Boat Anchors & Houseboat Anchoring. What's the best anchor? Is it the CQR,  Delta, Bruce, Claw, Danforth, or Fluke?

When it comes to marine or boat anchors for a houseboat, the old saying "bigger is better" is the simplest way to pick the right size/weight anchor. The additional weight of a "large-sized" anchor will help when anchoring conditions become more difficult (wind, waves, or direction changes).

The "Rode" before the Anchor.

Now before you choose the "best anchor", you may want to be aware of the other important element in "proper anchoring". Your boats anchor needs to be using the correct anchor rode size and length for your houseboat.

What's the Most Popular?

Now in order to choose the "best anchor", the four most popular anchor types found amongst the majority of houseboaters are the CQR/Plow, the Delta/Wing, the Bruce/Claw, or the Danforth/Fluke styles.

Let's look at some details and technical specifications, and how you can buy it now.

Click each image for a larger view

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* Product Description & Specifications

The Popular Houseboat Anchor Styles

Picking the best anchor style for you really depends on your areas bottom structure or conditions where you are anchoring. Where do you spend your time anchoring, is it a soft mud/sandy bottom, or is it a hard/rocky bottom?

What I See, I Can Do.

The simplest way to decide which style of anchor to buy is to mimic/copy what your boating neighbors are using as their preferred anchor style, or you can quickly review each styles performance characteristics below.

How Not to do a MayDay, MayDay.

It is also a good idea to carry a second (secondary/emergency) anchor style on board, this way if your primary anchor is not holding (or you lose it), you can temporarily use your 2nd anchor to solve the problem.

CQR Anchors & Plow Boat Anchors The Plow is also called a CQR Anchor The CQR is one of the oldest styles and performs well in most bottoms, struggling the most in rock. PROS: Fits most front bow rollers, and performs well in most conditions. CONS: Hinged design can make stowage awkward so there's "No such thing as a small CQR/Plow anchor". BOTTOMS: Performs well in most bottoms, but can struggle in rock. CQR Anchor & Plow Boat Anchors for Houseboats Click here to see available size and pricing information Please Note: Anchor images and dimensions are for representation only and actual anchor may differ slightly. "Houseboat/Anchor Sizing charts" are only listed as an estimation as the proper/sufficient anchor size depends on many factors such as boat windage, weight, bottom structure, etc... If you are not sure or in-between sizes, you should always move up an anchor model size.

Delta Anchors & Wing Boat Anchors The Wing is also called a Delta Anchor The Delta/Wing is the anchor that you'll see on most boats today, and also a very popular choice of most houseboat manufacturers. PROS: Performs well in most conditions, fits most bow rollers. CONS: Due to the large anchor size, stowage can be difficult. BOTTOMS: Performs well in most bottoms, but can struggle in rock. Delta Anchor & Wing Boat Anchors for Houseboats Click here to see available size and pricing information Please Note: Anchor images and dimensions are for representation only and actual anchor may differ slightly. "Houseboat/Anchor Sizing charts" are only listed as an estimation as the proper/sufficient anchor size depends on many factors such as boat windage, weight, bottom structure, etc... If you are not sure or in-between sizes, you should always move up an anchor model size.

Bruce Anchors & Claw Boat Anchors The Claw is also called a Bruce Anchor The Bruce/Claw anchor is also popular with boaters everywhere as it performs well in most bottoms, and the three-claw design sets easily. PROS: It sets easily and performs well in most conditions. CONS: Lower holding power per anchor pound, and awkward one-piece design. BOTTOMS: Performs well in most bottom conditions, but can struggle in hard-bottoms such as clay. Bruce Anchor & Claw Boat Anchors for Houseboats Click here to see available size and pricing information Please Note: Anchor images and dimensions are for representation only and actual anchor may differ slightly. "Houseboat/Anchor Sizing charts" are only listed as an estimation as the proper/sufficient anchor size depends on many factors such as boat windage, weight, bottom structure, etc... If you are not sure or in-between sizes, you should always move up an anchor model size.

Danforth Anchors & Fluke Boat Anchors The Fluke is also called a Danforth Anchor The Danforth/Fluke is a very common anchor amongst boaters, and due to its small foldable design makes a good secondary anchor. PROS: A very good general purpose anchor, and works well in sand and mud. Easy to stow on most bow-rollers. CONS: Has difficulty in conditions other than sand or mud. BOTTOMS: A great performer in sand or mud, but really struggles in other conditions. Danforth Anchor & Fluke Boat Anchors for Houseboats Click here to see available size and pricing information Please Note: Anchor images and dimensions are for representation only and actual anchor may differ slightly. "Houseboat/Anchor Sizing charts" are only listed as an estimation as the proper/sufficient anchor size depends on many factors such as boat windage, weight, bottom structure, etc... If you are not sure or in-between sizes, you should always move up an anchor model size.

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* Buy It Now

Click each image for a larger view

Buy a CQR / Plow Boat Anchor Here Note: please allow @ 1 week for free shipping. Choose the CQR / Plow Anchor size: 26 lbs anchor $189.00 USD 35 lbs anchor $239.00 USD 48.5 lbs anchor $269.00 USD 59.5 lbs anchor $319.00 USD

Buy a Delta / Wing Boat Anchor Here Note: please allow @ 1 week for free shipping. Choose the Delta / Wing Anchor size: 13 lbs anchor $109.00 USD 22 lbs anchor $159.00 USD 33 lbs anchor $239.00 USD 44 lbs anchor $269.00 USD 55 lbs anchor $309.00 USD

Buy a Bruce / Claw Boat Anchor Here Note: please allow @ 1 week for free shipping. Choose the Bruce / Claw Anchor size: 16.5 lbs anchor $129.00 USD 22 lbs anchor $149.00 USD 33 lbs anchor $199.00 USD 44 lbs anchor $219.00 USD 66 lbs anchor $289.00 USD 110 lbs anchor $559.00 USD

Buy a Danforth / Fluke Boat Anchor Here Note: please allow @ 1 week for free shipping. Choose the Danforth / Fluke Anchor 14 lbs anchor $83.00 USD 16 lbs anchor $137.00 USD 25 lbs anchor $164.00 USD

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Terms and Conditions

Please consult our terms and conditions for the latest details on our return policy, free shipping, exceptions, pricing, or availability, etc.

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