Spade Anchor a Winner, Now Here's the Sword

by Nancy Knudsen on 5 Apr 2006 Spade has released a new anchor called the ‘Sword’. It’s cheaper than its big brother, but the manufacturers are claiming the same or better holding power. If it’s as good as the Spade, it’ll be a winner, and well worth considering when you’re investing in a new anchor.

We first heard about the Spade anchor when our trusty CQR just couldn’t handle the weed. As soon as we put about 2000 revs to test her, she would drag. Sometimes we spent hours either searching for a bit of sand or mud, or setting her repeatedly until she finally penetrated the weed and set properly.

In addition, in the Mediterranean, because of the clear waters, we were able to dive over our anchor every time we set it. I got used to diving over the anchors and it became a bit of a hobby (get a life?). I ended up diving over the anchors of every boat in every anchorage we found ourselves in. Almost without exception, every CQR I swam over was lying on its side. One good tug in the middle of the night, or a change of wind, and all those boat would drag. The thought is enough to send you live in a house – nearly.

The Spade anchor has been the answer. Even though we paled at the price, it has been worth every penny, as she goes in every time, first time and sets deep and straight. We have not had the opportunity to test it in coral, so I cannot comment.

Here’s what the manufacturers say about the new Sword:

Regardless of how the anchor falls onto the seabed as soon as tension is put on the rode, the SWORD will quickly reposition itself for optimum penetration.

In this position, the anchor blade adopts an angle resembling that of a wood chisel (patented)- perfect for penetrating difficult sea beds.

Thanks to the radical relocation of the shank fixing (patented), around 25% of the anchors total weight is positioned directly over the tip.

The two small 'sand guides' on the upper part of the fluke increase the speed of penetration even more (Patented).

Thanks to the right angle of attack and high pressure at the tip, the SWORD anchor doesn't have any difficulty penetrating sea bottoms, even potentially difficult ones such as hard sand, coral or weed.

For full information go to their WEBSITE

And to see whether one is available in your country, see the dealer network listed below.

www.sail-world.com/send_message.cfm!Click_Here!same to comment on this article


OUR DEALER NETWORK
BELGIUM
IRISoft YACHT SPRL
10, avenue Clémentine - B- 1190 BRUXELLES - BELGIQUE
Email : www.info@irisoft.be / website : www.irisoft-yacht.com

CANADA
VOILE ABORDABLE
website : http://www.voile.org/ancres/

FRANCE
ESPRIT GRAND LARGE
3, rue Leverrier - 50230 AGON - COUTAINVILLE
Tel / Fax : 02.33.46.69.54
website : www.espritgrandlarge.com E.mail : egl@espritgrandlarge.com
********************
OLBIA Chantier Naval
170 rue Nicephore Niepce - Z.A du Palyvestre - 83400 HYERES
Tel : 04.94.57.49.34 -website : http://www.olbia-chantier-naval.fr/ E.mail : chantier-naval-olbia@wanadoo.fr

GERMANY- AUSTRIA - SWITZERLAND
HEIBEC YACHT EQUIPMENT CENTER E.K
Industriering 7 - D-63868 Großwallstadt - Bärbel Orth ALLEMAGNE
Tel : (49) (06026) 998673 - Fax : (49) (06026) 263283 - E.mail : baerbel.orth@heibec.de website : http://www.heibec.de

******************
PROYACHT
Tel : +49-40-819 56 571Fax : +49-40-82 33 62
Email : shop@proyacht.de

JAPAN
COSMOS Marine Company Ltd
275 Inari - NANIWAKU OSAKA JAPON
Tel : (81) 6 567 2397 / Fax : (81) 567 2398 / E.mail : cosmarin@pure.co.jp

MARTINIQUE
CARAIBE GREEMENT MARTINIQUE
Boulevard Allegre - 97290 LE MARIN - MARTINIQUE FWI
Tel : 0(596) 596 74 80 33 / Fax : 0(596) 596 74 66 98
Email : cgmar@wanadoo.fr website : www.caraibe-greement.fr
********************
L'ILE MARINE (Guy Driard)
Rue Lady Fish - Sandy Ground - 97150 SAINT MARTIN FWI
Tel : 05.90.29.08.60 / Fax : 05.90.29.08.96 -
Email : lile@budgetmarine.com


NETHERLAND
TV ENTERPRISE YACHT EQUIPMENT
Veluwezoom 23 - NL 8245 BL LELYSTAD - NETHERLAND
Tel : +31(0) 320-219990 / Fax : +31(0) 320-219540 / Mobiel : +31 06 29 147 132 / E.mail : tvnprise@tiscali.nl

NEW ZEALAND
MACDUFF INDUSTRIES LTD
PO BOX 32-252 - Devon port, North shore - NEW ZEALAND
7/10 Colway place, Genfield, North shore - NEW ZEALAND
Tel : 09-444-8212 / Fax : 09-44-8285 / W : www.chain.co.nz / E.mail info@chain.co.nz

SPAIN
M.K.L. Yachting S.L.
Club de Mar 991 - 07015 PALMA DE Mallorca, BALEARES
Tel : (34).971.70.18.80 / Fax : (34).971.40.19.01 / E.mail : info@bavaria-mallorca.de

SWEDEN
BÖVIK marin ab
Hälleflundregatan 18 - 426 58 V FRÖLUNDA - SWEDEN
Tel : (46) 312 900 75 / Fax : (46) 316 901 93 / E.mail : info@bovikmarin.se

TURKEY
Azmi Marin (contact Azmi Tenikalp)
Taksim Cad. Tunca is Hani 61/3 - ISTANBUL / TURQUIE
Tel : +90 212 361 4723/ 4725 - Mobile tel : +90 555 404 7522 - E.mail : info@azmi-marin.com - website : : http://www.azmi-marin.com

U.K.
BLUE WATER SUPPLIES LIMITED
Albert Quay, St. Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands (UK)
Tel : 44 (0)1534 739594 / Fax :+44 (0)1534 739595 / E.mail : info@spade-anchor.co.uk
website : www.bluewatersupplies.com

U.S.A.
West Marine -
500 Westridge Dr. - WATSONVILLE, CA 95076
Fax: (1) 831-761-4421 / E.mail : www.westmarine.com
********************
BOAT US
Tel : (1) 800.568.0319 / E.mail : Bkitain@boatus.com
********************
CRUISING OUTFITTERS, INC
350 N.Washington Ave, Suites A & B Titusville, FLORIDA 32780
Tel / fax : (1) 321.285.9710 / E.mail : michael@cruisingoutfitters.com
********************
DBA DRS MARINE - Glenn ASHMORE
355 BLokchaee Drive - MACON , GA 31210
Tel : (1) 478 474.9255 / E.mail : www.dbamarine.com
********************
DEFENDER INDUSTRIES
42, Great Neck Road - WATERFORD, CT 06385
Tel : (1) 8060.701.3400 / E.mail : www.defender.com
********************
NAVSTORE (GREAT LAKES MARINE SPECIALITIES)
7600 WEST 27th Street, Suite B1 - Minneapolis, MN 55426 USA
Tel :(1) 952.925.1285 / E.mail : www.navstore.com
********************