Gifted a new anchor

Was talking to the new marina manager last week Thursday the old one retired after 35 years there. The new manager was cleaning out the storage room that was full of things the old manager had acquired from previous tenants/boats. He asked me if wanted another anchor. I said sure and he gives me a brand new unused genuine Bruce with the stickers still on it. Of course I took it. What luck.

So far, Bruce-like anchors have always worked for us. ... You're a lucky man.

jclays said:

Was talking to the new marina manager last week Thursday the old one retired after 35 years there. The new manager was cleaning out the storage room that was full of things the old manager had acquired from previous tenants/boats. He asked me if wanted another anchor. I said sure and he gives me a brand new unused genuine Bruce with the stickers still on it. Of course I took it. What luck.

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What size?

The Bruce is a good replacement for a Danforth , but you will still need something that digs for deep grass.


.Northill or CQR?

Hey Fred,
Hadn’t thought about that but the Northill should do quite well in grass.
To get much holding a fairly dense bottom would be required as the stocks would just slide along the grass.
But the genuine Northill has a very sharp fluke.

FF said:

The Bruce is a good replacement for a Danforth , but you will still need something that digs for deep grass.


.Northill or CQR?

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Modified a West Marine Performance anchor (Danforth copy) to open to 45 degrees just like the Fortress in the "Mud mode". Works great for me as a mud anchor. The Bruce does it all.

syjos said:

What size?

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10kg (22lbs) perfect for my 30ft boat.

"10kg (22lbs) perfect for my 30ft boat."


On a nice day as a lunch hook.

FF said:

"10kg (22lbs) perfect for my 30ft boat."

On a nice day as a lunch hook.

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I'd agree that it's a bit on the small side, at least unless that 30 footer is very low windage.

jclays said:

10kg (22lbs) perfect for my 30ft boat.

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I agree .... perfect.

But I’m assuming the 30’ boat is the usual light boat w/o much windage.
I used a 22lb no name Claw on my 8 ton Willard and it always worked fine. Never anchored in any wind over 10 knots that I can recall but it set and veered fine.

With the old assumed rule “one size up” for Claws bigger would be a 33lb anchor ... clearly too big for a 30’ light boat w small windage. Yup .. 22lbs is perfect. Unless you anchor in a place not known for good holding .. in a gale. Then you might get by but .... you might drag across the bay too. Too many ifs for a gale anchor but who would anchor in a gale? Probably not the OP if he lives in a civilized area w a radio.

Yup 22lbs is perfect. It is after all the best Claw made by almost anyone’s opinion.

I currently am using an original 22lb Bruce. It has always held except one time in soupy mud. Thats what made me modify my Danforth to open 45 degrees. It is now my mud anchor on its own chain and rode. Sticks in mud everytime.

Thanks for posting jclays,
The only Claw that I I’ve got now unmodified is a 33lb Lewmar. I sharpened it like an axe blade (all three flukes) and took off a considerable amount of metal. So I guess you could say it’s modified too. But I’ve never tried it. Been too busy w other anchors. When I put the boat up for sale I could hang it on the bow. All my other anchors are modified enough that it may not be safe from being sued later on when/if my old modified anchors should fail w unmentionable results.

Re your post though it’s nice to hear your Claw works in the soupy mud. Do you bring much up when you weigh anchor? I envy you w your genuine Bruce anchor. I’ve never had one.

"Too many ifs for a gale anchor but who would anchor in a gale?"

Most thunder storms can have 30-40k winds , and frequently will swop wind direction .

Much unfun in the late PM even in a well protected anchorage.

By selecting the largest anchor your bow mount and windlass can handle , when the PM thunderstorms come one can go below and disconnect the electronics as the watch fob anchor folks drift slowly downwind towards shore.

FF said:

"Too many ifs for a gale anchor but who would anchor in a gale?"

Most thunder storms can have 30-40k winds , and frequently will swop wind direction .

Much unfun in the late PM even in a well protected anchorage.

By selecting the largest anchor your bow mount and windlass can handle , when the PM thunderstorms come one can go below and disconnect the electronics as the watch fob anchor folks drift slowly downwind towards shore.

Click to expand...

Yup. That was the weather I sized for. Thunderstorms and squalls happen frequently enough here that never having to sit one out at anchor would mean either not anchoring much, or being willing to pull it and run when the winds kick up.

Wow, I don't believe it!!!

Everyone agrees that it is a good anchor, probably a good match for the owners boat.

Mostly they (we) all agree that the price was right.

Way to go friends, we are becoming kinder and gentler

pete