Rocna Mark 2

[noelex]

Rocna are apparently about to release a new roll bar anchor that is a development of the original model. Details are very sketchy. It has only appeared in a stainless duplex prototype version so far.

Changes include:

An I"I” beam shank similar to the Vulcan.

A streamlined "foil" roll bar.

More tip weight.

The turned up rear portion of the fluke has been eliminated.

 

[Bouba]

Rocna are apparently about to release a new roll bar anchor that is a development of the original model. Details are very sketchy. It has only appeared in a stainless duplex prototype version so far.

Changes include:

A fabricated fluke similar to the Ultra

A streamlined "foil" roll bar

More tip weight

The turned up rear portion of the fluke has been eliminate

How can they do that without admitting there is a problem with the Rocna Mark one?

 

[Zing]

I like it, they seems to be all logical improvements. Let’s hope pricing is good, but it looks like premium market positioning to me. The duplex stainless should be cheaper than stainless, but I bet it isn’t.

 

[sarabande]

How can they do that without admitting there is a problem with the Rocna Mark one?

In the same way that you would not think of buying a car that was designed 25 years ago, perhaps ? In a progressive company, change is constant. And the earlier version was never marketed as "Mark 1".

 

[Bouba]

Rocna are apparently about to release a new roll bar anchor that is a development of the original model. Details are very sketchy. It has only appeared in a stainless duplex prototype version so far.

Changes include:

An I"I” beam fluke similar to the Vulcan

A streamlined "foil" roll bar

More tip weight

The turned up rear portion of the fluke has been eliminate

View attachment 153934

Did they drill holes in it

 

[NormanS]

Of overwhelming interest to dedicated followers of fashion.

 

[sarabande]

Did they drill holes in it

The devil is in the detail, Bouba. The holes are chamfered so that you can use a rope directly without risk of abrasion rather than having to mitigate with a shackle.

 

[noelex]

How can they do that without admitting there is a problem with the Rocna Mark one?

Every anchor has limitations. We are still a long way from the “ultimate" anchor that might be able to hold at a scope of 1:1, in any substrate and in +80 knots of wind.

The designers of modern anchors have produced significant gains, but it nice to see companies trying to improve their product.

We don’t know what the performance of new anchor will be, but these changes look to be sensible and given the excellent performance of the Rocna Mk1 the expectations will be high.


Reassuringly, the changes have not been made to reduce the production costs. Unfortunately a common reason for companies to release a new model. Both the ””I" shank and "foil" rollbar will be more expensive to manufacture which suggests Rocna have found a significant improvement in performance to justify the extra expense.

 

[Bouba]

Every anchor has limitations. We are still a long way from the “ultimate" anchor that might be able to hold at a scope of 1:1, in any substrate and in +80 knots of wind.

The designers of modern anchors have produced significant gains, but it nice to see companies trying to improve their product.

We don’t know what the performance of new anchor will be, but these changes look to be sensible and given the excellent performance of the Rocna Mk1 the expectations will be high.


Reassuringly, the changes have not been made to reduce the production costs. Unfortunately a common reason for companies to release a new model. Both the ””I" shank and "foil" rollbar will be more expensive to manufacture which suggests Rocna have found a significant improvement in performance to justify the extra expense.

Just as long as they don’t drill holes in it and prove Panope correct

 

[noelex]

Just as long as they don’t drill holes in it and prove Panope correct

Drilling holes in the fluke is an inexpensive step, especially compared to the other changes they have made. Presumably Rocna have tested fluke holes and found it not worthwhile. I think we will have to wait for some reviews and user feedback to see if the new design is effective.

This anchor is new. I am not sure if it is officially for sale yet, but I am looking forward to seeing it underwater.

 

[Kelpie]

Looks like a useful evolution.
We've spent most of the last two years at anchor and have had some surprising results with our Rocna. I think if I were buying new I would go for a Spade.
Extra tip weight is good.
Will that new shank be cast? What will that mean for strength and manufacturing costs?

 

[geem]

Of overwhelming interest to dedicated followers of fashion.

Or those that sail to places other than the West coat of Scotland and understand the advantages of a really good anchor

 

[Kelpie]

Or those that sail to places other than the .West coat of Scotland and understand the advantages of a really good anchor

We used an oversized Rocna for years on the west coast and never dragged once.
Living at anchor for months in the Med was a different story.

 

[Boathook]

If the shank is the same size as the original rocna I will test a 15kg one. Just got to get the boat ready for use first.

 

[Koeketiene]

Did they drill holes in it

That's to ensure it sinks.

 

[Neeves]

The 'new' Rocna looks increasingly like the Vulcan and both look like improvement to the original, Spade. It would be interesting to know why they have removed, or reduced, the upturn at the heel. Morgan's Cloud clogging comes to mind - but there might be other reasons. As the fluke is cast - other than a new mould - makes no difference to manufacturing costs.

Interesting that adding the ballast in the toe, as per Vulcan (and Spade), is the way to go and underlines it is a ballasted anchor. When I was looking at buying our 'new gen' anchor, around 20 years ago, Craig Smith told me that for most usage the roll bar was unnecessary (and I later deduced that the original ballast (that double thickness of the toe of the fluke was insufficiently focussed).

Tests show that the chamfered shank makes no difference to setting - reducing the overall thickness/width (whatever is the thickest part) is the major factor. May be the Vulcan and 'improved' Rocna use the same shank - which would allow better use of equipment.

I am sure the new Rocna will be better, Peter Smith is no fool.

Jonathan

 

[Bouba]

The 'new' Rocna looks increasingly like the Vulcan and both look like improvement to the original, Spade. It would be interesting to know why they have removed, or reduced, the upturn at the heel. Morgan's Cloud clogging comes to mind - but there might be other reasons. As the fluke is cast - other than a new mould - makes no difference to manufacturing costs.

Interesting that adding the ballast in the toe, as per Vulcan (and Spade), is the way to go and underlines it is a ballasted anchor. When I was looking at buying our 'new gen' anchor, around 20 years ago, Craig Smith told me that for most usage the roll bar was unnecessary (and I later deduced that the original ballast (that double thickness of the toe of the fluke was insufficiently focussed).

Tests show that the chamfered shank makes no difference to setting - reducing the overall thickness/width (whatever is the thickest part) is the major factor. May be the Vulcan and 'improved' Rocna use the same shank - which would allow better use of equipment.

I am sure the new Rocna will be better, Peter Smith is no fool.

Jonathan

A lot of anti-Rocna criticism comes from those who don’t like roll bars…now they have ballasted the fluke point…why do they still need a roll bar?

 

[Neeves]

Being flippant.....

Because Rocna has become THE characteristic roll bar anchor and much copied (and successful). People think a roll bar is the sign of reliability and excellence. Even Spade produced a roll bar anchor, Lewmar offer a roll bar as an option (what were they thinking? but meeting market expectations). What was Mantus' first anchor?

Its like buying a red car because red cars are well known to be faster.

Marketing.

Spade led the way, now followed by Excel, Vulcan, Mantus M2

Jonathan

 

[noelex]

A lot of anti-Rocna criticism comes from those who don’t like roll bars…now they have ballasted the fluke point…why do they still need a roll bar?

It will be interesting to see if Rocna have increased the ballast. If they have the fluke area will have to be decreased unless they have saved weight elsewhere. Adopting the more complex shank design of the Vulcan may have saved a little bit of weight, but it is hard to see (from the limited pictures and video) any other areas where savings could have been made.

It is clear that even if they have not increased the ballast they have moved the ballast towards the centreline of the fluke. This is a trick first adopted by Spade and should have some positive effects on setting position.

 

[boomerangben]

Does the market actually need another anchor? I think it is fair to say that the new generation (and some of the older generation) anchors provide sufficient holding when properly set. Most, if not all new generation anchors are tolerant of poor technique. Is this latest offering just milking a market where people will pay good money to exchange their perfectly adequate anchor for one that is a mark 2?