Anchors - resources for cruising sailors

Anchor Tests 2003: Soft Sand Over Hard Sand

[Offline]

Comparative Tests

First a recap of various anchor tests since 1998 for setting, holding and resetting. Then the current test looks at the maximum holding load of 13 anchors against its weight, providing what PS calls the Efficiency Ratio for each anchor. 6 pages with photos and tabulated results.

[Practical Sailor, 1 December 2003]
- Preview the Practical Sailor back issue

Anchor Reset Tests

[Article]

Comparative Tests

Anchors from Danforth, Nautical Engineering, Fortress, Vetus, West Marine, Spade, CQR, Delta, and Supermax are rated for setting speed and holding power after veering 140 degrees.

[Practical Sailor, 15 January 2001]
- The anchor comparisons

Anchor Tests, Puget Sound 1995

[Site]

By The Sailing Foundation Anchor Tests, Puget Sound 1995

Carefully designed and controlled tests to see which anchor design holds the greatest weight on a straight pull and after veering 90 degrees. Anchors tested were models from Davis, Luke, Delta, CQR, Fortress, FX MAX, West Marine, and Bruce. Results vary markedly among anchor designs.

[US Sailing, Portsmouth, RI, USA]
- Tests of anchors

San Francisco Mud Bottom Anchor Tests

[Site]

By U.S. Sailing San Francisco Mud Bottom Anchor Tests

Report of carefully controlled anchor testing of Fortress, Danforth, and Delta anchors in loose mud.

[US Sailing, Portsmouth, RI, USA]
- Visit the page

Choosing An Anchor

[Site]

By Alain Hylas

The inventor of the Spade anchor talks about price, weight, efficiency, penetration angles, surface area, and stability. Informative but supporting the design of the Spade.

[Blue Moment, USA]
- Visit the page

Rocna anchors

[Vendor]

Manufacturer

Galvanized steel plow-style anchor with roll bar. In sizes from 4 to 70 kg (9 to 155 pounds).

[Rocna Anchors, Auckland, New Zealand]
- The Rocna anchor
- Sizing guide
- N. American distributor
- The anchor's design

Manta anchor

[Vendor]

Manufacturer

Galvanized steel Bruce-style anchor from 2 to 176 pounds.

[Plastimo, Lorient, France]
- The Plastimo Manta anchor
- U.S. Plastimo dealers

Kingston yachtsman anchor

[Vendor]

Manufacturer Kingston yachtsman anchor

Fisherman or Herreshoff-style anchor with increased fluke area. Good for rock or weed but in other conditions needs more weight than other anchor styles. Three pieces for stowage. Sizes from 15 to 199 pounds.

[Kingston Anchors Ltd., Kingston, ON, Canada]
- The Kingston yachtsman anchor
- Kingston Anchors' home page

Spade anchors

[Vendor]

Manufacturer

Relatively new plow anchor with curved shank and non-articulating blade. Aluminum and steel, with nearly 50% of the anchor′s weight at the tip. Has won many product awards since 1998.

[SPADE, La Soukra, Tunisia]
- The Spade anchor range
- Worldwide Spade anchor dealers
- Tips on anchoring
- Product test (New and Noteworthy)