Aboard MIA ( a PHYSA 42 ): after 3 years of navigation and hundreds of moorings, we can only congratulate ourselves on our 20 kg steel SPADE anchor. We always sleep on our two ears, relying on our mooring. It is obvious, that to be serene it is necessary to respect some rules and as the most successful marine equipment cannot mitigate the incompetence of certain sailors.
In the first place, to try to anchor in some sand; with a small experience and thanks to the very visible yellow colour of the SPADE anchor, one can aim at a small heap less than 1sqm. And it’s enough to be quiet.
The second is to spin a good length of chain and as on says at home “better too much than not enough”. To always use minimum 30 metres of chain for a night mooring and even more according to the depth. A small check with the diving marine mask in case for boats of any doubt and good night, SPADE takes care of you.

Our worst experience: Porto Soller in the Balearic Islands. We were anchored by 13 metres on a mud bank, meaning 16 metres from the bowsprit. We had 35 m of chain. The air was heavy and the sky was looking ominous. We decided to put all our chain meaning 45 m. Since that time, we have added 30 m even if it is heavier it is safer. The wind rose up to 54 knots. We were around thirty boats at the anchorage and the squall passed, only three were still there.. We have, at the hit of the wind, dragged about twenty metre and then dug in again. Thanks SPADE, but we are persuaded that with 10 additional meters of chain, we would have not moved.
That is why since that time, we are serene at mooring even with a 30 knots wind.

Discover MIA on www.catamia.com
and the SPADE holders on www.spade-anchor.com