38 pound Spade Anchor?

[westsailwill]

Has anyone ever heard of a 38 or 39 pound Spade anchor? I'm looking at one that seems identical to a Spade 100, but it only weights 38+ lbs. my understanding was that they should weight 44lbs. It appears to be around 10 years old, more or less, and has "Made in Tunisia" stamped on it in pretty small letters. Any info would be great.

Regards,
Will

[colemj]

If it has been regalvanized, perhaps the lead was melted out of the toe and not replaced?

Mark

[westsailwill]

Good point. I hadn't thought of that possibilty, but that might actually be the case, as I've zero references to anything near that weight. It could be a bootleg, but I doubt that. Your idea makes most sense.

[noelex 77]

Anchor weights tend to be reasonably nominal.

When the anchor is actually weighed it does not always agree with the manufacturer's specifications.

Some of the anchor tests have measured the actual weight of the anchor. The Knox tests of 2002 and 2011 did this. The results for the Spade anchors tested were S40 which is listed by a Spade at 6 kg was actually 5.1 kg. The S80 which is listed by Spade at 15 kg was actually 13.3 kg.

I have not seen any actual weights for the S100, but I think its likely that the nominal weight listed by Spade is not the true weight.

[UNCIVILIZED]

Anchor weights do vary, aka, aren't exact. I have an "88lb" Delta sitting in storage, which actually weights 101lbs. And if you read the various anchor tests, weight variances (from their factory stated weights) are very common.

A few pounds either way will likely not make a difference when it comes to setting.. However, in reference to the knock of question you posed, take a tape measure to the anchor, & compare your numbers to it's published spec's. Then, if it's outside of them by say, much over 5% (give or take), then your concerns may be telling.

[zboss]

Spades are made in Tunisia.

Shot in the dark here - are you sure its galvanized steel and not aluminum... they make aluminum ones as well.

I have an S120

[westsailwill]

It would have to be "in the dark" not to know if it was aluminum. The missing lead in the tip seems to be the answer. Thanks for all the input.

Regards,
Will

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by westsailwill

It would have to be "in the dark" not to know if it was aluminum. The missing lead in the tip seems to be the answer. Thanks for all the input.

Regards,
Will

Mark seemed to nail that right away. I am making the assumption the lead is for setting ability not holding? Maybe Mark has some input as to if it makes a significant difference? I am making another assumption the price is favorable so how much of a trade off is the lack of the lead?

[MooGroc]

The tip of the spade is open. If you look in, you should be able to
see the lead. My understanding is that the weight should be bang
on and that it is critical to the anchor working as designed.

Do give the Spade anchor guys a call. I have had incredibly good
service from them.

[stbdtack]

I'll second that MooGroc. The service and support from the Spade anchor people is great.

I have an S 100. And it is almost exactly 44lbs. Additionally, as has been noted, these anchors have phenomenal setting ability and holding power, but depend very heavily on the accurate execution of the weight and design features. In order to get the anchor to perform it was necessary to weld the shank with a triangular (hollow) cross section. This was done to balance the anchor properly ie: to maintain more than 50% of the weight concentrated at the point of the blade.

A "spade " who's weight is in question leads to an anchor that is way out of balance.

Run away from that one! or spend your nights wondering if it will hold.

Regards,
Bob

[zboss]

44 pounds - 38.5 pounds is 5.5 pounds. For the guess about the lead to be right, the lead would have to account for only 5.5 pounds of the total weight of the anchor.

It is my understanding that the lead weight is supposed to make up 50% of the weight of the anchor... thats how it rolls over. So if the lead was not there then a 44 pound anchor should weigh 22 pounds or there-abouts.

[westsailwill]

I have been using an S100 as my primary anchor for the last 3 years in the Bahamas and it has been, by far, the best setting and holding anchor I've ever used. Its weightIs exactly 44lbs. This anchor (the 38 pounder) was to replace my secondary (Bruce 44). The price was to good to be true, and ya know what they say about that... Needless to say I passed on it. Once again, thanks for all the input.

Cheers,
Will

[colemj]

Originally Posted by zboss

44 pounds - 38.5 pounds is 5.5 pounds. For the guess about the lead to be right, the lead would have to account for only 5.5 pounds of the total weight of the anchor.

It is my understanding that the lead weight is supposed to make up 50% of the weight of the anchor... thats how it rolls over. So if the lead was not there then a 44 pound anchor should weigh 22 pounds or there-abouts.

6lbs is ~0.25 liters of volume for lead. I don't know the volume on the tip of the Spade, but don't think it is more than 1 liter. Perhaps it was regalvanized without regard to the lead and that much melted out?

The 50% is the total weight in the tip, which includes the heavier-walled steel in this area, along with the lead.

Mark

[MooGroc]

I had an S100 which appeared to have no lead in the tip and it weighed 28 pounds.

My new S100 weighs exactly 44 pounds.

[noelex 77]

The ballast chamber is open to the rear on the Spade. The lead does not corrode unlike the steel ballast used in some anchors. It does not show up well in my photo below, but in real life you can see the lead quite clearly.

Unfortunately, the lead would melt and run out if you try to re-galvanise the anchor, so most re-galvanisers refuse to touch the Spade, but it seems from this thread that a few have tried.

The lead is essential to the function of the anchor so if you are buying a secondhand Spade make sure you check the lead is in there.