The Best Anchors For Sailboats In 2020

‍Written by Paul

Our editors independently researched & tested all of the sailboat anchors mentioned in this article & we only recommend what we believe are the best. We may receive a commission on purchases made through our links (at no extra cost to you) Learn More

In a rush & just want to see the top picks?

Best Overall: M1 Mantus Anchor

Best For Holding Boat: Lewmar Clay Anchor

Best For Price: Seachoice Utility Anchor

Best Lightweight Anchor: Fortress FX 11 Anchor

Best For Small Boats: Extreme Max BoatTector Folding Anchor

Best For Sandy Sea Floor: Five Oceans Danforth Style Fluke Anchor

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So what are the best anchors for sailboats in 2020? Well, we've tested a bunch and have a list of 6. Ideally, a boat anchor should do it's job well but also be of good construction and not cause any headaches.

Sailing is great fun but having your equipment break or struggling to have the sailboat anchor properly in certain waters can be frustrating.

The list of sailboat anchors we've compiled are of different budgets and all performed well in various conditions and set well on different types of sea beds from river sea beds, rocky surfaces, offshore near beaches and the larger oceans of the world.

We've also made sure these anchors connect with the chains/ropes seamlessly. I mean who hasn't lost an anchor or two when sailing?

An important notice before we get into the list is some of the anchors mentioned may not be compatible with your specific sailboat so make sure you check with the brand before making any purchase.

As a starting point, we wanted to find an anchor that ensured you woke up in the morning in the same spot in the ocean you went to sleep in the night before.

We also wanted the best anchor for day sailing, overnight sailing, long range cruises or sailboat racing. Luckily, we list sailboat anchors that meet all the criteria.

Alright, let's dig into the top anchors for your vessel.

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Lewmar Claw Anchor

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lewmar claw anchor


The first sailboat anchor on the the list is the Lewmar claw anchor. This is one of the stronger options that was specially designed based off anchors used to secure oil rigs in the North Sea. So needless to say, it's a robust anchor.

Depending on the size of your boat, it comes in multiple options from 2.2 pounds up to 200+ pounds and is great value for the price.

Some of it's features include:

  • Constructed of high grade steel
  • Extremely durable (we've had one for over five years with no issues) 
  • Quite Sharp Edges

This is a great option for those on a budget and as we've tested, it's quite durable. Obviously durability will vary based on climate conditions and the sea beds it sets on so keep this in mind.

Pros

  • Stores easily on the bow roller
  • Anchored well on most surfaces (but not all)
  • Good option for small budgets
  • Ideal for day anchoring
  • It's held well for 20mph winds

Cons

  • Can be tricky to anchor on very sandy sea beds
  • More modern options can better anchor in all conditions (although more expensive)

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Seachoice Utility Anchor


Seachoice Utility Anchor

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Next up on the list is the Seachoice Utility Anchor. This anchor comes in multiple sizes and works best with boats up to 30 feet.

This anchor is best used in coastal and open waters. It's also lightweight at only 8 pounds. Some of the features include:

It comes in different specs for different size boats from 15 to 30 feet

Pros

  • Slip ring shank makes it simple to retrieve stuck anchor
  • Galvanized steel is strong and lightweight
  • Great price


Cons

  • Super sharp edges can cut so be careful

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Fortress FX-11 7lb Anchor

Fortress FX-11 7lb Anchor

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The next on the list is the Fortress FX11.  Ideally, this is a great anchor option for boats 28-32 ft in length. It's also lightweight at only 7 pounds.

Here's some of it's holding power specifications:

This is a good option for average bottom conditions but it can get quite tricky in rocky conditions so keep this in mind.

Pros

  • Corrosion resistant
  • Sharper than heavy, dull-edged steel anchors
  • Will set faster and penetrate deeper into common sea bottoms for incredible holding power
  • Easy to store
  • Excellent as a spare or storm anchor

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Cons

  • Limited to only 18 - 32ft boats

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Extreme Max BoatTector Folding/Grapnel Anchor

BoatTector-Folding-Grapnel-Anchor

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The Extreme Max BoatTector Folding/Grapnel Anchor is a great option when used in grass, weeds, rocky or hard bottom conditions.

It comes in two options of galvanized steel or stainless steel. We chose the galvanized for the review. Ideally, this anchor suited for short holds in low to no current

For larger boats, you'll want to get the 13lbs one.

Pros

  • Easy folding and compact storage
  • Lightweight & durable
  • Great for short term holds

Cons

  • Better for smaller boats only
  • Only effective in low currents
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Five Oceans Danforth Style Fluke Anchor

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FiveOceans Danforth Style Fluke Anchor

Another anchor for sailboats to make the list is the Five Oceans Danforth Style Fluke Anchor. This is a great solution for vessels less than 32 feet as there are multiple size options for boats under 32 feet.

Features include:

  • Hot dipped galvanized for extra strength
  • Pivoting Fluke
  • Marine coated creates an extremely abrasion resistant, snag-resistant and long lasting line

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Pros

  • Multiple size options
  • Dipped Galvanized Steel for extra strength
  • Great Price

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Cons

  • Not good in rocky sea bottoms

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Check Price On Amazon →

M1 Mantus Anchor

M1 Mantus Anchor

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Winner of our best anchor for sailboats is the M1 Mantus galvanized anchor. Many of the DeepSailing community love this anchor and we can see why.

We put this through some rigorous tests and it passed them all. Features include:

  • Hot dipped galvanized for corrosion protection
  • Sharp headed nose reinforced for extra strength
  • Can be broken down for easy storage
  • Oversized ASTM certified steel bolts to ensure a large margin for safety
  • Shank attached to fluke with 4 bolts for extra protection

You can get this anchor in many different sizes from 8lbs to 175 lbs. This means it's suitable for a vast amount of different size vessels.

The Mantus has some great holding power and set well in many sea bed conditions. It also held well in winds of 40 knots

Pros

  • Lifetime Warranty
  • Strong Construction
  • Easy To Store
  • Amazing holding power
  • Multiple size options
  • Extra bolts and sizing of bolts to allow for margin of safety
  • Works in multiple conditions from high winds to calm ocean currents
  • Sets Fast

Cons

  • More expensive option

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Check Price On Amazon →

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Now that we've listed some of the best anchors for sailboats, we figured we'd throw in a bonus tip. If you are on a budget, you can sometimes find great used boat anchors.

Now, although a lot of the listed anchors are quite cheap, you may prefer getting a cheaper used one. You can find many used ones on Ebay

Just keep your eyes peeled.

Considerations before purchasing a sailboat anchor

Type of material

Ideally, you wanted something of strong material, preferably stainless steel, galvanized steel or aluminium alloy. The stronger the better as having a damaged anchor can be a pain.

Durability

You don't want to buy some terrible anchor that cannot withstand the test of time. That can get expensive fast with replacements.

All the anchors listed are extremely durable. We know because we tested them and so did our community members.

Compatibility with your boat

Another major point is with the anchors compatibility with your boat. Obviously, not all anchors work with larger boats so make sure you get the right one for the size & weight of your boat.

Ideal anchoring conditions

Before buying any anchor, you should know the type of sea bed & weather conditions your sailboat will be anchored in the most. This is very important in getting the right one specific to your situation.

Some anchors work great in high winds and choppy seas whilst others work best off coastal beaches with a sandy and muddy sea floor.

Price

Price will also play a big role in what you get. You don't want to break the bank but you won't want to get some really cheap and not of the best quality.

Luckily, all the anchors mentioned above are of great quality.

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Conclusion

Finally, in wrapping up, we hope you found at least one anchor that would work perfectly for your boat. Make sure to keep the factors mentioned above in mind before making any purchases.

You wouldn't want to buy one that isn't the right fit for your specific boat or the weather conditions in your area. With that being said, there are plenty of options for all types of boats and conditions.

Happy & Safe Sailing! 

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