robmcg
Well-Known Member
The expectation around the Lewmar Epsilon anchor seems to have dissipated. Anyone on the forum buy one, use it and could offer an opinion?
So did anyone buy an Epsilon Anchor and was it any good?
- Thread starter robmcg
- Start date
Ningaloo
Well-Known Member
Yes. Commissioned a new boat in June and swapped the supplied Delta for an Epsilon. Sailed from UK to Sardinia, and once in the Med very rarely used marinas.
We dragged on two occasions, once in 30kts which was due to discarded ropes fouling the anchor. Second time was in a small and crowded anchorage known to have very "soft" sand. We dragged when the wind changed direction. With hindsight I should not have attempted to squeeze into this anchorage.
I previously used a Delta which was generally good other than on weed or shingle, but I used to anchor much less in Northern Europe.
I do feel that the Epsilon sets (and resets) quickly. In many Med anchorages I have been able to inspect the anchor due to the clarify if the water.
All in all I am delighted with it.
We dragged on two occasions, once in 30kts which was due to discarded ropes fouling the anchor. Second time was in a small and crowded anchorage known to have very "soft" sand. We dragged when the wind changed direction. With hindsight I should not have attempted to squeeze into this anchorage.
I previously used a Delta which was generally good other than on weed or shingle, but I used to anchor much less in Northern Europe.
I do feel that the Epsilon sets (and resets) quickly. In many Med anchorages I have been able to inspect the anchor due to the clarify if the water.
All in all I am delighted with it.
Daverw
Well-Known Member
We change our delta last year for the Epsilon, haven’t yet used it much but the times we have was heavy mud, set quicker and held better, so pleased
alan_d
Well-Known Member
I ordered one in April but have yet to receive it, so my expectations have been well and truly dissipated ...
Neeves
Well-Known Member
I recall Panope slammed it, but he also slammed Rocna and rates Mantus highly (which I think a load of hype and rubbish). Ningaloo and Daverw offer the first unbiased comments I have seen (if comments on anchors are ever unbiased). I've not seen one.
A comparison that would be useful would be against Rocna, Spade, Excel - rather than against Delta, Bruce or CQR.
Jonathan
A comparison that would be useful would be against Rocna, Spade, Excel - rather than against Delta, Bruce or CQR.
Jonathan
robmcg
Well-Known Member
There does seem to be a supply shortage - which indicates that they must be selling them in decent numbers. I am surprised that there is little to no real world feedback on the web and on this forum (Daverw now being the notable exception ?).
NormanS
Well-Known Member
Surely a supply shortage doesn't necessarily indicate that they're being sold in "decent numbers". Unicorns are in short supply.......?
npf1
Well-Known Member
I swappEd a Delta for Epsilon of similar size. I’ve only used in in soft mud and in gentle weather conditions to date, so pointless drawing any conclusions yet.
Neeves
Well-Known Member
My guess would be that Lewmar are bundleing the Epsilon along with other components, chain, windlass, hatches to builders of new boats. Simply doing what they did in the past and replacing the Delta with an Epsilon. I'd expect then to see Epsilon on the bow rollers or new yachts at boat shows and in charter fleets.
With Covid I cannot test my guess as we have been unable to travel and have had no boat shows.
There are big issues with getting anything out of China, shortage of containers reduced factory output levels and I'd expect the big customers, rather than the individual, to be give priority.
Terrible timing to introduce a new product.
Jonathan
With Covid I cannot test my guess as we have been unable to travel and have had no boat shows.
There are big issues with getting anything out of China, shortage of containers reduced factory output levels and I'd expect the big customers, rather than the individual, to be give priority.
Terrible timing to introduce a new product.
Jonathan
alan_d
Well-Known Member
What I was told was that a container was delayed in transit from China and when it eventually arrived Lewmar were dissatisfied with the quality of the galvanising and rejected it.
seumask
Well-Known Member
We have a 16kg one on out 37 ft AWB. Anchored most nights for our 2 week summer cruise Solent - Sillies -Solent this summer and all went well with it. Set first time most of the time and when we did anchor in sand I swam over it and could see it was doing what it was meant to. Like all anchoring ensuring there is enough chain out for the expected conditions is what matters most IMHO.
Poey50
Well-Known Member
I know someone who bought an Epsilon as a direct swap for his Delta believing them to be the same size. It wasn't .... and wouldn't sit on his bow roller in the same way. Also he wasn't too thrilled by the quality of the welding. So he sent it back and bought a Spade.
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Neeves
Well-Known Member
A number of members here have admitted to making a mistake with their calculation of scope (the ratio). They have found on retrieval that the scope was not a comfortable 5:1 or better but sometimes an ill-advised 3:1 or slightly less. They have confirmed that setting at 3:1 or marginally less for a modern anchor - in their case, at the time, was perfectly safe - even under arduous conditions. In each case the anchor was a modern anchor and from memory one example included a Fortress. Depths were not exceptional. I am sure this would be a different story if the yacht was veering violently and without a snubber and if you can deploy lots of chain (why not?) but it does appear that modern anchors can be used at much smaller scope than earlier examples.
Jonathan
Neeves
Well-Known Member
Anchor Geekdom
Panope has many supporters
With anchors there are many opinions and one should be aware of as many as possible
Look for the most recent posts at the end of the thread, from December 4th.
It is worth taking note of the comment on 'cobblestones and soft mud'
Few anchors work well in soft mud - and how many people regularly anchor in cobblestones?
(In fact are there many, or any, anchorages of which people are aware that have a seabed composed of 'cobblestones' or loose rocks. On the length and breadth of Australia's east coast we know of one, only and there are sand seabeds in part of the same bay. This excludes bays with coral rubble. I know of none in Hong Kong.
Jonathan
Panope has many supporters
With anchors there are many opinions and one should be aware of as many as possible
Look for the most recent posts at the end of the thread, from December 4th.
It is worth taking note of the comment on 'cobblestones and soft mud'
Few anchors work well in soft mud - and how many people regularly anchor in cobblestones?
(In fact are there many, or any, anchorages of which people are aware that have a seabed composed of 'cobblestones' or loose rocks. On the length and breadth of Australia's east coast we know of one, only and there are sand seabeds in part of the same bay. This excludes bays with coral rubble. I know of none in Hong Kong.
Jonathan
Cdicko
Active Member
Yes lots in Scotland and my Rocna doesn’t like them. It likes most other conditions tho. I fancy a epsilon
to give it a try.
dgadee
Well-Known Member
I presume that, like most anchors, it will set in sand. What I want is one which sets in Med seagrass - the ultimate test of an anchor.
thinwater
Well-Known Member
Seagrass is "a test of an anchor." The most important thing for that is probably a sharpened edge and a lower engagement angle.
Other places, hold in super soft mud may be more important. Or cobles. Or trashy bottoms (no fouling).
dgadee
Well-Known Member
Each of those bottoms has a suitable anchor. I don't think that is position with seagrass. Or tell me which I should buy.
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NormanS
Well-Known Member
Each of those bottoms has a suitable anchor. I don't think that is position with seagrass. Or tell me which I should buy.
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It is possible to carry more than one anchor. We have three main anchors, all of totally different designs. I use a fishfinder to confirm the type of bottom.
Roberto
Well-Known Member
And the ultimate test of local authorities tolerance too: in a growing number of places you will be fined if found at anchor over seagrass/posidonia, sometimes they even dive to have a look at the exact position of your anchor.
