Rocna Style Anchor or Delta?

[Dellquay13]

20kg is right for your size. I was in a similar situation to the OP and chose a Lewmar Epsilon, partly becaue it fits neatly on the roller and partly because it was half the price of a Rocna. No regrets after learning it doesn't like seagrass. I use it with 60m of 10mm chain and a bridle. Never feels like it's too much for 10t of boat.

I'm with others who say don't skimp on the anchor. Plenty of easier spends to delay or avoid.

I too bought a Lewmar Epsilon. It’s a new generation anchor rated SHHP by Lloyds, but at the price of some copies.
The cosmetic finish is rubbish, it looks like it was made by an apprentice, but it holds firm. That’s the important bit.

 

[Laysula]

I love a good anchor debate.

 

[Dellquay13]

I love a good anchor debate.

 

[lustyd]

If you’ll genuinely be all over the UK then it’s worth understanding the downsides of roll bars on anchors, which have fallen out of fashion. In ideal conditions they work great but they can pick up rocks and other debris which will prevent setting.
I’m not saying go for the Delta, many modern designs are good, but a Delta will be very reliable and will work in more locations without issue than something with a roll bar. Delta also has the advantage of not being overpriced.
Remember that most folk only ever anchor within 20NM of their home berth so take all advice with a pinch of salt. The UK has wildly varying seabed types. If money is a consideration I’d go Delta and use the difference to buy something like a fortress as a kedge/second anchor.

 

[lustyd]

Also worth adding that a Delta probably won’t require modifications to your bow roller, which quite a few modern designs often do so double check this before committing!

 

[Dellquay13]

Also worth adding that a Delta probably won’t require modifications to your bow roller, which quite a few modern designs often do so double check this before committing!

IIRC the Epsilon is about the same price as the Delta.
It has the same shank geometry to fit bow rollers wherever the Delta fits.
It can have an optional roll bar at extra cost, but the standard model doesn’t.

 

[lustyd]

IIIC the Epsilon is about the same price as the Delta, and has the same shank geometry to fit wherever the Delta fits

Shank geometry isn’t everything. Many new style anchors fit but then the point digs in to the bow. I’m sure others will be fine, I was simply saying to check. Most bow rollers were designed with Delta in mind so those usually work but also worth checking especially if upsizing. Earlier CQR were usually deck stowed and were not shaped to self deploy.

 

[hoppy110]

Thanks for so many reply's. Lots of great info here, I'm leaning towards just getting the Rocna 20kg, comparatively it's not actually the most expensive new gen anchor. I'm tempted to post some of my other issues on the forum and see if everyone can help me shave some money off in other places that might be easier or safer to be more budget minded.

My last question regarding the Rocna anchor is can I use on my current roller? I'm not likely to want to upgrade to this anchor if it means 3-500£ of roller upgrade work as well as the anchor.

These are the only images I have at the moment of the current roller. I've attached the best images I have at the moment as I'm not on the yacht.

If it's going to be substantial costs I'd probably look at buying the Kobra instead.

Here's the current prices of all the anchors (I couldn't find the Lewmar Epsilom in 20kg)

Original rocna 20kg £579 free ship (marine super store)

Rocna Vulcan 20kg £700

Lewmar Delta 20kg £220

Knox 18kg £570 + £60shipping

Plastimo Kobra2 20kg £380 +30 shipping

Mantus M1 20kg £514

Spade 20kg £840

Mansion supreme 20kg £499

 

[Dellquay13]

Shank geometry isn’t everything. Many new style anchors fit but then the point digs in to the bow. I’m sure others will be fine, I was simply saying to check. Most bow rollers were designed with Delta in mind so those usually work but also worth checking especially if upsizing. Earlier CQR were usually deck stowed and were not shaped to self deploy.

The Lewmar brochure says the Epsilon was designed to fit where the Delta fits

 

[hoppy110]

Struggling to actually find the Epsilon in 20kg or even 15kg. Found in 10kg and all the size options in stainless.

 

[bergie]

My last question regarding the Rocna anchor is can I use on my current roller?

Rocna provides handy PDF templates on the website. Print one out and build a cardboard anchor. Easy to test the fit with that:


We went with a 15kg Rocna Vulcan for our 31ft boat, delegating the 15kg Bruce clone that came with the boat as a stern anchor for Scandinavian mooring.

No regrets, though maybe if I was doing this again I'd get 100m of high-test 6mm chain instead of the current 50m of 8mm chain. The setup works fine, but a longer chain would've given more options in some places in Scotland, especially on spring tide.

 

[ashtead]

I assume that the OP has already sort advice/views from westerly owners assoc. if I was to replace our 20kg delta with say a rocna I might see if a local chandlery has one in stock to borrow to try out .dont know location of boat but I guess you could click and collect from marine super store on basis it doesn’t fit if unused it can be returned ? I agree though it’s hard to say without knowing location what might be best and I guess what’s good for say Studland bay might not be good elsewhere so maybe likely areas might elicit more opinions. I would consider some new chain as I guess it might be somewhat old as well.

 

[Greenheart]

I love that Rocna template! Going to cover one in tin foil and carry it, for some oven-ready dock-swinging on my marina-side walks.

 

[Tranona]

Struggling to actually find the Epsilon in 20kg or even 15kg. Found in 10kg and all the size options in stainless.

While the Epsilon would be a good choice it seems to have been withdrawn from sale, maybe because of quality issues with the finish (I have one and it is a bit rough).

As you see many varying views. My take is that the benefits of NG anchors is higher holding power for less weight, so logically you do not need a 20kg, as a 15kg will have greater holding power than old style anchors of 20kg. The many tests which focus on UHP support this - and yet for many weight is still the key determinant! The other properties that need consideration are good setting, resistance to breaking out and resetting. These are generally unconnected with weight but vary according to design plus external factors such as seabed and of cause anchoring technique.

Your boat is within the 15kg recommendation for a Rocna. However not sure it will fit on your roller which has already been modified so best to make a mockup from their drawing to check. However, using the criteria that it is design that is important not weight a Delta 20kg is literally half the price and may fit straight on your roller. According to Lewmar sizing chart, a 16kg is the recommended size for your boat, so a 20kg is "oversize".

The reality is that for your proposed cruising a Delta will be fine. There is a reason why it has been arguably the most popular anchor in the UK for the last 30 years or so. It copes well with most conditions around the UK (see post#20). I have had 2 the first in the Med where it did not like hard mud and particularly sand over solid rock but otherwise fine. Second in UK, mainly south coast mud and sand and never failed to set or hold.

Bearing in mind your budget the best "value" would be a 20kg Delta. It is very difficult to define value on this sort of gear , but to me the question is always what do I get for the extra money?

 

[bergie]

Bearing in mind your budget the best "value" would be a 20kg Delta. It is very difficult to define value on this sort of gear , but to me the question is always what do I get for the extra money?

We buddy boated a bit in the Spanish Rías with a sailboat that carried a Delta.
The anchorages there are generally quite protected with a sand bottom.

Whenever it started blowing a bit more, they had to move to a marina because their anchor didn't hold. A couple of those marina nights would likely pay the difference towards a better anchor.

Of course, marinas are also closer to the bars...

 

[Laminar Flow]

I think it important, at least for us it is, that an anchor hold well in a variety of sea beds and conditions.

We have used our Kobra in Brittany, Holland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Shetland, Orkney, Scotland, Ireland and all around the Brit. Isles. When cruising you can not always choose either your anchorage or the bottom. I have used super expensive CQR all around the world and I know how to make them stick. Regardless, I am continuously gratified by the aggressive attitude of the Kobra. With a CQR, I would frequently have to make up to 5 attempts to get it to hold. In all our years with the Kobra, I have only had to do it once. I also have plenty experience with many various Danforth/flat anchor types which, as I suspect, were designed to sever the operator's fingers, rather than keep a boat in place. I can however recommend the French FOB types, we have one as a kedge, and which seem quite popular with the French live saving services.

The Epsilon did not exactly cover itself in glory in the Panope test series and the ridiculously expensive, stainless Ultra did not cut a good figure either, as it did when the German testers had a go with it in the Baltic.

 

[Supertramp]

I think the key is to have a range of anchors on board if you plan to anchor frequently. That said, I rarely use my secondary anchors, partly because I know the main anchor and rode will hold my own boat plus a neighbour!

I would look at the design rather than the name of an anchor - the Epsilon is quite different to the Delta.

The OP has a 12kg Delta copy which should make an adequate back up. I keep a 10kg CQR and have happily rode out 35knts with 10 tonnes of high windage boat. The important thing is to practice anchoring and understand what works with your anchor and rode.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Hi

First post here, I have read so many posts and this place is a font of knowledge, should have asked many questions already but never made an account haha,

I've just bought my first sailing yacht and I'm looking at upgrading the anchor.

I'm tied between a Lewmar 20kg Delta Anchor
Or a 20kg Chanel Anchor (Rocna copy)

The current anchor is 12kg delta style anchor with no branding on so could be a copy. The surveyor said it's likely very underweight for the boat.

The yacht is a Westerly Oceanranger 38
11.58m
7.2tons

I know a lot of people here seem to suggest that copy's can be a bit hit and miss but I'm on a budget and really don't want to spend £600 as there's so many other bits to upgrade. I've heard a couple of really good reviews about the channel anchor but I'm tempted just to get the delta even though it's an old design as it's properly branded, does anyone have any advice? Ideally looking to spend less than £300

I plan on taking the boat all over the UK but home will be the east coast.

I had a motor yacht before with a Bruce style anchor and was regularly sleeping at anchor and had it slip 3-4 times, I'm pretty sure it was likely user error as I'm not a skilled sailer and lack the experience of setting an anchor well, but I'd like an anchor that could at least have some forgiveness of sloppy work haha.

Thanks.

My 20kg Delta works well on the East coast, 45ft motorboat. I'm a fair weather anchorer, but 700HP + of diesel power doesn't shift it when set.

 

[hoppy110]

Just to stir the pot a bit, now that I've had a lot more info on anchors I found that the delta style 12kg anchor I currently have is actually the kobra 12kg anchor which technically is within the size range for my yacht. But 12kg does seem pretty low and the surveyor commented he thought it seemed underweight.

My next option is to ask a chandlers if I can buy a Rocna to try out on the roller to see if it works. If it doesn't I'm thinking keep the Kobra for now or change to a 20kg Delta.

 

[MapisM]

If you are short of funds you have chosen the wrong hobby (unless you come from Scotland and then you are just careful with money).

A statement that made this umpteenth anchor thread worth cross-reading, for a change!