Recommended anchor for 2006 R-21EC

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Dave and Genny

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Joined
Jan 31, 2011
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65
Fluid Motion Model
C-24 C SE
Hull Identification Number
MFLT2119B606
Vessel Name
(2006) Genny
Can someone advise the recommended stainless plow anchor for an R-21 that will fit properly on the roller? I'm concerned that an incorrect anchor might rub on the bow and scrape up the roller.
 
Dave and Genny: I'm not sure of the exact fit for your boat but as to size and style I have a thought. If you go to http://www.boatus.com/boattech/anchorin.htm you'll see all sorts of info as to the proper weighted anchor for the length and beam of your boat. After you've settled on the proper brand from your research or fellow members I'd take try it out on the boat to make sure it fits. If you can tow the boat to the store or ask to bring the anchor home. One last thought would be that I'd caution on the side of the next heavier anchor, if it fits.
 
If the roller weldment on your R21 is similar to ours (2007) I think you have a real problem on your hands. Even the 9# Delta that was on our boat would not pin to the weldment properly. I personally think the roller used was totally inadequate for the R21.

I also felt the 9# anchor which was on the boat when we bought it was inadequate for our use and fretted about what to do for most of the winter. I didn't want to replace the weldment for several reasons, cost included. Here is what we came up with and which I have detailed in our album. As I mention, it is not a perfect solution but it works. Maybe it will give you some ideas.

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The following is opinion (anchor stuff generally is 😉 )...your results may vary.
While the '05 R-21 isn't the identical boat to the EC, I think it's close enough for comparison.
I use a "generic" 11# Bruce style anchor on the bow, and find it holds very well in most bottoms found around here where the anchorages are mostly heavy sand , gravel or mud and very few have grass or heavy weed. In a previous post I related a situation that tested the anchor severely and it performed perfectly in a serious blow I was caught in at anchor in the middle of a very open area while officiating at a sailing regatta. I was stuck on the hook in winds clocked (I had a wind meter) at up to 43 mph sustained.with gusts to 56 for over an hour.
I have found that one of the biggest components of successful anchoring is the correct amount of chain. I've found that 8-10 feet is plenty on a 21 ft. boat when attached to enough rode to allow adequate scope.
The only thing I had a problem with the anchor roller (a basic roller) was the anchor pin wouldn't clear the anchor shaft.I corrected that by drilling and chamfering a hole to accept the pin through the shaft. The location of the hole in no way would weaken the anchor enough to be a problem.
I keep a small "danforth" in the stern locker as a "lunch hook" but if I'm in a shallow enough cove I'll just push an oar into the bottom and loop it to a cleat (easier to clean mud off the oarblade than off of the anchor).
 
Warning: The following contains opinions held by the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions of everyone on this forum. 😱 (After all, it is about anchors.)

As to voting, I'd go with a 14# Delta@, which we have done on our R21.

We carried a 35# CQR@ and a 44# Bruce on our Crealock 37, and both were outstanding. The Bruce was primarily our storm anchor or became the bow anchor against the strongest tidal flow or wind if we had to use a "Bahamian Moor" for some reason.

The only place we had trouble with the Bruce was in heavy grass over sand in The Bahamas. The flukes would gather grass as they tried to set and then become nothing but a blob. The side flukes would not do the rolling action that they are designed to do to make the primary fluke dig in. That was not a show-stopper since we always dove on our anchor to check the set. If I needed the added holding of the Bruce I would just start the set manually. In any other bottom it would set like a charm. The CQR would set in everything. The point would slip through the grass and get to the sand without loading up the plow with grass.

We carried a 55# Delta on our Atlantic 44 and it set every time and held well. The Delta is a close relative of the CQR, primarily lacking the swivel joint. It does seem to turn in the bottom quite well when it needs to. So while the swivel joint may facilitate that a bit, the Delta seems to do just fine without it. (As does the Bruce.)

We also carried a couple of Danforth@s on the Atlantic which were on board when we bought it but only used the lighter of them in non-critical situations as off the stern to keep it out of the fairway when anchored on the river systems. The other one was a real brute that had been the previous owner's primary anchor. We kept it to use as an anchor of last resort if a super-storm was coming but we never had reason to set it. I do not generally recommend the Danforth for a primary anchor since they do not turn well. A trip around most large marinas will turn up a pile of Danforth-style anchors with bent shanks. Another problem is that they will sometimes break out and not reset. That happens when the wind or tidal current go slack and reverse slowly and rebuild. The rode can either tangle on the rods on the flukes or just get directly over the anchor and when the strain increases the anchor will flip out of the bottom. I have seen it happen, so this is not just hearsay. I still like the Danforth because of its superior holding for the amount of dead-weight, but I would not sleep on one, especially in water with fast tidal flows or under changing wind conditions.

If I had only one anchor rode and anchored on anything but rock I would (and do) use a Delta. If I were sometimes going to have to anchor in rock I would go with a Bruce. With two rodes I would carry one of each.
 
We also were wanting stainless (bling) and opted for an 11 lb. Horizon Claw. (Even used stainless for the chain portion of the rode.) (more bling). This anchor also did not work with the retaining pin on the roller, but rather than try to drill into the anchor, I removed the pin. To keep the anchor snugly resting in the roller, I installed a deck mounted chain stopper just ahead of the chain locker pipe. The anchor tends to ride cocked to one side a bit due to physics I assume, but it does not touch or mar the gelcoat. The plastic bow protector takes any knocks.
 
I don't know much about anchors I do know that mushroom anchors are totally worthless and fluke anchors are almost totally worthless. A bruce style anchor came with my boat and I could not be happier. The longer it sits, the harder it sets. My #11 bruce style anchor has not pulled free yet. From the reading I have done, the Delta and Rocna anchors are upgraded and pricier versions of the bruce. Most reviews hold the Rocna as the best to get, and you are going to pay a premium for it.

I think a #11 would be an appropriate size for the R21. What you may have to do is decide on the anchor you want, and then get the roller that will fit your anchor. On my boat, the anchor/roller match-up is tricky, and I have to have the anchor situated just right for the pin to go through. Sometimes, if I know I will anchor again later, I will lay the anchor in the bow rather that try to fight with the pin. Someday, I may ream out the pin hole on the anchor so the pin will fit easier.
 
"From the reading I have done, the Delta and Rocna anchors are upgraded and pricier versions of the bruce."

Actually, the Delta@ is not a Bruce-type anchor. It is similar to a CQR@. In other words pretty much a traditional "plow". Both are Lewmar products. Basically the shape of the flukes is similar to the CQR. The large knuckle joint that was the innovation of the CQR is missing so the shank is directly welded to the plow. The shank and knuckle joint on a CQR is a forging and therefore very expensive. The Delta has a larger chunk of metal on the underside of the point than does a comparable CQR to help the anchor dig in and set. The chunk on our 14# Delta appears to be about he same as on our 35# CQR (a long story as to why we still have that). The CQR relies more on the joint and the flukes to roll the anchor upright and begin the set.

The Bruce@ gained fame as an anchor for offshore oil platforms. It is has been labeled as a "claw" shape and has a main fluke with two smaller side flukes. The side flukes not only provide holding when set but are shaped to roll the anchor upright as they enter the bottom to assure a perfect set. It was the only available claw anchor when we started cruising. When the patent rights expired there were several copies produced in a hurry because of the popularity (and price) of the original. I understand that while I wasn't looking Bruce has stopped producing recreational anchors so only a copy is available now. I don't know if any of the copies can do what the Bruce did. I'd shop salvage yards and mariner's flea markets if I really wanted one now.
 
I love the "stick an oar in the mud and tie a loop". This sure shows the variety of places we can take our boats.
 
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