Newby anchoring question

[Brian@Fortress]

Rocna vs. Sarca

Much more fun to create a bit of drama though isn't it?

Since Craig of Rocna likes drama and videos on beaches, please see this short video below in which an Australian brand called the SARCA, which they copied, out-performs the Rocna:

 

[craigsmith]

Try the one where they show the Sarca on its own beating both a Rocna AND a Manson knock-off at the same time - it's fantabulous!

Maybe you could make one too Brian.

Then, once you're done with trickery and fraud, try some independent and verifiable testing.

www.petersmith.net.nz/boat-anchors/new-gen-boat-anchors-explained.php
www.petersmith.net.nz/distributable/sarca-anchor-magazine-reviews.pdf
www.petersmith.net.nz/boat-anchors/independent-performance-testing.php

 

[Brian@Fortress]

Rocna vs. Sarca II

I don't know much about the SARCA, but wasn't that an older model in the West Marine / Sail magazine test from 2006?

Here is more recent test independent test from the Nov. 2009 issue of Sailing Today with the SARCA Excel out-performing a Rocna and Manson as well. Maybe I took a dumb pill today, but this sure does not look like trickery or fraud to me:

http://www.anchorright.com.au/downloads/Sailing-Today-November-2009-Anchor-Test.pdf

Sailing Today were sure not very kind to the Rocna or Manson in that test write up: "A downside to scoop anchors with roll bars can be compression of the seabed into the scoop - if the anchor were to drag it can't be re-set without being cleaned."

The picture on page 2 illustrated their point, and I don't think you can argue with it.

Brian
Fortress Marine Anchors

 

[PaulGooch]

<snip> and I don't think you can argue with it.

Brian
Fortress Marine Anchors

Wanna bet

 

[Brian@Fortress]

Wanna bet

Good point Paul!

If the Almighty gave Craig a choice of heaven if he admitted Rocna's flaws, or hell if he wouldn't.....then I'd bet Craig would be out quickly stocking up on suntan lotion.

The good news for Rocna is that while their anchor got smoked by one of the SARCA anchor, which Rocna first copied.....at least they beat Manson, who copied them.

 

[craigsmith]

Ah you found another red herring! Congratulations.

That's the write-up from (seemingly rather nationalistic) Australian Jon Neeves, whose first edition of his article claimed the Rocna was made in Taiwan (false), that the Australian SARCA had SHHP classification (false), amongst a littany of other inaccuracies - all after mysteriously 'buying' the new Sarca Excel anchor before it was available to the public, in turn after hinting strongly that Rocna's gift of a discounted anchor to him (refused) would be in their interest...

Isn't the presence of all those photos of shiny Sarca products nice?

So if it's not obvious, the Australian "test" that that article covers, is simply Sarca's own set of demonstrations, which appears to have either fooled or corrupted the freelance author in question. The whole thing is a convincing and successful press campaign by Sarca. If I had no ethics I would be envious.

As to the Excel, it is a Delta copy/variant. To expect it to out-perform the genuine Delta significantly is unrealistic and its variations are only likely to compromise the design in ignorance of the original inventors' intent.

 

[MapisM]

Yawn... The whole thread is about a situation where a brick would suffice, remember?
That aside, even when anchoring requirements are tougher, I still don't get all the hype about anchor shapes.
I've used the marine equivalent of bricks - Union anchors - for ages, with a pretty heavy boat, and in some hairy conditions, with no problem whatsoever.
Rocna, Sarca and so forth can rest assured that I for one will never spend one more penny for their supposedly high tech products...

 

[Brian@Fortress]

Craig, I did sense just a tad of bias towards the Aussie product in the write up.

MapisM, if a brick isn't handy, may I suggest a coffee can full of cement? Be sure to get a metal can and not one of the cheap plastic versions they now sell in the grocery stores.

Be safe,
Brian

Fortress Marine Anchors

 

[craigsmith]

Or a Fortress. After all they will fit in a hawsepipe happily. Won't look quite as traditional though.

 

[fergie_mac66]

For a temporary fishing anchor you could get a chunk of 6" diam steel bar with half a link of chain welded to it from a scrappy for a few quid. It should be about as heavy as you can manhandled on the boat. You WILL need chain for at least 3m (6m is better) to prevent the rope chafing on sea bed rocks. It will be unreliable for overnighting, but as a picnic/ fishing weight it will be cheap & work fine - & it will never get stuck, but it may drag in bad weather/ strong tides.

Sounds like a plan!

I have a 56pound weight scale weight that I scrounged off a market trader for nothing , which i have as rock weight for lunch stops or as an anchor chum! Its a a pain to pull up though!

 

[Searush]

Sounds like a plan!

I have a 56pound weight scale weight that I scrounged off a market trader for nothing , which i have as rock weight for lunch stops or as an anchor chum! Its a a pain to pull up though!

I actually got one made up as described, by the local blacksmith, to act as an angel in extremis. Probably used it twice in 30 odd years, shackled to the bitter end of the 100' chain & followed by up to 200' of 20mm nylon rode. By keeping the rope short, she mostly swings to the weight, and the weight will lift & stop snubbing if there are big shock loads. But as you say, hard work to lift it all up again.

They use them on the Broads - call 'em mud weights. Don't get such big tides or waves on the broads tho.

 

[hlb]

Sounds like a plan!

I have a 56pound weight scale weight that I scrounged off a market trader for nothing , which i have as rock weight for lunch stops or as an anchor chum! Its a a pain to pull up though!

I have a fortress anchor I keep in the stable. I think my plough looks far smarter.