Spade Anchor Recommendation CD 36

[John Stone]

I am thinking about retiring my 35lb CQR and replacing it with the Spade. Anyone have experience with the spade? Any CD 36 owners have a spade? What size are you using?

[wstringer]

John,

We used a 55 lb steel Spade on about 180 ft of 5/8 Hi test chain backed up by 100 ft of rope. Hauled up by a Maxwell 1200 vertical windlass. Wonderful anchor - self stowing and releasing on the roller, sets very easily and generally digs in within a few feet. I slept well at night. We transferred the anchor to the new boat when we moved up to a Pearson 424.

Warren

[Jim Walsh]

The Spade is considered one of the best. Right up there with a Mantus and a Rockna. They are very expensive though. I tried to get the distributor to offer some type of discount at the Boston show last year but he wouldn't budge.

[tjr818]

Jim, didn't you do an informal "survey" while in Bermuda and discover that most cruisers are using CQR anchors?

[Jim Walsh]

Jim, didn't you do an informal "survey" while in Bermuda and discover that most cruisers are using CQR anchors?

Yup. The vast majority of those I observed over a month spent in the anchorage were using the CQR.

[Sea Hunt Video]

John:

I would sure like the 35 lbs CQR for my Cape Dory 25D. I would sleep very well at night on the hook.

Unfortunately, from Virginia to Miami the shipping costs would probably equal the FMV of S/V Bali Ha'i.

I have ALWAYS heard great recommendations about CQRs. A lot of South Florida sailors have them on their bows.

If you decide to sell the CQR I would like to look at shipping costs.

[tjr818]

When we bought our CQR we found it better to drive the 400 miles and pick it up. Turn it into a mini vacation. It only cost a few dollars more than shipping + a weekend's entertainment.

[Steve Laume]

Jim, didn't you do an informal "survey" while in Bermuda and discover that most cruisers are using CQR anchors?

Yup. The vast majority of those I observed over a month spent in the anchorage were using the CQR.

I would bet the vast majority of the cruisers who come to Bermuda have been sailing for quite some time and tend to have older boats that came with CQR anchors. They might also be of the mind set, that if it isn't broken, don't fix it, when it comes to anchors.

If I was starting out fresh, I would probably buy a Ronka anchor but my 35# CQR has served me very well in all but very soft mud and really heavy grass. It has served me then as well but it took a bit more effort on my part. I always sleep well when that thing is set, Steve.

[bottomscraper]

We have a 45 lb Manson Supreme that has worked well for us. When we purchased Mahalo she came with 2 35 lb Bruce anchors. We felt that having 2 of the same anchor didn't make a whole bunch of sense. I first purchased a used 45 lb CQR which we tried for one season but it seemed to have a problem setting easily and reliably. Our next anchor was a 45 lb Delta. The Delta set easy but we found that if it becomes unset it will not reset and just drags, not a quality I desire in an anchor. For the past few years we have had the 45 lb Manson and we like it very much. It sets very easy and sticks like glue. We are on all chain and have an Ideal windlass.

[Jim Walsh]

I've become aware of a 10% discount being offered by the national distributor of Spade anchors. If you register at cruisersforum.com the offer is being extended to all their members. The Spade anchors are quite pricey so this discount might just put one of these anchors within reach. Shipping is also free until December 27th.