Sarca Excel to the test

Hi Rob, have posted some progress reports on the www.sailers.co.uk site.
So far so good, it easily passed the only arduous test I have given it so far - very thick kelp over mud - it found the mud!
I rate Delta anchors highly - I carry three on board - reliable holding, no floppy bits to fall off em, no nuts and bolts, no silly slots to weaken the shank and allow the anchor to pull out if the tide turns, no question marks over robustness - just a nice big lump of anchor and really good value. I have also used some of the Delta copies- Bainbridge I think is the brand on one copy I have on my Longliner - they work well and are even cheaper than the Lewmar original. But things have moved on in anchor design.
I was hoping someone might come up with something a bit sharper and deal with the weakness of the Delta which is a tendency to plough a furrow rather than dig down in certain sea beds. The Sarca Excel may at a glance look like a Delta but it has a tip which curves down and flats on either side. These details and the geometry of the thing make a big difference to the way it performs. The Australian manufacturers (Anchor Right) present their products with honesty and without talking the rubbish some of the opposition use. No anchor will work all the time in every situation and a new Excel is a big investment - the most expensive goody bought for Pleiades in recent years but to coin a phrase -"She is worth it".
Robin
Pleiades of Birdham
MXWQ5
 
I think it's here:- http://www.sailers.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1383

Thanks for the feedback. An anchor upgrade is on our winter list but we have the added 'complication' of a bowsprit on our 35 which rules out the Rocna/Manson/roll bar type anchors. I suppose you can't really put a price on peace of mind. Hoping that the anchor will get more use next season as we are off to Ireland (hopefully).
 
When I first took Pleiades cruising to the North of Ireland I felt it appropriate to upgrade the ground tackle to better prepare for big sea swell in anchorages plus the thick weed or fine sand common in many delightful but exposed spots. I therefore upped the main anchor chain to 120 metres and added a 44lb Delta to two 35 pounders which I felt were a little bit light for a relatively well built lady like Pleiades. Thus well equipped I have never had any problems so I think an investment in heavier ground tackle is certainly worth making, particularly if going west about or on the North coast. So I now carry four anchors with the Sarca Excel of course being the hooker of choice.
I remember once accompanying my brother when he took his little Snappy up from Carrick to Portrush in mediocre weather. We pulled into Red Bay to await a fair tide for Rathlin Sound and also to shelter from a rising wind off the land. By the time we were closing the anchorage the wind off the Glens had become a hooligan and we could barely creep into the bay with the engine going and almost knocked flat at times. Eventually got in close enough for me to lay a very generously over sized anchor and then another one before we felt safe. Funny but up to that night brother used to say that he thought the anchor I had recommended for his boat was way too big!!!
Happy hooking.

Robin
Pleiades of Birdham
MXWQ5
 
Since we took over ownership, we have retired the 45lb genuine CQR (it was the spare anchor) and have stuck with the 20kg Delta on the bow and a large Fortress for the kedge. We will need an anchor(s) that can deal with the East coast of Ireland, NI and the west coast of Scotland, hence asking about the Excel. It does look subtlety different to the Delta which I can see may overcome any of the Delta shortcomings in v soft mud. Better start saving!:o

Rob
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top