JamesGould
New Member
Anyone any experience of delta anchors in a big blow? Grateful for any advice, just had to 'retire' my CQR and want to explore the options.....
Delta Anchors
- Thread starter JamesGould
- Start date
sailinglegend420
Well-Known Member
I'm looking for alternatives too and am impressed by the new SARCA (Sand And Rock Combination Anchor) from Australia that I saw at the boat show. Try: http://www.anchorright.co.uk/ for more info.
Has anybody out there actually used one of these. It's unique design means it doesn't seem to need a trip line.
Has anybody out there actually used one of these. It's unique design means it doesn't seem to need a trip line.
charles_reed
Well-Known Member
Compared to CQR.
Sets quicker, easier to stow -
but doesn't hold as well in soft mud/sand.
In terms of hilding power, weight for weight slightly better.
Sets quicker, easier to stow -
but doesn't hold as well in soft mud/sand.
In terms of hilding power, weight for weight slightly better.
hylass
Well-Known Member
Compared to SPADE:
If they are two similarities between these two anchors, the first one is that they are “boat anchors” :0) and the second one is they are both good modern anchors..
But here stop the comparison..
- The penetrating angle of the Delta is similar to a “spatula”, the one of the Spade has the angle of a “wood chisel”. Guest which will set better??
- The weight distribution on the tip of the Delta is about 25% of the total anchor weight. The one of the Spade is 50% or the double.. Guest which will set better?? (and none of them will need a “roll bar”)
- The holding surface of the Delta is like a plow.. (Holding coefficient 0,5) the one of the Spade is concave (Holding coefficient 1.7) Guest which will hold better??
- if you compare prices, you should compare the price of the Delta with the one of the Océane anchor (similar manufacturing techniques) and guess which is the cheapest??
If they are two similarities between these two anchors, the first one is that they are “boat anchors” :0) and the second one is they are both good modern anchors..
But here stop the comparison..
- The penetrating angle of the Delta is similar to a “spatula”, the one of the Spade has the angle of a “wood chisel”. Guest which will set better??
- The weight distribution on the tip of the Delta is about 25% of the total anchor weight. The one of the Spade is 50% or the double.. Guest which will set better?? (and none of them will need a “roll bar”)
- The holding surface of the Delta is like a plow.. (Holding coefficient 0,5) the one of the Spade is concave (Holding coefficient 1.7) Guest which will hold better??
- if you compare prices, you should compare the price of the Delta with the one of the Océane anchor (similar manufacturing techniques) and guess which is the cheapest??
davidbains
Well-Known Member
Like you last year I retired a CQR in favour of a Delta.
The performance seems very similar as would be expected.
However I wanted an anchor that would self launch (which it
doesn't always) and live in the roller.
It's not easy to buy a bow roller specifically designed for a Delta
although Lewmar sell them, but I prefer an Italian model ?Osculati
ordered for me by Russell Simpson Marine in Newhaven who were
very helpful. Saw one intially fitted on a Sunseeker in Brighton marina.
In fact most of these rollers are optimised for a Bruce IMHO.
The main advantage of the CQR to me was that it would lie very flat on
the foredeck due to the hinge which otherwise was a nuisance!
The performance seems very similar as would be expected.
However I wanted an anchor that would self launch (which it
doesn't always) and live in the roller.
It's not easy to buy a bow roller specifically designed for a Delta
although Lewmar sell them, but I prefer an Italian model ?Osculati
ordered for me by Russell Simpson Marine in Newhaven who were
very helpful. Saw one intially fitted on a Sunseeker in Brighton marina.
In fact most of these rollers are optimised for a Bruce IMHO.
The main advantage of the CQR to me was that it would lie very flat on
the foredeck due to the hinge which otherwise was a nuisance!
Kangaloosh
New Member
Hi, we anchored overnight in Liscia (Bonifacio Straits) in our last boat (Beneteau First 310) with Delta Anchor + 50m 8mm chain + 50m nylon, all of it out in 13m of water. The wind was force 7 or above for 24 hours and gusts peaked at 56kts, we had sustained F10 for an hour. 2nd most terrifying experience in 5 years of liveaboard cruising. It held.
The biggest threat to dragging, we felt, was the boat shearing and presenting a broadside to gusts. We now fly a very small jib up the backstay when at anchor in strong winds so that the boat stays head to wind like a weather vane.
The biggest threat to dragging, we felt, was the boat shearing and presenting a broadside to gusts. We now fly a very small jib up the backstay when at anchor in strong winds so that the boat stays head to wind like a weather vane.
Swagman
Well-Known Member
I first changed from a CQR to a Delta some years back when they first came out. I found the Delta better in our then local sandy bottom - even when the sand was pretty shallow depth over sandstone.
Had a Bruce provided on last boat and never truly happy with it - found it difficult to set in anything other than soft sand or mud.
New boat was ordered with a heavy Delta and so far it's held us well in strong winds / big waves on a variety of bottoms - but both it and the chain are over-specced for the size of boat. I find that a low cost addition to our safety.
Cheers
JOHN
Had a Bruce provided on last boat and never truly happy with it - found it difficult to set in anything other than soft sand or mud.
New boat was ordered with a heavy Delta and so far it's held us well in strong winds / big waves on a variety of bottoms - but both it and the chain are over-specced for the size of boat. I find that a low cost addition to our safety.
Cheers
JOHN
Talbot
Well-Known Member
Agree, anchor and chain at least one size larger than recommended = good nights sleep.
charles_reed
Well-Known Member
and an hernia
the following morning lifting the lot.
Unless you've got an electric winch.
the following morning lifting the lot.
Unless you've got an electric winch.
Swagman
Well-Known Member
Re: and an hernia
[ QUOTE ]
the following morning lifting the lot.
Unless you've got an electric winch.
[/ QUOTE ]
I actually only lift the portion between the sea bottom and the boat at any one time. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
JOHN
[ QUOTE ]
the following morning lifting the lot.
Unless you've got an electric winch.
[/ QUOTE ]
I actually only lift the portion between the sea bottom and the boat at any one time. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
JOHN
jeremyshaw
Well-Known Member
The Delta is a good anchor, but I am a Spade man myself. I've been sat in an anchorage with friends whose Delta has dragged in soft mud and we've had no problems. Dont' get an aluminium spade though. I keep one as a kedge, but found it less good as a primary. I've never met cruisers who were not very pleased with their steel Spades.
NevH
New Member
I have a locker full of anchors, all recommended, I have a 13 Mtr Cat, high windage, and I can confidently recommend the Delta anchor to be the best all-round anchor in my experience as a long distance cruiser. In high blows and spinning around the anchor, she just dig's in deeper and deeper. Have a good windlass or have a good work out when lifting.
