An Anchor Thread! Grab your beers and popcorn.

[KeelsonGraham]

I’m quite hesitant about starting this thread beacause I know how anchor threads tend to go. Hopefully this wont be too controversial.

I have a 5.5 ton 34 ft AWB and intend to cruise southern Ireland next summer. This will inevitably involve a lot of nights on the hook. I want to upgrade (overspec) my current set up so that I can sleep peacefully. As well as changing from 50/50 chain rope combo to all chain, I want to upgrade my anchor to a latest generation hook in the 16kg range which has a Lloyd rating of HHP or SHHP.

The Ultra is waaay too expensive, so I think the choices are probably:

Rocna
Manson Supreme
Knox
Spade

Are there any others I should consider? I‘ve read most of the threads and arguments for and against various designs and have come to the conclusion that there is no one outright leader - they all have their plusses and minuses. I don’t want to start another tedious argument about which is best. I just need a shortlist so that I can make my own choice.

Also, is there any reason why Lloyds rates the Manson Supreme as SHHP but not the Rocna? I thought the Manson was basically a copy.

Thanks in anticipation.

 

[rotrax]

I purchased a 25 kilo Rocna for our big, fat, heavy and high windage Motorsailor two years ago. It replaced a 25 kilo Delta, which had been faultless.

I know the area where you intend to sail well.

Any of those you list will do the job, and do it well.

IMHO, of course................................................

 

[Roberto]

.

Also, is there any reason why Lloyds rates the Manson Supreme as SHHP but not the Rocna?

Read what SHHP technically means Really not much relevance for pleasure boats.
All those anchors would rate as SHHP, even SuperSuperSSSSSHHP, the most likely reason is other manufacturers have not undergone the certifying process.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

Support British industry and buy a Knox.

 

[doug748]

In your position I would almost certainly get a Sarca Excel now they have a UK agent. You might get away with 12.5Kg but could go to 16Kg + c40mm ish of 8mm chain + your existing nylon as back up.

My alternative would be the Spade, same sort of cost, though I have seen too many rusty ones and the construction is complex. ?

.

 

[sailaboutvic]

I would buy one of them things made from steel with a bit of a point on the end ,
Although i heard you can now buy plastic ones that much lighter and the best part they Don't rush.

 

[Stemar]

I'm with Doug, though I do think 40mm of chain is bit short

Apart from ease of feeding through a windlass, I'm not sure what the advantage is of all chain over a mixed rode. From what I can gather from various articles and threads, extra length is more useful than the extra weight of all chain. also I do wonder if you wouldn't be fine with 6mm chain - It has a breaking strain of 1600kg, and how often will you get anywhere near 800kg, even as a shock load?

 

[Sybarite]

I’m quite hesitant about starting this thread beacause I know how anchor threads tend to go. Hopefully this wont be too controversial.

I have a 5.5 ton 34 ft AWB and intend to cruise southern Ireland next summer. This will inevitably involve a lot of nights on the hook. I want to upgrade (overspec) my current set up so that I can sleep peacefully. As well as changing from 50/50 chain rope combo to all chain, I want to upgrade my anchor to a latest generation hook in the 16kg range which has a Lloyd rating of HHP or SHHP.

The Ultra is waaay too expensive, so I think the choices are probably:

Rocna
Manson Supreme
Knox
Spade

Are there any others I should consider? I‘ve read most of the threads and arguments for and against various designs and have come to the conclusion that there is no one outright leader - they all have their plusses and minuses. I don’t want to start another tedious argument about which is best. I just need a shortlist so that I can make my own choice.

Also, is there any reason why Lloyds rates the Manson Supreme as SHHP but not the Rocna? I thought the Manson was basically a copy.

Thanks in anticipation.

Ultra
Britany Roc;
but personally I would go for the Spade.

 

[NormanS]

What you do with your anchor is much more important than the finer points of its design.

 

[sailingmartin]

All the new generation anchors you list will be fine. I have had each of the first three you mention on various boats (currently have a Knox on my Rival). One suggestion is that you carefully check all the dimensions or even get an outline of the shape to make sure it fits on your bow roller or anchor locker.

 

[SaltyC]

All the new generation anchors you list will be fine. I have had each of the first three you mention on various boats (currently have a Knox on my Rival). One suggestion is that you carefully check all the dimensions or even get an outline of the shape to make sure it fits on your bow roller or anchor locker.

Totally agree with sailingmartin, will it stow on the roller.
Last boat 31 foot had a 15kg CQR ( awaiting incoming misilles), never had a problem, current 37 foot has a 20Kg Delta, no problems.
However, reading the new anchor worshippers do wonder - are they better?
I am considering a Lewmar Epsilon, same roller profile as the Delta (stows on Bow Roller with no Mods) but supposedly better holding and appears to be 'Better Value' than some. Had good reports from Marina members who have invested.
Perhaps size (weight) of anchor a big contributor to effectiveness?

 

[Rappey]

My friend recently sailed around the UK with a lewmar epsilon and had zero problems.

 

[Jodel]

Another vote for the Sarca Excel. Have a 16kg on my 34' and it holds just fine.

 

[Tranona]

Perhaps size (weight) of anchor a big contributor to effectiveness?

Rather the opposite (ready with the beer and popcorn!) because the argument in favour of newer designs is that weight is not a predictor of performance in terms of ability to set and ultimate holding power Just about all the tests covering aspects of anchor performance show that weight for weight "new generation" anchors outperform " traditional" anchors.

So it seems rather perverse that many people buy a new type anchor, which almost by definition will be superior to the one being replaced and then go up in weight!

 

[RunAgroundHard]

... So it seems rather perverse that many people buy a new type anchor, which almost by definition will be superior to the one being replaced and then go up in weight!

Indeed, I swapped my 60lb CQR for a 40lb Knox (18kg model recommend for my boat size). So easy to move about if required, plus it sets very well. A few weekends ago, anchoring under sail in about a F5, dropped the Knox, paid out chain as the boat drifted off, and when the scope got to about 3 times the depth, it just grabbed the seabed and that was it. Overnight gusts of F9, never moved an inch. Bottom was the usual west coast of Scotland mud.

 

[alan_d]

My friend recently sailed around the UK with a lewmar epsilon and had zero problems.

Ah, but did they anchor?

 

[Neeves]

Don't be hesitant in starting any thread - the forum is to help you find answers.

You need to consider your requirements in total, not just the anchor. First up none of the, modern, anchors are excellent in every seabed, so you need anchors that will suit the seabeds, plural, you are likely to encounter. You may be lucky and only anchor in sand - but then you might anchor and lose your anchor, stuck on a ground chain. You might eventually retreive your anchor - but you will need one in the interim - which needs to be as good as the one you carry on your bow roller - so you need 2 primary anchors (preferably of different styles (applications). You do not mention if you have a windlass as retrieving 8mm chain by hand is quite possible - but does become something of a chore at 10pm in the rain. On a similar theme if your chain locker is small you might not be able to easily retrieve and store 'lots' of 8mm chain or even a parsimonious amount of 10mm chain.

All of the anchors mentioned, and some not mentioned, Rocna, Supreme, Excel, Knox, Spade, Vulcan, Viking, Fortress, Kobra are lauded by their champions here (and blindfold set in sand none of us here could differentiate one from the other). But you do need to consider - will they fit on your bow roller, fit your wallet (knowing you will need 2 anchors). Some of these anchors have been tested by Classification Societies, (Epsilon, Excel, Spade, Supreme) and some tested and their accreditation allowed to lapse, Rocna (its expensive to keep accreditation current) and some not tested at all Vulcan, Kobra - and I'm not sure about Knox. As I say in clean sand no-one would tell the difference.

You mention opting for a HHP or SHHP anchor - SHHP covers modern anchors and the hold would be twice that of a HHP anchor of the same weight (aluminium anchors excepted). You might be paid to take a HHP off someone's hands

I note that you have already decided on the weight of your anchor - but maybe you might want to reconsider in light of Tranona's comments. You might also consider that a 16kg Fortress, Viking, aluminium Spade or aluminium Excel will be huge - but in clean sand the Fortress will have a higher hold than any of the others mentioned and if you have an aluminium and steel Spade or Excel, say 8kg and 15kg respectively - no-one here would be able to tell the difference between the steel and aluminium models (nor the Spade and Excel) - but do check the size of your wallet.

Desite the rhetoric and passion there is no evidence that buying an oversize anchor offers any more security over an anchor of the right (recommended by the manufacturer) size. There is evidence that buying an oversize anchor slims your wallet but enhances the pension fund of the chandler and/or anchor maker .

Confession time: we use slightly undersized anchors, all aluminium and lightweight (high tensile) chain.

To add another facet of modern anchoring I have some background reading for you:

The first article is about what can go wrong - there was a similar event in the Scilly Islands recently, but it was not formally reported in much detail - the Med article is not unique nor location dependent.

Safety at Sea: Surviving a Powerful Storm in the Med

Anchor Resetting Tests - Practical Sailor

How to: Dealing with Snatch Loads in an Anchorage

Anchor Snubber Tips

Know how: Expanding your Anchoring Repertoire

Know how: Ground Tackle

Yawing and Anchor Holding - Practical Sailor

Yawing and Anchor Holding - Practical Sailor

But first up tell us about your yacht, do you have a windlass, what size of chain fits the windlass etc etc. What and where is your anchoring experience.

I'm not being unkind but so far your question is a bit like asking

"I need to buy new tyres for my car - what should I buy?"

Jonathan

 

[GHA]

So it seems rather perverse that many people buy a new type anchor, which almost by definition will be superior to the one being replaced and then go up in weight!

Do many people do that?
Suspect it happens much more in forums than in the real world.
Experienced long distance cruisers often might well but they have a significant probability that they end up in conditions well beyond the constraints in manufacturers sizing data.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

... the constraints in manufacturers sizing data.

What are the constraints, are you suggesting that designers or manufacturers design to a limit less than that required?

 

[GHA]

What are the constraints, are you suggesting that designers or manufacturers design to a limit less than that required?

have a look.
Fitment Guide - Rocna Anchors
No idea what "required" means, the universe isn't black and white, all we can do is push the odds in our favour as much as we want.

Our Anchor Sizing is Conservative

Unlike other manufacturers, 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. For more on our philosophy and rationale, please consult our Knowledge Base article on our sizing recommendations.

50Kts isn't too crazy for a cruising boat, good chance a lot worse will happen.