OK, Lewmar Epsilon

If you were a real fashionista you would have bought one many years ago when they were less than half that price. Now a bit old hat as new styles arrive regularly. Or you can ignore fashion and buy on technical merit by choosing an Epsilon and ignore the jokes about the poor finish.
 
Tranona said:
If you were a real fashionista you would have bought one many years ago when they were less than half that price. Now a bit old hat as new styles arrive regularly. Or you can ignore fashion and buy on technical merit by choosing an Epsilon and ignore the jokes about the poor finish.
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I already carry and make use of, three perfectly satisfactory, and very different designs of anchor. Why, other than slavishly following the latest fashion, would I want to buy another?
 
NormanS said:
I already carry and make use of, three perfectly satisfactory, and very different designs of anchor. Why, other than slavishly following the latest fashion, would I want to buy another?
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I know - you tell us every time you enter a thread on anchors so was surprised given that you already had a collection you made any comment at all about the cost of anchors, so thought I might try a bit of humour. Seemingly misplaced.
 
Tranona said:
I know - you tell us every time you enter a thread on anchors so was surprised given that you already had a collection you made any comment at all about the cost of anchors, so thought I might try a bit of humour. Seemingly misplaced.
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My No 21 was my attempt at humour - possibly hinted at with the 😀.
You obviously didn't see it. 🙁
 
So.....it took a long time but long term was a brilliant strategic move.

Move your production to China from, the UK, NZ or whichever western country you choose. Sell the product cheaply - forcing those local manufacturers to follow suit, or close. Don't worry too much about quality. Then up your prices of the Chinese made models.

What's next....... chain?

It will benefit the local survivors - Knox et al.

Jonathan
 
Boathook said:
Just looked at the price of a 15kg stainless rocna. Over £4k ! The mk2 does look good and hopefully has got rid of the hollow roll bar but I'm not changing from my mk1.
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I don't think I have ever seen a stainless Rocna on a bow roller. I don't think this has anything to do with price (nor performance). On reflection - I am probably wrong - maybe if stainless was cheaper I would see more on yachts.

The stainless anchors I do see, and goodly number of them, are Ultras on bow roller of MoBos. Obviously price is not, so, important, nor performance (though nothing wrong with performance) but they simply look .... gorgeous. I don't think I would ever describe a stainless Rocna as .... gorgeous.

I don't see Ultras on yachts, or not of our size - say upto 50'.

Interesting differentiation.

Jonathan
 
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I've always wondered if there's an actual disadvantage in a shiny stainless anchor. Yes, they look good on bow rollers, and I'm sure that they're easier to hose off on retrieval, but in terms of anchoring, these are very minor points.
Once the anchor is down and buried in the mud or sand, I'm very happy for that mud or sand to cling to the surface of the anchor, to help to reduce any further movement.
I don't know, never having used a stainless anchor. Maybe those who have anchoring experience with stainless anchors, might care to comment?
 
NormanS said:
I've always wondered if there's an actual disadvantage in a shiny stainless anchor. Yes, they look good on bow rollers, and I'm sure that they're easier to hose off on retrieval, but in terms of anchoring, these are very minor points.
Once the anchor is down and buried in the mud or sand, I'm very happy for that mud or sand to cling to the surface of the anchor, to help to reduce any further movement.
I don't know, never having used a stainless anchor. Maybe those who have anchoring experience with stainless anchors, might care to comment?
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I think the concept is that rough HDG resists penetration and results in a less well set anchor than a slippery shiny one. I can understand the idea but the corollary is surely that the slippery shiny one drags more easily.

But like you I have no experience of anchoring with a stainless anchor.

Jonathan
 
Neeves said:
I think the concept is that rough HDG resists penetration and results in a less well set anchor than a slippery shiny one. I can understand the idea but the corollary is surely that the slippery shiny one drags more easily.

But like you I have no experience of anchoring with a stainless anchor.

Jonathan
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You could always use an unpolished stainless steel anchor and it would also cost less to make.

If its already polished just have it grit blasted to roughen the surface
 
rogerthebodger said:
Yes but it may stop you losing the boat
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And here I was, thinking to have read all sort of pointless concerns about anchors.
Fearing that a boat could either be lost or saved using the same anchor respectively polished or unpolished is off the scale! :p
 
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In reality a stainless anchor is a bit of a waste of money (it really is just bling) unless the shank is based on a HT duplex alloy, like 2205. Some stainless anchors have 306 shanks which is as useful as the shanks of the bendy shanks saga. Ultra anchors took on board the issues of bendy shanks and have engineered a sensible solution. I'm really not interested in bling and don't take too much notice of stainless anchors but unless the manufacturer mentions that he is using the 2205 alloy - then I would not touch the anchor (unless I was given 3 and then they might make the base for a 'conversation' piece coffee table). 306 stainless has the character of processed cheese - extrudable.

Extending the discussion, a bit, - again the use of an Ultra anchor lacks logic (unless it is for bling) if the chain is a 316 chain (with matching 316 shackles) and not a duplex chain like Cromox. Again I don't take much notice but suspect that most stainless MoBo chain is not duplex.

The redeeming feature is that MoBos are better able to retire to a marina if the going gets tough.

For yachts it is amazing the number of owners who use stainless shackles (or other components) - think swivels or snubber chain hooks - of nefarious origin and without a specification on their anchor gear. Its a contradiction to use a HDG Rocna anchor, or other creditable anchors, and also use 316 stainless in the rode.

There's now't so queer as folk

And an occasion - it would be good if everyone read these august pages

Jonathan
 
So after a year of heavy commercial use, we anchor several times a week as a minimum, the epsilons galvanised finish shows now degradation at all.

We haven't recorded any ROV images, but checked it out a couple of times and it appears to bury well in the sand and shell plus a bit of gravely stuff we have around here.

Theres mud in the river but we have only been up there's twice so not enough info to cast opinion, but it seemed to set well and held both times. It even held when we were anchored with shore lines with the current on the beam for some lifting operations, so we are very happy with our choice.

I'll endeavour to get some images of it set in this year!
 
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