Delta or Kobra anchor?

[Walnut]

One of the big chandleries are selling KOBRA anchors which look like Delta anchors, for around half the price of the Delta. Does anyone know anything about them? Are they as good as the Delta?

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[alahol2]

Not totally convinced I'd feel happy with the 'collapsible shank' mentioned by one of the chandlers.


<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.troppo.co.uk> Follow the Tightwad Sailor</A>

 

[Joe_Cole]

Either ST or PBO did a anchor trial about 18months/2 years ago. If I remember correctly both of these came out reasonably well. I keep promising myself that I'll get a Kobra as a kedge, but I haven't got round to it yet.

If you have a Plastimo catalogue you'll find them in there.

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[isandell]

We got a kobra as it was the only non-Danforth type that would fit into the locker. When "collapsed" it isn't much smaller, but just enough in our case.

The head will fall and lock in position as the anchor is being lowered. Once set, the locking plates should take no load as the stock bears on the head.

A bit fiddly once recovered to unlock the locking plates, but it's a knack soon learnt.

Ian

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[scarlett]

I've seen a test somewhere where it performed half as well as the Delta. You get what you pay for sometimes. They also said that the folding effect was not worth the complication.

If I wanted a plough the Delta is the only one I would choose. I have just changed from a Plastimo CQR [hopelss ] to an Oceane. So far so good if you are prepared to change the angle for very soft stuff.

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[lindsay]

A year ago I bought a Delta 10 kg as main anchor to replace a 25 pound CQR, after looking carefully at the Kobra, which I eventually discarded because of the moving bit which seemed a bit fiddly. I am very, very happy with the Delta and feel very safe when it is down. I anchor around 100 times a year and make sure it is bedded in well most of the time.

I also considered the Spade as first choice but at the time the availibility through distributors in the Mediterranean was poor and to buy it was just too inconvenient.

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[Walnut]

Thanks all for you input. My feeling is that it is probably better to go for the Delta as I have only heard good about it.

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[bluebosunsmate]

PBO November 2009 (and french test which is identical June 2009) put the Kobra 2 (secured with a bolt) as best value and Delta as mediocre. Best was of course spade! with Bugel Manson 3rd and 4th
kgs in at pulling degrees
1530 v 740 hard sand 0deg
966 v 262 hard sand 70deg
1294 v 361 hard sand 180deg
1263 v 450 Ave hard sand
1058 v 662 muddy sand
1160 v 556 Ave in the 2 type of sea bed

Good v Mediocre When swinging holds
max performance 2nd v 6th position of 11
Ave performance 2nd v 8th
Weak points
None v does not dig in deeply

I thank you, in this test the Kobra2 wins hands down!

 

[vyv_cox]

There has been considerable feedback from Kobra users, several of them liveaboards, indicating that this is a good anchor. It is so similar to a Delta, with the exception of the shank shape, that it would be surprising if their performance was very much different.

Their size recommendation sometimes comes out quite low in comparison with the Delta's, so I would err towards a larger size. Otherwise, if it's half the price I would not hesitate.

 

[doug748]

PBO November 2009 (and french test which is identical June 2009) put the Kobra 2 (secured with a bolt) as best value and Delta as mediocre. Best was of course spade! with Bugel Manson 3rd and 4th
kgs in at pulling degrees
1530 v 740 hard sand 0deg
966 v 262 hard sand 70deg
1294 v 361 hard sand 180deg
1263 v 450 Ave hard sand
1058 v 662 muddy sand
1160 v 556 Ave in the 2 type of sea bed

Good v Mediocre When swinging holds
max performance 2nd v 6th position of 11
Ave performance 2nd v 8th
Weak points
None v does not dig in deeply

I thank you, in this test the Kobra2 wins hands down!

An anchor thread from beyond the grave.

Happy days in 2004 but maybe the golden time of anchor threads has past.

 

[jimbaerselman]

An anchor thread from beyond the grave.

Happy days in 2004 but maybe the golden time of anchor threads has past.

Ahh. The old generation guys have given up? Leaving the angels on a pinhead squabbles to the new generation people, all trying to prove "their anchor" is better in the face of neutral or conflicting evidence?

 

[G12]

I know they're expensive and you may have other reasons for looking at your selected anchor types but the Spade also has a removable shank if that's what you require..... as well as a good reputation.

 

[prv]

I know they're expensive and you may have other reasons for looking at your selected anchor types but the Spade also has a removable shank if that's what you require..... as well as a good reputation.

I would hope that some time in the last eight years he managed to make up his mind and buy an anchor

Pete

 

[G12]

Ahh, hadn't looked at the date......... how did this make it out of the depths after such time?

 

[prv]

Ahh, hadn't looked at the date......... how did this make it out of the depths after such time?

Usual mechanism - new user does a search, finds an old thread, doesn't notice it's old and replies to it. It then reappears on the front pages.

You can usually spot them by the broken formatting (eg <hr width=100% size=1> in the first post) from before the server was upgraded.

Pete

 

[dulcibella]

Getting back from the nostalgia to the Kobra: I replaced my 45lb CQR with a 20Kg Kobra 2 three years ago and am very satisfied - it digs in and holds much better than the CQR, especially on sand. I don't understand the "fiddly" comment - the bolt that holds the spade in the working position only needs to be fitted once and can then stay in place. The only snag is that the shank is cut from plate and is too narrow to sit comfortably on the bow roller without the spade swinging from side. A friend who has an ingenious mind and can weld stainless is making me an "anchor-anchor" to deal with this.

 

[blackbeard]

Beware of published anchor tests. Method, thoroughness and reporting standards vary. The better ones are a good starting point but I suspect that actual experience reported in this very forum are a more reliable guide.
If the PBO/French test mentioned above is the same one as YM Nov 2009, I would be a little reluctant to draw any conclusions from it (I'm trying to be polite!).

Since we have mentioned Delta: another thing to beware of is copies. I have seen copies of Delta offered for sale which lack the tip weight of a real Delta. Do they work? I have no idea but wouldn't buy one! Similar comments for copies of other anchor types.

 

[homer]

We have a Kobra 2 (I seem to recall that there is a problem with the Kobra 1). Selected this over the Delta as, in the tests I saw, it performed better than the Delta. (It was actually more expensive!)
As liveaboards, we anchor much of the time and have been very happy with it.