Anchors are essential for a boat regardless of the boat size and type. Here are few anchors that work well for offshore (oceans or seas) uses.
The best boat anchors for boating in oceans or seas are Modern or New generation anchors because these anchors will set or work well in many bottom types. And in seas or oceans, the bottom type will vary mostly so modern or new generations anchors suits well for seas or oceans.
Still, there are some alternatives for the modern anchors that are delta anchors, which will work well but not to the level of modern anchors. Many people who live in sailboats will use these modern anchors because these anchors will suit all bottom types.
If you often go boating in different places (meaning, different bottom types), then go for modern anchors. Otherwise, there is no need to go for modern anchors. Okay, now let’s see modern anchors first and then delta anchors.
To get more info about the different bottom types and the different anchors, check my article on Choosing a perfect anchor for your boat: All you need to know (opens in a new tab). It is a detailed analysis of all the bottom types and their respective anchors that suit for all those bottom types.
1. Modern anchors or New generation anchors
These anchors are a bit expensive. But, these Modern anchors or New generation anchors are the best anchors available in the market. If you have a good amount in the wallet, then go for these types of anchors. We will now see for which type of bottom types we can use these Modern anchors or New generation anchors.
The Modern anchors or New generation anchors can be used for most of the types of bottoms (sand, mud, weed, grass, rocks, silt, clay, and gravel). Some of them are Rocna, Mantus, Manson Supreme, and Spade. These anchors set well in all types of bottom types.
| Modern anchors | Setting ability (for 5 points) | Resetting ability (for 5 points) | Holding power (for 5 points) | Robustness (for 5 points) |
| Mud | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| Sand | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Grass | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| Weed | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Rock | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| Gravel | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| Silt | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Clay | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
You can consider these anchors as a category of non-hinged CQR or Plough anchors OR delta anchors. If you are going for bigger ones, then buy one of these anchors.
All these anchors will set quickly, and these types of anchors are the best ones for your boat. These anchors will penetrate well in the ground instantly after dropping them. These anchors are heavy and can be used for big boats (above 20 feet in length).
These anchors are very strong and durable. Mostly they can withstand any type of bottoms. These anchors will be a perfect choice for many big boats. These modern or new generation anchors can be divided into two categories. One roll bar and another will not have a roll bar anchor. Now, we will see them.
A roll bar anchor has a circular bar mounted on the back of the anchor, and it is useful for setting the anchor back if the anchor comes out off the bottom due to the wind or currents. Mantus, Manson Supreme, Rocna anchors come under the category of Rollbar.
A non-roll bar anchor doesn’t have any circular bar mounted on the back like a roll bar anchor. Some of the anchors under the non-roll bar category are Spade, delta anchor, etc.
Mantus anchor
Mantus anchor (linked to Amazon) has a 50% weight in a tip to body ratio, it has a very sharp tip and aimed towards the ground, which means the anchor sets very quickly. This has a roll bar, which will give support if the anchor rolls side. This anchor is disassemblable. Mantus sets very well among all the anchors.
Manson Supreme anchor
Manson Supreme anchor (linked to Amazon) has a 23% weight in a tip to body ratio. Manson Supreme shank is solid, thicker, and has broader shank than Mantus shank. The tip of the Manson Supreme anchor is aimed towards the ground. This has a roll bar, which will give support if the anchor rolls side. This is a robust anchor, and good for many boats.
Spade anchor
Spade anchor (linked to Amazon) has 42% weight in a tip to body ratio, it is a very sharp tip and aimed downwards, which means the anchor sets very quickly. Shank is removable. Spade anchors are very best for short scope. This one doesn’t have a roll bar on it. But, it has a fluke in the shape of the concave lens. So, it will reset well.
Rocna anchor
Rocna anchors (linked to Amazon) are one of the most famous anchors. Rocna anchors have a sharp tip, and it is aimed downwards, which means the anchor sets very quickly. These anchors are perfect for many bottom conditions.
Those are few popular modern or new generation anchors, and those anchors are suitable for most of the bottom types.
The advantages of Modern or New generation anchors
- Modern anchors are the perfect anchors for all types of bottoms.
- Modern anchors have a sharp tip and penetrate well into the bottom.
- Modern anchors set quickly in the bottoms.
- Modern anchors penetrate deeply into the bottoms for better bonding power.
- Modern anchors are easy to stow on the bow roller.
The disadvantages of Modern or New generation anchors
- Modern anchors penetrate deep into the bottom, and it may be hard to retrieve them back.
- Some of the modern anchors cannot be stowed in the boat.
- Modern anchors are expensive.
- Some of these designs have more shank weight. If the anchor has more shank weight, it might bend in the long run. But, don’t worry about that, it won’t bend that easily.
2. Delta or Wing anchor or Non-hinged anchor
Delta or Wing anchors are also known as non-hinged anchors, and one of the good anchors. Delta or Wing anchors are many ways similar to CQR or Plow anchors. We will now see for which type of bottom types we will use the Delta or Wing anchors.
The Delta or Wing anchors are used in the bottoms like rock, gravel, grass, clay, sand, mud, weed, and silt. But in the grass, weed, and very soft bottoms, Delta or Wing anchors won’t set as nicely as it sets in normal bottoms. Still, they are okay for weed, grass, and very soft bottom types.
“Delta anchor is almost the same as CQR anchor (performance-wise).”
Image is linked to Amazon
Delta or wing anchor (linked to Amazon). Check the price in amazon, and it is worth buying a Delta or wing anchor for rocks, gravel, clay, sand, mud, grass, and silt bottom. But if you are thinking of purchasing a delta anchor, then you should know that sometimes in weed, grass, and very soft bottoms, the delta anchor may not set well at the bottom. Consider that point while buying a delta anchor.
| Delta anchors | Setting ability (for 5 points) | Resetting ability (for 5 points) | Holding power (for 5 points) | Robustness (for 5 points) |
| Mud | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| Sand | 4 | 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Grass | 4 | 3 | 4 | 2 |
| Weed | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Rock | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Gravel | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Silt | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| Clay | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
Delta or Wing anchors can be stowed conveniently in a roller at the bow, and have been popular with cruising sailors and private boaters. Delta or Wing anchors are generally good in all types of bottoms, except soft bottoms.
But, Delta or Wing anchor cannot be stowed inside the boat properly because we can’t dismantle a delta anchor. You need to consider all these things while buying a Delta or Wing type anchor.
In the below table, I listed the Delta or Wing anchor size based on the boat size (source). The values may vary a little bit if the boat weight is heavy or very light.
| Anchor Weight (in lbs.) | Boat Length (in feet) |
| 13 lbs. | 17-29 feet |
| 22 lbs. | 30-40 feet |
| 33 lbs. | 40-49 feet |
| 44 lbs. | 47-57 feet |
| 55 lbs. | 53-63 feet |
| 66 lbs. | 57-70 feet |
The advantages of Delta or Wing anchors
- Delta anchors are excellent in rock, gravel, sand, mud, clay, grass, weed and silt bottoms (sometimes, may not work well in weed, grass, and very soft bottoms).
- Delta anchors can be stowed conveniently in a roller at the bow.
- Delta anchors penetrate deep into the bottom and have good holding power.
- Delta anchors will be the right choice for big boats because these are heavy anchors.
The disadvantages of Delta or Wing anchors
- Sometimes, Delta anchors will not set properly or holds less in the weed, grass, and very soft bottoms.
- Delta anchors can’t be stowed easily in the boat due to its hinge design.
- Delta anchors take time to set at the bottom.
Related posts
Check my article on Choosing an anchor for your boat click here
Check my article on boat anchors for sand bottom click here
Check my article on boat anchors for mud bottom click here
Check my article on boat anchors for clay bottom click here
Check my article on boat anchors for grass bottom click here
Check my article on boat anchors for weed bottom click here
Check my article on boat anchors for rock bottom click here
Check my article on boat anchors for gravel bottom click here
Bottom line
If you often go boating in different places (meaning, different bottom types), then go for modern anchors. Otherwise, there is no need to go for modern anchors because these anchors are a bit more expensive than other anchors.
So, the anchor selection is based on the bottom types, and it is not related to the type of boat you are using. So, before selecting the anchor type, see the bottom type where you will boat and then choose anchor.
