Dave Gerr - Boat Mechanical Systems Handbook-How to Design, Install, and Recognize Proper Systems in Boats

Spade-type anchors are available from an

assortment of manufacturers as the spade

anchor (Figure 22-21), the Bugel anchor

(Figure 22-22), the Sword anchor, the Rocna

anchor (Figure 22-20), the Manson Supreme,

and others. Each has somewhat different

proportions, but they work along generally

similar principles. I haven’t included dimen-

sion drawings of spade anchors here because

there are too many varieties to make such

drawings practical.

Since the spade anchor type is so new, it

hasn’t had the many decades the plow and

Danforth types have had to prove itself. Nev-

ertheless, over the past several years, spade

anchors have tested well and have shown

themselves to have generally good holding

power in most bottoms, as well as to set reli-

ably. A number of independent trials have

given the spade-type anchors the highest

holding power per pound among the assort-

ment of anchors examined. Until further data

are in, I would recommend sticking with the

spade anchors I’ve mentioned. Some light-

weight spade anchors, such as the HydroBub-

ble and XYZ, have shown less reliable holding

results in independent tests.

PART SEVEN: ANCHORING SYSTEMS

Figure 22-16.
Bruce anchor
(Courtesy Imtra
Corporation/Bruce
International
Ltd.)

Figure 22-17. A
Northill anchor

Figure 22-18. Grapnel anchor

Figure 22-19. A folding grapnel anchor

(Courtesy Plastimo)