamas where I dive on it
every time, just to make sure of the set. My Max has become my best bower.
Dolph & Bev McCranie
The Right Whale