What type & size of anchor is adequate to hold an F18 catamaran in rough weather, with a sand or mud bottom? That's assuming a long enough anchor rode for the depth, etc.

I am assembling the gear that I need to go out onto Lake Michigan & Green Bay without any dedicated support, other than my wife reachable by cell phone. I have purchased a Standard Horizon HX850S marine radio with GPS & DSC, and am also assembling info on flares.

I saw that "adequate anchor and line" are required equipment for cat distance races, so I first posted this request to the CatSailor long distance racing forum. But, I see that there is very little traffic on that forum, so I'm posting it here also.

Thanks for the help!

I have never done a distance race that required us to carry an anchor on a beach cat. I would try a small danforth type if you are sailing in a location where you are really going to need an anchor - but I would avoid carrying it unless you really have to. If you do anchor, rig a decent sized bridle from the bow tangs to avoid her sailing back and forth.

Chris.

Chris - Thanks for the reply. I maybe should put the money I'd spend on an anchor towards a ResQFix EPIRB instead, as the next major items for sailing on big water, after the marine radio/GPS and waterproofed cell phone.

Russ

An Anchor and rode were required for several distance races including the DTB and the C100.

The requirment was dropped because the size anchor that could be reasonably carried was not adequate to hold the boat off a lee shore.

Some regions required an anchor based on big boat monohull experience. They reasoned that an anchor would be used to stop you from drifting into a shipping channel. They did not realize that a cat can be paddled quite efficiently and anchoring would not be necessary.

Most find that an anchor is used to keep the boat off the beach for lunch.

An Anchor and rode were required for several distance races including the DTB and the C100.

The requirment was dropped because the size anchor that could be reasonably carried was not adequate to hold the boat off a lee shore. (/search for post by Rick Bliss experiene)

Some regions required an anchor based on big boat monohull experience. They reasoned that an anchor would be used to stop you from drifting into a shipping channel. They did not realize that a cat can be paddled quite efficiently and anchoring would not be necessary.

Most find that an anchor is used to keep the boat off the beach for lunch.