Press
The SPADE High Performance Anchor has topped independent tests for over 20 years and revolutionised anchoring as we know it today. Here is a selection of the articles featuring the SPADE anchor over the past 20 Years.
FRANCE – Voiles et Voiliers Magazine (July 2009) Big anchor test : “SPADE, the Star of the test” :
Thanks to its design and to its ballasted tip, the Spade digs in every single time until full disappearing completely.
The Spade digs immediately and has been the only one to reach 2 tons of traction in less than 1 minute (constant holding). Above 2.1 Tons, we had to stop the test to prevent the cleats ripping out of the deck !!! “
FRANCE – Voile Magazine (May/June 2009) The guide l’équipement 2009 :
Spade Galvanised Steel S80 15Kgs : “This model has been tested in the worst conditions by the crew onboard the RM1200 during its long Mediterranean cruise.
The Spade dragged only once, in Tunisia…because it landed on top of an agricultural tarpaulin which was directly below the foredeck.
Its high price is justified by a quite elaborate manufacturing (bevelled hollow shank) designed to facilitate penetration by loading the tip.
The Spade also exists in stainless steel, but the added value of this material is mainly aesthetic.
Spade Alu A60 12lbs kgs : “The geometry of this model in aluminium is strictly identical to the one of models in galvanised steel and stainless steel.
Its behaviour and holding power are also the same, thanks to the ballasted tip which positions the blade correctly and guarantees an immediate set.
During our tests in 2005, the shank had twisted under a load of 1000 kg drive.
The shank has since been strengthened and problems were noticed “.
FRANCE – Voile Magazine (May 2009) Page 123 :
“A Stripped Sun Odyssey 45.2”… “It’s worth noting that the SPADE anchor with a ballasted tip offers a guarantee of serenity in the windy moorings of the Caribbean.”
FRANCE – Loisirs Nautiques n°432 (December 2007) “Catamaran PHISA 42 :
SPADE anchor primary mooring. “4 well deserved stars for anchoring convenience “
ENGLAND – Practical Boat Owner N° 427 – July 2002
“Best Performer : THE SPADE !”
“The SPADE was the best performer for a given weight. It was roll stable and held extremely well. It was also the most deeply buried anchor.”
ENGLAND – Practical Boat Owner N° 428 – August 2002
Overall Performance 5 STARS
“The overall winner is the SPADE because it never rolled out and also gave the best hold, with very little change when the scope was decreased.”
FRANCE – Motor Boat and Voiles magazine (November 2001) – TESTS
Steel SPADE Test : “This anchor proved very efficient, moreover the manufacturers specifications make it a reassuring/safe product”.
Aluminium SPADE test : “An excellent holding power on two types of grounds. The holding power is huge and when it trips, this anchor does so slowly and consistently”
FRANCE – Voiles et Voiliers (December 1999)
SPADE anchor is voted “coup de coeur”. “its efficiency is such that its popularity should spread amongst deep-sea cruisers.”
FRANCE – Bateaux N° 495 (august 1999) \ Neptune Moteur N° 40 (june 1999)
Neptune Moteur and Bateaux published a comparative study on the most common anchors on the market, in realistic mooring conditions.
Their results : for identical design and surface area the anchor’s weight has nearly no influence on the holding results (as demonstrated by the SPADE anchor).
The steel SPADE anchor has been selected as the best anchor : “immediate setting and remarkable holding”. The aluminium SPADE anchor has been selected as the best anchor : “aluminium equivalent to steel”
GERMANY – Transocean – N° 79 – January 1998
“It’s not my job to research all the new products on the marine market, or to promote them. However, when I come across something really valuable, I feel I really must let the world know”.
United Kingdom – Yachting Monthly 2006
Best 100 Bits of Gear Ever
(The Only Anchor)
United Kingdom- Yachting Monthly December 2006
A Top Performer
United Kingdom – Yachting World – February 2001 The ARC rally “Firefly”
I left the two STAR products until the end. The true STAR was the pilot Autohelm 7000… The second STAR product was not used at all during the crossing. In fact, it was not used at all until we arrived in St Lucia, and there, it was described as “absolutely brilliant” by a full-time confirmed sailor.
It is the SPADE anchor, a very recent innovation designed by a French amateur sailor Alain POIRAUD, who wanted to combine the benefits of several kinds of anchors in one.
The Spade sets very quickly and holds exceptionally well – in fact, so well at times that the electric windlass could not break it out and we had to motor it out. We used the recommended 44lbs version.
The Spade has very good reviews in publications all over the world and performed in an excellent manner in numerous tests. I AM IMPRESSED… Andrew BRAY – Chief Editor of YACHTING WORLD
ENGLAND – Practical Boat Owner n° 391 July 1999
“I was tired of anchoring problems, and I chose the new SPADE anchor because it has the optimal tip-weight, the ideal contact geometry for rapid penetration, and an effective surface area of concave profile which will guarantee it the highest holding resistance. In short, the designer got it all right ! Three months of navigation later, I have found it to be a very good choice.”
USA – Pratical Sailor December 2001 Gear of the Year :
Top 10 Products for 2001 Making its second appearance in the Gear-of-the-year derby, the aluminium SPADE anchor has been a stand-out in Practical Sailor’s series of anchors tests.
Anchoring is a complicated undertaking made even trickier by widely varying conditions. The multiple-test approach and the SPADE’s consistent showing make it the first product to make two appearances on Gear-of-the-Year lists.
It costs a great deal of money, but in the PS tests it at performed at or near the top of the heap in all conditions. It sets well, despite its light weight, and stows and handles easily.
USA – Pratical Sailor April 2000
“To order and receive a SPADE anchor has been very easy. We faxed our order and received it directly at home within the delivery timing. (…) During the test on two boats in full wind, not only did the Spade hold the first one but also the second one… It is an impressive performance !”
USA – Pratical Sailor August 1999
Letter written by Chuck Hawley, Vice president of the major American Ship chandler WEST MARINE.
Chuck Hawley, an expert with regards to anchors, wrote the following : Until recently, I had not tested the SPADE, but I was curious due to the numerous comments made my amateur sailor friends (…) I finally was able to test the aluminium and steel versions (…). Both anchors have set at once and held way over 1000 lbs during each of our tests.
After pulling each sample, we released the mooring line and pulled again in a direction of about 60° from the original direction, as if the boat had yawed… Both anchors have held above 1000 lbs. The anchor never dragged. My conclusion : very promising…
USA – Pratical Sailor November 1999
SPADE anchor is ranked “PRODUCT OF THE YEAR”.
USA – Pratical Sailor Volume 25 January 1999
“In the sand, the SPADE was ranked at the top of 15 anchors and brought shame on the others.
Each time the anchor was thrown in the water, it has set in at once and has slowly brought the dynamometer almost immediately to its limit.
It seems that its designer has achieved a remarkable progress”.
USA – Cruising world – November 1998
“(…) in particular, the SPADE concept has the best attack geometry for penetration and the shape that gives the highest holding coefficient. It is not surprising that it shows an excellent penetration and the highest holding power.”
