Viking Anchor video

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Neeves

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I have been approached by Viking Anchor and have agreed to test one of their anchors. I have received the anchor free of charge. As introduction to the anchor I provide a recent video by another independent tester of anchors. Unfortunately its winter here in Australia and currently decidedly cold and as part of my testing regime I test at times of 'extreme' tide (so that I can set the anchor from our catamaran, dig the anchor out to see how deeply it is set and what its orientation is in the seabed). The next tide window is around the 19th August, only a few days time - but if it grotty - then postponed for another 4 weeks. I also will complete a holding capacity test.

Jonathan
 
JumbleDuck said:
Are there now more designs of anchor than MOB recovery devices? It must be getting that way.
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The more new improved patent killer anchors are developed, the fewer sailors actually anchor. I wonder if one of the reasons is because they're taught that anchors and anchoring are a branch of rocket science, rather than something (like steering, trimming sails and keeping a lookout) that average joe sailors have been doing every day for millennia.

I'm not against high tech anchors. It's just that I'm in favour of teaching anchoring as a bread-and-butter sailing activity that really doesn't need advanced skills and highly technical equipment. Good holding ground + chain + hook + setting it well = happy sailor.

I do sense another anchor thread coming on though . . .
 
I do apologise that the original thread was deemed to contain inappropriate content and breached one of the conditions (that I accept) of the forum . My breach of the rules was unintentional.

I am thus unable to thank those who did respond to the original thread and cannot thank them individually as, apart from Little Sister - I don't know who they are - unless they stick their heads up above the parapet.

I do agree with jbweston that anchor threads appear to morph into instruments of fear with dire warnings. This is odd as modern anchors are so much more forgiving of ignorance and the neophyte. If I had to criticise modern anchors it might be to suggest they breed complacency. I initiated another thread some years ago and I asked the simple question as to how many people with modern anchors had dragged Dragging of anchors - and despite the fact some of the respondents might not call themselves anchoring experts and some would have had anchors of the size recommended by the manufacturers - no-one admitted to having dragged except when they caught a supermarket trolley, crab pot or similar. My thread was hardly statistically sound - and has been ignored by the purveyors of 'bigger is better', ever since.

But returning to Viking - I have been testing anchor chain (as well as anchors) and as part of my kit I have a coating thickness meter. I have checked the Viking to find it has a gal coating of 100 microns (normal gal coating would be 70 microns and often less) and then to find this is actually a specification for the anchor. To me this is unheard of - an anchor with a gal coating thickness specification - I just wish chain makers had led with this idea. Now the gal coating will be lost off the toe quickly - but galvanising life is contingent on abrasion resistance and the more coating the more resistant to abrasion.

The other factor is one mentioned in the video. The fluke plate is made from a high tensile steel, not the basic mild steel used in most anchor flukes. This has allowed the fluke plate to be thinner and a thinner fluke will set more quickly/deeply. Less steel also means the anchor is lighter - for a given hold (and I have not yet tested for hold yet). The downside is - have they got the thickness vs strength correct? - time will tell.

One factor I disliked in the video is the abundance of seaweed in the chosen test area - you see more seaweed than anchor. But I choose test areas for convenience - I understand the issues. The other quibble with the video was the constant comparison with Mantus - but maybe this is an 'Americanism' or does not matter.

So again - apologies for my inattention to 'rules and regs'

Jonathan
 
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jbweston said:
The more new improved patent killer anchors are developed, the fewer sailors actually anchor. I wonder if one of the reasons is because they're taught that anchors and anchoring are a branch of rocket science, rather than something (like steering, trimming sails and keeping a lookout) that average joe sailors have been doing every day for millennia.

I'm not against high tech anchors. It's just that I'm in favour of teaching anchoring as a bread-and-butter sailing activity that really doesn't need advanced skills and highly technical equipment. Good holding ground + chain + hook + setting it well = happy sailor.

I do sense another anchor thread coming on though . . .
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Some time ago Jumble Duck made the following post, which I did like:

JumbleDuck said:
Distillation of all anchor threads:

People with new generation anchors buy one size bigger than the manufacturers recommend, use at least 5x depth of chain, dig them in with full reverse engine, set at least two GPS anchor alarms and keep an anchor watch in anything over Force 2.

People with older anchors buy the recommended size, lob 'em over the side with 3x depth of chain, have a beer and go to sleep.

There is no observable difference in performance.

end quote.

JD - Commenting on your post No 5 above - there maybe more money in anchors than MOB devices
 
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