Stern Anchor Size

[Rocky Shores]

Can someone please advise as to how many pounds a stern anchor needs to be on a Sea Ray 550 Sedan Bridge? I want something large enough to keep me from spinning in the wind but want to be able to throw it off the stern. I have had varying opinions at my marina but none of their boats are as large. I was told that a 22 pound claw anchor with 100 feet of rope would do the job but that doesn't sound accurate.

 

[Keith Zibilich]

Can someone please advise as to how many pounds a stern anchor needs to be on a Sea Ray 550 Sedan Bridge? I want something large enough to keep me from spinning in the wind but want to be able to throw it off the stern. I have had varying opinions at my marina but none of their boats are as large. I was told that a 22 pound claw anchor with 100 feet of rope would do the job but that doesn't sound accurate.

We opted for a 7 pound Fortress aluminum anchor with 100 feet of half-inch line. You would be very surprised how much weight this configuration will hold.

Of course it also depends upon what type of bottom you will be anchoring in. On the gulf coast and mostly sand that small Fortress does a fantastic job!

 

[DanW]

I will second Keith on Fortress. I use an 11 pound Fortress as a stern anchor for my 34’. It has held up to 5 boats (and the other boats were 38-44’) rafted from spinning. Very impressed with the Fortress anchors.

I’ll add that although you can throw them because they are light, ive never had any luck with that. It’s hard to get the scope you need. I either use a dinghy to drop it or use the boat to drop both anchors and then bring the boat somewhere in between them.

Dan

 

[DanW]

Oh, and I have 10’ of chain and 150’ of line for the stern anchor.

Dan

 

[Carpediem44DB]

I Agree with Dan and Keith on anchors, Its not so much the weight of the anchor but rather the design. I use a galvanized swing type fluke anchor on a 20 foot bungee and 50 feet of 1/2 inch rode which does a great job of keeping me oriented and makes up for the tide as well. I think the fluke is about a 20 Lb.
CD

 

[Rocky Shores]

Thank you so much for your input!

 

[ttmott]

I would suggest a Fortress FX37 or FX55 as a secondary anchor. I have the FX37 with 200' of 5/8" double braid. It's light, 21 pounds plus rode, and stows nicely in the Lazarette. I have used it as a splayed anchor off the bow, an aft anchor, and a sand anchor off an island without any issues. The 5/8" double braid (for my boat) is not suitable for a primary or storm anchoring but great for all other uses.
https://fortressanchors.com/anchors/fortress-anchors/#fortressselection

 

[Craig]

I use a small Guardian 3 lb with 100 ft 3/8 line for a stern anchor. Works fine for holding the stern with the bow anchor but no good as a stand alone. If your going to use it as a primary you should size it like your bow anchor.

 

[Rocky Shores]

All good stuff! Thanks all!

 

[Relaxed Jack]

All good stuff! Thanks all!

Welcome Rocky Shores, I would recommend a Danforth H-35 lb. I would give you mine, but I just gave it to my friend Captain Richard; who happens to have the same boat and name as you. He said a spinning boat is also caused by multiple Blue Moons.

 

[be_prepared]

The Fortress works well as a stern anchor for most of us. I have an FX-11 on a 340DA. My bow anchor is a 35lb Mantus. Having two different style anchors always seemed like it would be good for different conditions, although the Mantus just always seems to set in anything, so I haven't had to use the Fortress as the bow anchor. It's a great stern anchor for the beach, or for keeping a raft from swinging.

I think for a 550 the Fortress chart would recommend an FX-55 if it were going to be a primary anchor, but often for a stern anchor people drop down a size, perhaps an FX-37 as was mentioned by ttmot.
https://fortressanchors.com/selection-guide/