Len wrote in message news:1098432323.2mpmk5YQ+IoUijLEYqlwow@teranews. ..
Hi all,

I'm considering purchase of a Spade anchor.
I'm curious if there are any members of this group with experience.

We used the spade throughout the east coast (Maryland to the Keys) and
the through the Exumas, Jumentos back. Probably relied on it for
around a year fulltime.
I have seen various reports and I know about the bolt-problem

Bolt not really and issue, very strong anchor. Would recommend
possible protecting it while docking as we have the 19 lb aluminum
version and it can bend if you hit a piling.
What I want to learn in addition to that info:
1) how do YOU think it holds in various types of soil (please rate it
as a % of succesfull tries)

In sand it was great, in many types of mud it was good, in soft mud
found in Florida and Georgia it could refuse to set. I would use a
Danforth deepset or fortress with it set for mud. Overall, a good
anchor, but frankly I might try the bulwagga for my current boat as
the Chesapeake has lots of soft mud and people have problems with the
spade in certain locations here. In sand though, literally I would
spend two weeks in 50 knots plus winds without it budging.

2) what is your loa/displ versus your anchor's weight.

It's a catamaran, so 36 ft, displacement is only 8,000 lbs, but for
Cats you go by windage. Our windage would be the equivalent of a 40
ft sloop.

3) at what windforce will you probably be blown off.

If it bites, and it almost always will in sand, you really won't have
to worry about it dragging. Once again we saw 50+ knots of wind while
stuck on the wrong side of Georgetown in the exumas because we were
fixing our engines. Didn't budge an inch.

Anything relevant....

Be careful when setting it at first. I would use a technique of
dropping it, and then feeling the anchor rode with your hand as you
set it to feel any dragging. If it seems to be dragging a bit, drift
down and let it lay with the current, then apply the engine with light
force and let it settle. Finally, after you're sure you're not
moving, really back down on her.

BTW, she's light enough that you can dive down and move her from one
spot to another, try doing that with a 55 lb delta!

Thanks,
Len
S/v Present