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If you are a boater and have a piece of gear you recommend, please let us know.

"How To" Articles: above contain expanded information describing how many of these marine products work.

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About MyBoatsGear.com

About us: MyBoatsGear.com is your buying guide for the latest and best boating equipment. Our independent reviews give you the honest look at products from the boaters perspective.

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Anchoring accessories 

Below are some manufacturers that have products that aid anchoring.

 


Anchor buddy
Anchor buddy is an anchor weight, (also known as chums, kellets, sentinels, anchor angels) which have been used for generations to anchor boats more securely. They also reduce the swing radius up to 50%. The January 2007 Blue Water Sailing magazine has a terrific article on what an anchor kellet (weight) is and what it does.

 

 


Auto Anchor Remote chain counter telling you how much you have let out. The counter will work for either chain and rope/chain Rhodes. AA150 is Freeman K. Pittman award winner 2006.



Anchor Alert. This alarm triggers when the anchor moves not the boat. Anchor Alert includes of an accelerometer, like those used to trigger air bags, and a wireless transponder. Both are built into a watertight capsule, housed inside a specially designed aluminum bronze alloy casing, which is easily shackled between the anchor and the anchor chain.

 

 

  Rocker Stopper  

Rocker Stopper

Help dampen the rocking motion of boats at anchor. Simply tie Rocker Stoppers approximately 44 cm (18") apart, making a string of them, with a 5-10 pound weight attached at the bottom of the string.

 

Rock 'N' Roll Stabilizer System 42 inch to 97 inch Outrigger for 30'+ Boat Size Rock 'N' Roll Stabilizer System 42 inch to 97 inch Outrigger for 30'+ Boat Size  

 

 

 




 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Everything on Sale at thaLowdown!
 


Top performing Boat Anchors

 

Discover and learn about the latest anchors for today's boater. Here you can find out which are the top selling boat anchors and why. If you are asking which is the best anchor for my boat we can help.

 

Article overview and quick links Anchor comparison charts 
  Types of marine anchors
 

Anatomy of the anchor

  Anchor Tests  
  Anchor sizes
  Conclusion & other reading.

  Part 2 of this article looks at Ground tackle



Comparison Chart
for the top 5 performing anchors


 They are the Rocna, Delta, Fortress, Supreme and Spade anchors.

These anchors have the highest holding power & achieved the maximum pull of 5,000lbs in the Yachting Monthly/Sail magazine tests performed in 2006.

The chart below Compares the features of these anchors. We include the CQR as a benchmark so you can see how much better modern anchors are. The CQR failed to set in the YM tests.


Anchor CQR Rocna Delta Fortress Supreme Spade
  cqr anchor rocna anchor delta anchor fortress anchor supreme anchor spade anchor
Anchor type CQR/Plow Bruce/ Claw CQR/Plow Fluke Bruce/ Claw Bruce/Claw
Testimonials   Setsail.com Dashew recommends Rocna Multihull magazine USCG uses the Fortress FX-37    
Price   $400 $175 $500 $300  
Anchor weight   22lb 22lb 25lb 22lb  
Finish   Galvanized Galvanized Anodized Galvanized Galvanized
Construction   Rocna consists of three primary components, in high strength alloy steels. The blade is shaped by brake pressing machines. The rollbar is pipe. The shank is cut from high grade tempered 800 mPa high tensile steel. High-grade manganese steel, is used in the construction of the Delta anchor which gives it great strength. Ballasted tip. Fortress and Guardian Anchors are made from a high tensile, corrosion resistant aluminum magnesium alloy. High Tensile Steel. Bisalloy  780mPa. Fluke, Reinforced Double Skinned Laminated toe. Sharpened Spear Head.  
Recommended Boat Size (manufacturers)   23-36ft 25-41ft 46-51ft 25-35ft under 25ft
Review Link   Rocna review Delta review Fortress review Supreme review Spade review
Yachting Monthly max pull Only achieved 2000lbs and then released 5,000lbs 3,000lbs 5,000lbs 5,000lbs 5,000lbs
Notes from the Yachting Monthly/Sail anchor tests The faithful CQR plough anchor, now marketed by Lewmar. We were surprised, therefore, that during the first three tests at 5:1 scope it failed to set. The Rocna anchors faired much better and in the Yachting Monthly tests rated to a 5,000 load on the anchor Rhode. The Delta set quickly and gave good resistance, averaging around 3,000 lb before breaking out. In the Yachting Monthly Anchor tests the 22lb fortress FX-37 held 5,000 lbs. The Fortress ability to dig in instantly and hold was astonishing At our first test location it set immediately and held to the maximum 5,000 lb pull. Even on
3:1 scope it held to an astonishing 4,612 lb.
The Spade has proven itself in most tests. At 5:1 scope it repeatedly held at the maximum 5,000 lb and on the veering test we recorded up to 5,400 lb!.
Digging in   Fast setting Fast setting in loose sand, failed in harder bottoms Fast setting with sharp flukes Fast setting Fast setting
Veering loads   not as good in veering tests   Held well in veering, but shank bent slightly very good in veering tests very good in veering tests
Video   Rocna Anchor video     Manson Supreme  
More Features       Dismantles for stowing Lloyds Register Approval Dismantles, make sure the nylock nut it tight
             


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Anatomy of an Anchor

To get an idea of how each anchor type works we must know each of its parts.

anchor partsThe shank is the stem of the anchor in which direction is pulled to set (bury) the anchor. Weak shanks will bend when the boat pulls from another direction.

The crown connects the various parts of the modern anchor. Also know as the hinge in the case of the CQR

The stock turns the anchor into an attitude that enables the flukes to dig into the sea bed. Fortress, Danforth and Fisherman anchors are examples of anchors with a stock to help guide the points into the seabed.

The tripping ring is used for the optional tripping line: by pulling the tripping line, the anchor will break out.

The flukes will be buried into the seabed. The very tip of a fluke is sometimes called the bill.
  • Diagram from Sailing issues

Traditional Types of anchor

There are 6 main types of anchor. They are the Fisherman, the Claw or Bruce, the Plow or Plough, The Fluke, the Grapnel and Mushroom. Each of these families have many anchors that relate to the basic design principle.

For example the Plow type named because it acts like a farmers plow, has the CQR and Delta which belong to this anchor family.



Fisherman Anchor

The fisherman is a traditional design and is often seen on the bow of old Sailing Ships like HMS Victory. The design has 2 arms, and penetrates rocks with one arm.

In a changing tide where the vessel swings around the anchor, one of the Fishermans arms can catch the anchor rhode or line and accidentally trip itself. It is difficult to handle and does not fit an anchor roller.

Recommended for Bottom surface types; Rocks, and kelp, but not good holding in sand or mud. Other anchors designs bury themselves in mud, but cannot do so with rocks and kelp. The Fisherman with the old sailing ship look has the arm which lodges itself in a rock bed, or as in grass and kelp, the arms allow the anchor to penetrate through the kelp.

Examples of fisherman type anchors; Luke Storm Anchor,  kedge and Navy and Admiral.

Luke did not do well in US Sailing tests which were manly on sandy bottoms. The US sailing tests were the only ones to include a fisherman type anchor. However world travelers Steve Dashew confirm that in rocky bottoms, the Luke is one to consider. They recommend a Rocna type with weighted points or a Fisherman for rocks and kelp.




Bruce/Claw

The Bruce anchor was designed by Peter Bruce back in the 1970's. The Bruce is also known as the  "claw". 

Claw-types set quickly in most sea beds. The shape of the claws, is designed to help the anchor keep digging in when the direction of the pull is changed, such as when a wind change occurs.

Claw type boat anchors have difficulty penetrating weedy bottoms and grass as they have rounded claws.

Recommended for Bottom surface types; Mainly sand and muddy bottoms where the design can dig in. The design may float over weed and kelp rather than dig in.

Examples of Claw type anchors ; Lewmar Claw, Bruce, Spade, Rocna, Supreme

The traditional Claw Bruce anchor has rounded flukes. The Claw Anchor had a poor performance in the Yachting Monthly/Sail magazine tests, which was attributed to the anchor failing to dig in, due to the rounded flukes.

 

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CQR/Plow/Plough

The plows holding power over a wide variety of bottom types makes it a top choice of many cruising boaters. Named for its resemblance, to the farmers plough. When dropped in the water, a plow lands on its side, and then when pulled, buries itself. Its shape allows it to reset fairly easily should the wind or tide shift the boat position.

This anchor type has either a fixed (Delta style) or a pivoting (CQR) shank. Many manufacturers produce a plough-style design, all based on or direct copies of the original (CQR) the Coastal Quick Release , 

CQR's are generally good in all bottoms, but not exceptional. The CQR design has a hinged shank, allowing the anchor to turn with direction changes rather than breaking out, and also arranged to force the point of the plough into the bottom if the anchor lands on its side. The more recent Delta uses an unhinged shank and a plough with specific angles to develop slightly superior performance. 

Owing to the use of lead or other dedicated tip-weight, the plough is heavier than average for the amount of resistance developed, and may take a slightly longer pull to set thoroughly. 

Recommended for bottom surface; Works well on many bottom surface types.

Examples of CQR type anchors; CQR, Delta, Plow,

 

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Fluke/Danforth

The fluke style anchor, named due to its large flukes, uses a stock at the crown to which two large flat surfaces are attached. The flat surface (the flukes) hinge changing the angle to the stock. On some designs like the Fortress, the flukes angle can be optimized for different bottom types.  

The hinged design allows the flukes to dig in while the shank aligns with the pull. Its light weight and compact flat design make it easy to handle.  Storing on an anchor roller is common.

The fluke anchor has difficulty penetrating kelp and weed-covered bottoms due to its lightness and flat shape which can skate over the bottom.

Once set, the anchor tends to break out and reset when the direction of force changes dramatically, such as with the changing tide, and on some occasions it might not reset but instead drag.

Modern designs such as the Fortress, are light and can be dismantled for stowage below.

Recommended for Bottom surface types; sand and muddy bottom surface. 

Examples of Danforth Boat Anchor types; Fluke, Fortress, Guardian, and Danforth boat anchors






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Anchor Tests

Here are 4 independent marine anchor tests, which will help you understand which anchors are best. The tests are carried out mainly in sand and mud bottoms, so there are no results for other surface type like kelp, weed, or rocks etc.

Its confusing reading through these tests, as one team had difficulty in setting one anchor while another team said it set perfectly. One team used a 5:1 scope while another used 7:1 and maybe this was one possible reason for the differences. The moral here is that one anchor may be better than another but in different conditions it may not be the best. Many cruisers have more than one choice i.e. multiple anchors.

One of the most comprehensive Anchor tests was done by Yachting Monthly (UK magazine) and Sail magazine (US) in 2006. Seen here on power & Motoryachts web site

The Yachting monthly test in conjunction with Sail magazine reviewed 14 anchors. The models were the Fortress FX 37, the Delta anchor, The Claw or Bruce anchor, The CQR, Oceane, Spade, Rocna, Bugel, Performance 20, Manson Supreme, Sarca Anchoright, Bulwagga, XYZ and the Hydrobubble.

The Yachting Monthly/Sail magazine tests were conducted in a sandy to sandy/clay bottom surface. The scope was 5:1 and the towing vessel was a large fishing boat to provide plenty of dragging power.

The best anchors according the YM/Sail tests are the delta, Manson, Rocna, Spade and the fortress. The Delta is a fixed CQR type, the Rocna and spade are Claw types and The fortress a Fluke type.

Practical sailor also conducted Anchor tests in mud. Practical-Sailor  (subscription required), but you can read it  on the XYZ anchors site

The Practical sailor tests were slightly different as they chose a muddy bottom and 3:1 scope.

During the Practical-Sailor tests, the anchors taking part were the Anchor Right Sarca, the Bulwagga, Danforth Deep Set II, Davis Talon XT, Fortress FX-23, Hydrobubble, Kingston Plow, Spade A80, Super Max, Rocna 15, & the XYZ.

US Sailing anchor tests

US sailing looks at Sailboat anchors. The results are broken down by area tested.  The sites had been initially selected based upon Washington State, Corps of Engineers and NOAA charts for differing soil conditions and were then surveyed on April 22 by diver Montgomery during a reconnaissance.  Additional underwater site checks were conducted during testing to confirm bottom characteristics.

West marine

The West Marine tests were using a smaller 26 ft powerboat. The bottom was sandy and the depth around 18-24ft with 120 ft anchor line. This indicates a 5:1 scope.


Boat Anchor size

Once you have decided which type of anchor is the one for you, the next step is how large. The weight of an anchor you need is dependant on boat size.

The American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) have these following recommendations regarding anchor line horizontal loads for vessel size and type. The pull on an anchor is based on wind strength and your boats windage. The suggested horizontal load (chart below) for a lunch hook is based on the pull in 15 knots of wind, the working anchors pull in 30 knots and the storm anchor in 42 knots.

Many Anchor manufacturers will list their holding power, so compare the holding power to the horizontal load for your boats size.

We can demonstrate this by looking at selecting an anchor for a 30 ft power boat. According to the ABYC guide below. The 30 ft boat has a 700 lb horizontal pull for a working anchor.

Using the Fortress anchor selection guide. We see the FX-11 has a working load of 900 lbs and a holding power of 3,600 in the standard configuration. So the FX-11 will fit our 30 ft power boat. This calculation is supported by Fortress who recommends the FX-11 for boats between 28 and 32 ft.

abyc anchor guide

Note; Many of the newer anchors state sizing, as a function of the anchors surface area rather than its weight. They base this theory on holding power. More surface area increases holding power while weight is important during the initial digging in.




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Other reading

 

 

 


The Complete Anchoring Handbook

The Complete Anchoring Handbook

Based on original engineering analysis--and with contributions from such international anchoring experts as Alain Fraysse and Chuck Hawley--The Complete Anchoring Handbook emphasizes the proven best gear and methods for anchoring safely in any situation with any boat, sail or power. Here s everything you need to know, from the basics to the most advanced techniques. Poiraud and company describe: The physical forces acting on a boat, its ground tackle, and the sea bottom Why the new generation of roll-stable anchors (including the Spade, Rocna, Manson Supreme, and others) is proving superior to traditional favorites How to select and size anchors and ground-tackle components How to connect those components without introducing weak points in your ground-tackle system Books


 

 

Captains anchoring Quick Guide
What you need to know about anchoring--fast and easy! Anchoring is a necessary skill for any boater--power or sail--whether you are planning a picnic lunch in a secluded cove or an overnight visit in a distant anchorage. This 16-panel, foldout guide provides you with fast, easy-to-follow instructions for safe and efficient anchoring. Anchoring is in full color and is printed on hinged, heavily laminated, waterproof pages, so this tough resource will hold its own even when you are in rough weather.

by Peter Nielsen


The Complete Book of Anchoring and Mooring

 

This book has been cited in a few sites like www.boatsafe.com and other respected organizations.

 

 

Contents

Chapter One: Introduction

Part I: The Technology of Ground Tackle

Chapter Two: Loads at Anchor
Chapter Three: Deck Gear for Anchors
Chapter Four: Anchor Windlass
Chapter Five: Anchor Rhodes
Chapter Six: Anchor Options
Chapter Seven: Anchor and Rode Selection

Part II: The Art of Anchoring

Chapter Eight: Human Factors in Anchoring
Chapter Nine: Technique of Anchoring
Chapter Ten: Anchoring Tricks
Chapter Eleven: Rights and Responsibilities
Chapter Twelve: Storm Anchoring

Part III: The Mechanics of Mooring

Chapter Thirteen: Permanent Moorings

 

 



Conclusion

 

I read somewhere a question from a new boater who asked if they needed an anchor. The answer is yes you do its required by law in many places and it can be one of the first pieces of emergency equipment you'll need. Whether you sail up a river or cross oceans an anchor can an anchor is an essential piece of gear.

 

When you pick and choose a boat anchor the important factors are reliability to set, holding power, veering and damage/storing. Bottom surface conditions also make a difference, and where one anchor may hold and another not. Make sure you understand the bottom where you will be anchoring..

 

This article will give you a guide to the various types of anchor old and new. Which types of anchor work in which bottom surface, is important to you. The good news is that the newer anchor technology appears to be working and from the anchor tests we looked at the new designs outperformed the tradition types.

First written in 2007 to provide information on choosing an anchor, this newsletter is updated when new data is available. Last update March 2009.

 

In part 2 of anchoring, we provide information on Anchor Ground tackle, the parts and equipment to help you stay anchored in challenging conditions.

 

When dropping anchor make sure the coast is clear

 


 

Links to anchors and anchoring equipment

 

 

 


 

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