anchoring and marlinspike seamanship 229
Delta anchor.Delta. Unlike the CQR, the Delta
has no hinge joining the shank to the
crown. The front part of the fluke is
sharper than the CQR, and the back is
much wider. Th is gives the Delta an edge
(pun intended!) when digging into poor
bottoms like kelp or grass. Th e lighter Delta makes it a contender to the CQR
and Bruce. One manufacturer claims that a 22-pound Delta holds as well as a
45-pound CQR! It beat out other anchors in testing done in coastal Georgia,
which is notorious for its poor holding ground and swift currents.
Kedge Anchors
Th is traditionally shaped anchor—called a yachtsman, fi sherman, or Admiralty
Pattern anchor—can also be used as a storm anchor. If rocks, coral, or kelp make
up the seabed of your cruising ground, this
Hercules of anchors deserves a berth aboard
your boat.
Luke anchor.Luke. Th e Paul E. Luke Company in Maine makes an excellent kedge-type
fi sherman anchor for small cruising vessels. Th eir drop-forged steel masterpiece
breaks down into four pieces (shank, fl ukes, stock, and shackle). It stows below
or on deck in a locker and assembles in minutes on deck.
Choose the Proper Anchor Rode for Safety
Th e umbilical cord between anchor and cleat (or windlass) makes up your anchor
rode. Th e integrity of shackles, chain, and rope determine the overall strength of