Roger Long wrote:
I need to buy a couple anchors for use in Maine and have been reading
the reviews on CruiseNews.net.

Does anyone think there is a real world difference between the "best"
and above average in these tests? Often tests like that just tell you
what was best on that particular day and location.

I like the look of the traditional plow and have a bow roller for one.
Is there a compelling reason to go with a Bruce or a Spade?

The boat has a bow locker for a Danforth type so I'll probably go with
that for the lunch hook.

First question - does your boat have a windlass? If not, you want to
think carefully about the "heavier is better" school of anchoring technique.

For instance, a traditional 45 pound CQR will hold as well as a 35 pound
Delta, but is obviously somewhat more work to recover. Also the CQR has
trouble setting quickly in a hard bottom because it land on its side,
while a Delta land point down.

I've considered a Spade, but every time I get close I find a few reviews
that say the Spade is no better than a Delta, so I decide to wait. The
Bruce also has its supporters, but it is also rather heavy for its
holding power.

Danforth style anchors have tremendous holding power, set quickly on
many bottoms, and bury deeply in soft mud, but on other bottoms can
release and refuse to re-set. This is not a good primary anchor for the
Northeast, since you don't want to leave it unattended.

Here's my setup; Since I have a Catamaran, I went with the
"lightweight, high tech approach." This was after being advised by a
friend who has lived mostly at anchor for the last twenty years that if
I downsized I'd be happier. Since then I've found that the setup I use
has pretty standard among cat owners.

I use a 35# Delta as a primary, with 50 feet of chain, and 250# feet of
9/16 NE Ropes 3-strand nylon. As a secondary I use a Fortress FX23 (the
equivalent of a 23# Danforth, only 15 pounds) with only about 20 feet of
chain. This is used as a lunch hook or as second anchor. I also have a
spare Danforth and 2 extra rodes, plus a dinghy anchor.

One more thing to consider, especially if you don't have a windlass:
many anchoring problems arise because the skipper is unwilling to reset
the anchor if the first try doesn't end up where you want it, or if the
wind shifts, etc. When I had heavy gear (45 pound CQR, 90 feet of 3/8
chain) resetting was a major effort; now I do it perhaps a third of the
time that I anchor. If I don't like the spot, or if it drags when
backing under power, I just haul it up and reset. Since I started this
approach, I've never dragged, and never had a "midnight crisis."

How many times have you watched someone anchor upwind of you and then
drag down right beside you and refuse to move? Usually a comment, a
nasty look, or a crying baby will entice them to move, but with
lightweight gear, moving is an option.

One more thing - although using two anchors seemed complicated when I
started, its actually quite simple, and with a light Fortress its quick
and easy. The one weakness of the Delta (and many similar anchors) is
soft mud - in these cases the Fortress holds extremely well. Using the
two together guarantees you won't move, and allow you to anchor in
places with limited swinging room.

Yet another thing - don't buy the cheap imitations - get the real
version of whatever you choose. Use quality chain and New England Rope.