Plow anchors have become the new standard that most boats are fitted with when sold new. Because of the flukes on Danforth anchors, they can easily (and commonly) get hung up in areas with rocky bottoms or lots of underwater trees or brush. Most plows also have an eyelet where you can attach a trip line to make it easy to release. It's the same process to set a plow, so I doubt you'll have any regret over your purchase!

 

What happened to the danforth?

 

Was rotting away

 

What kind of hardware do you have for anchor storage?

I the previous owner had a Danforth on my 290 but it was designed to hold a plow. Changed it out and it stores and works a lot better.

Some pulpits/windless on older boats where the anchor comes up from underneath look like they accept a Danforth better.

 

There are a lot of great anchor discussions on the site. I read many of them when I wanted to replace the stock Kodiac plow that was on my 340DA. It was sized more like a lunch hook than one for overnighting. We ended up switching to an all chain rode and a larger Mantus anchor, and that's been good for the places we typically anchor. We also have a Fortress as a back up, and occasionally use it as a stern anchor, with a mixed chain/nylon rode.

Whether the plow or Danforth is the better choice for you depends on a lot of things, but the bottom where you typically anchor may make one style more effective than the other. If you're mostly anchoring in mud or sandy bottoms, a Danforth is great. Plows are good most places, except maybe rocky bottoms. I find the Mantus has worked well in a mix of conditions, but they are pricy. Anchoring.com did a little blog on the basics:
https://www.anchoring.com/blogs/anc.../blogs/anchoring/anchor-selection-guide-how-to-choose-the-best-boat-anchor-type

 

There are a lot of great anchor discussions on the site. I read many of them when I wanted to replace the stock Kodiac plow that was on my 340DA. It was sized more like a lunch hook than one for overnighting. We ended up switching to an all chain rode and a larger Mantus anchor, and that's been good for the places we typically anchor. We also have a Fortress as a back up, and occasionally use it as a stern anchor, with a mixed chain/nylon rode.

Whether the plow or Danforth is the better choice for you depends on a lot of things, but the bottom where you typically anchor may make one style more effective than the other. If you're mostly anchoring in mud or sandy bottoms, a Danforth is great. Plows are good most places, except maybe rocky bottoms. I find the Mantus has worked well in a mix of conditions, but they are pricy. Anchoring.com did a little blog on the basics:
https://www.anchoring.com/blogs/anc.../blogs/anchoring/anchor-selection-guide-how-to-choose-the-best-boat-anchor-type

Thanks for all the input! Took a ride this morning for a Anchor shake down, It worked well with the anchor shoot i have, It set very quick and came up easy too it seems like I'll be happy with the choice thank you again

 

I had a huge Danforth on the bow of my boat but could never get it to set in a grassy bottom. It just slid over the grass.

I changed it out for a Delta Fast-Set plow and got rid of the issues.

Anyone want to buy a lightly used Danforth?

 

I had a huge Danforth on the bow of my boat but could never get it to set in a grassy bottom. It just slid over the grass.

I changed it out for a Delta Fast-Set plow and got rid of the issues.

Anyone want to buy a lightly used Danforth?

LOL...you are definitely not a danforth anchor salesman

 

Blueone, is it that obvious?

 

My last boat had a danforth, and it didn’t load evenly, pita. Bought a delta plow, and it self loaded so much better. Current boat came with the same size plow, and it’s been pretty close to flawless

 

I am now a big fan of the Rockna with the roll bar over the top. Sets great all the time.

 

I think you made the right call.
I’ve got the stock plow anchor that came with my boat along with 200’ of chain and it hasn’t failed me yet in any of the local places.
The only local issue I have with the setup is all the muck it pulls up in Zack’s Bay.
Love anchoring there, but the bottom is disgusting.
The plow anchor kind of acts like a big scooper because of the shape.
I’m sort of used to it because the chain links retain a lot of muck too and I normally have to use the washdown when retrieving there anyway.
Now that I have the all chain rode I really love that too.
I had a Danforth 20H Hight Tensile with a rope & 15’ chain on my 300 Sundancer that was fantastic, and it seemed to pull up a lot less muck in Zack’s, probably because of the shape, but it was an older anchor of better quality than what is available these days.
I recommended that model Danforth anchor to someone else and when he bought it new there was a noticeable difference in the quality in the newer version of it. It was inferior and had a bend in it right out of the box. Probably Chinese steel or something in the newer ones. He returned it and eventually found a used older one somewhere.

 

We have a fortress as a back up and for when we need a stern. The main is a Lewmar plow. The Fortress is great, but next to worthless on hard stony bottoms (like most of coastal Maine).

 

I had a Fortress FX 16 as a backup on my 300 Sundancer. It was a great second anchor and backup, but I found it to be worthless as a primary anchor.