Doug, Regarding your query on M15 anchors: Ditto most of Connie's comments regarding multiple anchors and choice based on intended use.
I carry a West 'Performance 6lb', a 4.4lb Bruce, and an 11lb Bruce. The latter is my storm anchor. I am partial to the Bruce (the real ones) for Pacific Northwest waters. It usually resets within a few anchor lengths when/if it pulls out. I use 20' of chain and 300' of 'Premium' New England Ropes three strand. I cannot speak with experience regarding the 'Hooker' brand packaged by Cabella's, but I will convey what I have heard regarding Danforth copies--namely that some are very poor substitutes due to slight variances in fluke-to-shank angles, poor welds and/or metal composition, inadequate corrosion protection, etc. Again, this might not be true of the 'Hooker', but I would want to see some confirmation and/or test data before purchasing. With the exception of the small West Performance anchor on the M15, I have always used Danforth H.T. (high tensile) with excellent results/longevity. I recently purchased an Aluminum Fortress as anchor #3 for my Flicka (Bruce 16.5 and CQR 25 are numbers one and two). It disassembles and stores below in its own bag (which I would never do if it were a primary anchor). The fortress is very well made, has tested extremely well, but is very expensive. Also, beware cheap chain and/or rode sometimes provided in packages. Finally, I once designed an elaborate anchor roller setup for the M15. I was about to fabricate it when I realized that I would still have to heft the rode/chain bag forward each time. I now deploy from the port cockpit locker where two of the three anchors reside. I then walk forward (pass around shroud) and hook to a carabiner (padded with electrical tape so as to not mar fiberglass at tip of bow) hooked to forward/large eye of stem fitting. This has worked well, and I doubt I will ever do a roller. Retrieval is reverse of deployment. I have a pad that I fling from cockpit lid over combing/deck to protect from chain, etc. Scott M15 #478 'bebe' PSC Flicka _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats
