New Anchor for an R21

[Phoenix]

We are intending to buy a Manson Supreme or Rocna anchor & would like advice on the appropriate size for our needs. We have an R21 Tug, with 25 ft. of 5/16 in. chain on 250 ft. of line. We live near Desolation Sound, British Columbia & do all our boating in this part of the Pacific North-West. Our anchorages are fairly sheltered but subject to 16 ft. tides & fairly strong changes in current.
At the moment we have an 8 lb. Danforth as our main anchor & the small claw (which came with the boat) as a second. We do not have a windlass (my wife lowers & pulls up the anchor by hand & has no difficulty with the weight of the Danforth).
For security & a peaceful night’s sleep (& emergencies), we want a better & heavier anchor – hence the universally recommended Manson Supreme or Rocna. Our debate is between the 15 lb. MS or 13 lb. Rocna & the 25 lb. MS or 22 lb. Rocna.
Our questions are…
1. Will the 15 or 13 lb. be quite sufficient for our needs or should we seriously consider the 25 or 22 lb.?
2. We realise that bigger is usually better, but our concern with the 25 or 22 lb. is whether we will have difficulty lifting it &/or whether (because it digs in & holds so well) we will have difficulty retrieving it (without a windlass)?
I know there is no perfect answer to these questions (we have studied the sizing charts) but would greatly appreciate any guidance, recommendations or advice any of you can give us.
Many thanks.

 

[tugfan]

I have had very good success with a Guardian anchor from Fortress. http://www.fortressanchors.com/
They are light, easy to handle if you don't have a windless, (I don't) and pull it by hand. This year, I upgraded to a 10' rode on a G-7, which works great.
It sets easily and holds well. Much lighter and easier to handle.

Bill

 

[Stella Maris]

I would recommend you go up one size on the Rocna from the recommended size. As for breaking it free, it has been the easiest anchor we have ever owned to break free and the easiest to set. I attribute that to the design of the Rocna. The sharp point digs in quickly and holds and then releases quickly since you are pulling straight up on it.

For years (20 plus) we have used the Bruce (claw) anchors with great success. However, after watching Lyman deploy and retrieve his Rocna, we made the switch. We do carry a Bruce as our back up anchor.

 

[captain's cat]

I have had very good success with a Guardian anchor from Fortress. http://www.fortressanchors.com/
They are light, easy to handle if you don't have a windless, (I don't) and pull it by hand. This year, I upgraded to a 10' rode on a G-7, which works great.
It sets easily and holds well. Much lighter and easier to handle.

Bill

Wow, 10' rode.... You must anchor in some very skinny water!! :roll: :mrgreen:

Charlie

 

[tugfan]

Let me restate, 10' of 5/16 chain and 200 ' of 3/8 rope. 😀