Rocna will replace any possibly defective anchor FOC

tudorsailor

tudorsailor

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I realise I risk people's ire by starting another Rocna thread. However I was not aware until this week of the implications of the change in Rocna's ownership and their attitude to owners of possibly defective anchors

I have a Rocna anchor that I thought was defective. Previously I could not get a straight answer from Rocna or the english owner of the Spanish company that supplied the anchor as to whether or not my anchor was substandard.

Now I have established that any Rocna agent will exchange an anchor that is thought to be defective without question.

However I have also been told by the new Canadian owners that my Rocna is not from the substandard batch. In addition Rocna have extended their lifetime guarantee to bending as well as breakage, so should I mange to bend my anchor ever, then it will be replaced

I hope that this helps others in a similar situation


Tudorsailor
 
The fudging and evasion continues unabated.

But what will they replace it with?

As far as I am aware, nobody is making Rocnas to the published spec that people thought they were buying.

Which in turn begs the question, what is a defective Rocna. As I understand it no Rocnas have been built to the advertised spec since production in NZ ceased.
 
TudorSailor,

I think you said on another thread that your anchor was purchased in 2010, March

'Spain' received 44 anchors from China shipped in May 09. They received a further shipment of 46 anchors shipped May '10. Uncorroborated shipping documents define these shipments as being anchors made with 420 shanks. A previous shipment of anchors, primarily to Europe, was said to be made with 420 shanks but contained some anchors with a shank that has tested as 355. This early shipment is fully documented and corroborated. Peter Smith on his website says 700 anchors were shipped in the first half of '10 with 420 shanks, they only shipped 700 anchors in the first half of 2010 - so they are all 420 shanked anchors. Based on the shipments it looks as if 'Spain' was selling at a rate of about 40/50 anchors per annum. Sales might have picked up but it would be reasonable to assume anything sold from 'Spain' in 2010 came from the aforementioend shipments.

Not entirely relevant but an anchor bought in Feby 2011 from a chandler in NZ tested as a 420 shanked model and the last known shipment to NZ of 420 shanked anchors was May '10 (possibly the same batch as the 'Spain' delivery).

How CMP/Rocna can categorically state your anchor is not a 420 shanked anchor (or worse) is questionable.

VyV Cox has published a test method for checking the steel used in the shank of an anchor. PM Vyv, he'll fill you in. Its not entirely a sensitive test but it will differentiate between 355/420 (typically 355/450) and 620 (typically 650) and the original spec of typically 790. The test is simple, non destructive, quick and cheap.

If you are suggesting that CMP/Rocna are not accepting your anchor is not questionable, then you are the first to report that they might be drawing a line. On that basis people will need wait till their anchor bends, seems a risky strategy on the part of CMP/Rocna.

Can you update on the threads you have posted on to keep forum members in the loop?
 
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Tudor Sailor:

Have you asked them to replace it, and they have refused because it's not from a bad batch? Or have you given up asking and are now waiting for it to bend.

I'm not sure what you're point is. Are you saying that any owner who wants a replacement can have one, or does it remain at Rocnas discretion?
 
I'm quite willing to buy a used but currently unbent 15kg Rocna anchor, whatever its provenance, for half the original price.

Does anyone think I'll be trampled in the rush....?
 
I think Rocna should have a few hundred but due to their poor advertising of looking for returns they might only have 1 or 2. But they must be worth a try. I have a bent 10kg one - is that any use? and a little 6kg that will bend, if I look at it - you could use them in tandem
 
oldbilbo said:
Is it bent to the right or to the left? That matters, y'know, due to Coriolis in the Northern Hemisphere... :cool:
Click to expand...

There's a rumour coming out of N America, Canada to be precise, that it has nothing to do with Coriolis (and any reference is suggested to simply try to denigrate the brand). The story is that its all due to the 'Geller effect', something to do with the spoon shape. Seems all a bit odd from this antipodean perspective
 
Can anyone tell me as to when production stopped in NZ?
I have a 25Kg Rocna, bought second hand in November 2008 from a member of this forum.
I'm assuming that mine is NZ made and so to the higher/safer specs. All the same, I wouldn't mind to be comforted in this matter.
Good luck to you all.
 
Huttoft said:
Can anyone tell me as to when production stopped in NZ?
I have a 25Kg Rocna, bought second hand in November 2008 from a member of this forum.
I'm assuming that mine is NZ made and so to the higher/safer specs. All the same, I wouldn't mind to be comforted in this matter.
Good luck to you all.
Click to expand...

Your anchor should be an original - with a Bisplate 80 shank.

I'm not sure when NZ production stopped but it was in 2008. The important date is that the first bulk product (apart from one or two units for trials and exhibitions) for commercial sale from China was airfreighted to NZ in Dec 2008 and by ship to, primarily Europe, in Jan/Mar 2009. These first Chinese shipments (Dec '08 - Mar '09) were meant to incorporate Q420 in the shank (typical yield of 455 mpA but one bought in France and subsequently tested was 355 mpA).

If your fluke is fabricated, it will have a weld joining the thicker toe to the thinner rear and a weld in the centre of the upturn of the heel, then it is either from NZ or Canada. (The weld will be a 'bump' in the metal.) All Chinese models smaller than 55kg have cast flukes with the word 'Rocna' and its weight prominently embossed as part of the casting into the upturn of the heel - if you have this embellishment it is very obvious. As far as I am aware Canadian production was only sold in the Americas. NZ production was based on Bisplate 80 for the shank. I have heard that Canadian production used the same specification (as Bisplate 80) for their shanks, which would be ASTM 514a and there has never been a suggestion the Canadians changed the spec. Bis 80/ASTM 514a would typically have a yield of 755 mpA. As far as I know Canadian production continued through 2009 and the first shipments to America, around 200 units, from China were early 2010. These latter were also Q420 shanked and formed the basis for the West Marine 'Specification Advisory'.

If you bought second hand in November 2008 you have a genuine model manufactured to the original specification. The absence of the word 'Rocna' in the casting confirms that it is not a Chinese model.

Relax!
 
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Neeves said:
Your anchor should be an original - with a Bisplate 80 shank.

I'm not sure when NZ production stopped but it was in 2008. The important date is that the first bulk product (apart from one or two units for trials and exhibitions) for commercial sale from China was airfreighted to NZ in Dec 2008 and by ship to, primarily Europe, in Jan/Mar 2009. These first Chinese shipments (Dec '08 - Mar '09) were meant to incorporate Q420 in the shank (typical yield of 455 mpA but one bought in France and subsequently tested was 355 mpA).

If your fluke is fabricated, it will have a weld joining the thicker toe to the thinner rear and a weld in the centre of the upturn of the heel, then it is either from NZ or Canada. (The weld will be a 'bump' in the metal.) All Chinese models smaller than 55kg have cast flukes with the word 'Rocna' and its weight prominently embossed as part of the casting into the upturn of the heel - if you have this embellishment it is very obvious. As far as I am aware Canadian production was only sold in the Americas. NZ production was based on Bisplate 80 for the shank. I have heard that Canadian production used the same specification (as Bisplate 80) for their shanks, which would be ASTM 514a and there has never been a suggestion the Canadians changed the spec. Bis 80/ASTM 514a would typically have a yield of 755 mpA. As far as I know Canadian production continued through 2009 and the first shipments to America, around 200 units, from China were early 2010. These latter were also Q420 shanked and formed the basis for the West Marine 'Specification Advisory'.

If you bought second hand in November 2008 you have a genuine model manufactured to the original specification. The absence of the word 'Rocna' in the casting confirms that it is not a Chinese model.

Relax!
Click to expand...




Thanks for your quick, informative and totally reassuring reply.
I've checked on the details of when I bought the Rocna. This was in November of 2008. the seller told me that it was originally bought in 2007.
The times I have used the anchor I have compared it to my previous anchor which is a slightly heavier true CQR. I have noticed a better bite and hold into sand and mud with the Rocna.
Again, thanks and good luck.
 
Huttoft said:
Thanks for your quick, informative and totally reassuring reply.
I've checked on the details of when I bought the Rocna. This was in November of 2008. the seller told me that it was originally bought in 2007.
The times I have used the anchor I have compared it to my previous anchor which is a slightly heavier true CQR. I have noticed a better bite and hold into sand and mud with the Rocna.
Again, thanks and good luck.
Click to expand...

You are more than welcome. Its nice when there are happy endings! Sleep well at anchor.
 
LittleSister said:
But what will they replace it with?

As far as I am aware, nobody is making Rocnas to the published spec that people thought they were buying.

Which in turn begs the question, what is a defective Rocna. As I understand it no Rocnas have been built to the advertised spec since production in NZ ceased.
Click to expand...

That's right.

Everyone who bought a Chinese Rocna prior to the time when the published specification was corrected has the right to return it. Whether 420 or 620 is not important (contrary to what Rocna would have us believe) - neither corresponds to the specification which we bought. Pipler's took back my 620 Chinese Rocna no questions asked and sold me a Spade to replace it. I'm very satisfied, as the Spade works much better anyway.
 
Replacement

To try and close the loop, here is the text from an email that I got from CMP/Rocna.

Please note that the anchor you have is perfectly safe but it is our policy to ensure that you are a satisfied Rocna customer who will recommend us to your fellow cruisers. That being said we will approve a replacement.

So they do seem true to their word. Now need to sort out getting the replacement while we are in Ragusa

TudorSailor
 
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