anchor .....{Horizon claw?}

Status
Not open for further replies.
May 25, 2004
173
Oday 25 Tampa Bay
The post the other day asked about anchoring, several people talked about the claw type anchor and it's ability to reset itself after wind and tide changes. I did a internet search under "boat anchor" and found a "Horizon Claw Anchor" {16.5 lbs} rated for up to a 30 foot boat for 55 bucks. Does anyone know if this manufacturer just has a low overhead or are they making a piece of s... product? I understand 'you get what you pay for' and, trusting my boat to a 55 dollar product... but this is why I am asking, as always, thanks, Jack
 
Jun 2, 2004
1,438
Oday 25 pittsburgh
Jack Note that it is for a 30' boat up to a 40

Knot wind. If you have a 30 footer I would move up to a 22# if not the 33#. Here is another Bruce knockoff http://www.marisafe.com/Store/viewItem.asp?ID=301050108&CID=30100000&FLT=301050108 I own a 16.5# claw and an 11# Manta and a 4.4# claw. I have a 25" boat on an inland lake. The casting or the finishing of the Bruce looks better but it would is hard to tell them apart by there shape and size. r.w.landau
 
Jun 2, 2004
1,438
Oday 25 pittsburgh
Jack here is a better sizing chart for the

Bruce anchor. Working anchor verses storm anchor. r.w.landau
 
May 25, 2004
173
Oday 25 Tampa Bay
thanks for the link

I have a Catalina 27. Not the 30 so the size should be OK. If I had known these anchors were so inexpensive I would have added one to the inventory a while ago. Do you have any idea if they will fit in a standard anchor locker? thanks, Jack
 
R

Roger

Claw anchor

I would suggest going for the Lewmar 22 lb. Claw anchor (about $80). It has worked very well on my Catalina 30, sets easily in the soft mud in this area, holds great, and fits the anchor locker just fine (have even had a time getting it free a couple of times after a blow, because it really dug in). Also, Practical Sailor did an anchor comparison in latest issue and gave this anchor a very high rating. Good luck.
 
Oct 3, 2005
159
Catalina 387 Hampton, VA
Skip the locker put it on the roller

I put mine on the roller and tossed the danforth down below. It fits the roller better, and does not touch the gellcoat!
 
W

Warren Milberg

"Economy" anchors...

... may be a painful false economy. I would be skeptical of knock-offs. IMHO, buy a brand name anchor with a well-known reputation sized correctly for you type of boat and weather conditions. You don't want to be the Quality Control person for cheap anchor....
 
D

David

They look the same but are different

When I compared a Bruce anchor to a Lewmar, the angle between the arm and the claw are different. This may or may not have any affect on a particular anchors ability to grab and hold. I assumed it is very significant and therefore purchase the Bruce anchor, the original proven design. SV AKULA '82 H-33
 
D

David

They may look the same but are different

When I compared the Bruce and Lewmar anchors I found the angle between the arm and the claw to be different. This may or may not affect an anchors ability to grab and hold. I assumed to does and therefore purchased a Bruce because it's the original proven design. SV AKULA H-33
 

Liam

.
Apr 5, 2005
241
Beneteau 331 Santa Cruz
David is right-on

Don't go cheap with an economy or knock-off anchor. Spend the extra couple hundred bucks and buy quality. It is your last defense.
 
B

Benny

Horizon works well.

We have used a Horizon Claw 22 pounds on a 1983 Cherubini 27 with no complaints for the past three years. From the mud of the Vinoy Basin, the grass on the Manatee river to the sands of Egmont Key under various wind strenghts and currents with not a single fault. I'm very impressed with its ability to hold the boat on short scope. It would be hard and impractical to stow inside the locker so we also installed a bow roller and we keep it there. If somebody can tell me besides "name", "proven reliability" , Different angles" that the Bruce is 200% better than the Horizon as the price seems to reflect I may consider switching. Until then Horizon it is.
 
H

Hank

Anchors

Practical Sailor just did a review/test on anchors. If you're not a subscriber you can download the article off their website for a few $$. It may provide the information you're looking for.
 
Jun 2, 2004
1,438
Oday 25 pittsburgh
Jack, if you are worried about someone

commenting on the knockoff, buy the Bruce. The way these claws anchors are made I think they are almost indestructible. There is no way you are going to break it before you break the boat. I don't think you could break a knockoff with a sledge hammer. Bruce made good money with the original design patent but the design is now available, thus so many knockoffs. r.w.landau
 
T

tom

Used for over a Year

We had a storm during the night and drug two anchors!!! A plow and a Danforth. The danforth speared a conch and couldn't rebury and the plow is bad to slide over grass. We almost were blown to shore!!! I went out and bought a 33# claw from Defender and we are pleased. It sets every time and resets when the wind shifts during a storm. So far it's been great.
 
B

Bob in SF

Interesting that it's effective in mud

It's interesting to hear some posts say that the claw type anchor is very effective in mud. I thought I'd read that this was the one bottom that it didn't do as well in (West Marine says that it has limited holding power in mud and sand).
 

Liam

.
Apr 5, 2005
241
Beneteau 331 Santa Cruz
might be the same shape

Just because something is the "same shape" doesn't mean that it is the same thing. There are vast differences in things like metalurgy (composition & tensile strength), casting technique, finish (pourosity & galvanizing), etc, etc. The world is full of cheap imitations of everything. Some people happen to appreciate quality...
 
T

tom

Liam is Correct

The Bruce anchor is forged which means it is heated and hammered into shape. This cost more and results in a stronger(probably) anchor. The claw is cast meaning the metal is melted and poured into a mold. This is probably a weaker anchor. The claw is made in China. If money isn't a problem go with the bruce. I went with the claw because I went up a size and also I figure something else will break before the anchor breaks. Boating is expensive especially if you go first class with everything. We are happy with "good enough" most of the time. A friend went with the bruce because he wanted the best and was willing to pay for the best. But will he ever be in a situation where the bruce would survive and the claw fail??? Probably not IMHO.
 
W

William Liberty Belle

anchors away

Your anchor is only as good as the link between it and the boat. The chances that your are going to break the anchor before you break a line or connecting device is very slim. As far as using a knockoff...INHO I would say it depends on how much you have to spend. The origianl is not always the best,nor is it better just because it costs more. I have two claw anchors and have never had a problem with either one. I used all the money I saved to upgrade my electronics which is more useful to me.
 
B

Bob F

Check Practical Sailor

check most recent Practical Sailor has big test on anchors and holding in mud conditions. They test 8 or 10 anchor types. "Winners" for mud/muck are danforth type and Fortress.
 

Liam

.
Apr 5, 2005
241
Beneteau 331 Santa Cruz
Another anchor test, oh boy!

Are they just re-printing the anchor test that was done by West Marine and sponsored by Fortress and Danforth?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.