Kobra 2 Anchor; so far

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

I recently installed a 16 kg Kobra 2 (I also have a genuine CQR as a ketch anchor and over the years I have used a number of different anchors on various yachts)

So far I am impressed with the Kobra 2 as it digs in very easily (hard sand, soft sand, mud) and it appears to hold well. The obvious problem is that it has a long tip and therefore its a bit awkward to handle and store on the bow roller.

 

[oldbilbo]

Good to hear that feedback.

 

[noelex]

Thanks for the report

The Kobra is great value for money. I have been photographing all the anchors I have seen over the last twelve months. It is hard to pick a single example that is totally representative, but in hard sand this photo is typical for the Kobra:

Don't forget to use the bolt. This yachtsman dragged several times. You can see the puffs of sand from the moving anchor:

When the Kobra stopped moving the reason was obvious .

This is a silly operator error not any fault of the anchor, but something to check.

 

[J Neeves]

Captain Fantastic,

With what size yacht are you using it?

It is a very good anchor. I also have one (I brought it back to Oz as checked in luggage), I was not quite so enamoured with its ability to fold and welded it all together.

Jonathan

 

[Rivers & creeks]

I use a 16kg Kobra 2 on a 35 foot 12 tonne sailing boat. It's superb. I agree its folding ability is silly and have added an extra nut.

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

Captain Fantastic,

With what size yacht are you using it?

It is a very good anchor. I also have one (I brought it back to Oz as checked in luggage), I was not quite so enamoured with its ability to fold and welded it all together.

Jonathan

Its a 31 ft heavy yacht. I agree that it does not offer any great benefits by being able to fold it as it does not fully fold anyway, therefore, welding it is not a bad idea.

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

Thanks for the report

The Kobra is great value for money. I have been photographing all the anchors I have seen over the last twelve months. It is hard to pick a single example that is totally representative, but in hard sand this photo is typical for the Kobra:

Don't forget to use the bolt. This yachtsman dragged several times. You can see the puffs of sand from the moving anchor:

When the Kobra stopped moving the reason was obvious .

This is a silly operator error not any fault of the anchor, but something to check.

Good photos and it is good to see the failed one!!

 

[neil1967]

I have a 20Kg Kobra on our Oyster 406 - 40' and 12 tonnes. We haven't anchored much, but so far it has set quickly and held firm. We use 10mm all chain rode. The Kobra is a tight fit on the bow roller, and I am considering moving the roller forward by about an inch to give a bit more clearance.

 

[VicMallows]

I have been using a 16Kg Kobra2 on my Sadler 29 for 3 seasons. Performance has been a revelation compared to previous 25lb genuine CQR. Many would consider 16Kg overkill for the Sadler, but I am more than happy to haul the extra weight for the security it gives. (It needs a bow-roller-extension to fit comfortably on the S29 ..... but so does any other anchor I've tried).

 

[J Neeves]

Interesting there are so many satisfied customers of convex anchors and anchors that might be considered 'undersized', apart from Vic and his Sadler.

It looks a very simple design(apart from the stupid folding mechanism) and is well priced.

 

[ctva]

Another 10year satisfied user of a Kobra 2, 16kg on a Jeanneau 34. Held in every situation I've asked of it in Scottish waters. Except one in Tinkers Hole, in a force nothing when it didn't look pretty on the bottom!

 

[neil1967]

Interesting there are so many satisfied customers of convex anchors and anchors that might be considered 'undersized', apart from Vic and his Sadler.

It looks a very simple design(apart from the stupid folding mechanism) and is well priced.

According to the Kobra sizing table (https://www.jimmygreen.co.uk/item/20/kobra-anchor) I suggest most posters (myself included) are using apparently oversized anchors. The sizing chart indicates 20Kg would be suitable for an 18m yacht, rather than my 12m. I do take the guides with a pinch of salt, but I am happy that a 20Kg Kobra is a suitable replacement for the 44lb CQR that was fitted as standard.

 

[J Neeves]

Neil,

I was not very clear - current trends appear to be to discard the older style of anchor in favour of a newer design and simultaneously move up a couple of sizes. The owners are more than happy as the more modern anchors are better but the performance experience is masked by their having upsized. I was not referring to the sizing charts but to what is becoming increasingly common practice. I do not consider a 20kg anchor for a 12m x 12t yacht to be exceptionally 'oversized' (after all it has almost replaced weight for weight the standard 44lb CQR) - but I would consider, say, a 35kg anchor to be oversized (but not unusual).

Jonathan