Anchors Aweigh Page 2

The test team launched, attempted to set, and retrieved each anchor at least four times over two days.I’ve heard of boaters who choose an anchor based upon how good it looks in the roller. But the right anchor should do more than just look sharp. In fact, it should do more than secure your beloved boat to the bottom. When things

By Mike Smith

February 1, 2007

THE ANCHORS

Bulwagga
It’s a safe bet that the Bulwagga is the only anchor manufactured in Utica, New York. It’s also the most unusually shaped of the bunch: Its three symmetrical flukes are designed to allow two to always set quickly, with the third providing balance on the shank as the anchor digs in deeper. Indeed, this 27-pounder set each time and held to 2,200 pounds of pull before releasing.

Mele Companies
(888) 674-4465

Claw
The Claw was one of three anchors we tested from Lewmar. The company says this single-piece, cast-steel anchor is used to secure oil rigs in the North Sea, its Bruce design purportedly holding well in most types of bottoms. So we were surprised when the 36-pound Claw repeatedly set and then quickly released. When it finally did set, we recorded 886 pounds before it let go. We wondered if perhaps it needed more scope, so we increased the ratio to 7:1 and got the same results.

Lewmar
(203) 458-6200

CQR
Another Lewmar product, the CQR is one of the most popular plow anchors, so we expected it to shine. Unfortunately, it repeatedly dragged, then would set briefly, only to quickly release. But when it did hold, the 38-pounder did so up to 2,212 pounds of pull. We suspect that the reason it was hard to set was its hinged shank, which moves 90 degrees to help the CQR right itself and set; this may not have allowed the flukes to penetrate the firm bottom. It’s worth noting, however, that the CQR carries Lloyd’s Register approval for its high-holding power.

Lewmar
(203)458-6200

This article originally appeared in the February 2007 issue of Power & Motoryacht magazine.