Boat anchor test. Review of boat anchor holding power. Boat anchors tested: Bulwagga anchor, Claw anchor, CQR anchor, Delta anchor, Fortress anchor, Manson Supreme anchor, Oceane anchor, Rocna anchor, Sarca Anchorlight anchor, Spade anchor, West Marine Performance 20 anchor, Wasi anchor, and the XYZ anchor.

West Marine Performance 20
After witnessing how well the Fortress performed, we expected West Marine’s version of a Danforth to put up comparable numbers. But it never really held for any significant time--only once did it exceed 1,000 pounds. The Performance had duller shanks than the Fortress, which might be the cause of its lesser results.

West Marine
(800) 685-4838

Wasi
This stainless steel, Lloyd’s Register-approved Wasi plow was also equipped with a roll bar. We tested the 30-pound model, and it held immediately, once holding up to 3,356 pounds. It also carries Lloyd’s Register approval for high-holding power. Wasi anchors are made in Germany and imported by San Jose, California-based company Swiss Tech America.

Swiss Tech America
(888) 800-9574

XYZ
At 13.5 pounds, the XYZ was by far the lightest, yet it is rated for boats to 48 feet. Made of galvanized steel, it has a modified-plow design that includes a protrusion off its shank that reportedly rights it and allows it to penetrate the bottom. Unfortunately this was not the case during our tests, as we failed each time to set this anchor. Manufactured in China, the XYZ is also available in stainless steel.

Creative Marine
(800) 824-0355