Anchors

It has been our experience that many people balk at the expense of a good, high-quality, anchor. Yet, the same people are perfectly willing to spend significantly more on electronics or the like. We'd like to argue that a good anchor is the most important piece of safety equipment on board. Using a cheap anchor is like using cheap tires on your car. Would you put $50 tires on your $30,000 car? No?!? Well, then why put a $100 anchor on your $60,000 boat?

Don't cheap out! Buy a quality anchor and anchor connectors, and sleep better while cruising. It is good insurance to carry two styles of anchors for different bottom conditions.

Check out the following anchor test here from Yachting Monthly in Dec. 2006.

The issue we have with this otherwise very thorough test is firstly the applicability to 'small' boats typically owned by most cruisers. Smaller boats seem to allow the anchors to set better - this was noted in the conclusion.

Home » Hardware

Anchors

Bruce


  • The Bruce, and its imitations, are a very popular choice for the Pacific Northwest. This is attested to by any visit to a local marina, where one will find many hanging off the bow-rollers of boats at dock.. Offering great holding power in the types of bottoms we as sailors commonly encounter.
  • Bruce used to have the following on their website:
    "At first glance the genuine Bruce anchor and the look-alikes that have flooded the market appear to be the same anchor. Close inspection will reveal that the look-alike is different in a number of disturbing ways. If you line up a row of the look-alikes you will find further disturbing features: whereas the genuine Bruce anchor has the same geometry throughout the anchor range, the look-alikes have shank angles that vary widely throughout the anchor range and even between same-size look-alikes... Would you leap from a plane with a haversack on your back because it looks like the real thing and comes at a rock bottom price? Remember an anchor is a safety device upon which the survival of you and your boat may ultimately depend."
  • Although Bruce no longer makes crusing anchors, we still have the following Genuine forged Bruce anchors in stock. Three 5kg and two 7.5kg Bruces.
  • In our opinion the best Bruce design is now made by Manson, which we get from our supplier North West Marine. The price matches the quality however. Available from 7.5kg up in galvanized or stainless
  • We also have The Lewmar Claw (up to 80kg) and Transat 'Bruce' available up to 30kg. Galvanized or Stainless Steel
CQR


  • The performance of the CQR anchor is now legendary. The original drop-forged construction of the CQR anchor increases its strength and reliability under load which is why genuine CQR anchors do not break. The hinged shank delivers consistent setting and holding even in the very worst conditions, whatever the changes in wind and current. The CQR anchor has Lloyd's Register Approval as a High Holding Power anchor. 87% of Ocean Cruising Club members choose the CQR anchor as their primary and storm anchor. All CQR anchors are "guaranteed for life against breakage". Lloyd's Test Certification is available for individual CQR anchors by arrangement.
  • CQR is now owned by Lewmar, although we do have some original genuine CQRs available in 15lb, 25lb, and 35lb sizes. As well, we have the Lewmar CQR available om sizes from 15lb to 240lb
  • The CQR has been recognized as another great primary anchor for the north-west. Particularly, it sets better in rocks, weeds or grassy bottoms than a Bruce style, yet does well in sand too! The Pivoting shank allows 75 degrees of movement before the anchor will pivot in wind and tide shifts
  • The downside to this design is that one has to buy a larger size pound for pound compared to the Bruce or similar
Delta


  • The Delta is a third time-proven design that in sand and mud typically has a better hold than a CQR.
  • Consistent and reliable in performance, the Delta anchor has Lloyd's Register Type Approval as a High Holding Power anchor and is specified as the primary anchor used by numerous National Lifeboat organisations. Also available in premium grade Duplex/High Tensile stainless steel. All Delta anchors are "guaranteed for life against breakage". Lloyd's Test Certification is available for individual Delta™ anchors by arrangement.
  • Available from 9lbs and up in galvanized or stainless steel.
Fortress


  • An incredibly tough design for its weight. Holding power is unparalleled weight for weight. Received a very favourable review in Yachting Magazines 2006 test (see right sidebar). Made from a anodized marine grade aluminum-magnesium alloy, which has the same strength as steel, but at half the weight!
  • As you can see from the photo, these anchors can be dissembled and stowed away quite compactly. The disassembly and assembly is straight-forward and easy.
  • Available for boats from 16ft to 60ft. A really great choice as a secondary or backup anchor!
  • We carry a few other fluke designs such as Danforth's
Roll-Bar Style

    Rocna

  • Consistently a high scoring anchor in every sail test looked at! Winning adaptations of the older school of anchors mean that this design offers certain advantages in a wider range of anchoring conditions
  • The roll-bar allows the anchor to self-right, and won't drag along its shank!
  • There is an incredible amount of hype in the media about this anchor, but it seems to be deserved, given that all our customers have been more than happy with this anchor.
  • We've got it available from 4kg to 25kg



    • Manson Supreme


  • Another option for a roll-bar anchor
  • Essentially a copy of the Rocna, it's not quite the same quality, and typically doesn't have the same holding power as the Rocna. However, it is cheaper - so if you need a budget buy, you may want to take a look at this one if you're after a roll bar style anchor.
Dinghy

  • Land anchors (helix corkscrew design), folding grapnel, and lightweight fluke designs
  • Available from 1.5lbs and up
Anchor and chain accessories

  • Swivels, chain stoppers, bow rollers, Keelshield, etc
  • What is keelshield you ask? And why is it in the anchors section? Paired with a windlass, keelshield prevents wear to the anchor platform by acting as a sacrificial surface to protect the finish on your boat! Made of 1/4 inch plastic with a strong 3M adhesive below for easy application. Check out their website here. This product is also useful for use with both hard and inflatable RIB dinghies.
Attachment

  • We have anchor lines in stock, as well as a variety of chain either in stock or available to suit your needs
  • Shackels, etc, are here too!
  • Our splicing service also extends to rope-to-chain splices of course!