Bruce or CQR

[Panope]

Originally Posted by wingssail

........But I think there are more variables at play. I don't know why Bruce anchors (or Lewmar's claw) don't test well, but I have had excellent luck with the ones we use and I trust them..........

Seabed type has a huge effect on how well an anchor performs/tests.

In one of the seabeds that I test (soft mud), the Bruce tested better than numerous top anchors (Spade, Vulcan, Excel, etc).

In other seabeds, the Bruce was very poor.

I have almost entirely avoided commenting about other persons anchor tests, but with all due respect, any SINGLE SEABED test that even hints at a "best anchor" conclusion, should be viewed with extreme skepticism.

Although I have thoroughly tested in 5 unique seabeds, am no where close to being able to proclaim the best anchor. Or more importantly, the worst.

Steve

[fxykty]

We cruised the South Pacific for 3 years on an 11m steel hulled monohull with no windlass. We had a 15kg genuine Bruce, 30m of 8mm chain, and the rest 3plait nylon. The anchor mostly worked well, though in coarse sand it would set and slowly drag - there is very little surface area to that anchor. In those cases we had a small Danforth that we would row out with the dinghy and set it on all nylon in a tight V to the Bruce.

If it works for you, awesome, no reason to change. But when we were looking to upsize our primary anchor we didn’t even bother to consider any traditional anchor. Steve’s videos are definitive (at least for the bottom types he uses) and an awesome resource that we’re very fortunate to have.

[Panope]

The Pardeys surveyed anchors on boats involved in the infamous Cabo San Lucas anchoring disaster of 1982. If memory serves correctly, it was mostly Bruce and CQR anchors on the boats that did NOT drag ashore.

Steve

[smj]

Originally Posted by Panope

The Pardeys surveyed anchors on boats involved in the infamous Cabo San Lucas anchoring disaster of 1982. If memory serves correctly, it was mostly Bruce and CQR anchors on the boats that did NOT drag ashore.



Steve

In 1982 I’m guessing the primary anchor for 98% of the boats cruising was either a Bruce or CQR? Maybe a couple of Danforths thrown in?

[Panope]

Originally Posted by smj

In 1982 I’m guessing the primary anchor for 98% of the boats cruising was either a Bruce or CQR? Maybe a couple of Danforths thrown in?

Could have also been Northill and Fisherman. But, yes no modern stuff.

Still impressive that Bruce anchors kept some boats off the beach. Conditions were horrific: Roadstead anchorage, wind to 50 kts, 10 foot+ waves.

Whatever that seabed consists of, Bruce anchors love it.

Steve

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

reliable anchor report comes with the same old same old video of a beach cat race along with a sermon on his computer prowess.

He is not the only one here that offers up a sermon on his own abilities, on occasion.

[donradcliffe]

My experience with Bruce cancels Wings.

My 44 lb genuine Bruce dragged dozens of times in 10 years of anchoring nearly full time with scope between 5 and 10 to 1. Surface area too small for soft sand or mud, and too light to penetrate weed roots.

[Mike Banks]

Someone mentioned a Lewmar Claw anchor--a kind of Bruce knock-off. I have to say it was a pretty good anchor and set well every time--but it had two problems that could and should have been dealt with, to make it into a great anchor.

Firstly, the shaft length was too short--it was hard to pull out of the mud, all it needed was a longer shaft and the second point is if it did come out of the mud, it would not re-set because a ball of the sticky stuff was firmly jammed in it which one had to poke out with a stick when one retrieved the anchor. I am not sure how that could be avoided with this kind of anchor, I avoided it by only using mine as a stern anchor when I set both bow and stern anchors. In the finish I swapped it for a dozen bottle of beer and bought another Manson.

[rgleason]

Our experience since 1991 mirrors wingsail. I think we ancbor mostly in mud and sandy mud.

[malbert73]

Originally Posted by Panope

Seabed type has a huge effect on how well an anchor performs/tests.

In one of the seabeds that I test (soft mud), the Bruce tested better than numerous top anchors (Spade, Vulcan, Excel, etc).

In other seabeds, the Bruce was very poor.

I have almost entirely avoided commenting about other persons anchor tests, but with all due respect, any SINGLE SEABED test that even hints at a "best anchor" conclusion, should be viewed with extreme skepticism.

Although I have thoroughly tested in 5 unique seabeds, am no where close to being able to proclaim the best anchor. Or more importantly, the worst.

Steve

Steve- you are too modest. In my opinion- your testing has changed the game. And your seabed specific results actually help explain a lot- like why a genuine Bruce didn’t do well on my prior boat in Chesapeake soft mud. And why a Rocna on my next boat was also unreliable in same. And why Mantus is great for me up and down east coast- while still a good performer in the home Chesapeake soupy mud.

I think the main point is anchoring is about probabilities- and the better an all-around performer an anchor is, the safer you’ll be. I personally think that’s where the new gen anchors shine- (except original Rocna)—
all have relative strengths and weakness but they are not as magnified as with some older gen anchors

[thomm225]

So I hooked up this old knock-off Bruce (SL Claw 10 KG) yesterday that has been my spare for the last 10 years (and was that for the PO as well) and plan to give it a try this year.

I'll start off anchoring with it in areas where I can afford to drag until it proves itself.

Since I've been anchoring in this area for about 50 years that should help both bayside and barrier island/seaside.

Think I'll try this spot first since I'll have plenty of dragging space...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFoM2zVYkxY

[mrcarson]

Bruce with short chain rode. as designed for.
CQR or a coupla copies. having extra lead poured into tips. To help reset and drive in.
LARGE ADMIRALTY (82lb for an 8+ ton yacht). for weed Coral' sand etc. And hold me under when Bone cancer got too bad. (but it went away).
ALL on swivel. 100mtr chain plus a length of nylon with orange float.
on Q/R snap for when I had to let go when cannot haul. Jammed in.
Also a 45lb Danforth with 40ft chain and 100mtr 8 plait. in tub on stern rail when coastal for a brake, or hanging off a spring to midship cleat to main pick When wind over tide.
Spare length of chain and CQR in Bilges , with prop. Shaft and lotsa bits. Mine was a cruising battleship. set up with 3 months supplies. I was in the UK Army. Attatched to Nuclear Missile artillery Battery's, Pointing over the fence. then the wall. in the mid/late '50's. ('58 to ''63.)
A LOT of up set up with yachts and provisions Afterwards.
Ready to bolt to Offshore small islands if anything eventuated, Thankfully most of us just got a serve of Bone Cancer for our troubles.
Those anchors. Over many yrs around a lot of coastines and grounds, county's.
ALL kept me fastened as long as I picked the right one.
99% of these modern ones are nust fancy derivatives of them at much higher prices.
I kept my Original 45lb BRUCE. Towing Walker log. Sextant and Chrono
as souvenirs. Plus a coupla log sheets.

[mrcarson]

Hmm.
I just donated my Walker to a mate to put on his mans room wall.
Then found out they going on Ebay for around $850ish AUD. in new cond, and greased regulsrly when used. Around 45 ys old from memory and only used by self.
Along with a Chip log and Depth weight. Lead with hollow base to pick up seabed material at that spot. Knots at every Fathom.
Getting the swing right is imperative to read accurately as it passes you sitting taut on the bottom and allowing for any current. Good old days hey.

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by Mike Banks

Someone mentioned a Lewmar Claw anchor--a kind of Bruce knock-off. I have to say it was a pretty good anchor and set well every time--but it had two problems that could and should have been dealt with, to make it into a great anchor.

Firstly, the shaft length was too short--it was hard to pull out of the mud, all it needed was a longer shaft and the second point is if it did come out of the mud, it would not re-set because a ball of the sticky stuff was firmly jammed in it which one had to poke out with a stick when one retrieved the anchor. I am not sure how that could be avoided with this kind of anchor, I avoided it by only using mine as a stern anchor when I set both bow and stern anchors. In the finish I swapped it for a dozen bottle of beer and bought another Manson.

This is why yesterday I unhooked my spare Bruce Knock-off Claw Anchor I had mounted to the chain and put my old CQR back on until I can find a 20-35 lb CQR in better shape or maybe a used Ronca.

I'm seeing them more and more for sale on Craigslist, but usually they are too large for my needs.

[mrcarson]

"""I'm seeing them more and more for sale on Craigslist, but usually they are too large for my needs."""

Normally. When you see a specific model of ANY item with lots for sale. There's ONE reason. They don't live up to their hype.
The BRUCE has one reason for it's short shank. IE. SHort Scope. They designed originally for 4/6 point anchoring on drills.rigs etc. Long They'd pull them out all the time.
When they first designed, Couple of my mates worked on the drills (I worked on the pipelines. retired at 49 yrs) and we talked about differing styles of picks for different jobs.
With the genuine CQR. when you melt extra kilo's of lead into the tips. They roll and dig in a lot better.
Danforth. Extend the ends on the cross shaft each side. I only ever used one for stern anchor of those)

ADmiralty. I always buy 2 sizes up at least and weld Oversized heart shaped (to a point) blades, on the blade ends. I use that 82lb on my 32ft 8 ton steel centre cockpit. NEVER let go yet on over 30 yrs in all grounds and 40plus knots.
Pick. Swivel 40ft of 1/2in short link. to main 120mtr chain.
100lb for my 42ft Cutter Boden South Seas (steel again)
"I" ALWAYS have an Orange Radar reflective, hard float on a tripping line from head of all picks.
There was only ever 95% of time. self plus dogs. then last 25 yrs cats. On my boats so plenty of room for storage and crap.
My picks suited 45yrs of Australia/N/Z coastlines. Other area could be differing.
Shingle was the only material I always moved somewhere else for.
Once I couldn't. So stayed till blow went through. Motor running, on wheel.
Holding place like we used to do in the trwlers for 2 or 3 days on North Sea in the '50's. They were bumpy days believe me. Open deckers too.