We have been somewhat dissapointed in our aluminum
Spade. Works as well as the Bruce in mud, but will not
set reliably in sand, especially grass over sand. I dove down
on it and poked the point into the bottom as far as I could, but
when we drifted back on it it just flopped over and dragged
along on its side. Had to switch to a CQR for grass/sand
conditions. Spade (the company and reps) do not seem to be
interested in giving any advice so we keep it as a spare,
disassembled amnd in a locker.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Cindy Ballreich" wrote in message
...
Lee, Tamaroak, and Wayne,

Yes, I was hoping that Glenn would answer. We've got his web site
bookmarked.

How are you guys liking your Spades? What size did you get? Any
problems with your bow roller? How's the reset with big wind
shifts? We've seen the Practical Sailor tests and they're very
impressive, but they're not exactly "real world" conditions.

Cindy

Lee Huddleston wrote:

BTW Cindy, Glenn Ashmore sells or at least used to sell Spade
anchors, so he really knows of what he writes. I purchased a Spade
from him and was very pleased with the price, advice, and the prompt
service.

What size aluminum Spade do you have? How long/heavy is your boat. I'm
interested in going to an a spade.

Paul
www.jcruiser.org
"Doug Dotson" wrote in message
...
We have been somewhat dissapointed in our aluminum
Spade. Works as well as the Bruce in mud, but will not
set reliably in sand, especially grass over sand. I dove down
on it and poked the point into the bottom as far as I could, but
when we drifted back on it it just flopped over and dragged
along on its side. Had to switch to a CQR for grass/sand
conditions. Spade (the company and reps) do not seem to be
interested in giving any advice so we keep it as a spare,
disassembled amnd in a locker.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Cindy Ballreich" wrote in message
...
Lee, Tamaroak, and Wayne,

Yes, I was hoping that Glenn would answer. We've got his web site
bookmarked.

How are you guys liking your Spades? What size did you get? Any
problems with your bow roller? How's the reset with big wind
shifts? We've seen the Practical Sailor tests and they're very
impressive, but they're not exactly "real world" conditions.

Cindy

Lee Huddleston wrote:

BTW Cindy, Glenn Ashmore sells or at least used to sell Spade
anchors, so he really knows of what he writes. I purchased a Spade
from him and was very pleased with the price, advice, and the prompt
service.

It's an A140. Specified for a boat in the 53' to 65' range. Our
boat is 43' and weighs in at 14 tons or so. I always use an
anchor that is one size larger than what is recommended by
the manufacturer.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Paul L" wrote in message
...
What size aluminum Spade do you have? How long/heavy is your boat. I'm
interested in going to an a spade.

Paul
www.jcruiser.org
"Doug Dotson" wrote in message
...
We have been somewhat dissapointed in our aluminum
Spade. Works as well as the Bruce in mud, but will not
set reliably in sand, especially grass over sand. I dove down
on it and poked the point into the bottom as far as I could, but
when we drifted back on it it just flopped over and dragged
along on its side. Had to switch to a CQR for grass/sand
conditions. Spade (the company and reps) do not seem to be
interested in giving any advice so we keep it as a spare,
disassembled amnd in a locker.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Cindy Ballreich" wrote in message
...
Lee, Tamaroak, and Wayne,

Yes, I was hoping that Glenn would answer. We've got his web site
bookmarked.

How are you guys liking your Spades? What size did you get? Any
problems with your bow roller? How's the reset with big wind
shifts? We've seen the Practical Sailor tests and they're very
impressive, but they're not exactly "real world" conditions.

Cindy

Lee Huddleston wrote:

BTW Cindy, Glenn Ashmore sells or at least used to sell Spade
anchors, so he really knows of what he writes. I purchased a Spade
from him and was very pleased with the price, advice, and the prompt
service.

I think their site says that you should use the steel version, unless you
just have a problem with weight, at which point you should use the aluminum
model. Who can afford the SS one! ;-)

--


Keith
__
Bad spellers of the world UNTIE!
"Doug Dotson" wrote in message
...
We have been somewhat dissapointed in our aluminum
Spade. Works as well as the Bruce in mud, but will not
set reliably in sand, especially grass over sand. I dove down
on it and poked the point into the bottom as far as I could, but
when we drifted back on it it just flopped over and dragged
along on its side. Had to switch to a CQR for grass/sand
conditions. Spade (the company and reps) do not seem to be
interested in giving any advice so we keep it as a spare,
disassembled amnd in a locker.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Cindy Ballreich" wrote in message
...
Lee, Tamaroak, and Wayne,

Yes, I was hoping that Glenn would answer. We've got his web site
bookmarked.

How are you guys liking your Spades? What size did you get? Any
problems with your bow roller? How's the reset with big wind
shifts? We've seen the Practical Sailor tests and they're very
impressive, but they're not exactly "real world" conditions.

Cindy

Lee Huddleston wrote:

BTW Cindy, Glenn Ashmore sells or at least used to sell Spade
anchors, so he really knows of what he writes. I purchased a Spade
from him and was very pleased with the price, advice, and the prompt
service.

Doug,

I am taking a steel and an aluminum 100 with me to the BVI for our
charter at the end of the month and one reason is to study the problem
you are having. (The other is to make it a "business expense".) :-) I
will report back on my results.

Glenn

Doug Dotson wrote:
We have been somewhat dissapointed in our aluminum
Spade. Works as well as the Bruce in mud, but will not
set reliably in sand, especially grass over sand. I dove down
on it and poked the point into the bottom as far as I could, but
when we drifted back on it it just flopped over and dragged
along on its side. Had to switch to a CQR for grass/sand
conditions. Spade (the company and reps) do not seem to be
interested in giving any advice so we keep it as a spare,
disassembled amnd in a locker.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Cindy Ballreich" wrote in message
...

Lee, Tamaroak, and Wayne,

Yes, I was hoping that Glenn would answer. We've got his web site
bookmarked.

How are you guys liking your Spades? What size did you get? Any
problems with your bow roller? How's the reset with big wind
shifts? We've seen the Practical Sailor tests and they're very
impressive, but they're not exactly "real world" conditions.

Cindy

Lee Huddleston wrote:

BTW Cindy, Glenn Ashmore sells or at least used to sell Spade
anchors, so he really knows of what he writes. I purchased a Spade
from him and was very pleased with the price, advice, and the prompt
service.





--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com

I suspect that the steel anchor would have been a better choice. It
seems that the aluminum one just isn;t heavy enough to settle in to
initiate a set.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Glenn Ashmore" wrote in message
news:RAHEc.37251$cj3.21188@lakeread01...
Doug,

I am taking a steel and an aluminum 100 with me to the BVI for our
charter at the end of the month and one reason is to study the problem
you are having. (The other is to make it a "business expense".) :-) I
will report back on my results.

Glenn

Doug Dotson wrote:
We have been somewhat dissapointed in our aluminum
Spade. Works as well as the Bruce in mud, but will not
set reliably in sand, especially grass over sand. I dove down
on it and poked the point into the bottom as far as I could, but
when we drifted back on it it just flopped over and dragged
along on its side. Had to switch to a CQR for grass/sand
conditions. Spade (the company and reps) do not seem to be
interested in giving any advice so we keep it as a spare,
disassembled amnd in a locker.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Cindy Ballreich" wrote in message
...

Lee, Tamaroak, and Wayne,

Yes, I was hoping that Glenn would answer. We've got his web site
bookmarked.

How are you guys liking your Spades? What size did you get? Any
problems with your bow roller? How's the reset with big wind
shifts? We've seen the Practical Sailor tests and they're very
impressive, but they're not exactly "real world" conditions.

Cindy

Lee Huddleston wrote:

BTW Cindy, Glenn Ashmore sells or at least used to sell Spade
anchors, so he really knows of what he writes. I purchased a Spade
from him and was very pleased with the price, advice, and the prompt
service.





--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com

On Wed, 30 Jun 2004 18:06:12 -0400, "Doug Dotson"
wrote:
We have been somewhat dissapointed in our aluminum
Spade. Works as well as the Bruce in mud, but will not
set reliably in sand, especially grass over sand.

======================================

I'd guess that it's a weight issue since my 44# S100 has been very
good in those conditions.

I have a spare 44# delta plow if you'd like to negotiate...

We have pretty much decided to get a 60# CQR to
complement our 65# Bruce.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 30 Jun 2004 18:06:12 -0400, "Doug Dotson"
wrote:
We have been somewhat dissapointed in our aluminum
Spade. Works as well as the Bruce in mud, but will not
set reliably in sand, especially grass over sand.

======================================

I'd guess that it's a weight issue since my 44# S100 has been very
good in those conditions.

I have a spare 44# delta plow if you'd like to negotiate...