Best Value For Money New Generation Anchor

[C08]

Through a succession of boat, home, dogs, health and other family crises we will not be able to sail at all this year so to cheer myself up I will get a new anchor to replace my 15Kg Delta. Now the Delta has 99% of the time been fine and the couple of times it dragged in about a dozen years were really my fault (one trying to anchor over thin layer of sand over flat bedrock and the other time I was too idle to bed it in properly and picking up lots of weed as it dragged it was never then going to set) but I fancy a new anchor anyway.
So which of the main contenders offer the best value for money. Rocna, Spade, Manson, Knox etc in the 12-16kg weight range and where can these best be purchased? Another consideration is whether any of these has poor galvanising as I have enough rust marks on my deck without adding to these?

 

[robertj]

Through a succession of boat, home, dogs, health and other family crises we will not be able to sail at all this year so to cheer myself up I will get a new anchor to replace my 15Kg Delta. Now the Delta has 99% of the time been fine and the couple of times it dragged in about a dozen years were really my fault (one trying to anchor over thin layer of sand over flat bedrock and the other time I was too idle to bed it in properly and picking up lots of weed as it dragged it was never then going to set) but I fancy a new anchor anyway.
So which of the main contenders offer the best value for money. Rocna, Spade, Manson, Knox etc in the 12-16kg weight range and where can these best be purchased? Another consideration is whether any of these has poor galvanising as I have enough rust marks on my deck without adding to these?

CO8
if you have had good service from you Delta why change?
I have a Rocna and I'm very pleased with it especially when getting caught one night on a lee shore in the Rade de Brest it just dug in and we never moved an inch it seemed.

 

[MM5AHO]

A Delta is really a CQR with the swivel missing. So still 1930's technology in a way.
The choice of a new generation anchor is bewildering. Anchors are something that everyone claims they have the best of. Very few people say that they own a rubbish anchor. Even owners of fisherman's and CQRs swear by them

But who would buy a brand new lifejacket using the 1930s design models?

Re galvanizing:
Knox Anchors is run by someone with >20 years experience in galvanizing.

 

[C08]

Well the newer generation anchors fairly consistently perform better in tests than the "2nd" generation anchors such as the Delta. When one compares the fluke areas which are higher on the later anchors and the way that the Delta has a backwards facing angle of the flukes which looks more capable of dragging when in extremis rather than the flat or concave face of the flukes on the Rocna, Spade etc. Too much evidence to ignore but they are expensive so got to get the best deal!

 

[Iliade]

I have found my CQRs to offer the best value for money for a New Generation anchor ;0)



Actually, where I live and sail, a Fortress* is mostly pretty amazing. YMMV. It has been a revelation to me that I don't need miles of heavy ground tackle, just a lightweight paperclip and some stretchy string.

* Hardly New Generation though.

<devils_advocate>
I also find my kapok Mae West's surprisingly buoyant too, even after they have been shredded by the guard wires as the crew fell overboard.
</devils_advocate>

P.S. I'm not aware of a galvanising technique for aluminium.

 

[Sybarite]

Through a succession of boat, home, dogs, health and other family crises we will not be able to sail at all this year so to cheer myself up I will get a new anchor to replace my 15Kg Delta. Now the Delta has 99% of the time been fine and the couple of times it dragged in about a dozen years were really my fault (one trying to anchor over thin layer of sand over flat bedrock and the other time I was too idle to bed it in properly and picking up lots of weed as it dragged it was never then going to set) but I fancy a new anchor anyway.
So which of the main contenders offer the best value for money. Rocna, Spade, Manson, Knox etc in the 12-16kg weight range and where can these best be purchased? Another consideration is whether any of these has poor galvanising as I have enough rust marks on my deck without adding to these?

Consider value. How much does a top of the range anchor cost in relation to the value of your boat? Probably peanutrs. So why not get the best anchor available and sleep easy at nights.

For me that would be a Spade which consistently comes out on top in comparitive tests in France.

However there is little between Spade, Rocna, Brittany Roc, Manson Supreme, Bügel etc.

There is also a bolt on adapter (Stop-Ancre) you can get for flat anchors that ups their performance to the level of the others. It involves boring a hole in the "shoulders" of the anchor and bolting on flanges which make the anchor act as a new generation one for a fraction of the price. (€79 for the full kit)

There is an article about them in this month's (Oct) Voile Magazine.


https://www.bateaux.com/article/25461/stop-ancre-fin-ancres-plates-derapent
,

 

[Kwik Decision]

I replaced a 10 kg Delta with a 10 kg Rocna a few years ago, and found the Rocna significantly quicker and easier to set, and once set, it really doesn't budge. However I've not tried any of the other new gen anchors to compare.

If you want a particularly low cost new gen anchor, I saw Boat Gear Direct were advertising a Rocna copy in this months All at Sea, at £79 for the 15 kg one, however, I've just looked on their web site, and it isn't listed. I wonder if Rocna's lawyers have been in touch?

 

[MM5AHO]

P.S. I'm not aware of a galvanising technique for aluminium.

No, aluminium cannot be galvanized. Galvanizing is an alloying reaction between zinc and iron.
But aluminium also "rusts", and forms a white oxide powdery stuff, which won't show so much especially on a white boat. Zinc forms a similar coloured oxide. Its that oxide that really does the protection in both aluminium and zinc. (and several other metals)

 

[Kwik Decision]

I have found my CQRs to offer the best value for money for a New Generation anchor.

Presumably that's because you already own them. However if buying new, genuine Lewmar CQRs are eye wateringly expensive: a 16 kg is on Force 4s website at a reduced(?) price of £745. A 15 kg spade (£524) or Rocna (£350) are far cheaper.

 

[The Old Man]

Through a succession of boat, home, dogs, health and other family crises we will not be able to sail at all this year so to cheer myself up I will get a new anchor to replace my 15Kg Delta. Now the Delta has 99% of the time been fine and the couple of times it dragged in about a dozen years were really my fault (one trying to anchor over thin layer of sand over flat bedrock and the other time I was too idle to bed it in properly and picking up lots of weed as it dragged it was never then going to set) but I fancy a new anchor anyway.
So which of the main contenders offer the best value for money. Rocna, Spade, Manson, Knox etc in the 12-16kg weight range and where can these best be purchased? Another consideration is whether any of these has poor galvanising as I have enough rust marks on my deck without adding to these?

Google ULTRA ANCHOR 12 KG. Needs really deep pocket!

 

[PetiteFleur]

I've got a Manson Supreme which is excellent, digs in every time unlike the CQR lookalike it replaced. I also have a Fortress as a kedge which is also excellent and was used several times when I got fed up with the lookalike.

 

[GrahamM376]

I've got a Manson Supreme which is excellent, digs in every time unlike the CQR lookalike it replaced. I also have a Fortress as a kedge which is also excellent and was used several times when I got fed up with the lookalike.

You took the words out of my mouth! However, not having used the other modern anchors, I can't claim the Manson is the best but, have no intention of replacing it.

 

[LiftyK]

I replaced my Delta with a Mantus. It bites every time. Good price as I bought it in Texas, where it is made, when the pound was a little stronger. As it bolts together it came home in my suitcase and took half my weight allowance. I am very pleased with my Mantus and it still appears to be relatively good value compared to other new generation anchors.

 

[jordanbasset]

Kobra 2, performs well in most tests, better than many more expensive anchors in many of them at a fraction of the cost.
Some suggestion the shank may not be such high spec as some anchors but not had a problem with ours in either our current boat or previous one.
In the real world the people who have them fitted are mostly very pleased with their performance.

 

[Kelpie]

Kobra 2, performs well in most tests, better than many more expensive anchors in many of them at a fraction of the cost.
Some suggestion the shank may not be such high spec as some anchors but not had a problem with ours in either our current boat or previous one.
In the real world the people who have them fitted are mostly very pleased with their performance.

However as a delta type design it doesn't fit most people's definition of 'new generation'.

 

[Neeves]

I replaced my Delta with a Mantus. It bites every time. Good price as I bought it in Texas, where it is made, when the pound was a little stronger. As it bolts together it came home in my suitcase and took half my weight allowance. I am very pleased with my Mantus and it still appears to be relatively good value compared to other new generation anchors.

Mantus are made in China.

As mentioned earlier if you want to save weight, look at a Fortress (best bought in America, where they are made, if you happen to be visiting) or an alloy Spade.

 

[Neeves]

It would be difficult to distinguish between the performance of any modern anchor in sand (including Fortress). Much of the choice come down to personal preferences (call it emotion) and whether it fits. Then price - and availability.

Fitting is a big issue - roll bars can get in the way. Most anchor makers provide dimensions so you can make a cardboard cut out and actually try for size and fit. Most bow rollers and bow fittings are designed on the basis of using a Delta/CQR - if a Delta fits then so will a Spade and Kobra. Check shank lengths and position of your windlass.

In weed and pebbles/stones then Spade and Kobra are better (no roll bar to impede burying), in thin muds and very soft sand Fortress is better.

Knox has been getting some good reviews recently - is made in Scotland and (as mentioned) a professional galvaniser and metallurgist (with access to galvanising plant) is part of the team. If you are intrigued, worth a telephone call.

Your choice, in no order is: Spade (alloy or steel), Rocna, Supreme, Knox, Fortress (alloy only), Kobra and Mantus. Both Mantus and Kobra have had strength issues, fluke and roll bar for Mantus and shank for Kobra - and they are the cheapest (you get what you pay for?). Mantus tends to set shallow. Spade and Mantus can be dismantled (easier to store if you do not want to leave on a bow roller). Fortress (also demountable) have an excellent, no questions asked, policy for parts. Knox are local, if you live in the UK.

Most anchors are now made in China, excepting Spade (Tunisia), Knox, Scotland, Fortress, America and Supreme, NZ. Interesting that despite the vast range of anchors most of the quality anchors are made outside China (excepting Rocna, Mantus, Kobra and Delta, and really only Rocna is the only China made one with no major criticisms)

I have tried 15kg versions of all of the anchors - and they are all acceptable in sand - it comes down to, whether you anchor in weed/stones/thin mud; then emotion and (for some) cost.

But - no anchor is perfect.

 

[jordanbasset]

However as a delta type design it doesn't fit most people's definition of 'new generation'.

Interesting you mention Delta, the boat I bought had a 16 kg one already fitted. Thought I would see how it went and on more than one occasion I had difficulty getting it to set. Decided to bite the bullet and bought a 14 kg Kobra, (a lot cheaper than the Delta) which proceeded to set first time in those places I had difficulty with the Delta.
Not that concerned with labels, just with what works

 

[Resolution]

It would be difficult to distinguish between the performance of any modern anchor in sand (including Fortress). Much of the choice come down to personal preferences (call it emotion) and whether it fits. Then price - and availability.

Fitting is a big issue - roll bars can get in the way. Most anchor makers provide dimensions so you can make a cardboard cut out and actually try for size and fit. Most bow rollers and bow fittings are designed on the basis of using a Delta/CQR - if a Delta fits then so will a Spade and Kobra. Check shank lengths and position of your windlass.

In weed and pebbles/stones then Spade and Kobra are better (no roll bar to impede burying), in thin muds and very soft sand Fortress is better.

Knox has been getting some good reviews recently - is made in Scotland and (as mentioned) a professional galvaniser and metallurgist (with access to galvanising plant) is part of the team. If you are intrigued, worth a telephone call.

Your choice, in no order is: Spade (alloy or steel), Rocna, Supreme, Knox, Fortress (alloy only), Kobra and Mantus. Both Mantus and Kobra have had strength issues, fluke and roll bar for Mantus and shank for Kobra - and they are the cheapest (you get what you pay for?). Mantus tends to set shallow. Spade and Mantus can be dismantled (easier to store if you do not want to leave on a bow roller). Fortress (also demountable) have an excellent, no questions asked, policy for parts. Knox are local, if you live in the UK.

Most anchors are now made in China, excepting Spade (Tunisia), Knox, Scotland, Fortress, America and Supreme, NZ. Interesting that despite the vast range of anchors most of the quality anchors are made outside China (excepting Rocna, Mantus, Kobra and Delta, and really only Rocna is the only China made one with no major criticisms)

I have tried 15kg versions of all of the anchors - and they are all acceptable in sand - it comes down to, whether you anchor in weed/stones/thin mud; then emotion and (for some) cost.

But - no anchor is perfect.

Have you tested the Ultra, which I think is made in Turkey?

 

[noelex]

I have been looking at how anchors perform underwater for many years and I am still amazed by the vast difference between the excellent designs and the "also rans".

The best performing anchors in my view are the Mantus, Rocna, steel Spade and Manson Supreme. The Ultra is not far behind.

Of the other anchors mentioned in this thread :

I have not seen the Knox.
The Fortress is a great secondary anchor, but in my view does not cope with change in wind direction very well and is not as versatile at coping with different substrates (although it excels in soft substrates with a constant direction of pull).
The aluminium Spade is another specialised anchor that is best used when the lighter weight is essential (such as kedge).
The Kobra is sligtly better than the Delta and s great value, but in my view it is a long way short of the best performing anchors.

I hope this brief summary of my impression helps.

Photo of a Kobra: