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Anchors and anchor parts

The anchor parts

Parts of an anchor

Four anchors for sailing yachts

Criteria for anchor selection
Bruce anchor
Bruce anchorDespite failing most authoritative anchor tests, the Bruce anchor is still quite popular, mainly because it is so easy to set. It won't penetrate deep so this anchor is not recommended for anchoring at night of above 6 Bft. The Bruce - and other similar “claw” anchors - are ideal though for a short lunch stop.
CQR anchor
CQR anchor Definitely one of the best anchors around the stockless CQR does wonders in mud or sand. This “plow” anchor was patented in 1933 by Sir Geoffrey Taylor.
The CQR generally penetrates better into weeds and grasses than the Danforth type anchors, it resets easily and the hinge allows about 75° of sideways motion (each side).
Delta anchor
Delta anchorThe Delta anchor is a variation on the CQR by the same manufacturer: the principal difference is the fixed shank without the hinge, which shape is also altered to allow the anchor to deploy automatically from the bow roller. The flukes are improved as well.
Danforth anchor
Danforth anchor This anchor type is the storm-anchor par excellence. It has a low weight and incredible holding power according to nearly all safety tests. Preferred anchor in easy penetrable seabeds except very fine sand, though there are ill-performing forgeries around that only look like a Danforth. Among all the Danforth-like anchors the “Performance anchor” and the “Fortress anchor” is by far the best version a yachtsman can buy. Some Danforths let you change the angle between flukes and shank.

Other anchor types

Besides these four there are of course other interesting anchors, notably the recent Spade anchor - an acronym for the French Societé de Rocna anchor Production d'Accastillage et Divers Equipements, which is an auspicious design.
Other promising anchors are the Max anchor (soft mud), the triple fluked Bulwagga (dense weeds penetration), and the German designed Bügel.
The Rocna, the Bügel-like anchor shown here on the right, is a very recent product with mixed results - a fiercely hyped marketing campaign claims otherwise…

Special anchors and aids

Hook-like “rock anchors” can be used to connect your yacht directly to the rocks above the water.
Helical “screw anchors” or “beach anchors” are specially designed to be manually screwed down in the sandy seabed of shallow waters or on a nearby beach, as is often done in Greece and Turkey.
Old fashioned anchor at Monemvasia, Argolic, Greece. Not a “rock anchor” but rather an
old fashioned anchor - Monemvasia, Argolic Gulf.

 
Sailing resources
 Anchoring course :

 Seabed - where to anchor
 Anchors & anchor parts
 Anchoring techniques
 Second anchor
 Mediterranean mooring
 Anchoring tips & glossary
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Diederik Willemsen | E-mail me
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