Anchoring in heavy seagrass

[Steve Darwin]

25D Arabella has a 25 lb CQR, and a Fortress FX11. Neither anchor copes with grassy bottoms very well. The heavier CQR penetrates much better than the Fortress, but even so, the underlying substrate is usually a semi-liquid mud. A friend who sails a Concordia yawl on Penobscot Bay says he has good luck with a "folding" anchor in thick kelp beds. This is the type called variously a fisherman's, yachtsman's, or kingston anchor with a folding stock. Does anyone on this board have experience with such an anchor in seagrass beds? Other anchor recommendations for that kind of bottom?

[Sea Hunt Video]

Steve:

If you go to "Mr. Google" and check anchor types, if I recall correctly, a lot of "experts" have found success with a spade type anchor (Spade or Rocna) that are supposed to be able to dig in and cut through sea grass. At least that is what I think I remember from either Practical Sailor or Good Old Boat or another magazine.

[RLW]

Steve,
I find that in our area the seagrass is most abundant in the shallower water, where I like to anchor. When I see others pick up their anchors with a bushel of grass attached, I favor the 12'+ areas, and often find them to be grass free. I presume the amount of sunlight making it to the bottom is a determining factor, among others. When I find a grass free spot at a regularly visited, known to be grassy anchorage I place a waypoint called "preferred" on the plotter. Very disappointing to get there and find someone on my waypoint!

[Steve Laume]

In some areas you can look down and find a clear spot. Even if it is a very small, weed free area, you can drop your anchor in there and it will hold, Steve.