Living on a Sailboat - Choose the Right Anchor For Caribbean Cruising

Living on a sailboat in the Caribbean was somethingWe highly recommend a snubber be employed, even if
we enjoyed for 8 years. We found that the choice ofyou have an anchor pin that takes the load off the
a proper anchor was crucial to a good night's sleep.windlass. Make one up with a snubber hook (make
Our main anchor was a 35 lb CQR with 200 feet allsure it is the right size) and a 12 inch piece of water
chain rode. We called her "Sominex".hose as anti chafing gear. We used about 6 to 8 feet
The bottom in the Windward's and Leeward's wasof halyard line, yeah it's expensive, but it is easy to
mostly sand. A few places, Simpson Bay Lagoon in Stwork with.
Marten, had some mud but that was the exception.Despite all our precautions, we drug once, in Admirality
Our second anchor was a 15 lb Delta; 15 feet of chain,Bay in Bequia. It is a hard sand bottom, always difficult
200 feet of rope rode. We did not use that much.to get set there. We were awakened at dawn one
My recommendation would be as big a CQR as youmorning by a fisherman, halfway to MoonHole, in 90
can stand with all chain rode. We had an electricfeet of water. How we missed the several dozen
windlass (Lewmar) that made retrieving the hook noboats anchored around us I will never know. PS if
sweat ... Do not cut corners and go with a rope rodeanyone tells you they have never drug...they are lying.
due to no windlass. It is just not worth the savings inLiving on a sailboat is great fun in the Caribbean. Do it
weight.right and don't skimp on your ground tackle. You too
Our CQR stowed nicely in the bow roller on our 35will call your anchor " Sominex".
Foot Island Packet, Shadowtime.