Bruce Anchors?

[jpaulroberts]

I've already started a few threads on choosing an anchor. My debate was between Delta, CQR and Bruce. For a number of reasons I decided to go with Bruce but now I can not find a place to buy one. West Marine used to carry them, but now they only carry knock-offs. Defender dosnet seem to carry them any more. Then I went to Bruce's site and Bruce (Englands) says right on their site they no longer make anchors for the yachting market. They give a link to an Italian company. So Bruce's are no longer even made in the UK? And they are very hard to find? So now I think I'm back to Delta because I don't like an anchor with moving parts. Am I missing something? Jerry

[Ron Hill]

Jerry : FYI, my Bruce was made in Belgium.  Have you tried Ebay?   

[Ron Hill]

Jerry : Defender shows a "Genuine Bruce Anchor" listing on page 163 of their 2006 catalog.  So they must be wrong.  Interesting!   

[jpaulroberts]

Ron, I'll check Defender's catalogue. Their Website only offers the Bruce 22. I've checked with several major distributors who say they can not get it. My guess is that once the UK company stopped making them for yachts, they made a deal with one or more EU companies to make them. That probably messed up distribution.

[jpaulroberts]

Ron, OK, I did check the Defender catalauge and you are right. I do not know where these are made, but I am sure they are the real thing. Thanks. Jerry

[Terry Forshier]

As a thought. Why would you chose an anchor that is not popular enough to continue in production.? Good and great anchors will have a long life and production run. Maybe you are missing something. Terry

[Ron Hill]

Sail : You may have a point, but It's hard to keep up with a Chinese "knock off". 
The only thing that would worry me about the look-a-like is the metallurgy composition, which MAY be substantially different.

You can't compete with someone that can produce it at 50% less, when the public will still purchase the cheaper rather than the more expensive version!! 
A few thoughts.   

[sojourney]

I my opinion I would go with some other anchor. I've seen several instances and heard of several more where a rock gets lodged in the claw of the anchor. My friend had to use a crowbar to get the rock out. With the rock in the claw the anchor will not hold. I know the Bruces are quick setting but I think this rock thing is a major issue.
Just my opinion

[Stu Jackson]

Jerry

Don't know if you've seen this one:  http://c34.org/bbs/index.php?topic=1943.0