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What Size Anchor Do I Need?

The Jimmy Green Anchor Size Comparison Chart is compiled from individual manufacturer recommendations and highlights how similar the suggestions are across various designs.

How to choose your Anchor Weight by Manufacturer Recommendation

  1. Find the column below that best represents your Boat Length Overall.
  2. Compare your displacement with the tonnage listed.
  3. If the displacement is greater than displayed in your column in the table, or the yacht is a multihull, consider moving across to the next column to increase the diameter.
  4. Consider the worst-case scenario for your anticipated Anchoring - this will dictate whether you go for the minimum required or the ocean cruising approach
  5. Consider the manufacturer sizing parameters listed below the tables 
  6. Compile a short list of potential anchors to consider
Jimmy Green Anchor Size Comparison Chart for Galvanised and Stainless Steel Anchors
< 6
metres LOA
6 - 8
metres LOA
8 - 10
metres LOA

10 - 12
metres LOA

12 - 14
metres LOA
14 - 16
metres LOA

16 - 18
metres LOA

18 - 20 metres
LOA
Anchor Type < 1 tonne 1 - 2.5 tonnes 1 - 2.5 tonnes 2.5 - 5 tonnes 2.5 - 5 tonnes 5 - 9
tonnes
5 - 9 tonnes 9 - 13 tonnes 9 - 13 tonnes 13 - 16 tonnes 13 - 16 tonnes 16 - 20 tonnes 16 - 20 tonnes 20 - 25 tonnes 20 - 25 tonnes 25 - 40 tonnes
Rocna 4kg 6kg 6/10kg 10kg 10kg 15kg 15/20kg 20/25kg 25kg 25/33kg 33kg 33kg 40kg 40kg 55kg 55kg
Vulcan 9kg 9kg 9/12kg 15kg 15/20kg 20/25kg 25kg 25/33kg 33kg 33kg 40kg 40kg 55kg 55kg
Mantus and Mantus MK 2 5.9kg 5.9/7.7kg 7.7kg 11.4kg 15.9kg 15.9/20.5kg 20.5kg 25kg 25kg 29.5kg 29.5/38.6kg 38.6kg 38.6/47.7kg 47.7kg 56.8kg 70kg
Spade Galvanised and S/S 6kg 6/10kg 10kg 10/15kg 15kg 15/20kg 15/20kg 20kg 20kg 20/25kg 25kg 25kg 30kg 30/37kg 37/44kg 44/55kg
UltraMarine
Ultra
5kg 5/8kg 8kg 8/12kg 12kg 12/16kg 16kg 21kg 21kg 27kg 27/35kg 35kg 35/45kg 45kg 45/60kg 60kg
Lewmar Epsilon 4kg 4kg 6kg 6kg 10kg 10kg 16kg 16kg 20kg 20kg 25kg 25kg 32kg 32kg 40kg 40kg/50kg
Lewmar Delta 4kg 6kg 6/10kg 10kg 10kg 10/16kg 16kg 16/20kg 20kg 25kg 32kg 32kg 40kg 40kg 50kg 50/63kg
Lewmar Claw 5kg 5kg 5/7.5kg 7.5kg 10kg 10/15kg 20kg 20kg 30kg 30kg
Plastimo Britany 6kg 6/8kg 8kg 10kg 12kg 14kg 16kg 16/20kg 20kg 20kg
Jimmy Green Anchor Size Comparison Chart for Aluminium Anchors

< 6
metres LOA

6 - 8
metres LOA

8 - 10
metres LOA

10 - 12
metres LOA
12 - 14
metres LOA
14 - 16
metres LOA
16 - 18
metres LOA
18 - 20
metres LOA
Anchor Type < 1 tonne 1 - 2.5 tonnes 1 - 2.5 tonnes 2.5 - 5 tonnes 2.5 - 5 tonnes 5 - 9 tonnes 5 - 9 tonnes 9 - 13 tonnes 9 - 13 tonnes 13 - 16 tonnes 13 - 16 tonne 16 - 20 tonnes 16 - 20 tonnes 20 - 25 tonnes 20 - 25 tonnes 25 - 40 tonnes
Fortress FX7 FX7 FX7/FX11 FX7/FX11 FX11 FX11 FX16 FX16 FX23 FX23 FX37 FX37 FX55 FX55 FX85 FX85
Guardian G7 G7 G11 G11 G16 G16 G23 G23 G37 G37
Spade Aluminium A40 A40 A60 A60 A80 A80 A100 A100 A140 A140 A140 A140 A140 A140 A200 A200
Lewmar LFX LFX4 LFX4 LFX4 LFX4 LFX7 LFX7 LFX10 LFX10 LFX15 LFX15 LFX21 LFX21

Rex Francis has set the Anchor Right parameters for the Sarca Excel in a slightly different format. However, it can still be compared with other anchor designs with a little interpretation.

SARCA Excel Parameters - Length and Displacement
Anchor Right Advisory - If your boat is over the limit in either column, it is advisable to upgrade to the next size.
Upgrading one size for a multihull or long-term anchor dependent cruising would also be considered good practice.

Sarca Excel Size Guide by Yacht Length Overall and Displacement (weight)
Yacht Length Overall < 5 metres LOA 5 - 7 metres LOA 7 - 10 metres LOA 10 - 12 metres LOA 12 - 15 metres LOA 15 - 17 metres LOA 17 - 19 metres LOA 19 - 21 metres LOA 21 - 23 metres LOA 23 - 25 metres LOA 25 - 27 metres LOA
Weight < 1.2 tonnes 1.2 - 2.8 tonnes 2.8 - 3.5 tonnes 3.5  - 7 tonnes 7 -  15 tonnes 15 - 21 tonnes 21 - 24 tonnes 24 - 28 tonnes 28 - 32 tonnes 32 - 36 tonnes 36 - 42 tonnes
Sarca Excel Weight 7.5kg 9.5kg 12.5kg 16kg 22kg 30kg 36kg 40kg 50kg 55kg 63kg
Sarca Excel Size #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #9 #11 #13

Most anchor manufacturers publish a recommended weight of anchor by either the length overall or a combination of length, displacement and windage.

Some top manufacturers also include weather conditions and distinguish between monohulls and multihulls.

The top manufacturers are generally conservative and specify more criteria to help you choose.

The authority of each manufacturer recommendation may be judged by several factors: reputation, personal experience, research, the number of relevant factors taken into account, and the amount of detailed information they publish on the subject.

The Jimmy Green Anchor Size Chart collates the recommended sizing for all the anchors we offer on our website and highlights how similar the recommendations are.

Interpretation is still required, e.g. multihulls, high windage profile and extreme weather.

Anchor Sizing Parameters by Manufacturer

A more detailed explanation of how the data for individual anchors is presented and how it is collated into the Comparison Table follows:

Galvanised and Stainless Steel Anchors

Rocna and Vulcan, Galvanised and Stainless Steel - Length and Displacement

Rocna/Vulcan recommend an anchor one size larger than indicated in their guide for multihulls

Quote from their Fitment Guide - ”our anchor sizing recommendations are intended to provide an anchor adequate for use in most all conditions. We base our calculations on 50 knots of wind, associated surge, and poor holding bottoms.”

Mantus Mark 1 and 2 – Length, Displacement and Wind Speed

Mantus Quote - “we are generally referring to the needs of a cruising boat spending most of its time on anchor. In doing so, we try to envelope high sustained winds (50 knots) and assume poor holding conditions (low viscosity bottoms).”

Mantus publish a chart in three categories – “Lunch Anchor category is recommended for lighter use, expected winds under 30 knots, working anchor for winds under 50 knots and finally, storm anchor recommendations are intended for winds above 50 knots.”

N.B. The Jimmy Green Comparison Table is derived from the Mantus middle category.

Spade Galvanised and Stainless Steel – Length and Displacement

Spade recommend an anchor one size larger than indicated in their guide for multihulls

UltraMarine Stainless Steel – The UltraMarine Anchor Size Guide considers multiple factors. Their comprehensive approach includes Length, Displacement, Mono/Multihull and Windage Profile criteria.

Lewmar Epsilon, Delta and Claw – Length only

Lewmar guidelines are illustrated in a shaded colour range by length only, so you need to judge displacement, i.e. light, average, or heavy, compared with similar length yachts. If the answer is heavy, upgrading to the next size is advisable.

Plastimo Britany – Length only

Plastimo Quote – “Anchor weight per boat length is only given as an indication. However, your anchor selection should also recognise the specific construction of your vessel.”

Aluminium Anchors

Using a lightweight anchor goes against the traditional belief that weight is one of the most critical factors in holding power.

Fortress Quote – “Fortress design does not depend upon weight to provide world class performance.”

However, the most popular application for aluminium anchors is as a convenient, high holding power secondary or kedge anchor.

Fortress/Guardian – Length only

Fortress Quote – “Boat anchor size recommendations are for boats of average windage and proportions in 30 knots of wind, average bottom conditions, and moderate protection from open seas. Remember that the loads in 42 knots of wind are twice as much as in 30 knots.”

Spade Aluminium – Length and Displacement

Spade recommend an anchor one size larger than indicated in their guide for multihulls.

Spade Quote – “Aluminium version not recommended for use as a primary anchor.”

Lewmar LFX – Length only

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