Mantus M2

[Neeves]

An anchor has been withdrawn from sale:

The Mantus M2 has been on the market fort about 12 months now. According to the website it has been withdrawn from sale till mid September. I don't imagine it has generated much interest outside America in those 12 months - but no warnings have been made, no reasons given, not a murmur on American forums.


Mantus Anchors: The best setting boat anchor

the videos look pretty convincing?

Previous champions of Mantus Marine were quick to be critical of (all) other anchors - notable by their absence now.

I had hoped that anchor makers had learnt a few lessons over the last decade or two and tested their anchors prior to releasing them to the public. But - hey maybe they ran out of stock

There maybe A clue to a problem, not necessarily THE problem: Look here

Mantus m2 - Trawler Forum

Post 18

But if this is sufficient a problem to merit a new shank - don't bother telling the customers, yet - its summer they will be all out with the wife and kids overnighting etc etc - don't worry them


Jonathan

 

[LiftyK]

Hi Neeves.

Interesting thread link, thank you. I note the comment suggests it is an accepted issue even if a recall has not been actively published.

“Mantus is aware is of this problem with the new M2 setting in soft mud. They have resigned the shank angle and are replacing them on the first batch. They will send you a new redesigned shank to bolt on your self. Good on them for admitting a flaw“.

While I am here, I will summon the courage to mention something that has been on my mind for some time, knowing that you are not a fan of the original Mantus anchor. On the thread you linked to I see many people do rate the original Mantus anchor.

Here’s my story and use case. At the time I bought my first sailing boat U.K. lifeboats used Delta anchors so I purchased one. It worked well far and wide. When I changed sailing boat to a slightly larger one, the Delta was still rated for that length and it worked fine with one exception. At one popular anchorage on our Isle of Wight, Newtown, the Delta frequently would not set. The muddy bottom must be heavily churned up by the many visiting boats and their anchors.

On a trip to the USA, when currency exchange was more favourable than today, I purchased a Mantus, sized for a 27’ sailing boat. As it packs flat, I was able to fit it in my suitcase. Remarkably, the suitcase survived the journey. For my use case, usually sheltered anchoring in the U.K., my Mantus is superb. It sets first time every time, even in the tricky anchorage where my Delta failed. So like others in the thread you mentioned, and acknowledging my bias as I have one, I do think the original Mantus can be very rewarding even if, as you advocate, it may not be the best choice in severe conditions. There, I got it off my chest...

 

[coopec]

That doesn't inspire much confidence in Mantus anchors If they can design/test/manufacture and then withdraw the design from the market.

I wonder how the old style plough anchor (say CQR) would perform in those conditions?

This even more reason why I should complement my 60lb Plough and 35lb Danforth with a Mansom Supreme 60lb -$740.

I question the wisdom of spending $A1650 for a 33kg anchor Rocna anchor.

 

[Neeves]

Updating the links:

Mantus M2 - Withdrawn from sale? - Cruisers & Sailing Forums

Then China was in lock down, or recovering from same - supplies might have been impacted - no-one could have anticipated the impacts - is there really any reason to be embarrassed if your supply chain did not quite anticipate - so why not say so?

There is another concurrent thread of the same forum:

Mantus M2 - Cruisers & Sailing Forums

Which raises the questions that Coopec asks.

Jonathan

 

[Neeves]

LiftyK

You underline a different issue.

You were quite happy with your Delta, though not so happy as to rely on another Delta and you bought a Mantus (and as we have done when we bought a Kobra and were given a Knox) we brought our anchors back within our luggage allowance. Much easier if you buy a Fortress! It comes in a neat cardboard box!! We did not pack our Knox in a suitcase simply attached a label and the airline looked after it (but then a Knox is bullet proof).

To bring the RNLI usage upto date. The new lifeboats have Spade on the 'foredeck' now.

As I mention - you were happy with the Delta, it performed without issue (except once). Its hold was thus acceptable (most of the time). You bought a Mantus, which I (and some others) contend has a similar hold to a similarly weighted Delta - why would you be unhappy? Its about $ or stg per kg of hold. I fully accept a Mantus sets more reliably and most of the time turns with a change of wind and/or resets. But its hold is similar to a Delta and half that of.....

However you could buy a Kobra (cheap and cheerful - questionable shank), Knox, Rocna, Supreme, Excel, Ultra, Spade and they would all offer the same reliability of setting/resetting BUT offer twice the hold. Admittedly these anchors do not 'demount', except the Spade - but how often have you taken your Mantus apart now you are home? So - its comes down to $/Stg vs hold

My criticism of Mantus is not that it is unsafe but that in today's market its, well, not as good - or cost more per kg of hold.

However (or additionally - and this I really like ) what you underline is that the trend to increase size beyond that recommended by the manufacturer is unnecessary. Your anchor has half the hold, approximately, of a similarly weighted Rocna, you bought the recommended sized Mantus?, so why buy a Rocna of a size bigger than the supplier recommends.

The Rocna (and Spade that replaced the Delta for the RNLI) already has twice the hold that you accept - and you are happy.

Please don't feel worried about posting your experiences with your anchor - your experiences add to the sum of knowledge.


Jonathan

 

[Neeves]

LiftyK

I don't make it up.

Try reading this:

An Inquiry into Anchor Angles - Practical Sailor

Jonathan

 

[LiftyK]

Hi Neeves,

Cars sometimes have bumper stickers. If boats also did, my sticker would be “My other anchor is a Fortress” .

I chose my Mantus as it was the lowest cost way to solve my need for an anchor that sets reliably in the anchorage I visit most frequently. Multiple attempts to set an anchor in a very busy anchorage are no fun at all and may lead to crew stress spoiling what should be an enjoyable outing. I tried my Fotress there two days ago and even that took three goes to stick. For me the need is for reliable setting. Holding power is not an issue for me. And you’re right - once I assembled the Mantus I have never broken it down. I’m fortunate that it will go in my anchor locker if the shank is pointing forward. The lid locks shut over the roll bar, ensuring that my anchor is still there next time I visit the boat.

I read all anchor threads and quite enjoy learning from friendly debate and appreciate your advice to wade in without fear. Therefore I will add that on a past occasion I was one of three yachts once anchored outside of the safe river anchorage in the bay. My two friends had oversized traditional anchors. They both dragged overnight and I did not. Success

 

[Neeves]

One nice thing about a Mantus, and this I am sure is true of some other anchors, is that it is advantageously hydro dynamic. If the yacht from which the anchor is deployed is moving aft (and this would be normal) the anchor will arrive at the seabed the 'right way' round. The heel of the anchor will touch first and the shank will 'point' toward the yacht and the fluke will lie flat on the seabed. There is no need for the anchor to swing round, turn upside down etc in order to be orientated ready to engage. The corollary is also true - if you were to deploy moving forward the anchor will align 'back to front' and when you reverse the anchor would need to re-align.

Your unlucky friends further show that size is not everything.

Jonathan