My choice of anchor is . . .

thrown him in the drink

  • yes

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • and tied an anchor to his feet

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    0
As always, thanks for the input. I am not going to rant or offer any advice based on experience (we haven't bought our boat yet and regular cruising ended when dad sold the boat several years ago). But, FWIW I will offer my conclusion.

When we do buy a boat, I will make sure we have an anchor that:
1. sets quickly and easily
2. will set and hold in the largest variety of bottom conditions
3. has a high maximum holding power

I have read a lot of reviews and tests, and read a lot in various forums etc. For those who have and trust their CQRs (or, less likely, other models), I can understand the interia against something new. "It has worked for me until now." or "If it ain't broke don't fix it." Those arguments do have some merit, but they can also result in closed eyes or minds when something new and objectively better comes along.

For me it is a no-brainer. When we get a boat, I will get a new generation anchor. I will buy either a Spade or a Rocna (haven't made up my mind as to which, and am open to other new-gen anchors - will have to do more research) if the boat doesn't come with one.

Why? 1) The reviews and tests consistently point to new-gen anchors being superior in the three qualities I listed above. 2) The forums receive posts from people who say "I switched my CQR / Bruce / whatever for a [new-gen] anchor and I would never go back."

I have yet to see someone say "I tried a new-gen anchor and was bitterly disappointed - I went back to my CQR."
 
Jim, I think that our favorite anchor is the one that we were introduced to when we started sailing and unless we have problems with it, or move to a different class of boat, or type of anchoring, we leave well alone.

Dr Freud would have had fun with it though. Where is the anchor kept /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Its size is the key factor for good performance /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif We give our anchors names such as "Sword", "Spade" and "Supreme". Who ever heard of an anchor called a "Fifi", "Sally", or "Bluebell"? How many lady posters are there in these anchoring threads other than Lady Jessie and I don't think she's a real lady /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

We have become cynical of anchor tests - with very good reason. Very few tests seem to be straightforward and conclusive. Some are straightforward, some are conclusive but none are straightforward and conclusive. We are asked to believe that one lump of metal that looks very much like another lump of metal is so superior as an anchor that it outperforms it by a factor or 5:1 or more.

The vast majority of readers of this forum are Brits and as you rightly say few ever anchor in any serious way. The odd night in Lulworth Cove, Chi Harbour, a lunchtime stop on the Helford or off Cawsand or Osborne Bay in hot weather at Bank Holiday August. Practically any anchor sold by a chandler is going to be OK for those applications - you don't need and advanced anchor if that's what you are doing with it.

Of the cruisers who still believe that CQR and Bruce are the best (or as good as they come) they have learned how to make the most of a bad job and have not had the misfortune to drag. One day they will drag and it will be spectacular. I sincerely hope that they don't suffer injury, damage or loss, but they are going to find it hard to come to terms with the fact that the incident was probably avoidable had they listened to the anchor designers, suppliers, chandlers and thousands of other yachtsmen who have changed over from the old to the new.
 
Do you have wi-fi? I just wonder why you feel so strongly about anchors and are so quick to comment?

We have all chosen ours and wont be changed by so many posts.I tried to look at a ronca but they werent in the French chanderlers shops.

Spain must be realy boreing??I wish i had all the time you have consistantly!!!Now with a woman beside me i have even less time to post!!Today was cool and wet so time.
 
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The vast majority of readers of this forum are Brits and as you rightly say few ever anchor in any serious way.

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Is there a non-serious way of anchoring?
 
Re: Help Choosing - Spade or Rocna

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Most sailing in UK is incredibly crowded, and has been so for some 35 years. So much so that rafting up in marinas and pontoons is now the normal way to stop, and anchoring for most Brits is putting a weight on the bottom for a fine weather picnic lunch.

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Wow that is either good or not. Good to see so many enjoy the water but bad it has got that crowded. We are lucky not to have that issue quite. On a good weekend a couple of the common 1st stop bays do get busy but there is always a smidgen of room to tuck in somewhere. The 1st stop bays are the ones 6-10 miles from town (Auckland city) which you stop at Friday night after leaving work. Here we never marina to marina. Our marinas are the same as car garages, the place you leave your boat while working to get more beer money for the following weekend /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif We always anchor, we have no choice and like it that way. You may find the very odd mooring you can pick up but it is someones and Murphys Law says they will come home an hour after you pick it up.

[ QUOTE ]
I have read a lot of reviews and tests, and read a lot in various forums etc. For those who have and trust their CQRs (or, less likely, other models), I can understand the interia against something new. "It has worked for me until now." or "If it ain't broke don't fix it." Those arguments do have some merit, but they can also result in closed eyes or minds when something new and objectively better comes along.

[/ QUOTE ]

The same thing I was trying to say but put so much better, well done.

Lemain again spot on the money especially the testing paragraph.

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Can I elicit some help choosing between a Spade and a Rocna.

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Whot the!!! Start WW3 again. What a brave question to ask just when everyone was getting along so nice /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Oh well, better get a beer and sit back to watch the fireworks /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

145 and counting
 
Re: Help Choosing - Spade or Rocna

But Irlands not in Europe! Its a large Island hafway accross the Atlantic How could anyone go there buy an anchor??

I mean some where in Europe such as Antibes Rappello or porto Cervo?

Anyway all these anchors that have been mentioned on this thread are NOTHING compaired to the "topgard" a new French anchor if you realy want to sleep well in a force 5 in 6 meters then deploy a topgard. Beats every other anchors!

I saw a 14kg Fortress for 860 euros!! Do anchors realy cost that much today??Who would pay that??

Im cooking for the weekend and Stella left me with a bottle of red another of white and some Red port ive cooked the shellfish ive made the cant spell it! but still have more to do and theres no wine left??Some thingsi can use lemon and sugar or vinigar but how do those of you that are equiped with a woman explain why you "apear" to have taken a glass or two when it was expressly forbiden?

It dident seem such a problen half an hour ago?
 
Re: Help Choosing - Spade or Rocna

There is at least the Irish dude and some outfit in Holland with Rocnas. It will be on their website I'm sure. More places in the EU about to receive some I'm told.

[ QUOTE ]
Antibes Rappello

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That a place or a something you need shots for? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Re: Help Choosing - Spade or Rocna

You just have to smile sweetly - full of innocents (and drink) and bluff it out. works all the time. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

I am off now to try out my new supper dooper Manson Supreme - don't tell Lady Jesse he might get jealous!

Have a good weekend - its going to rain here!
 
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