"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?

It is never a good idea to have two anchors of the same pattern. I sell
Spades but I am putting a CQR on the second roller.

In the New England area I would sugggest either a CQR or a steel Spade. The
Bruce sets very easily but it just doesn't have the holding power. The
Spade sets very reliably if you let it settle a few seconds before putting
any tension on the rode and resets quickly on its own. Which is kinda
counter intuitive as it is usually under tension when it resets. (I haven't
figured that out yet.) It realigns extremely well IF you use a proper size
model. The CQR doesn't have quite the holding power of the Spade in most
bottoms but it seems to perform a little better in soft mud.

My customers must like their Spades as I offer 30 day return privileges for
any reason and after more than 200 anchors nobody has returned one yet.

--
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