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| Bruce Anchor for Float Plane?
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We received this e-mail from Robert Amburgey:
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November 27, 2000
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I recently read with great interest your discussion about using a Bruce anchor and the testimonials from boaters who like it. I live in the Northwest and frequently travel by float plane to remote areas and need to anchor the plane while I camp. This is usually a time-consuming and difficult process to set the anchor. Unlike a boat, I can't back up or manuever well under power while trying to set the anchor. Usually I paddle the airplane out from shore to drop the anchor and have someone pull me back toward shore to set it. The other method is to use a small inflatable raft and paddle out with the anchor. Then I use a "clothesline" design to reel the plane in or out as necessary (this consists of a 400' line and 2 pulleys with the plane in the middle).
I have a Fortress FX-7 because it is lightweight and folds up to pack. It has about 5' of chain on it. It is very difficult to set in seaweed or other bottom plants and tends to skip along the bottom, the flukes filling up with weeds. Once set, it holds the plane quite securely.
Do you think the Bruce anchor would be a lot easier to set? Do you have any suggestions to help set the anchor? I have to keep the weight as low as possible and can't put a long chain on the anchor. I am told there used to be a smaller Bruce than the 11 lb. model but haven't seen it for sale. I wouldn't go any heavier than 11 lbs. Any ideas you could relate to me will
be appreciated.
Thank you,
--Robert Amburgey
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Response
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I haven't had this application before. On balance, I think the Bruce would work better than the Danforth-design Fortress. Not because the Danforth design isn't good (it is a good design) but because the Bruce does some things better.
First, weed bottoms. The Bruce is much less apt to foul in weed, although heavy weed will foul just about anything.
Second, short scope ability. Your Fortress needs more scope to work well. In 20 feet of water you'd want to let out at least 80 feet of anchor line (rode) before you set, and 100-120 feet would be better. In other words, a scope of 4:1 minimum, with 5:1 or 6:1 preferred. Given that you can't manuever a float plane the way a boat can be manuevered, this is a problem. I'd guess that the primary reason your Fortress skates across the bottom is because you're not able (or willing) to put out enough rode to get proper scope.
The Bruce, by contrast, actually will attempt to set on as little as 2:1 scope, and definitely will set on 3:1. The Bruce also sets faster than the Danforth design. With any anchor design, the greater the scope, the better the set and holding power, so ideally you'd set a Bruce on 5:1 or greater scope. But Bruce anchor owners know that 3:1 works fine.
Next, chain. The Danforth design likes the weight of chain to hold the anchor shank down so the flukes will bite into the bottom. The Bruce orients itself properly without chain. Even so, I'd recommend a very short length, say 1-2 feet of 3/16 or 1/4-inch chain, to protect against chafe on the bottom. I'd be surprised if more chain were needed. If you were a boat, I'd recommend at least 10 feet of chain. An airplane, however, must watch weight, and here's where you could save a couple pounds.
Bruce used to produce 4.4-lb and 2.2-lb models, but couldn't make any money on them. When the molds wore out several years ago those two sizes were dropped. The smallest Bruce available today is the 11-pound model, which would be more than ample for most float planes. A 4.4 might work, too, if you could find one. I'm not so sure about a 2.2. (If you find a 2.2, let me know. I could use one for the dinghy).
I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any further questions.
--Bob Hale
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