Anchors!

[coopec]

Testing the new generation of anchors
28 March 2014

Conclusions

All anchors are a compromise. In sand all anchors perform well excepting the Cooper that we could not get to set at all, the fisherman which had no capacity (and would not even set in weed) and CQR, which has difficulty re-setting when subjected to change in load orientation. Of the rest in sand all anchors set well and had the ability to reorientate to a change of load direction of both 90 and 180 degrees. There seemed little difference in performance although the anchors with protruding soles, the Kobra, Spade and Ultra, seemed to perform better in the 90-degree turns. The major difference is holding capacity and if you are to anchor under arduous conditions an anchor with higher holding capacity like the Kobra, Spade, Ultra, Supreme, Rocna and the two SARCAs looks the better option. In hard seabeds there might be question marks over the Ray and Claw which with care you might get to set, but might not re-set if forced to re-orientate through 180 degrees but on balance the Ray seemed to perform better — though both do not have high holding capacity. In seabeds capable of high compaction then the concave anchors perform well in 90 degree turns but might have choked and be unable to re-set if forced into a 180-degree turn.

Read more at http://www.mysailing.com.au/news/testing-the-new-generation-of-anchors#9lMWHHdKAcRWIdXy.99

Clive

 

[vyv_cox]

the only times all chain seems to be a good idea is if you're anchoring in coral, which chews up rope,

And in the Med where you will berth stern-to on your anchor. A rope or mixed rode here is a recipe for trouble, guaranteed to be wrapped around somebody's prop. In cross winds i.e. most harbours, the stretch of the rope part will cause your boat to lie on your neighbour's, which will not make you popular.

 

[GHA]

Thanks
I can see I'll have to do more research but it seems a lot of the time it is just an opinion.

From cruising over many varied sea beds the difference between a cqr & new gen is like day and night, not really much opinion in it.

 

[zoidberg]

As can be seen above, there seem to be more opinions on 'the best anchor' than there are boats to hang them on. There's little that's definitive that most can agree, other than that the newer designs are probably more convenient and effective than the older ones. They're also often much more expensive.

One parallel is the range of available choices of car makes and models..... Jaguar vs Mazda vs Merc vs........

And is the anchor of choice intended for use, or for marina-berth posing? If the latter, then large, polished stainless steel seems to be favourite, with the make/price sticker still intact!

There seems little point in discarding an anchor that is otherwise satisfactory and still giving good service e.g. changing your CQR for a Rocna or Spade. Many would agree that one ought to have more than one anchor/rode available, and that the second one should be of a different type, optimised for different conditions.

I no longer have the 65lb Folding Fisherman I bought at a So'ton Boat Show as being ideal for scything through kelp and other dense weed... it's easier to go find a better spot! There are those who reckon that the Fortress is a superb anchor in mud and sand - I do - and it has the benefit of being easily handleable, demountable and stows easily in a sleeve-bag.

These seem to change hands, virtually unused, for little money.... and one Fx-23 was sold yesterday for just £30!

Many would agree that, for sound sleep at night, much more depends on 'where' and 'how' the anchor is set than 'what type'. And the wind/waves situation matters. Here's some choice favourites - Salcombe/Upper Harbour, Cawsand Bay, River Lynher, Truro River, St Helens Pool.... experience tells me that a CQR anchor functions satisfactorily in all these places, as does the FX-16, and Spade, and probably most of the others mentioned.

 

[webcraft]

.
Don;t even think about a 'traditional' anchor. It;s worth spending a bit more to have a good nioght;s sleep, and being confident in your anchor gives your cruising much more scope (no pun intended!)

With manual recovery in mind, best holding power/weight ratio is with a Knox, which is also considerably cheaper than a Spade and cheaper than a Rocna. Depending on your boat size, where you would have a (eg) a 10Kg or 14Kg Spade the Knox alternatives are 9Kg and 13Kg

I would go for all chain rode, or plenty of chain with rope backup for really deep occasions. A mostly rope rode will increase your swinging circle, and space is an increasingly restricted commodity in many anchorages these days. If you are anchoring in normal depths (say up to 10m maximum) then 10m of 8mm chain will not tax your back too much. Of more importance is motoring forward to take the strain off the rode before hauling.

- W

 

[coopec]

Thanks Zoidberg

That puts everything in perspective

Clive

 

[Cactus Sailing]

Wow as you can see with all the opinions this is why im in a muddle currently Lol.

.
Don;t even think about a 'traditional' anchor. It;s worth spending a bit more to have a good nioght;s sleep, and being confident in your anchor gives your cruising much more scope (no pun intended!)

With manual recovery in mind, best holding power/weight ratio is with a Knox, which is also considerably cheaper than a Spade and cheaper than a Rocna. Depending on your boat size, where you would have a (eg) a 10Kg or 14Kg Spade the Knox alternatives are 9Kg and 13Kg

- W

Boat is 5600kg fully loaded (4600kg unladen weight) and 9.4m - i sit in the 12kg camp for rocna which is vulcan only so 15kg if its a rocna (which would be oversized), ironically Knox suggest i use a 14kg for over 30ft..... so 1kg difference is no saving really., this is despite a chart stating a 9kg Knox is better than a 21.5kg CQR which lewmar say is ok for 50ft .... Confused.

i like the idea of a rocna, but i wonder if i could have a go hand pulling one in to see what its like?

Edit* spelling and lazy fingers

 

[Cactus Sailing]

As can be seen above, there seem to be more opinions on 'the best anchor' than there are boats to hang them on. There's little that's definitive that most can agree, other than that the newer designs are probably more convenient and effective than the older ones. They're also often much more expensive.

One parallel is the range of available choices of car makes and models..... Jaguar vs Mazda vs Merc vs........

And is the anchor of choice intended for use, or for marina-berth posing? If the latter, then large, polished stainless steel seems to be favourite, with the make/price sticker still intact!

There seems little point in discarding an anchor that is otherwise satisfactory and still giving good service e.g. changing your CQR for a Rocna or Spade. Many would agree that one ought to have more than one anchor/rode available, and that the second one should be of a different type, optimised for different conditions.

I no longer have the 65lb Folding Fisherman I bought at a So'ton Boat Show as being ideal for scything through kelp and other dense weed... it's easier to go find a better spot! There are those who reckon that the Fortress is a superb anchor in mud and sand - I do - and it has the benefit of being easily handleable, demountable and stows easily in a sleeve-bag.

These seem to change hands, virtually unused, for little money.... and one Fx-23 was sold yesterday for just £30!

Many would agree that, for sound sleep at night, much more depends on 'where' and 'how' the anchor is set than 'what type'. And the wind/waves situation matters. Here's some choice favourites - Salcombe/Upper Harbour, Cawsand Bay, River Lynher, Truro River, St Helens Pool.... experience tells me that a CQR anchor functions satisfactorily in all these places, as does the FX-16, and Spade, and probably most of the others mentioned.

thanks Zoidberg, perhaps i should consider keeping the CQR and get something supplementary. as i stated above with so much conflicting advise its hard to know whats good advice if that makes sense?

the areas you mention are indeed regulars places of mine

 

[GHA]

Thanks Zoidberg

That puts everything in perspective

Clive

His post would be completely at odds to the thoughts of the majority of cruisers living on the hook.

 

[Pye_End]

They're also often much more expensive.

CQR price (new) v's Rocna price is at odds your comment.

Mind you, there are plenty of very cheap second hand CQRs. I wonder why.....

 

[coopec]

This comparison was prepared my Mantus Marine so keep that in mind!!!!




https://www.mantusmarine.com/mantus-anchor-knowledgebase/anchor-choice/

Clive

 

[doug748]

i like the idea of a rocna, but i wonder if i could have a go hand pulling one in to see what its like?

I would not bother, If it sticks you just motor over it.

In deep water, pulling up 20 metres of 8mm chain with 10 or 15kg on the end is doable, at least at your age and probably for the next 30 years. This is probably your worst case, as we all like to anchor in shallow water if possible.
Happily, pulling your boat up to her anchor is the same whatever you have on the end.

 

[Quandary]

I have owned the following anchors, genuine CQR, then another CQR, (the first is still on the bottom of Tarbert harbour). Then a 22kg genuine Bruce used as a mooring anchor for a 26' boat. Another CQR backed up by a Bruce kedge, next boat also had a CQR/Bruce combination (Sigma 33 then 38 OOD rules) I used to use the 22kg Bruce in preference to the CQR when cruising the Sigma 38 and it never let me down. Then a Manson Supreme/Delta combination, current boat had a Spade with a Delta kedge, I also have a claw ( bruce copy) which is never used. All used with around 30 m. galv. chain usually 8mm.

My experience of them; - the CQRs were extemely hard to set in thick weed like Canna or Craighouse, the big Bruce once set was entirely reliable both for a whole summer in Belfast Lough and later as a cruising anchor for a 38' boat, it was easy to raise at the end of the season using the 26' Trapper moored to it. The Manson Supreme did not impress as much as I had hoped, little to choose between it and a Delta of similar weight, in Tobermory the Supreme was dragging through the mud, changed for the Delta which did not, it was in the designated anchoring area near the waterfall so the bottom would have been well ploughed. The Spade is the proverbial doggies doodas, gives enormous confidence and is much easier to handle and stow than any of the others, I resented the price which is a ripoff but the extra sleep is compensation, it is a bit heavier than the recommendation 15kg.instead of 10. When I was buying it I was tempted by the background of the Knox but then I saw one on the front of a boat with a lot of rusty edges, the owner said it was 2 years old and had not been that heavily used.

 

[Quandary]

Is it not puzzling that every anchor comparison chart somehow manages to favour the producer that publishes it?
The Mantus one is quite subtle compared to some, even conceding robustness to the CQR.

 

[noelex]

Is it not puzzling that every anchor comparison chart somehow manages to favour the producer that publishes it?

This observation also applies to every anchor test paid for by an anchor manufacturer.

 

[Neeves]

Is it not puzzling that every anchor comparison chart somehow manages to favour the producer that publishes it?
The Mantus one is quite subtle compared to some, even conceding robustness to the CQR.

I've never seen any quantified data on a Mantus?

There are plenty of charts produced by magazines who, presumably, have no axe to grind. SAIL and YM from 2006 (sponsored by West Marine) and a whole host since (Voile et Voileurs). Manson had most of them as attachments on their website - though I have not looked recently.

More recently media interest has waned - thus missing the newer introductions, Knox, Mantus and Vulcan.

Jonathan

 

[Neeves]

When I was buying it I was tempted by the background of the Knox but then I saw one on the front of a boat with a lot of rusty edges, the owner said it was 2 years old and had not been that heavily used.

Knox Anchor have changed their galvaniser since then. I think the new galvaniser was introduced this year, but it might have been back end of 2017.

Jonathan

 

[NormanS]

Having looked at the Poll, I have to ask the OP, did he really mean "new generation, ie Rocna", or did he mean "new generation, eg Rocna"?. To my certain knowledge there are now many anchor designs which claim to be "new generation", and it would seem a bit unfair to exclude them. Unless, of course, he is aka Peter Smith.

 

[prv]

Personally I feel much happier with my oversized Spade

I think the operative word here is "oversized". Someone once asked the question, "How will I know if my ground tackle is big enough?" One of the answers was, "When everyone else in the marina is laughing at you".

Some truth in that - I basically downloaded their cardboard-mockup sheets (brilliant concept), made up three different sizes, and chose the biggest one that would fit through the bow roller and not foul the jib furler.

Size alone won't help with the setting though, which I think is a particular strong point of the Spade since all new anchors hold very well once set. The Spade just loves to dig - mine tried to cut through my living room rug and set itself in the floor

Pete

 

[Cactus Sailing]

Having looked at the Poll, I have to ask the OP, did he really mean "new generation, ie Rocna", or did he mean "new generation, eg Rocna"?. To my certain knowledge there are now many anchor designs which claim to be "new generation", and it would seem a bit unfair to exclude them. Unless, of course, he is aka Peter Smith.

Rocna as an example, i have no links with Peter Smith other than im envious of his journeys.