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What Size Bruce Anchor for 32-foot Powerboat?
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Roger Jones sent this question:
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April 13, 2001
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Great Guide. I just got the new one, and I'm ready to use it. I have a question about anchors. Our powerboat is 32 feet long and weighs about 17,000 pounds, loaded. It has a 22-pound Bruce anchor, 35 feet of 5/16-inch proof coil chain and 300 feet of 1/2-inch rope rode. Here in the Columbia River the 22-pound Bruce and 16-pound Danforth anchor work well. For the Gulf Islands, though, I feel I may need something more. Should I go up to the 33-pound Bruce, or should I add 65 feet of chain to my existing setup? Your input would be very helpful.
--Roger Jones
Portland, Or.
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Response
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You don't say whether your boat is low and sleek or high and boxy or somewhere in between. If it's low and sleek, such as a Cigarette style, I think a 22-pound Bruce would be plenty of anchor. But if it's a typical cruiser with fly bridge (such as a Grand Banks 32 or a Bayliner 32), then you're at the crossover point between the 22-pound Bruce and the 33. In those cases I like to go to the larger size. The smaller anchor would hold fine in a good bottom with adequate scope, but in the saltwater of the Northwest we don't always have those conditions. Many anchorages are deep, and you can't let out 5:1 scope without bumping into something. Or they're not deep, but they're full of other boats. All of them will be on 3:1 scope or less, and you won't be able to let out 5:1 without swinging into them. The larger anchor provides more holding power in these less-than-ideal conditions.
Would I go to a 33 and keep my 35 feet of chain, or would I keep the 22 and add another 65 feet of chain? The chain weighs about a pound per foot. I'd go with the 33-pound Bruce and stay with 35 feet of chain. It'll weigh less and hold better.
You don't say if your boat has an anchor windlass. If it doesn't have a windlass, you'll have your hands full managing a 33-pound anchor. You'd better be in good shape. In the final analysis, the windlass, or lack of it, probably will determine your decision. If you have a windlass, move up to the 33-pound Bruce. If you don't have a windlass, you'll probably stay with the 22-pounder, just so you can handle it. If your boat has a fly bridge with full canvas enclosure, however, then the 22-pounder would be too small, windlass or no windlass. You'd want the 33.
--Bob Hale
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