Pete7
Well-Known Member
Doug, were have you seen a Spade S60 for £280 ? They were a lot more than the Rocna when I was looking a couple of years ago. Settled on the Rocna in the end, don't they have thin shanks compared to a similar sized Delta
Anchor question,
- Thread starter doug748
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doug748
Well-Known Member
Doug, were have you seen a Spade S60 for £280 ? They were a lot more than the Rocna when I was looking a couple of years ago. Settled on the Rocna in the end, don't they have thin shanks compared to a similar sized Delta
That shank does look a bit weedy but we assume designers have done their sums...
The Spade is £255 here:
http://www.spade-anchor.co.uk/S60.htm
but, of course, if you found yourself in Jersey and bought one of these anchors you would be sure to cough up the VAT on your return to the UK.
I think the costs of both anchors are more reasonable than they were which is on of the reasons I am reconsidering things. I have not had problems with my Bruce but find I may have some spending money this summer and am thinking, why not?
duncan99210
Well-Known Member
Personal preference is Rocna, 'cos that's what we've got. But the real driver is does it fit the bow roller? I fitted new nav lights because the rollbar obscured the old bicolour light, so if a Spade had been available, I might have gone for that but it wasn't, so I didn't.
GHA
Well-Known Member
Join another forum you might get 10% off that:
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=157987
Birdseye
Well-Known Member
cant comment on the spade but when I had a rocna it proved very effective at digging in, as did the manson supreme that followed. I wouldnt have any worry about chosing a rocna even though I got rid of mine and have ended up with a fortress. It digs in just as well and is much less strain on my back.
Anchor holding is about area not weight.
Sybarite
Well-Known Member
I would choose Spade based on the consistency of test reports in France. It may have a slight advantage over the Rocna in weed.
Rocna is nevertheless a fine anchor and almost the equivalent of the French FOB Roc.
Rocna is nevertheless a fine anchor and almost the equivalent of the French FOB Roc.
C08
Well-Known Member
. Anchor holding is about area not weight.[/QUOTE said:
adwuk
Well-Known Member
I've got a spade and its excellent. Haven't got a Rocna, so can't compare.
RichardS
N/A
Must have had a good blowlamp!Lead M.Pt 327C, Zn M.Pt 415C
Casting your own anodes can work but you must take steps to ensure that there is not even the faintest trace of iron/steel in there. Iron inhibits the anodic reaction of zinc in microscopic levels, should be less than .0014% to comply with the Mil Spec A-18001A.
Crikey - my number are more like Fahrenheit (+ quite a lot more!). I'll think I try making a casting in some plaster with the new anodes and, if that goes well, I'll bring the old ones back from the boat and give it a go. I'll need something to melt the zinc in. I wonder if a stainess steel pan will release too much iron into the zinc?
An aluminium pan might be best as anodes can be aluminium so presumably that's 100% suitable? I'll have to be careful not to melt the pan though!
Copper or brass would be good I suppose although I'd have to buy a small pan of some kind specially.
Any other ideas anyone?
Richard
Birdseye
Well-Known Member
Spade is a French product so the French test reports are about worthless
noelex
Well-Known Member
Both the steel Spade and the Rocna are excellent anchors. You cannot go wrong with either model. It is surprising to me that two anchors with very different designs can achieve such similar performance, but that has been my observation.
If both anchors fit your bow roller I would just give the nod to the Rocna. In my view it (very slightly) has the overall edge in performance in most substrates and also has the advantage that it can be re-galvanised.
Unless you have a specific reason (such as racing) for going as small as possible I would give some consideration to increasing the size. This will give you more reserve to cope with poor holding ground and has other advantages such as the ability to use shorter scopes which can open up more anchoring possibilities. The additional weight is minor, especially if you consider the total weight of the ground tackle.
If both anchors fit your bow roller I would just give the nod to the Rocna. In my view it (very slightly) has the overall edge in performance in most substrates and also has the advantage that it can be re-galvanised.
Unless you have a specific reason (such as racing) for going as small as possible I would give some consideration to increasing the size. This will give you more reserve to cope with poor holding ground and has other advantages such as the ability to use shorter scopes which can open up more anchoring possibilities. The additional weight is minor, especially if you consider the total weight of the ground tackle.
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NormanS
Well-Known Member
I melt my zinc in an iron ladle, which I used to use for paying deck seams with pitch. It has not had any bad effect on the working of the anodes that I have made.
Sybarite
Well-Known Member
You're supposed to add a smiley so that people realize that such idiotic remarks aren't serious.
I do believe that they are manufactured in Tunisia.
Neeves
Well-Known Member
Do not buy a S80 that weighs 10kg!! You might be being shanked
An S80 weighs closer to 15kg.
Having used both extensively and ignoring prices I would have no hesitation but buy the Spade. I still have a Spade and Rocna, both of 15kg. I never carry the Rocna, I always carry the Spade, but the alloy version A80 (I leave the steel one at home). I will use the A80 as my primary - 38' cat 7t.
A Spade will fit virtually every or any bow roller. The Spade works better in weed than a Rocna, that can clog and pull all the weed up and dump it on your foredeck. Both will be defeated by kelp. If you invest in a Rocna - make sure you have a good deck wash if anchoring in mud. Spade outperforms a Rocna in mud, see Fortress Chesapeake tests (if you anchor a lot in mud - get a Fortress.
Spade can be easily and safely regalvanised, melt out the lead first, then regal, add back the lead - its hardly rocket science, welding gloves, blow torch, camping stove, old saucepan.
If the question was
Should you buy a S80 or 10kg Rocna - then the odds are so in favour of the Spade I'm not sure why the question was asked
Jonathan
An S80 weighs closer to 15kg.
Having used both extensively and ignoring prices I would have no hesitation but buy the Spade. I still have a Spade and Rocna, both of 15kg. I never carry the Rocna, I always carry the Spade, but the alloy version A80 (I leave the steel one at home). I will use the A80 as my primary - 38' cat 7t.
A Spade will fit virtually every or any bow roller. The Spade works better in weed than a Rocna, that can clog and pull all the weed up and dump it on your foredeck. Both will be defeated by kelp. If you invest in a Rocna - make sure you have a good deck wash if anchoring in mud. Spade outperforms a Rocna in mud, see Fortress Chesapeake tests (if you anchor a lot in mud - get a Fortress.
Spade can be easily and safely regalvanised, melt out the lead first, then regal, add back the lead - its hardly rocket science, welding gloves, blow torch, camping stove, old saucepan.
If the question was
Should you buy a S80 or 10kg Rocna - then the odds are so in favour of the Spade I'm not sure why the question was asked
Jonathan
sarabande
Well-Known Member
a passionate encomium for the Spade from the engineer down under, but it's normal to add to those sort of posts some words like "I have no affiliation to, or relationship with, the products mentioned. Just a satisfied customer paying the normal commercial price."
And of course, as an engineer, you would want to compare like with like, wouldn't you ? A 15kg modern design anchor tested against a 10kg modern design anchor is hardly a dispassionate and objective basis or qualification for saying that "the odds are so in favour of the Spade I'm not sure why the question was asked"
Signed: a very satisfied Fortess owner (two of them) with no affiliation to, or relationship with, the products mentioned. Just a satisfied customer paying the normal commercial (second-hand) price. Oh, and a CQR currently as the main anchor which came with the boat.
And of course, as an engineer, you would want to compare like with like, wouldn't you ? A 15kg modern design anchor tested against a 10kg modern design anchor is hardly a dispassionate and objective basis or qualification for saying that "the odds are so in favour of the Spade I'm not sure why the question was asked"
Signed: a very satisfied Fortess owner (two of them) with no affiliation to, or relationship with, the products mentioned. Just a satisfied customer paying the normal commercial (second-hand) price. Oh, and a CQR currently as the main anchor which came with the boat.
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vyv_cox
Well-Known Member
I expect the US military have got it wrong.
Neeves
Well-Known Member
Sarabande,
If I'm not mistaken your implications are those of your alter ego. I suggest you put him back in his cupboard, where he has very sensibly remained hidden for that last few years, along with his unjustified and totally unsubstantiated thoughts and possibly you should make sure he stays there.
I might point out
The post was with relation to a 10kg S80 (which does not exist). You can have a 14kg S80 or a 8kg A80. It is quite possible to have a (approx) 10kg Spade and a 10kg Rocna. I was simply pointing out the contradiction. But if the choice is a S80, which weighs 14kg or a 10kg Rocna I think (and many would agree) that a 14kg Spade will outperform a 10kg Rocna - it has nothing to do with design (as both are good) - but the Spade is bigger. If the choice is between a 10kg Spade and a 10kg Rocna then perfomance is more similar but in our experience of comparing like with like, over a couple of thousand nm, then see Post #34.
We, like you, also use a Fortress and would not leave home without it. We would not rely on one design when cruising in anchorages with varied bottom types - anchors are a compromise.
Jonathan
edit Our Shanghai made Rocna was given to us, we paid nothing. close edit
If I'm not mistaken your implications are those of your alter ego. I suggest you put him back in his cupboard, where he has very sensibly remained hidden for that last few years, along with his unjustified and totally unsubstantiated thoughts and possibly you should make sure he stays there.
I might point out
The post was with relation to a 10kg S80 (which does not exist). You can have a 14kg S80 or a 8kg A80. It is quite possible to have a (approx) 10kg Spade and a 10kg Rocna. I was simply pointing out the contradiction. But if the choice is a S80, which weighs 14kg or a 10kg Rocna I think (and many would agree) that a 14kg Spade will outperform a 10kg Rocna - it has nothing to do with design (as both are good) - but the Spade is bigger. If the choice is between a 10kg Spade and a 10kg Rocna then perfomance is more similar but in our experience of comparing like with like, over a couple of thousand nm, then see Post #34.
We, like you, also use a Fortress and would not leave home without it. We would not rely on one design when cruising in anchorages with varied bottom types - anchors are a compromise.
Jonathan
edit Our Shanghai made Rocna was given to us, we paid nothing. close edit
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doug748
Well-Known Member
Do not buy a S80 that weighs 10kg!! You might be being shanked
An S80 weighs closer to 15kg.
.......Jonathan
Thanks, should have read S60, now edited.
Both anchors I am considering are 10kg.
Neeves
Well-Known Member
I've just looked at the OP's thread and thought I need glasses - I'm sure I saw S80!
Thanks Doug - you saved me a trip to the optician!
See post #34, ignore any comparison of an S80 with a 10kg Rocna - not relevant! I've only compared 15kg models.
I have no experience of a 10kg steel Spade, only a 8kg alloy A80.
Jonathan.
Thanks Doug - you saved me a trip to the optician!
See post #34, ignore any comparison of an S80 with a 10kg Rocna - not relevant! I've only compared 15kg models.
I have no experience of a 10kg steel Spade, only a 8kg alloy A80.
Jonathan.
Garold
Well-Known Member
I've had two roll hoop Rocnas, one Spade, and a Rocna Vulcan.
In reverse order....
The Rocna Vulcan was bought because I wanted a Rocna but without the roll bar (it didn't fit with the roll bar). I didn't like it because it often took two or three tries to get a grip, and was prone to dragging in mud.
The spade was an anchor that I was keen to try given the great test reviews. However, I found that in sand it occasionally dragged (never broke free). In mud it was fine. Like an earlier poster remarked, it was easier to clean off the mud on the Spade using a boat hook (than the roll bar Rocna).
I first tried the roll bar Rocna four boats ago after being underwhelmed by the performance of the Delta. It performed well in most of the anchorages we tried along the Channel, mainly on UK side. In mud, the suction sometimes made it difficult to get up. We sometimes had to motor over it to break it free after a couple of days in the same spot. It was difficult to clean mud from. The roll bar seems to hold it in.
When I bought another Rocna for the next boat, I was a bit unnerved by all the bad publicity about the Chinese made bendy shanks. Also, the U.K. based PR person who seemed to be employed by Rocna to deflect any owners concern, was so shady with their excuses that I bought the spade anchor.
My anchoring experience is nowhere near as extensive as many other folk on here, but I havr used both the Rocna and a Spade.
I have just bought my third Rocna for my new yacht and so I guess my vote is for the Rocna.
However, I honestly don't think you will go wrong with either of your choices.
As for sizing, I can't remember what I chose, but I always go to the top end of the choices for my boats, and always assume that I will carry the maximum amount of weight for the calculation. I also tend to only use a full chain rode. Not sure if this makes a difference.
Garold
In reverse order....
The Rocna Vulcan was bought because I wanted a Rocna but without the roll bar (it didn't fit with the roll bar). I didn't like it because it often took two or three tries to get a grip, and was prone to dragging in mud.
The spade was an anchor that I was keen to try given the great test reviews. However, I found that in sand it occasionally dragged (never broke free). In mud it was fine. Like an earlier poster remarked, it was easier to clean off the mud on the Spade using a boat hook (than the roll bar Rocna).
I first tried the roll bar Rocna four boats ago after being underwhelmed by the performance of the Delta. It performed well in most of the anchorages we tried along the Channel, mainly on UK side. In mud, the suction sometimes made it difficult to get up. We sometimes had to motor over it to break it free after a couple of days in the same spot. It was difficult to clean mud from. The roll bar seems to hold it in.
When I bought another Rocna for the next boat, I was a bit unnerved by all the bad publicity about the Chinese made bendy shanks. Also, the U.K. based PR person who seemed to be employed by Rocna to deflect any owners concern, was so shady with their excuses that I bought the spade anchor.
My anchoring experience is nowhere near as extensive as many other folk on here, but I havr used both the Rocna and a Spade.
I have just bought my third Rocna for my new yacht and so I guess my vote is for the Rocna.
However, I honestly don't think you will go wrong with either of your choices.
As for sizing, I can't remember what I chose, but I always go to the top end of the choices for my boats, and always assume that I will carry the maximum amount of weight for the calculation. I also tend to only use a full chain rode. Not sure if this makes a difference.
Garold