robmcg
Well-Known Member
Not wishing to start another free for all on anchors but are there any Spade users on the forum and if so, are they happy with their purchase? Unfortunately can't fit a roll bar anchor so we won't go there.
Any Spade anchor users? Worth the cash?
- Thread starter robmcg
- Start date
Sandyman
Well-Known Member
RAP77
Well-Known Member
Brilliant anchor - Had one since 2001.
Sets quickly Only dragged once on kelp.
I would buy another if I lost it
Sets quickly Only dragged once on kelp.
I would buy another if I lost it
prv
Well-Known Member
Cannot fault mine. Never the slightest suggestion of dragging, on mud (even stirred-up Newtown Creek soup), sand, shingle, or weed (it was originally designed specifically for weed). Just drop it, add appropriate scope, job done. Before shutting down and breaking out the beer I generally pull back on it with 3/4 revs (and I have a big engine and prop) while watching a transit, just to make certain sure. I once went to max revs just to see if I could budge it - the answer is no, but the 1000watt windlass did struggle to break it out when we came to leave 
. I was quite happy leaving the boat anchored on the Spade for a day ashore on Herm this summer, and with the tide through the pool there (dinghy and outboard only just making headway, and that before the maximum rate) I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have done that with the original Bruce knockoff.
When I first bought it, it was sitting on my living room floor and I tried to pull it round by the end of the shank to get a better look at it. The damn thing started trying to dig its way into the carpet! So I'm entirely confident that if it ever did come out of the bottom, it would reset itself very quickly. Kindred Spirit's old CQR was usually fine, but it sometimes got into a state where it would just drag along on its side seemingly without trying to set. I cannot see that happening with the Spade.
Pete
. I was quite happy leaving the boat anchored on the Spade for a day ashore on Herm this summer, and with the tide through the pool there (dinghy and outboard only just making headway, and that before the maximum rate) I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have done that with the original Bruce knockoff.When I first bought it, it was sitting on my living room floor and I tried to pull it round by the end of the shank to get a better look at it. The damn thing started trying to dig its way into the carpet! So I'm entirely confident that if it ever did come out of the bottom, it would reset itself very quickly. Kindred Spirit's old CQR was usually fine, but it sometimes got into a state where it would just drag along on its side seemingly without trying to set. I cannot see that happening with the Spade.
Pete
prv
Well-Known Member
Shrug.
The bolt doesn't take any of the load, I dragged it along myself with the bolt out and the geometry of the socket locked the shank in place. The bolt just keeps the two parts together during random movement. It's a hefty nyloc, done up once, and then I peened the end of the thread over just as belt and braces.
I take it you welded your chain to your anchor, rather than using a shackle with a screw-in pin?
Pete
djs
Well-Known Member
Yes, a 140 on a Hans Christian 43. So far used on 4 summer cruises in the UK South West and Channel Islands. Strongest winds 7s at Braye. my experience is that it sets very quickly. In mud and firm sand we often have to bring in the chain until the bow is over the anchor and let the motion of the boat ease it out before retrieving it. When I have been able to dinghy over and see it on the bottom i have only seen the shank, not the blade which is buried. We do use reverse at 2000rpm to set it if we are staying overnight.
Do I sleep soundly on all occasions? No, but that's sometimes the same on a mooring. It says more about me than the anchor.
Dave
Do I sleep soundly on all occasions? No, but that's sometimes the same on a mooring. It says more about me than the anchor.
Dave
typhoonNige
Well-Known Member
We sailed around Britain and W coast of Ireland last year, spending 85% of our nights at anchor. Our 20kg Spade held us on a variety of seabeds in winds up to F8 and never dragged once. We are now in the Canaries and anchor whenever it's calm enough. I now routinely swim over the anchor to check it is in good sand and away from rocks and there is usually a scar of about 2-3 feet showing that it sets in that distance. For comparison we use a 35lb CQR as a kedge to keep bow into the swell. This rarely sets, just lying on its side (yes with lots of scope) but the weight does the job required.
I lost our first Spade fishing in deep water when it found a very solid lump (probably rock) which it refused to let go of and bought another without hesitation. Bl****y expensive mistake but I trust my boat and crew to these anchors!
I lost our first Spade fishing in deep water when it found a very solid lump (probably rock) which it refused to let go of and bought another without hesitation. Bl****y expensive mistake but I trust my boat and crew to these anchors!
Trop Cher
Well-Known Member
I bought one this year, so have only limited experience using it, but it has set every time first time. Strongest overnight wind was F5/6 at Canna and it never budged despite the boat shearing all over the place!
Ian_Edwards
Well-Known Member
I'm happy with my spade anchor
We have a 20kg Spade anchor on a Southerly 46 (about 15tons in cruising mode). I'd have bought a bigger one if it would have fitted the anchor locker, but having said that we haven't had a problem with it dragging in the last 2 seasons, about 200 nights at anchor.
My previous boat had a 20kg Ronca (4 seasons, about 400 nights at anchor, and it didn't bend), which was also very good, perhaps marginally better than the Spade and to be fair I'd have had a Ronca again, but the roll bar just wouldn't fit in the anchor locker.
I've found both the Spade and the Ronca better than the Delta (used just for one season, because I wasn't happy with it), they set faster and so are less likely to have the problem of getting choked with weed and kelp. I found the Delta would often skid across the sea bed gathering weed as it went, making it increasingly difficult for it to set. I used a Bruce before the delta and I haven't used a CQR for at least 25 years!
Both the Spade and the Ronca dig really deep when they are loaded up and can be difficult to break-out, they frequently stall a 1kw windlass and I regularly ride over the anchor to break it out. When they are recovered to the bow roller they are usually covered with a large quantity of mud or clay sticking to the anchor, you can see that the anchor has really penetrated the consolidated material on the seabed. That's when a deck wash pump and hose come in really handy.
We have a 20kg Spade anchor on a Southerly 46 (about 15tons in cruising mode). I'd have bought a bigger one if it would have fitted the anchor locker, but having said that we haven't had a problem with it dragging in the last 2 seasons, about 200 nights at anchor.
My previous boat had a 20kg Ronca (4 seasons, about 400 nights at anchor, and it didn't bend), which was also very good, perhaps marginally better than the Spade and to be fair I'd have had a Ronca again, but the roll bar just wouldn't fit in the anchor locker.
I've found both the Spade and the Ronca better than the Delta (used just for one season, because I wasn't happy with it), they set faster and so are less likely to have the problem of getting choked with weed and kelp. I found the Delta would often skid across the sea bed gathering weed as it went, making it increasingly difficult for it to set. I used a Bruce before the delta and I haven't used a CQR for at least 25 years!
Both the Spade and the Ronca dig really deep when they are loaded up and can be difficult to break-out, they frequently stall a 1kw windlass and I regularly ride over the anchor to break it out. When they are recovered to the bow roller they are usually covered with a large quantity of mud or clay sticking to the anchor, you can see that the anchor has really penetrated the consolidated material on the seabed. That's when a deck wash pump and hose come in really handy.
wully1
Well-Known Member
Had mine 2 years now. Never failed to set, never dragged.
NornaBiron
Well-Known Member
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f118/photos-of-anchors-setting-126073.html
We have a 45kg Spade and anchor extensively, usually all winter too. We are very happy with it and would definitely buy another if we lost it.
The link has lots of photos of our Spade in action, along with many other anchors.
We have a 45kg Spade and anchor extensively, usually all winter too. We are very happy with it and would definitely buy another if we lost it.
The link has lots of photos of our Spade in action, along with many other anchors.
robmcg
Well-Known Member
Sounds like they are worth the money then. 20kg is rated for our boat and what we want it to do. I suppose you can't put a price on a good nights sleep at anchor.
Sounds like they are worth the money then. 20kg is rated for our boat and what we want it to do. I suppose you can't put a price on a good nights sleep at anchor.
They do not cost that much more than other good anchors - and as you say you cannot put a price on a good night's sleep!
We use both a 15kg steel and 8kg alloy Spade, cannot fault them. Obviously good in sand (but so are they all) but the Spade works well in, upto, medium density weed and in seabeds with loose rocks and stones.
Our anchors came with an overly long bolt, nyloc nut and split pin. Real belt and braces. If you dissassemble frequently have a supply of new nyloc nuts.
We took the pin out and buoyed the fluke (we are not that trusting) and set the anchor. We then drove over it and pulled it at 180 degrees, it somersaulted and re-set. We then lifted it and the whole stayed together without the bolt.
Some say the alloy version does not work as well as the steel mode (but mostly this is anecdotal and I have never met an owner of an alloy version to comment negativelyl, we cannot tell the difference - until you need to dinghy one out - and I do not need to tell you which we prefer.
Jonathan
westhinder
Well-Known Member
Well pleased after three seasons. So far it has always set first time and stayed put.
vyv_cox
Well-Known Member
The aluminium Spade that I have some experience with (not mine) was said to set and hold just as well as the steel version. Its big drawback is that galvanic corrosion occurs between the aluminium and the lead that is cast into the tip. The owner I know returned the first one when this happened, replaced FOC with a second generation one that was supposed to have been treated so that corrosion did not take place. That one is shown on my website under Galvanic Corrosion. It was replaced with a steel one.
Storyline
Well-Known Member
Have an irrational dislike of anchors held together with bolts such as the Mantus because I would fret during the night that they might undo or whether I had nipped them up. Totally stupid I agree. That is a point about the shackle but at least you can mouse it. Edit: just seen Jonathan's post about the Spade bolt coming with a split pin - that would allay any fear
This is quite an interesting read and amplifies your point about the bolt not taking any load
http://www.spade-anchor.co.uk/deep_blue.htm
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doug748
Well-Known Member
According to the website a 10m boat requires a 15kg anchor. Nearly 400 quid.
Makes you think.
Makes you think.
noelex
Well-Known Member
The steel Spade is an excellent anchor. I agree with the reservations about the alloy version. It does not work as well in hard substrates and has had some galvanic corrosion problems.
A single bolt retains the shank, but it comes with a nyloc nut and a locking pin so there is no need to be concerned. I have flown aircraft with wings held on by a less secure system!
The steel Spade is expensive and cannot be re-galvanised (or at least it is very difficult to do ) but in my view it is the best non roll bar anchor I have seen.
The Ultra is also worthy of consideration. It is only in Stainless Steel and has a very expensive list price, but there seem to be a lot of discounts available in Turkey (where the anchor is produced) if you are cruising the Med. Rocna have released a new non roll bar anchor called the Vulcan. It is a bit of cross between the Spade and Ultra. It looks promising on paper, but I would stick to the well proven Spade until we get some independent reports.
This shows the retaining system, although this owner seems to have lost the SS clip.
A single bolt retains the shank, but it comes with a nyloc nut and a locking pin so there is no need to be concerned. I have flown aircraft with wings held on by a less secure system!
The steel Spade is expensive and cannot be re-galvanised (or at least it is very difficult to do ) but in my view it is the best non roll bar anchor I have seen.
The Ultra is also worthy of consideration. It is only in Stainless Steel and has a very expensive list price, but there seem to be a lot of discounts available in Turkey (where the anchor is produced) if you are cruising the Med. Rocna have released a new non roll bar anchor called the Vulcan. It is a bit of cross between the Spade and Ultra. It looks promising on paper, but I would stick to the well proven Spade until we get some independent reports.
This shows the retaining system, although this owner seems to have lost the SS clip.
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Its the price of going to sleep and waking up in the same place - seems pretty cheap insurance to me - and it will be just as good in 10 years time
How much is a one night's marina berth in the UK these days? or those equally essential bits of kit an iPad or GoPro (or any other underwater camera)
Jonathan
Edit -Noelex - have you ever used an alloy Spade in order to validate your comments. I have used our alloy Spade extensively and it works as well as the steel version in a host of substrates, including medium weed and stony/pebbly seabeds (that defeats a roll bar anchor as they are prone to clogging, yes I have tried them as well). I think we need to get your negative comments into proportion.
How much is a one night's marina berth in the UK these days? or those equally essential bits of kit an iPad or GoPro (or any other underwater camera)
Jonathan
Edit -Noelex - have you ever used an alloy Spade in order to validate your comments. I have used our alloy Spade extensively and it works as well as the steel version in a host of substrates, including medium weed and stony/pebbly seabeds (that defeats a roll bar anchor as they are prone to clogging, yes I have tried them as well). I think we need to get your negative comments into proportion.
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doug748
Well-Known Member
I suspect that the choice is not between drifting about all night and paying the money.
If it was most people would pay the ransom. Maybe not all:
"The further they paddled the deeper it got,
But they wouldn't give in, once begun;
In the sprit that's made Lancashire what she is
They'd sooner be 'drownded' than done."
If it was most people would pay the ransom. Maybe not all:
"The further they paddled the deeper it got,
But they wouldn't give in, once begun;
In the sprit that's made Lancashire what she is
They'd sooner be 'drownded' than done."