Anchors (sorry, yet again)

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GeorgeTina

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I know this subject has been "done to death" but does anybody have real experience of the "Storm" anchor made by Spade. I normally anchor in mud or sand in Croatia where the anchorages are well used. My current "Bruce" does not always set and is very easy to recover !!.
 
enough to question the name - Storm?

I have a Sword, which was derived from (an evolution of) the Oceane.

Very happy with it - I have the 10kg which replaced a Delta and previously a Bruce all the same size. I got it because of all the forum discussion and to try it out. I got i tover the spade to stow on my bow fitting.

To date I am happy with it. It clearly holds very very solidly once set, and doesn't move in light sand as the delta seemed to. It also sets through light weed better than the bruce.

I would expect the Rocna, Buegle thingy or Spade to perform in a similar way. Equally if I loose it somehow I will happily go back to using the Delta rather than replace but would not be quite do happy to go back to the bruce - it works but I am happier overnight with the others.
 
It\'s worth looking at the YBW

anchor review.

The CQR still comes out as the best all-rounder, though inferior to the Spade/Sword in fine sand. It's better in coarse sand/shingle, but capsizes when it does break out.

I'm afraid there's no substitute for weight though.
 
[ QUOTE ]
DELTA,DELTA,DELTA,DELTA..........don't compromise!!!!!!!!!

Paul.

[/ QUOTE ]
And 16kg(+) if possible. The weed doesn't care what the size of your boat is...
 
Re: It\'s worth looking at the YBW

Hi Charles - I am afraid I didn't read that from the review - I thought it was a disaster - I quote

"Another surprise for the test team, the CQR failed to set no matter how hard we tried"

My experience of CQR is of having to have 2 or more goes at anchoring, and I never could go full astern (except in mud) to dig it in - it would always dramtically release. When inspected on the bottom, was always on its side. I gave up with it in Turkey anchoring stern to and used a danforth of half the weight.

I have just bought another boat (Oceanlord) and 1st job is to replace the dreaded CQR.
 
Don't have the Sword but do have the Spade which is very similar and I have been very happy with. Friends have switched to Spade from other anchors and been equally pleased with the change.

I think the Sword may actually have a couple of advantages over the Spade - though only up to a certain boat size of course.

I. If you re-galv the Spade the lead ballast all melts out. This does not seem to affect performance but is clearly not what the designer would have intended. I don't think the Sword has lead in it.

2. The Spade is not so good on short scope. If you are having to use 3:1 in only a few metres of water then you can have a problem. The angle of pull really has to be flat. This is of course true for all anchors, but for example a Fortress is better in these conditions. Fortunately for us in the Caribbean now this isn't an issue as we can use plenty of chain, but in the Med it can be really tight at times as you will well know. I think the 'mud' position of the Sword may resolve that issue. And unlike the mud position of the Fortress, which is a real hassle to change to, you only need a minute to switch the chain point. I guess you could even leave the chain moused to the first shackle and just lead it forward to the second to save time.

Spade's warranty is good too. I bent my aluminium one in rock (I think they stopped making them) and they were happy to change it - and sold me a steel one at half price - I use the alu as a kedge/second.
 
Hi Duncan,
I want to change our Bruce for a Delta/Spade/Oceane/Rocna or now Sword, as I've no faith in the Bruce. Oceane wont fit on stemhead fitting - point fouls the bow. Am I right in thinking that your Sword fits the stemhead like the Bruce did?
I would have liked to go for a Delta but that doesnt look as if it will sit on my fitting.
John
 
Looked in at the Rocna stand at LIBS. Lots of anchors lying around, all with "sold" labels on. I would love to have seen buyers lugging those on the DLR! Sadly, the question of anchors is almost a fashion thing, compounded by the fierce defence by owners of their preferred "hook" -- at least until the next best thing comes along. We have a CQR, a Delta and a Fortress, which covers our needs, but many folk do not have the space or the cash to go this route and as yet I'm not sure than anyone has found the Holy Grail of anchoring and come up with the comprehensive all-rounder in a single unit, although the Rocna does seem to be getting close.
 
John,

You are welcome to dimensions etc or send me details of your set up and I will map it to the 3 anchors.

Alternatively I could pop down one weekend with 3 x 10kg anchors and we can play!

I will try and post some pics of the 3 in situ - I couldn't visulise how the Sword would sit and work on the roller until I actually installed it!
 
[ QUOTE ]
Lots of anchors lying around, all with "sold" labels on. I would love to have seen buyers lugging those on the DLR!

[/ QUOTE ]

I bought my 16kg Delta from the chandler near Liverpool Street when it was on (relatively) cheap offer, and took it to Heathrow by the Central and Piccadilly lines. While the flukes were tied up in a carboard box, the shank was exposed and sitting at a fine shin catching height. Given that the evening peak was in full flow it made itself quite unpopular! It also attracted odd looks as it went round the carouselle after being flown to Glasgow (a few miles from where it was manufactured in the first place). Another triumph of the free market economy's inherent efficiency! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
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