I am fond of anchors. I liked Bob Griffith's tactics, of the more the merrier. I recall that he carried up to a dozen of them and used them ALL on one occasion getting free of a reef. Maybe it was the dynamite that really did the job. I like the Bruce as it is a good general purpose unit, but is really poor in soft mud like that in slow moving rivers and their entrances. The plow style (CQR) is a good one but is also a bit useless in soft mud. In which case the Danforth style with large flat flukes generally works pretty well. I think a 50' cruising boat should have at least 2 main anchors for the bow and some kind of hook for the stern. Several lengths of 50' of chain for coral areas, longer would be better. At least one length of reserve line 3/4 to 1 inch in diameter at least 400' for towing or anchoring. Several 25-30' lengths of 5/8 inch nylon for anchor line snubbers. I am inclined to use a rolling hitch to put these on the anchor line. Mike Capt. Mike Maurice Tualatin(Portland), Oregon