Deal on a Bruce anchor????

C-Pelican · Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 10:28 am Post subject: Deal on a Bruce anchor????

Hello everyone,

This site brought me into boating and my first boat in my entire life, a 22 Cruiser, two years ago.
I love it of course, more than I imagined I would (and I had high hopes!)and it's the lifestyle of the C-Brtas that is so like my life that is the plus.

So, I again ask for your thoughts.
I came upon a brand new Bruce anchor, 16.5 lbs, for $30 bucks.

I think that is a good deal.
Yes? No?

I am an ocean fanatic and I read about anchor size/weight to boat size but I like the idea of a larger anchor keeping me securer on the hook on my nights out in the Pacific.

Thanks for your thoughts,
Jeff

tsturm · Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 10:38 am Post subject: Re: Deal on a Bruce anchor????

colobear · Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 10:39 am Post subject:

Yes, that's a good deal. I used that anchor of that weight on C-Cakes for quite a while before switching to a Delta. As amply illustrated on this site there is no "right" answer for anchors but many people have Bruces and are happy with them.

C-Pelican · Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 10:48 am Post subject:

Thanks for the replies.
Yes, I have a delta also and it has kept me secure on the hook many times already...just thought for the price I couldnt pass it up.
I see many boats in the SoCal harbors with them I assumed they were good for the ocean here.

lloyds · Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 10:52 am Post subject:

That's a real steal if it is a real Bruce. If it isn't and is a knock-off like a lewmar or similar it is still really a good deal.

Not For Hire · Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 11:28 am Post subject:

That price is maybe 10% of a genuine Bruce and maybe 40% to 50% of a Bruce knock off. I use a 16.5 Bruce knock off with 20 feet of chain on my 22 and am content, as are many others on this site. I carry a Danforth back up for soft mud, soft sand, etc. The Bruce types are great at resetting in wind shifts. Not so good in weeds, soft mud and soft sand.

Regards,

Markl

Sneaks · Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 11:31 am Post subject: Re: Deal on a Bruce anchor????

C-Pelican · Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 11:54 am Post subject:

I was expecting a reply like that Don, lol.

Hunkydory · Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 12:44 pm Post subject:

The price is right.

Started out with the 16 lb and shortly thereafter switched to the 22 lb. The 16 lb pulled lose when I thought it should have held before making our first trip to Alaska, so switched to the 22 lb and use the 16 lb as a spare. Carry a small dansforth callapsible too for a back up back up.

The 22 lb has never budged in many anchorages and conditions. Personally would not have slept well with the l6 lb.

Jay

thataway · Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 7:40 pm Post subject:

Jeff,
The Bruce will not offer any more holding power--and maybe less than the Danforths you currently have--especially in sand.

The fluke area and ability to set are the important issues in anchors like the Danforth and Fortress.

If you were going to be anchoring in rocks, the Bruce might be better.
But I have never been a fan of the Bruce--and others are.

Larry H · Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 1:10 am Post subject:

Jeff,

I used a 16.5 Bruce on my 22 cruiser for 15 years. The only place it would not work was Mission Bay, near San Diego, CA and Hunter Bay on Lopez Island, San Juan Islands, WA. The reason it would not work in those locations was that the bottom was soft mud. I carried a 13 lb Danforth as a stern anchor which I used in the soft stuff. For Catalina Is, I found that the Bruce was the best.

My Bruce was a genuine Bruce.

C-Pelican · Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2008 1:46 pm Post subject:

Well, after reading Bob's great anchor evaluation it may not be the best...but I did get that Bruce and yes, it is a genuine Bruce at that.
Thanks for all the advice.

Jeff

thataway · Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2008 6:31 pm Post subject:

Great chance to compare--I have a 14lb Delta which the Manson Supreme will be replacing--and we can run the Bruce vs the Delta at Catalina this summer. You cannot beat the deal!

C-Pelican · Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 11:48 am Post subject:

It's a deal Bob!

Name the day(s) and I'll be there.

jstates

Have been offered a used 22# Bruce ?? for free or cheap? not sure yet if its an original but it actually weighs 24# its old and hard to read the lettering. It fits ok without hitting boat when pulling it up - will require some modification of anchor mount to keep it there

I read the posts above about Bruce up to 22 # -
read the Bruce recommendations
Bruce Anchor - 11 lb. for boats to 23'
Bruce Anchor - 16.5 lb. for boats to 28'
Bruce Anchor - 22 lb. for boats to 32'
Bruce Anchor - 33 lb. for boats to 39'

Any downside on the CD22 with the heavier anchor besides straining my rotator cuff?
Thanks Jim