Anchors: Best anchor for a sailboat?
We have all been there. Late at night, the wind direction changed, and the wind was up to 35 knots. Your anchor alarm is on and located next to your head. Sleep comes in bits and pieces until morning when a more stable panic sets in until this wind dies down. You ask yourself, “What is the best anchor for a sailboat?”
The basics
If you are in the market for a new anchor, you may purchase the same anchor you are replacing. Anchor brands are a bit like Ford vs Holden. But if this is your only reasoning, then please think again.
Advances in anchor technology have progressed, and it is worth having a closer look at the different types of anchors available in today’s market. Ask yourself: “What is the best anchor for a sailboat?”
The anchor naming convention needs to be more apparent with a combination of proprietary and common names (brand names). For example, the original Delta® design is created by Lewmar®. So this easily recognisable design is called a “delta anchor” and simply by its generic name: “Wing Anchor”. It is a bit like “hoovering the floor”. Hoover® is a brand name but is, to the delight of the company, now verbalised and synonymous with vacuum cleaning. So if you drop something on the floor, you get the Hoover out even if your vacuum cleaner is a different brand…
Materials play a significant role in anchor selection. Whether it’s galvanised steel, stainless steel, or aluminium, each has its own advantages depending on your boat and usage. Understanding these materials will give you the confidence to make the best choice for your sailboat.
Also, size matters. Different sizes (weights) determine their suitability for your purpose.
Choosing the right anchor can indeed be a confusing task. However, by examining the pros and cons of some of the most popular anchors, we can help you navigate this confusion and determine which anchor is the best fit for your sailboat.
Specific anchor types
Claw type anchor
Bruce® or Claw Anchor
The Bruce® was made in the 70s by the Bruce Anchor Group. Now that their patent is no longer current, many imitations on the market look and do the same thing, if not better.
Better known as a claw anchor, the Bruce is popular with recreational boat owners as it is a perfect all-purpose anchor that sets (and re-sets) well and quickly in most seabed types except for more complex surfaces such as heavy clay or heavily grassed areas.
Its holding power is somewhat less per pound than that of alternative anchors, which means that you need to purchase a bigger anchor comparatively.
Pros:
- Easily sets good all-rounder
- Performs well in most sea beds
Cons:
- Oddly shaped design, so a little more complex to handle
- Less holding power per pound
- Has trouble in a hard seabed such as clay or heavy grass
Plough type anchors
CQR™ or Plough Anchor
The CQR plough anchor is the best-known, older-style plough anchor in this category, dating back to the 1930s. The CQR is popular with bluewater sailors. However, independent testing data shows that the CQR performs less effectively than other anchors. Because of this, the CQR always seems oversized to compensate for its performance. On the other hand, the hinge incorporated on the CQR makes it responsive to changing conditions such as tidal or wind changes. The CQR is a general workhorse that is okay on most seabeds except rocks.
Delta™ or Wing Anchor
The Delta is the most prevalent anchor on boats today. Many of the leading manufacturers supply a wing anchor as a standard feature. As independent tests have shown, the Delta anchor has substantially more holding power than the Bruce. It has good holding power on most seabeds but needs help grabbing a rocky bottom. Unlike the CQR contracted with a hinging mechanism, the Delta is constructed as a single piece, like a plough-style anchor. The most significant difference between these anchors is that the CQR has a hinged design, whereas the Delta is a one-piece anchor without moving parts.
Pros:
- Plough anchors perform well in most conditions
- Due to the shape, plough anchors fit most bow-rollers
Cons:
- Both solid and hinge shaped make stowage difficult
- Lager and heavier than other types of anchors
- Has some holding issues in rocky conditions
Rocna Anchor
Arguably, it is the most popular anchor around in today’s market. The Rocna is a plough anchor like the Delta and CQR, except for two significant design variances.
- The Rocna is much sharper. The chisel tip penetrates most seabeds, including solid clay, heavily grassed areas and kelp.
- The Rocna has a distinctive “roll bar”, so the anchor will orient itself correctly even under challenging circumstances. Conversely, it makes the Rocna cumbersome, hindering storage or deployment on bow rollers.
Rocna is one of many brands with these distinctions. Others include the Bugel, the Supreme, and the Manson.
Pros:
- Extremely high holding capability
- Can be deployed on most seabeds
Cons:
- Difficult to stow
- Expensive
Fluke type anchors
Danforth™ or Fluke Anchor
™The Danforth, or Fluke anchor, is a trendy anchor choice for smaller vessels.
Fluke is, in essence, a mud and sand anchor and performs very well in those conditions. Conversely, it is one of the worst performers in all other conditions. Still, a fluke anchor is an inexpensive and reliable choice if you find yourself under these conditions.
For yachties, a fluke can be a great solution as a secondary anchor or a stern anchor.
Pros:
- Performs well in mud and sand
- Is relatively small so easy to stow
- Suits smaller boats or serves well as a stern anchor on yachts
Cons:
- Does not hold well (or not at all) other than on muddy or sandy seabeds
Anchor material
In general, anchors for this article are made from 3 possible materials.
- Galvanised steel,
- Stainless Steel, or
- Aluminium
It would not be fair to say that one is better than the other without determining the anchor’s usage and your budget. Below is a quick summary of the pros and cons of the three options.
Galvanised Steel Anchors
Pros:
- Cheap option
- Very strong
- Corrosion-resistant if galvanised
Cons:
- Galvanisation can deteriorate
- Not as nice looking as stainless steel
Stainless Steel Anchors
Pros:
- Looks very classy
- Strong
- Corrosion-resistant
Cons:
- Most expensive option
- Needs a bit of maintenance to keep looking good
Aluminium Anchors
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Looks good
- Corrosion-resistant
Cons:
- Expensive option
- Less strong than steel
Anchor size & weight
It is obvious that anchors come in different sizes. The size of the anchor depends on the size, type, and tonnage of your boat. Each manufacturer has detailed size charts available that will tell you the optimal combination of weight, size, and cost.
For example, the company issued the following chart for a Bruce claw anchor so you can determine the correct anchor for your application. This includes chain diameter and length as well as rode length.
Best anchor for a sailboat?
So what is the best anchor for a sailboat? I like the Rocna as it served us well in rough conditions and in a number of different situations. I like my sleep so I prefer to go a little heavier to cover that fudge factor…
If you disagree or if you have any tips or suggestions about anchors then I would love to hear from you. Just submit a comment below…
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