Claw Anchor

[MarkJohnson]

A recent sailing magazine (which will remain nameless) has carried out yet another anchor test.

To my surprise the Claw anchor, which is very similar to the Bruce came out worst.

Bit frustrating as I bought one last year. It has held my Sadler 32 OK, and only dragged in The Cove Scillies, which is known for its very fine sand.

But I have never used it in bad conditions.

I might be looking at the Delta now, another small fortune into the briney.

Mark J

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[Talbot]

I have a KLI (= danforth) as the main, and bought a 10 kg delta as a back-up on 20m of 5/16" chain. The delta dragged off lee-on-solent until I had let out practically all my chain and most of my warp. I have now relegated that to status as a kedge, and am considering a 16 or 20 kg delta as a main.

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[LORDNELSON]

I use a Delta anchor on my boat; It has not performed well, dragged even after a good set and sometimes requires relaying several times before it really sets well. My last boat had a genuine Bruce and I had no problems with that at all. I am thinking of buying a Bruce for my present boat. Has anyone any experience comparing a genuine Bruce with a Claw anchor?


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[AndrewB]

Had a Claw on a charter boat last year and found it reasonable enough, though it could take a bit of working in. As you say, very similar to a Bruce, which I have on my own boat.

Anchor tests are useful and there are some real lemons about (anyone remember the "Gliding Anchor"?). But don't get too worried as long as your Claw is reasonably sized for the boat. Successful anchoring is as much a matter of technique as anchor pattern, and one yachtie's meat is another's poison. I've never got on with a Danforth for example, though others swear by them.

The powdery sand in certain parts of the Scillies is notoriously tricky for holding, but in general I've found my Bruce is better than my CQR on that type of bottom, so your results with the Claw are a bit disappointing.

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[Joe_Cole]

It surprised me that the manufacturers wouldn't supply a Bruce anchor for the test in "Sailing Today". "They won't assist Magazine reviews as a matter of policy" (or words to that affect). Seems a bit daft to me. How on earth do they expect customers to consider their product?
I'm looking for a second anchor but won't look at one that I haven't seen reviewed.

Joe

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[Dipper]

You can’t really compare a genuine Bruce and a claw anchor weight for weight.

Genuine Bruce’s are made from heat treated cast steel alloy and are thinner with much sharper flukes. A 7.5kg Bruce for example is almost exactly the same size as a 10kg claw anchor but is ‘slimmer’ and stronger.

Incidentally, Bruce have now transferred their production line to Brazil from Europe so you will find that they now have Brazil stamped on them. They are still made with the same alloy and exactly the same production processes.


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[hylas]

It has been several anchor tests comparing anchors, including Bruce anchors and Claw.. or let's say cheap copies of the Bruce..

For example: the nice anchor study done by Pr John Knox in PBO.. the recent anchor test done by the French nautical magazine "Voiles et Voiliers' and published translated in English by "Yachting monthly" the anchor study done by "Voile Magazine" - the study done in the USA By "Practical Sailor" etc..

In ABSOLUTLY ALL anchors tests, the Bruce is one of the anchors with the lowest holding power..
But it is the anchor wich will set the best (in the second position behind the Spade anchor for setting - but only between 1/3 (Practical sailor- genuine Bruce) or 1/5 (John Knox PBO - Claw) of the holding power of the Spade..

So... if you can afford an oversized Bruce on your bow.. or if you will only anchor in moderate conditions.. the Bruce will do the Job...

Here in Brazil a large majority of anchors are cheap copies of the Bruce. some really funny.. but Brazilian boats seldom anchor for more time than the one necessary to drink a good "Caipirina"

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[ridgy]

I had a 22lb FHD (Plastimo claw) for last two seasons that seemed to work, although never tested in difficult conditions.

I became concerned after a some stopovers in clear shallow water where I could see it on the bottom and found that it was often lying on it's side with only one of the side prongs dug in. This was after bedding in with the engine.

I then took it on to the beach and tried pulling manually to find that if it started off on it's side then it was very reluctant to come upright.

As a result I recently replaced it with a Delta so I was quite pleased to read that review!


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[LORDNELSON]

Thankyou.

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[mickshep]

Fosca is a 32' yacht, She displaces about 6.5 tonnes and has a large, (35 lb ish) CQR as bower and a lot of nice heavy chain, Her kedge is a Danforth. fancy new (Read 'Expensive) anchors come and go and each one claims to be the answer to a yachtsmans prayers, at least untill the next 'ultimate' anchor appears. I for one can not afford to change my ground tackle every year to keep up with the latest fad so I stick with what I've got, if CQR will not dig in 1st time I go back and do it again with more chain, motor it in gently then increase the revs slowly till (If your really going for it) the prop begins to cavitate, She's 46yrs old this year and hasn't dragged to her death yet! IMHO the anchor that will set 1st time every time in every bottom is a myth, Save some money and get a good heavy chum and plenty of chain. When one of these 'ultimate' anchors is still the dogs doo-dars in 5 or 10 yrs time, then buy it. I'll now duck for cover, /forums/images/icons/smile.gif
Fair winds, Mike.

<hr width=100% size=1>My Mum say's I'm not a fat b@st@rd, just heavy boned.

 

[LORDNELSON]

Thank you, makes sense.

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[hylas]

"get a good heavy chum and plenty of chain"

This is still the same old story.. If I understand well: - the anchor itself has no importance, anchor with a 'Chum" and plenty of heavy chain..

For those who want to learn more about these questions, please have a look at the following Web page:

http://alain.fraysse.free.fr

The mathematical theory says exactly the opposite???

'When one of these 'ultimate' anchors is still the dogs doo-dars in 5 or 10 yrs time, then buy it." - Please note that the 'ultimate' anchor SPADE is now for 9 years on the market..

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[mickshep]

At what point did I say a decent anchor was of no importance? My point is that every couple of years a new 'super' anchor hits the chandlers. Whilst some will offer an improvement in holding in certain areas, none it would appear offer the quantum leap in holding/setting performance that their price, or indeed their designers would have us believe. As the inventor of the Spade I would expect you to stand up for it as it is a very good anchor, but then so are several others on the market, As for being the dogs doo daas, if this is the case why are magazines still testing others and for that matter why are manufacturers still bothering to go to the expense of designing and manufacturing other types???? Mike.

<hr width=100% size=1>My Mum say's I'm not a fat b@st@rd, just heavy boned.

 

[hylas]

Up to my own opinion, they are very few anchors that I will accept to use on my own boat, namely the Delta and the german Bügel.. for the reason that they are STABLE anchors..
But they are still inventors trying to find the perfect beast.. this is a good thing as it is the only way to improve the existing technology..

Except that there are two kind of “inventors” those who really try to invent something new and something improved.. like for example Peter Melle and the Bulwagga anchor, or those who are only copying existing products.. like the Kobra anchor (copy of the Delta) the Claw (copy of the Bruce) or the recent SARCA “DANGEROUS” copy of the Bügel..


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[BrendanS]

Why do you say the Sarca is dangerous? - I'm guess you are going to say it will trip out.

<hr width=100% size=1>Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabris, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam.

 

[hylas]

No, the "sliding' shank of the "SARCA" anchor is dangerous.. in case of a reverse of the wind (or current) the anchor will be pulled back and will never reset..
The French nautical regulation doesn't allow the use of "sliding" shanks

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