Bugel anchors

[Silverado]

We have just completed a windy week in Sardinia using a brand new Bugel anchor. These are the recently developed German design which is especially good at getting a firm hold on the Mediterranean hard floor. We were very pleased with its performance and especially in its ability to grab such a firm hold quickly. It usually caught first time and when motored back on it physically pulled the bow down every time. The harder you pulled the harder it gripped. In fact the main problem we had with it was breaking it out in high winds. For our stay in Sardinia we had Mistral winds of 25-40 knots continuously.
Of course nothing is perfect and it did break out a couple of times in strong gusts, probably because its fix on the bottom just was worn away. We kept an eye on it with our snorkles and could even see when this was about to happen.
At the end of a testing time we were happy to drink to its health.
Has anyone else tried the Bugel anchor?

 

[BrendanS]

Would love to know how this compares to Rocna, Oceane or Spade in same conditions?

 

[Bejasus]

[ QUOTE ]
Would love to know how this compares to Rocna, Oceane or Spade in same conditions?

[/ QUOTE ]

OMG, now you've gone and done it. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[theforeman]

your not trolling by any chance are you /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[BrendanS]

err, no. I'd actually like to know the difference from people that have actually used them, not from the usual commercial proponents

 

[Ships_Cat]

And the Manson Supreme http://www.manson-marine.co.nz/SitePages/galvSupreme.htm - choices, choices, choices /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif.

John

 

[BrendanS]

suprised no patents to avoid copying previous designs! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Ships_Cat]

The more the merrier for the squabble department /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif.

"Mine's best!". "No mine's much better than yours. IT held on a change of tide in F3 while we stopped for lunch!", "No it's not, won't hold in weed whereas mine sets in 2.45 milliseconds", etc, etc.

I see that GMac is also slyly introducing the subject of light chain versus heavy chain now too.

All goin' to maintain colour for the anchor threads /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif.

John

 

[BrendanS]

stop being sensible. The thread will die in it's tracks if you take those tactics

 

[Silverado]

Granted that it looks very like the Manson and the Rocna but the Bugel is flat with a serious pointy bit which digs like a pick axe. I can't comment on the others because I have never even seen them. During our time in Sardinia we saw only one other Bugel anchor (on a gin palace in Porto Cervo).

By the way I'm not selling anything and if you don't believe me just try to obtain a genuine Bugel anchor.

 

[Sea Devil]

3 different (German) sailing friends, all with considerable experience, all had Bugel anchors and reckoned they were the best in the world. In the Caribbean lots of boats had them and they were considered the best. I write this a life long supporter of CQRs having tried lots of other types - Bruce, Danforth, Fortress(excellent kedge) et al.

If I were in a the market for a new anchor it would be a Bugel.

Michael

 

[crisjones]

We have a 30kg Bugel type anchor on our 42' cat, I made it myself last year with a few mods to the basic bugel design.

The blade on ours is bent down the middle to approx 20 deg to give a concave shape like a Spade and I added a 50mm "tail" to the rear of the blade angled down about 30 deg to improve initial set and promote deeper digging in. Otherwise much the same as the standard Bugel.

Performance so far is brilliant with very quick and secure setting, no dragging and works very well in hard sand and mud, even penetrates weed fairly well but will fail to get through thick kelp at times. I will admit to not having used it extensively so far, nor much above 25knts wind so you could say it has not really been tested in anger, but experience so far gives me no reason to doubt it's ability in worse conditions.

I made 2, the other has a removable shank for easy storage and slightly more blade area but about the same weight - not tested this one yet. Total cost for 2 anchors was £50 for galvanising plus my time - I reckon about 10hrs per anchor.

Sorry not got any pics handy, I will try and post some when I have.

Chris

 

[silver-fox]

[ QUOTE ]
For our stay in Sardinia we had Mistral winds of 25-40 knots continuously.
Of course nothing is perfect and it did break out a couple of times in strong gusts, probably because its fix on the bottom just was worn away. We kept an eye on it with our snorkles and could even see when this was about to happen.


[/ QUOTE ]

No real problem with a Bugel then except when its windy and dark or you are not on the boat to reset it

Bet Bugel won't feature this as a user testamonial......

 

[duncan]

you spotted that too then....... /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

it would be really good to see some photo's of the 'home made' anchors to compare with the current commercial crop. I have a picture in my mind but it's all in the detail isn't it?

 

[duncan]

Brendan - I belive the Oceane is no more, replaced by the Sword.

 

[Pye_End]

Met a Belgian last week in Etaples who said that he had just bought an Oceane in Belgium (ie he had not heard the name Sword for it - but it looked like the same anchor from a brief look!).

 

[duncan]

v similar overall but minor changes to aid set in sand and stowing on a bow fitting. Oceane had a v distinct stock.

 

[hylass]

[ QUOTE ]
he had just bought an Oceane in Belgium (ie he had not heard the name Sword for it - but it looked like the same anchor from a brief look!).

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes possible, from a brief look they could look similar, but they are two different anchors ( the blade is identical but the design of the shank is different) and also the results are completely differents;

 

[Pye_End]

So the Oceane is currently on sale in Belgium even though the Sword is a later and 'upgraded' model?

had a brief discussion with him on how to stowit, as neither of us can stow on a bow fitting. He at least had a well, but I only have a deck. Any advice?

 

[beachbum]

So...

a 5kg anchor isn't the same as a 4kg anchor.

Hmm.

Er... am I not the only one not surprised?