GROUND TACKLE....

Pictured is what is left of 5 tons of the popular Lewmar "Claw" anchors. Bruce lost their patents several years ago. Lewmar jumped in and started manufacturing in China which totally dropped a bomb on Bruce's extremely high prices. We've been selling these anchors for several years. Our customers seem pleased with their performance and we seldom ever get in a used one that is bent or shows any sign of damage. In my mind, you can never have too much ground tackle. I got trapped in a bay on a small island in the Indian ocean when a cyclone was approaching. I had out three bow anchors and two stern anchors. Let's hope you never have to face weather like that but even in Baja, the weather can shift at night and put you on a lee shore. A second or third anchor ready to go could save your "butt". Tip for the day. When cruising there's a tendency to get your boat all snug in a harbor so you'll only have a short row to the beach. This works well in Baja during the day but at night, the wind can do a 180 on you and you can quickly find your back against the wall. Move out to deeper water before dark and get a bit of sea room. Engines don't always start and anchors don't always come home quickly? A rule I tried to keep in my voyages was to anchor far enough offshore so you could sail away if need be. Heed the old clipper ship saying, "BETTER A MILE TOO FAR THAN A FOOT TOO NEAR."..........