Lewmar claw anchor any good?

[mikereed100]

Quick anchor rant:

We have anchored in a lot of different places, in a lot of different seabeds and watched a lot of people drag over many years. Invariably, those who drag are using a Delta, claw or plow type anchor. As one friend put it, "I love my Delta, it hardly ever drags". By 'hardly ever' he meant several times a year. I could never accept than in an anchor. I've heard stories of new-gen anchors dragging and I'm sure they do, but I have never seen it myself. We don't carry insurance and as a consequence have no qualms about spending the money on the anchor most likely to keep the boat off the beach. I understand why people love their older, inexpensive anchors, but have developed the habit of anchoring either far away from, or upwind of, any boat that has one. And there are plenty of them still out as they are fine anchors and work most of the time. It's just that, to me, 'most of the time' is not good enough. It only takes once to loose your boat or drag into and damage another boat.

So anyhow, I encourage those who still use 'old-gen' anchors on their cruising boats to watch Steve's excellent video, paying close attention to parts around 15 min and 33 min. If you still want to hang on to your old anchor; oversize it, use plenty of scope, set it well and hope for the best.

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by mikereed100

Quick anchor rant:

We have anchored in a lot of different places, in a lot of different seabeds and watched a lot of people drag over many years. Invariably, those who drag are using a Delta, claw or plow type anchor. As one friend put it, "I love my Delta, it hardly ever drags". By 'hardly ever' he meant several times a year. I could never accept than in an anchor. I've heard stories of new-gen anchors dragging and I'm sure they do, but I have never seen it myself.

We've been anchored right next to boats with new gen anchors that have dragged, while our "old" Bruce held on. In one instance it was a sistership, anchored just 30 metres away, so a pretty even comparison.

They'll all drag one day.

[belizesailor]

My primary is a Lewmar Claw that has served me well for many years in many different bottom types. Sets fast and holds well in most. Ive used original Bruces on other boats and have not noticed any appreciable difference. Thick grass bottoms are not its strong suit (nor the original Bruce's). In just the right bottom consistency and and big veer (~360°) it can "ice cream scoop" out a nice big ball of bottom (ditto for original Bruce), but thats only happened once in over a decade.

Haven't had same experience in sand as others. In Florida, Bahamas, NW Carib, SW Carib...lots of different sand...its always set and held well. Usually disappearing completely below the sand.

[UNCIVILIZED]

One option, if you like the design, is to find a used, genuine Bruce. Usually it's not too tough, knock on wood. Just post some wanted ads on bulletin boards everywhere; real world, & electronic.
As well as going the word of mouth route. Including by walking the docks, & politely asking Bruce owners if they'd be up for selling theirs. For you're likely to find someone who's been hesitant to by a new gen. anchor, due to budget considerations. But if they have a buyer for their Bruce, then you both win.

[bstreep]

We have a 66lb Bruce knockoff that we just replaced with an 85lb mantus. Thank you mantus! The Bruce never dragged, but it was too small for us.


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[markpierce]

Always works for me in the heavy, sticky mud-bottom waters here.