I am getting ready to purchase new anchors for my 1987 37.5 Legend "Irish Mist". I would love to read a good comparison of the available anchors. Does anyone know of a place on the web were sucjh a comparison could be found? Thanks, Barry
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Paul Akers
West Advisor
There may be some creedence in the West Advisor in any West Marine catalog. Personally, I bought a Bruce 33 for my 1988 Legend 37. I keep the original danforth as a backup in the anchor locker.
There may be some creedence in the West Advisor in any West Marine catalog. Personally, I bought a Bruce 33 for my 1988 Legend 37. I keep the original danforth as a backup in the anchor locker.
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Miles
Here's some good ones...
The link below has several actual anchor tests that were conducted in different areas of the country. Makes for interesting reading... The West Advisor does a pretty good high level job of summing things up too.
The link below has several actual anchor tests that were conducted in different areas of the country. Makes for interesting reading... The West Advisor does a pretty good high level job of summing things up too.
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Barry
Look like I may need to ditch the bruce
I currently have a 33 lb Bruce anchor just like Paul has, however I sail almost exclusivly in mud bottom areas (coastal GA and SC). I had noticed a few drags in the last two years of using the Bruce. Now that I have read some of the studys done out there it appears that the Bruce may be innapropriate for this type of bottom while a Danforth or Fortress would work better.
I currently have a 33 lb Bruce anchor just like Paul has, however I sail almost exclusivly in mud bottom areas (coastal GA and SC). I had noticed a few drags in the last two years of using the Bruce. Now that I have read some of the studys done out there it appears that the Bruce may be innapropriate for this type of bottom while a Danforth or Fortress would work better.
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Miles
I've been quite happy with the Fortress...
on sand and mud bottoms on the West Coast. I don't think anything really holds well on loose gravel or rock so I tend to avoid those places. You can go up a size (or two) with the Fortress and still have it be quite light, downside is they are pretty expensive. A regular Danforth might be just as good. Having said that, I know a lot of cruisers swear by Bruce anchors. The studies are interesting though...
on sand and mud bottoms on the West Coast. I don't think anything really holds well on loose gravel or rock so I tend to avoid those places. You can go up a size (or two) with the Fortress and still have it be quite light, downside is they are pretty expensive. A regular Danforth might be just as good. Having said that, I know a lot of cruisers swear by Bruce anchors. The studies are interesting though...
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Tom S.
Here is practical Sailor test
Very thorough. Goes through Sand Tests, Mud tests, 150 degree swing tests... Top anchors depend on where you anchor and what are the conditions....Some Top Anchors are the SPADE, Bullwagga (funny looking and tougher to roller mount, but I have heard good things), Fortress (though the smaller ones don't set the first time very well)...etc. There are many factors for whats "best". As best do you mean a) fastest setting b) Highest holding power in sand c) highest holding power in very soft mud d) best ability to reset with a very big angle swing, e), etc Personally I have the 44lb SPADE and it consistently ranks high in all the categories except in very very soft mud ......There isn't too much of that where I anchor, so I am ok. But I have a 22lb danforth as a 2nd anchor just in case I need it. No it isn't the cheapest anchor out there though.....but I use it often in the Northeast and its hasn't failed me yet....(Knock, Knock, Knock)......I am very pleased with it.. See link below
Very thorough. Goes through Sand Tests, Mud tests, 150 degree swing tests... Top anchors depend on where you anchor and what are the conditions....Some Top Anchors are the SPADE, Bullwagga (funny looking and tougher to roller mount, but I have heard good things), Fortress (though the smaller ones don't set the first time very well)...etc. There are many factors for whats "best". As best do you mean a) fastest setting b) Highest holding power in sand c) highest holding power in very soft mud d) best ability to reset with a very big angle swing, e), etc Personally I have the 44lb SPADE and it consistently ranks high in all the categories except in very very soft mud ......There isn't too much of that where I anchor, so I am ok. But I have a 22lb danforth as a 2nd anchor just in case I need it. No it isn't the cheapest anchor out there though.....but I use it often in the Northeast and its hasn't failed me yet....(Knock, Knock, Knock)......I am very pleased with it.. See link below
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Paul
Keep your Bruce
I have read that study carefully, several times. A professional study designer would howl in laughter at the poor control, inconsistent test cases, and the lack of knowledge about what was under the boat.... In at least one case they didn't dive the site but took the chart's word for the bottom state. They could have been dropping on an old car hood for all they knew. Sometimes they experienced 10 straight no-sets with various anchors. Has anyone out there ever failed to set an anchor in 10 straight tries? I applaud them for trying to get some hard data, but these were anecdotal field tests, not a statistical study. My advice: walk through your marina, or any marina in your area. Look at what's hanging off the bows of boats. Here in LI Sound, you see lots of CQRs and Deltas, more than a few Bruces, because they work great in our bottom conditions. In the Chesapeake, you'd see lots of fluke types because of the muddy bottoms there. Let that be your guide. Just my opinion, Paul p.s. I'm not talking about the Practical Sailor study, haven't read that one yet. I was referring to the US Sailing study.
I have read that study carefully, several times. A professional study designer would howl in laughter at the poor control, inconsistent test cases, and the lack of knowledge about what was under the boat.... In at least one case they didn't dive the site but took the chart's word for the bottom state. They could have been dropping on an old car hood for all they knew. Sometimes they experienced 10 straight no-sets with various anchors. Has anyone out there ever failed to set an anchor in 10 straight tries? I applaud them for trying to get some hard data, but these were anecdotal field tests, not a statistical study. My advice: walk through your marina, or any marina in your area. Look at what's hanging off the bows of boats. Here in LI Sound, you see lots of CQRs and Deltas, more than a few Bruces, because they work great in our bottom conditions. In the Chesapeake, you'd see lots of fluke types because of the muddy bottoms there. Let that be your guide. Just my opinion, Paul p.s. I'm not talking about the Practical Sailor study, haven't read that one yet. I was referring to the US Sailing study.
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steven f.
I'm with Paul
Keep your Bruce! I keep a Bruce and a CQR on the bow (both with 30' 3/8" chain) of our H33. We have cruised the west coast of Fla and keys for years. We also keep a Fortress as a third. All three are very good anchors but the Bruce is the best for us. It sets faster than the CQR and WAY faster than the Fortress and releases the easiest in the morning. As for holding, it does that great in wind and swells. Even when we turn 180 degrees there has never been even the slighest issue of it dragging (actually, none of them have ever dragged on us but we are anal about setting them). I think that as long as you use solid ground tackle in addition to a solid anchor you will do well. Just don't pull a Sea Ray trick, you know, use a tiny anchor with tiny diameter rode and zero chain.
Keep your Bruce! I keep a Bruce and a CQR on the bow (both with 30' 3/8" chain) of our H33. We have cruised the west coast of Fla and keys for years. We also keep a Fortress as a third. All three are very good anchors but the Bruce is the best for us. It sets faster than the CQR and WAY faster than the Fortress and releases the easiest in the morning. As for holding, it does that great in wind and swells. Even when we turn 180 degrees there has never been even the slighest issue of it dragging (actually, none of them have ever dragged on us but we are anal about setting them). I think that as long as you use solid ground tackle in addition to a solid anchor you will do well. Just don't pull a Sea Ray trick, you know, use a tiny anchor with tiny diameter rode and zero chain.
Multiple anchors for different bottoms.
Barry: There is a lot of advice here. Everyone has their favorites. What works in one condition does not necessarily work in other conditions. I don't totally agree with Pauls view on the P/S test. If you ever try to set a danforth/fortress type anchor in a grassy bottom it may take more that 10 trys for it to set, but he is correct these are under test conditions. I really think that a Bruce (or knock off) or a Delta are good choices. Bruce anchors usually need to be heavier for the same holding power that some other anchors. For sheer holding power in a sandy/muddy bottom, I don't think there are too many anchors that will hold as well as the danforth style (not all are created equal either). Talk to your local sailors and see what they have used and what they think works in your area.
Barry: There is a lot of advice here. Everyone has their favorites. What works in one condition does not necessarily work in other conditions. I don't totally agree with Pauls view on the P/S test. If you ever try to set a danforth/fortress type anchor in a grassy bottom it may take more that 10 trys for it to set, but he is correct these are under test conditions. I really think that a Bruce (or knock off) or a Delta are good choices. Bruce anchors usually need to be heavier for the same holding power that some other anchors. For sheer holding power in a sandy/muddy bottom, I don't think there are too many anchors that will hold as well as the danforth style (not all are created equal either). Talk to your local sailors and see what they have used and what they think works in your area.
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Barry
Thanks, now its time to go buy anchors
I had done a god bit of reading before I posted my question. Your comments seem to align with what I have found in my research. I think I will keep my 33 lb bruce for a 2nd anchor and purchase either a 44 or 66 lb bruce for my working every day anchor. Finally I think I have decided on a Fortress two sizes too large for my OH-crap weather anchor. Mhanks for all of the discussion, you have all helped me through a major sanity check before purchase.
I had done a god bit of reading before I posted my question. Your comments seem to align with what I have found in my research. I think I will keep my 33 lb bruce for a 2nd anchor and purchase either a 44 or 66 lb bruce for my working every day anchor. Finally I think I have decided on a Fortress two sizes too large for my OH-crap weather anchor. Mhanks for all of the discussion, you have all helped me through a major sanity check before purchase.
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