Anchor test

Status
Not open for further replies.
Jul 20, 2005
2,422
Whitby 55 Kemah, Tx
We (us sailors) should perform our own tests. One that is 100% clean of outside interests...just to find the best anchors for each type of bottom. If you think about it, it's not that hard. Many anchor types can be found in most marinas. All we need to do is get a few sailors together and each brings his anchor. We match up the anchors that are rated the same, throw one in the water at the marina and hook a line to a car and test it at different RPMs after getting it set. My marina is about 8-9' deep but also about 200' long channels between the docks. Plenty of room for tests. To do a 90 degree pull, just run the line through a block tied to a piller or a cleat on a finger and back to the car in the parking lot. To make this a complete test, we would need groups to volunteer to do this all over the country so we can have different bottoms. We have soft and hard mud here. It's soft at my marina but don't know how far down before it gets hard. What do you sailors think of this? Can we work together to come up with a test that we know is real for the benifit of all sailors?
 
C

Capt J

Practical Sailor

Franklin, Practical Sailor Magazine does it for us. They have no advertisors in the magazine so it is not biased toward someone spending money with them. They did an anchor test in the last issue. As it turns out a lower priced one was picked as best. They also test all types of other sail boat equipment.
 
Apr 26, 2005
286
Beneteau Oceanis 390 Tsehum Harbour, BC, Canada
AnchorFest - A Wacky Idea

Franklin, I have this picture of you organizing this activity and anchors, chains and rear bumpers flying loose and damaging boats and killing people. The resulting lawsuits after this silly exercise should keep a gaggle of lawyers happy for years. I like Capt J's idea.
 
Jul 20, 2005
2,422
Whitby 55 Kemah, Tx
Peter

You do have an imagination. First off, who in their right mind would attach it to a bumper. There wouldn't be that much pressure either...you don't see anchors flying through the air at anchorages when they break loose so why would I apply unnecessary force? I bet you drive a Volvo :) JC and Capt J: There are those who don't believe PS is totally unbiased, but it is good to know that they don't take advertisements.
 
Feb 26, 2004
22,996
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
Why reinvent the wheel?

Since all of these tests have been done, some dozens of times (i.e., Danforth), what's the need? Also, if I recall correctly (and I may be wrong) these tests have been performed in ONE direction. One of the advantages of the claw type anchors is their ability to reset in wind and/or current shifts as compared to Danforth flike types, regardless of bottom types. Seems to me that if you carry the right size anchors (easy to find out based on a review of the West Marine catalog for sizing different types for different boat sizes) and bottoms (wow, same chart!), carry different types (as almost everyone suggests), and then add local knowledge, not much else is required. Stu
 
Jul 20, 2005
2,422
Whitby 55 Kemah, Tx
Stu

NO...some tests test a 90 degree pull and 180 degree pull. I suggested a 90 degree pull. If PS is truely unbiased, then yes, no need to re-create the wheel. However, I have heard from other sailors that they don't trust the tests results. Can't remember the reasons.
 
Apr 26, 2005
286
Beneteau Oceanis 390 Tsehum Harbour, BC, Canada
Struck By Pile and Flying Anchor!

Franklin, I am a lawyer with the esteemed law-firm of Sue, Grabbit and Runne. Please call me as I am sure you will need one. Please feel free to pass my name to those you have injured. I drive a Model A Ford, not a Vulva. I also know a lot about anchors as the brakes on the Ford packed it in some years ago and I now throw out the occasional anchor when approaching traffic lights. I have not hit anyone yet.
 
Feb 6, 1998
11,701
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
I just re-read the Practical Sailor Anchor test

and I can't believe I missed the glaring problems with this test. For years everyone has been saying the Bruce has less holding power than the CQR, Spade & Fast Set. If you look at the article carefully you'll see that they compared a Bruce 22# to a Spade A80 (the equivalent Spade anchor in steel is 33# and a CQR 35#. No crap the Bruce had less holding power it's a far smaller anchor and not an equal test! In terms of setting the Bruce came in #1. Setting is based on shape not weight so setting charactistics are more fair. Only the Delta & the Bruce we're of the 22# size and held 550lbs. and 610lbs. but the Delta was rated 7th for setting. I'll opt for better setting re-setting over a 10% holding difference any day... In terms of 180 degree re-setting the CQR rolled out and dragged 9 feet before digging in again. The Spade did not move but was rated 7th for setting in mud. The Delta Fast Set broke free and dragged 5 feet before re-setting. The Bruce "rotated horizontally" and moved a total of 4 inches. Results can be very misleading. I would love to know the holding power of the Bruce 33# and Delta 33# compared to the CQR and Spade. My guess is they would all be fairly close. So I should have read the results more carefully before buying the Spade. Perhaps my Bruce really does have good holding power after all.....
 
Feb 26, 2004
22,996
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
Bruce sizing

Acoustic - using the sizing charts I mentioned above, and if one is interested in "comparing" anchors SIMPLY for anchor size compared to and suggested for any given mid-range boat size, it becomes apparent that the Bruce needs to be bigger than the others. I agree that it isn't quickly apparent, but when I did this exercise for myself a few years ago, it really jumped out. I still got the Bruce and have been extremely pleased with its performance where we sail and the bottoms it gets dumped into! :). Stu
 
Jun 2, 2004
3,507
Hunter 23.5 Fort Walton Yacht Club, Florida
I'm With You Franklin

I'll load up my F-150 with all the anchors I can find along with a couple of cases of Shiner and we'll go out to see what works best. Some guys just do not know how to have fun and are not confident enough to do things themselves.
 
Jun 7, 2004
383
Schock 35 Seattle
Puget Sound

anchor test held some surprises for me. Like Acoustic I think the various tests provide good information, but you must really carefully look at the details of the test to make an informed decision. Bottom type, weather and wind conditions, current, etc. will affect which aspect of the anchor you find most important. http://www.ussailing.org/safety/Anchor/anchor_study.htm#INDEX
 
B

Bob W.

Rick, I'm With You and Peter.

What say we have this whole anchor test in Pensacola Bay next December 7th. I wouldn't miss it for the real live action. Pearl Harbor all over again. "Anchor, Anchor, Anchor TORA, TORA You know the rest....
 
Status
Not open for further replies.