Bulwagga anchor vs. spade
 

I've used the spade for around 3 years fairly heavily (full time
cruising for a year). I don't like it for soft chesapeake mud though,
but I'm wondering if the bulwagga would be a better all around anchor.
Any experience?

I've used a Bulwagga for maybe four years in a variety of bottoms, including
mud and am pleased with its performance. . .meaning I sleep well and seldom
worry about dragging. It sets faster than other anchors I've had, usually
immediately. Because of its three-fluke design, which act like feet, the
anchor is always ready to quickly reset even if it pulls out and rolls to
one side. It's the only anchor I've had any luck with in weeds. It's quite
effective at 5:1 scope, and a boat length of chain on a nylon rode is more
than adequate.. By virture of it's sliding shank design, it can be pulled
out backwards if it ever gets stuck under a log, buried cable or whatever.
Sturdy and nicely made too. It can be a bit of a challenge to store it
securely on some anchor roller brackets -- a little creativity usually
solves the problem.

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"CatManDo" wrote in message
m...
I've used the spade for around 3 years fairly heavily (full time
cruising for a year). I don't like it for soft chesapeake mud though,
but I'm wondering if the bulwagga would be a better all around anchor.
Any experience?

I have tested the Bulwaga against the Spade and have to say that it is
impressive. It kept pace with the Spade in heavy mud and sand and set in
weeds when the Spade required several attempts. Holding power in sand and
heavy mud is about the same. In soupy mud neither is anything to write home
about.

I only have two objections: It is hard to stow and it is not the prettiest
chunk of metal to hang off the bow.

"Len Krauss" wrote in message
...
I've used a Bulwagga for maybe four years in a variety of bottoms,
including
mud and am pleased with its performance. . .meaning I sleep well and
seldom
worry about dragging. It sets faster than other anchors I've had, usually
immediately. Because of its three-fluke design, which act like feet, the
anchor is always ready to quickly reset even if it pulls out and rolls to
one side. It's the only anchor I've had any luck with in weeds. It's quite
effective at 5:1 scope, and a boat length of chain on a nylon rode is more
than adequate.. By virture of it's sliding shank design, it can be pulled
out backwards if it ever gets stuck under a log, buried cable or whatever.
Sturdy and nicely made too. It can be a bit of a challenge to store it
securely on some anchor roller brackets -- a little creativity usually
solves the problem.

--
Eliminate "ns" for email address.
"CatManDo" wrote in message
m...
I've used the spade for around 3 years fairly heavily (full time
cruising for a year). I don't like it for soft chesapeake mud though,
but I'm wondering if the bulwagga would be a better all around anchor.
Any experience?

I haven't used a spade before - only danforths (original and Fortress)
and the Bulwagga I have now.

Something to think about: Like Len said, the Bulwagga sets quickly -
extremely quickly. In an emergency situation that can make a hell of a
difference - saving a collision or even worse.

Early in my sailing adventures (i.e. a novice), I got caught trying to
race a thunderstorm into an anchorage in Long Island Sound (Sand Hole
off Oyster Bay, LI). We turned the corner (after clearing the nasty
shoals for those of you familiar with it) just as it hit - winds gusting
above 50kts. With the engine wide open, we could barely hold ground
against the wind. We tried to set the danforth - and were unsuccessful
until about the 6th or 7th attempt. Not a fun experience. That prompted
me to look for a better alternative. After researching, tried a 17lb.
Bulwagga (our boat is a 28', 3.5+ton Mariner sloop outfitted for cruising.

Fastforward a couple years - moving the boat from Stamford, CT to
Marblehead, MA. The day we were to make Cape Cod Canal, afternoon
squalls were forecast. We made the decision to make the dash just before
the current makes its south-to-north switch. We figured we'd make it
through with not much time to spare before the first winds hit. Well, we
made with virtually no time to spare - and we had forgotten to put our
inflatable on the deck. The wind started to kick up as we veered off out
of the mouth of the canal. As I dropped the Bulwagga, the winds were
kicking up above 30kt. As always, it bit instantly in 20ft of water with
only about a 4:1 scope. My wife piped up about how this marriage was
definitely not going to end over anchoring arguments!. Well, we had to
wait for the winds to peak up to 45kts and get down to about 20 so I
could manhandle the dingy onto the deck.

Contrary to popular belief, a Bulwagga does stow fairly well on a
standard bow roller - IF it extends forward enough over the bow so the
flukes don't hit the fiberglass. My Mariner didn't have a bow roller, so
I installed one of adequate length. It probably would have required
modification if it was integrated into the headstay stem fitting. IOW,
could be a compromise on your boat...

It does generate curiosity among passersby. Invariably, the following
ensues: "Yeah, that Bulwagga does look strange. Does it hold as good as
they say?" And I just smile and nod.

CatManDo wrote:
I've used the spade for around 3 years fairly heavily (full time
cruising for a year). I don't like it for soft chesapeake mud though,
but I'm wondering if the bulwagga would be a better all around anchor.
Any experience?