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Neither claw nor fluke anchors has universally greater holding power. The seabed, whether the anchor sets and resets, correct sizing, and the conditions of the pull matter more than the type name alone. Flukes are a strong option for sand and mud; a claw may suit varied bottoms and can be easier to fit to some bow rollers. Choose for your boat and likely anchorages, then verify that the anchor has actually set.
How claw and fluke anchors differ
Claw anchors
A claw, often called a Bruce-style anchor, is a single-piece design with several curved arms. Lewmar says its Claw sets and resets reliably and is suitable for sand, mud, rock, and coral. Those are the manufacturer’s product claims, not an independent comparison proving performance on every bottom. Lewmar also says the design fits most bow rollers and can be installed in twin-stacked arrangements. Lewmar Claw
Fluke anchors
A fluke, or Danforth-style anchor, has broad pivoting blades designed to bury in the bottom. West Marine recommends flukes for sand and mud and notes that the fluke angle on the Fortress model can be adjusted for mud. Flukes stow flat, which can help in a locker, but they do not self-orient on a bow roller. West Marine’s anchor-selection guide
Which type has more holding power?
There is no reliable type-wide winner. West Marine’s guide says that, in its testing experience, choosing a suitable bottom is more critical than anchor design. An anchor that penetrates and sets in one substrate may perform poorly in another; a secure-looking anchor may also have caught vegetation or a protrusion rather than dug in. Treat bottom-based recommendations as selection guidance, not a guarantee at a particular anchorage.
#1 Best Overall
- ROCK SOLID - To deliver reliability on the open water, this claw anchor is built from high-strength steel. Not only that, but the steel is one-piece, high-tensile and heat-treated for exceptional strength and a rock-solid hold
- MARINE-RESISTANT - Marine environments can be some of the most rigorous, and as such, we’ve made this anchor to last, applying a galvanized finish that stands up to moisture, weather and more
- QUICK-SETTING - This Lewmar anchor offers a sophisticated solution for your vessel with its bruce-style claw. The claw sets quickly in a variety of seabeds and resets as needed after veering
- EASY STORAGE - This claw anchor can be used with a variety of bow roller styles to make dropping, weighing and storing easy
- ANY BOAT - Choose from a range of sizes and weights of our Lewmar claw anchor to find the right fit for your boat style and length
Published test figures illustrate why isolated results should not be treated as universal ratings. A 2015 Boating report of a Chesapeake Bay test lists these results:
| Anchor tested | Reported result | What the figure represents |
|---|---|---|
| Fortress FX-37 fluke, 21 lb (10 kg) | 1,862 lb (845 kg) | Reported result at 45° in that Chesapeake Bay test. |
| Lewmar Claw, 44 lb (20 kg) | 448 lb (203 kg) | Reported result in the same test. |
These figures are from one test, not a matched universal comparison of every claw and fluke. The report says results varied between pulls and bottom composition varied within the test area. Across 54 pulls, nine plow-type anchors exceeded 1,000 lb only twice; the highest reported result came from a fluke. Every anchor initially failed to set at least once. The article’s practical warning is apt: “Any anchor can fail to set the first time on any given day.” 2015 Boating test report
Rank #2
- Durable, dependable Claw Anchor is ideal for anchoring wide variety of boats
- Versatile anchor is designed for use in various sea beds, and performs reliably amid tides and windy conditions
- Durable, corrosion-resistant hot-dipped galvanized steel construction
- Stows easily on bow roller
- Reliable 11-pound Claw Anchor is intended for use with a 23-foot boat
West Marine separately reports that its 2006 tests found a 21 lb Fortress FX37 sustained more than 5,000 lb of load. That is a historical test figure reported in West Marine’s current guide, not a general holding rating. Rocna’s summary of West Marine testing says the test seabeds were generally firm and hard sand and distinguishes average force before dragging from peak force after an anchor yields; Rocna has a commercial interest in anchor sales. Rocna’s holding-power summary
Choose for the bottom, boat, and deployment
Seabed and setting reliability
For sand or mud, a fluke is a sensible candidate based on West Marine’s guidance. In rocky areas, West Marine emphasizes choosing a suitable location and lists structurally strong plow- or grapnel-type anchors, including the Claw, as options; rocky bottoms can snag an anchor rather than let it dig. Grass and rock can also lead to a false set. No design eliminates the need to assess the bottom and confirm penetration.
Rank #3
- TOP-PERFORMING ANCHOR— Our claw anchors have a one-piece design and easily sets in a variety of seabeds. This claw anchor also resets quickly giving boaters the confidence they need for a reliable, dependable and anchor
- BUILT TO LAST — This Lewmar claw anchor is made from a high-grade steel and galvanized for durability. They hold well in most bottom types and varying conditions, and perform best in rock, weed and coral
- QUALITY DESIGN — The Lewmar galvanized claw anchor replicates the same design of the anchors used by the oil rigs in the North Sea. You can depend on the performance and reliability of how well this anchor sets and resets-a premium anchor
- SIZED RIGHT —The galvanized claw anchor measures 13" W x 10- 1/4" H x 19- 1/2" L The anchor weighs 16.5 lbs. (7.5 kg). It is ideal for boats 24-30''.
- TRUSTED BRAND — Our Lewmar 16.5 lb. claw anchor is made from the premiere equipment supplier- designing, manufacturing and distributing innovative, high-quality control solutions worldwide since 1946. Lewmar offers the highest levels of quality in the industry
Boat size and conditions
Use the current sizing chart for the exact anchor model. Consider vessel length along with beam, displacement, windage, and expected conditions rather than choosing by anchor type or weight alone. The sizing chart reproduced in the 2015 Boating report is manufacturer data for its stated assumptions: average windage and proportions, 30-knot wind, average bottom conditions, and moderate protection. It recommends going one or two sizes larger for storm conditions. That chart is not a universal sizing standard and should not be applied to another model without checking that maker’s guidance. 2015 Boating report and reproduced sizing chart
Stowage and anchor role
A flat-stowing fluke may suit a locker or serve as a lightweight secondary or kedge anchor. A claw may be more convenient if it fits your bow roller and is intended as a primary anchor for the bottoms you commonly encounter. Check the actual dimensions and operation of your bow hardware and locker; broad product statements about fit cannot confirm compatibility with your boat.
Rank #4
- Durable, dependable Claw Anchor is ideal for anchoring wide variety of boats
- Versatile anchor is designed for use in various sea beds, and performs reliably amid tides and windy conditions
- Durable, corrosion-resistant hot-dipped galvanized steel construction
- Stows easily on bow roller
- Reliable 16 1/2-pound Claw Anchor is intended for use with a 30-foot boat
If your boating takes you across different bottoms, West Marine suggests that two anchors of different types can address differing needs. Match the primary and any secondary anchor to the places and conditions in which you expect to use them rather than relying on a type label as a guarantee.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to verify the anchor has set
- After lowering the anchor, take up slack and back down steadily with the engine, following safe operating practice for your boat.
- Check the boat’s position against fixed landmarks to see whether it is holding rather than continuing to move.
- Monitor position periodically. Recheck after changes in load or direction, since an anchor caught on a root, rock protrusion, or vegetation can appear secure and then break free.
West Marine describes that kind of incomplete engagement as a false set: the anchor seems secure but has not penetrated the seabed, so a changed load or pull direction can release it. Its guide summarizes its testing this way: “In all of our anchor tests, one conclusion is consistent: the selection of a suitable bottom is a much more critical factor than the design of the anchor itself.”
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Quick Recap
Best Value
- Durable, dependable Claw Anchor is ideal for anchoring wide variety of boats
- Versatile anchor is designed for use in various sea beds, and performs reliably amid tides and windy conditions
- Durable, corrosion-resistant hot-dipped galvanized steel construction
- Stows easily on bow roller
- Reliable 22-pound Claw Anchor is intended for use with a 30-foot boat
Practical choice
- Mostly sand or mud: Consider a fluke, while checking the exact model’s sizing advice and how it will stow and deploy.
- Mixed bottoms or bow-roller use: Consider a claw if its maker’s claims and the anchor’s actual fit match your needs; do not treat broad seabed suitability claims as a guarantee.
- Uncertain bottom or changing conditions: Prioritize correct sizing, set verification, and monitoring. A second anchor of a different type may cover a different use case.
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