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I Bought a (new to me) Spade Anchor

tfrere

tfrere

Thomas McNulty
i was wasting some time at Boater's' Resale Shop in Kemah, TX yesterday between work
meetings. I found a 44 pound Spade anchor for the incredibly low price of $175. It's not new but it appears in perfect shape.
My research reveals the Spade performs well so I'm excited about my purchase.
 
Lee
Good choice with the Rocna. Especially for when you go to the Bahamas. The CQRs are pretty much useless in the soft sand you'll find there. We always did what I call "go for a beer anchoring" anywhere in the Bahamas. That is to drop the anchor where you want it, don't back down hard on it. Go back to the cockpit, have a beer or a cup of tea, After the wind and current has had some time to settle the anchor into the soft sand, then back down slowly to finish setting the hook. Also, there are many places there where the bottom is scoured of the soft sand and is rock hard. This is mostly where there are strong currents flowing in passages between islands. No anchor can penetrate the bottom there. Be aware. Talk to the longtime cruisers there, they will know the spots. We use a Manson Supreme #45 anchor (same as the Rocna) with all chain rode as our primary anchor. Hasn't failed us yet.

Jim
 
I have that same Spade, it fits my bow where the roll bars did not. It has not moved yet in currents and wind changes, but so far I've been mostly in mud or clay, though with some occasionally high winds. You will likely be happy with the Spade. I got mine "used" as well, though never actually used, it was too big for the previous owner.
 
Rolf,
I'll be curious how well it performs for you as you get into different bottom conditions.
I have a friend that is cruising in The Bahamas. He was using a Lewmar Bruce type and had lots of trouble with it dragging. After his first winter he bought a Rocna and has been very satisfied.
My only problem with the roll bar anchors was they would not fit my bow roller. The Spade will fit without any issues. Here is a photo of my bow roller.

image.png
 
Holy cow, yes, that's a nice setup. You will like the spade. Tonight I am in a muddy sand, and the wind has switched 120 degrees already, no problem, but really light winds. I'll let this thread know if I ever drag.
 
Tom, you are teasing us with that picture. Can you show us the whole bow roller setup and how it attaches to the boat? Did you install it? Rick
 
By the way, the Spade anchor fits perfectly on my roller. It looks as though it was made for it.
 
I've been using a 44lb spade for 7 years. Rode out many big blows includong a 55 knot storm in Miami harbour and never moved. Highly recommend it. BTW the new Roca Vulcan looks very similar to the spade - with no roll bar like the regular Rocna
 
I've been using a 45 lb. Mantus. This thing sets instantly and holds! It also fits the bow roller fine, though the roll bar snugs up against the pulpit.
 
Usually if a anchor drags the Chain is to light or to short , The rode is to short , or it was not set right to begin with ,
Any one of these and the anchor will drag or come loose.
 
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