Viking Anchors have an other model, Odin

[Neeves]

As promised, against a request from a member, this is a photo of Viking's Odin. Apologies for the delay - I needed to confirm that the claims on the box are correct. This is a sample from the first production run, delayed as a result of the conflict. Its encouraging to note that despite the conflict some parts of normal life continue.

The anchor is designated as a No 40 but has the same fluke size as the roll barred Viking 10. Both the 10 and 40 are the same physical size as a 15kg Spade, Rocna or Excel but are lighter as use is made of HT steels. So weight is saved without sacrificing hold.

The Odin 40 sets quickly, no matter how it lies on the seabed before tension is applied. The wide shank and the 2 wings act as vertical, or near vertical, flukes and resist, to a degree a yawing wind. Once tension is applied it rolls on its side the toe engages and as the toe 'dives' the anchor self rights. The anchor is fully buried within 2m. Retrieval needs patience when deeply set.

The anchor is designed to fit on a bow roller that accepts a Delta and has two holes to allow the anchor to be lashed securely if on a long passage. The anchor will fit neatly on a bow roller of a multihull as the vertical of the shank ensures the wings will not foul the underside of the bridgedeck. The anchor self deploys - release the windlass and the anchor deploys. The anchor is flat pack, sort of . The shank is inserted from the underside and secured with 7 pan head coach bolts. The flange on the base of the shank extends forward to the toe and reinforces the toe.

The edges of the steel have all been rounded/bevelled as has the shackle hole. Bevelling of the shackle hole and the pear shaped aperture reduces risks of the bow of the shackle locking into the slot and causing off centre loading of the shackle.

Jonathan

 

[Bouba]

View attachment 181094

As promised, against a request from a member, this is a photo of Viking's Odin. Apologies for the delay - I needed to confirm that the claims on the box are correct. This is a sample from the first production run, delayed as a result of the conflict. Its encouraging to note that despite the conflict some parts of normal life continue.

The anchor is designated as a No 40 but has the same fluke size as the roll barred Viking 10. Both the 10 and 40 are the same physical size as a 15kg Spade, Rocna or Excel but are lighter as use is made of HT steels. So weight is saved without sacrificing hold.

The Odin 40 sets quickly, no matter how it lies on the seabed before tension is applied. The wide shank and the 2 wings act as vertical, or near vertical, flukes and resist, to a degree a yawing wind. Once tension is applied it rolls on its side the toe engages and as the toe 'dives' the anchor self rights. The anchor is fully buried within 2m. Retrieval needs patience when deeply set.

The anchor is designed to fit on a bow roller that accepts a Delta and has two holes to allow the anchor to be lashed securely if on a long passage. The anchor will fit neatly on a bow roller of a multihull as the vertical of the shank ensures the wings will not foul the underside of the bridgedeck. The anchor self deploys - release the windlass and the anchor deploys. The anchor is flat pack, sort of . The shank is inserted from the underside and secured with 7 pan head coach bolts. The flange on the base of the shank extends forward to the toe and reinforces the toe.

The edges of the steel have all been rounded/bevelled as has the shackle hole. Bevelling of the shackle hole and the pear shaped aperture reduces risks of the bow of the shackle locking into the slot and causing off centre loading of the shackle.

Jonathan

Thanks Jonathan......but as always lots of questions .....lots of claims made...has it been tested ?....does it need a swivel or banana?
Because all these anchors look so alike, it’s hard to believe that minor tinkering around the edges will lead to a dramatic improvement in performance.... but with anchors I’m willing to believe anything

 

[Neeves]

The anchor is 'different'. Unlike Excel, Spade, Ultra, M2, Vulcan, Rocna, Epsilon and CQR - it has no ballast. So the steel you buy is all focussed at hold. Anchor makers used the roll bar and ballast as a crutch to allow the anchor to address, engage and set in the seabed. Odin addresses the seabed, engages and sets by design. The roll bar helped compress sea bed into the fluke, blocking the fluke and ensuring they might not re-set.

Odin is an 'all fluke' anchor, no roll bar, no ballast (sort of like a Fortress - and for hold - you cannot go past a Fortress (unless you are in weed, shell or pebbles)

Any anchor and vessel can need a 'banana', lets call it a Boomerang. This is an Australian Navy dive boat training vessel. I suspect a CQR clone.

You only need a slight twist in the chain - and you need a Boomerang. Swivels are another crutch, commonly needing the foredeck hand to encourage the swivel to actually work using a boathook or broom handle. A correctly installed Boomerang can replace the foredeck hand, in the rain and dark. - but then I am biased.

Of Odin I'm like you I'm intrigued as - no anchor is perfect - but Odin seems to get us closer, to perfect.

Has it been tested - yes. We have been testing it - hence the delay in posting. I'm not going to commend lemons. A few tens of anchors are scattered round the world to people who bought 'blind' - no-one has reported a fault yet - and it does not matter how much you pay - if you have paid good money and its a lemon - you will say so.

Viking are building on their understanding of what is required of an anchor - shown in their outstanding performance defined below, I thing there are more recent results, the 'In water, tested performance' of a score of 5 - not equalled by any other anchor. I question some of the protocols but many with more background in anchors than me treat the results like The Bible, go with the flow. My assessment of Odin is - they've gone further.





Its simply a game changer - all credit to Viking Anchors. This trial batch was delayed, even if you can make you then have to safely ship out - Ukraine offers 'different' problems.

I am sure Odin will be copied. Hopefully those that copy will also address any shortcomings that have not yet come to light.

This is a picture of, from the top: Viking, Bruce,Mantus and Rocna. The Viking and Bruce are both unballasted anchors, the crown (junction of shank and fluke) is at the heel. Rocna is ballasted and has its crown roughly in the middle. The Mantus is unballasted but has its crown in the same location as the ballasted Rocna.

Small changes make a difference

The Viking has almost twice the hold of the Mantus

Move the Mantus shank back, those unused holes toward the heel, and you increase hold to equal Viking.

 

[Bouba]

The anchor is 'different'. Unlike Excel, Spade, Ultra, M2, Vulcan, Rocna, Epsilon and CQR - it has no ballast. So the steel you buy is all focussed at hold. Anchor makers used the roll bar and ballast as a crutch to allow the anchor to address, engage and set in the seabed. Odin addresses the seabed, engages and sets by design. The roll bar helped compress sea bed into the fluke, blocking the fluke and ensuring they might not re-set.

Odin is an 'all fluke' anchor, no roll bar, no ballast (sort of like a Fortress - and for hold - you cannot go past a Fortress (unless you are in weed, shell or pebbles)

Any anchor and vessel can need a 'banana', lets call it a Boomerang. This is an Australian Navy dive boat training vessel. I suspect a CQR clone.
View attachment 181099
You only need a slight twist in the chain - and you need a Boomerang. Swivels are another crutch, commonly needing the foredeck hand to encourage the swivel to actually work using a boathook or broom handle. A correctly installed Boomerang can replace the foredeck hand, in the rain and dark. - but then I am biased.

Of Odin I'm like you I'm intrigued as - no anchor is perfect - but Odin seems to get us closer, to perfect.

Has it been tested - yes. We have been testing it - hence the delay in posting. I'm not going to commend lemons. A few tens of anchors are scattered round the world to people who bought 'blind' - no-one has reported a fault yet - and it does not matter how much you pay - if you have paid good money and its a lemon - you will say so.

Viking are building on their understanding of what is required of an anchor - shown in their outstanding performance defined below, I thing there are more recent results, the 'In water, tested performance' of a score of 5 - not equalled by any other anchor. I question some of the protocols but many with more background in anchors than me treat the results like The Bible, go with the flow. My assessment of Odin is - they've gone further.

View attachment 181101



Its simply a game changer - all credit to Viking Anchors. This trial batch was delayed, even if you can make you then have to safely ship out - Ukraine offers 'different' problems.

I am sure Odin will be copied. Hopefully those that copy will also address any shortcomings that have not yet come to light.

This is a picture of, from the top: Viking, Bruce,Mantus and Rocna. The Viking and Bruce are both unballasted anchors, the crown (junction of shank and fluke) is at the heel. Rocna is ballasted and has its crown roughly in the middle. The Mantus is unballasted but has its crown in the same location as the ballasted Rocna.

Small changes make a difference

The Viking has almost twice the hold of the Mantus

Move the Mantus shank back, those unused holes toward the heel, and you increase hold to equal Viking.

View attachment 181103

You’ve answered all my questions (as always).....it certainly sounds good.
Yesterday I was anchored in sea grass with my Rocna and it didn’t move an inch all night (obviously the winds were never more than 12kn....but my boat really catches the wind. So you said that the Odin is not so good in grass...does that mean it’s bad...or just not so good ?

 

[NormanS]

Of course I may be wrong, but Neeves's photo claiming to be a Bruce, looks like one of the many inferior copies which have tarnished the reputation of an excellent anchor.

 

[Neeves]

You’ve answered all my questions (as always).....it certainly sounds good.
Yesterday I was anchored in sea grass with my Rocna and it didn’t move an inch all night (obviously the winds were never more than 12kn....but my boat really catches the wind. So you said that the Odin is not so good in grass...does that mean it’s bad...or just not so good ?

I didn't actually say Odin would not work in grass, I said Fortress would not work - but I did say both were fluke anchors. I have not tested in weed, yet, because - I had no success weed, here in Australia, and I simply chicken out and steer clear.

No anchor is good in grass, except a Fishermans.

To get reliable hold you need to get below the root mass. In light weather the hold in the root mass might be enough - but if the wind gets up - I would not take the risk.

The next issue is - you spend the night safely at anchor, you then lift the anchor to discover you have 15kgs of weed impacted on the anchor. You are single handed and you are drifting - you need to find open water to clear the mess.

We steer clear.

Jonathan

 

[Bouba]

I didn't actually say Odin would not work in grass, I said Fortress would not work - but I did say both were fluke anchors. I have not tested in weed, yet, because - I had no success weed, here in Australia, and I simply chicken out and steer clear.

No anchor is good in grass, except a Fishermans.

To get reliable hold you need to get below the root mass. In light weather the hold in the root mass might be enough - but if the wind gets up - I would not take the risk.

The next issue is - you spend the night safely at anchor, you then lift the anchor to discover you have 15kgs of weed impacted on the anchor. You are single handed and you are drifting - you need to find open water to clear the mess.

We steer clear.

Jonathan

I agree about the weed.....unfortunately the weed is spreading into the sandy parts...which means with all the boats in summer in the South of France...it gets hard to find a nice sandy spot....so you aim for a small patch, but by the time the anchor has held, you are in the weeds. Obviously we only go out in nice conditions because bad weather isn’t fun...but it’s nice to know if a sudden squall came that we are safe.

 

[Neeves]

Of course I may be wrong, but Neeves's photo claiming to be a Bruce, looks like one of the many inferior copies which have tarnished the reputation of an excellent anchor.

Quite right, I should have said - there are lots like them. Its a Manson Ray.

It does not alter the comment, Bruce anchors, and clones have the crown at the heel. Your attention to detail allows me to add.... In actual fact the crown is behind the heel - the crown projects aft. I think its the only anchor design to do so. Peter Bruce was no fool.

Danforth was the earliest and, I believe, was based on much research in the US. Their crown was at the heel. I don't know if they were copies but Brittany and Bugel, both unballasted, have the crown at the heel.

Sincere apologies Norman and thank you for the correction

Jonathan

 

[Neeves]

I agree about the weed.....unfortunately the weed is spreading into the sandy parts...which means with all the boats in summer in the South of France...it gets hard to find a nice sandy spot....so you aim for a small patch, but by the time the anchor has held, you are in the weeds. Obviously we only go out in nice conditions because bad weather isn’t fun...but it’s nice to know if a sudden squall came that we are safe.

Most anchors when they set dive into the seabed The exceptions are Fortress. Mantus and Danforth. The anchor toe and the shackle end of the shank bury first and then are increasingly buried as the fluke dives - though the shackle end of the shank tends to be slower to bury that the toe.

This a Spade in clean soft sand, you can just see the heal of the fluke at the left hand arrow. The green line is attached to the chain rode - and the rode is well buried


And this is in the Caribbean in a sparsely weedy seabed, the shackle end of the shank has again been buried pulling the chain with it.


In heavily weeded seabeds you might bury the fluke, it might penetrate below the weed mass - but the chain will never be pulled and buried in the seabed and will retard the anchor's ability to dive.

Sometimes you have no choice - its weed or more weed. Bouba's technique is the way to go. Find the weed free patches, bright white sand against black weed. Drop the anchor to almost kiss the white seabed, drive to a white patch and drop the anchor the metre or so into the windward edge of the white patch. Gently apply power to set. Needs good coordination between helm and foredeck, unless you have Dockmate installed.

Remote Controlled Docking System - Dockmate

Jonathan

 

[noelex]

An anchor’s performance in thick weed is important. It is perhaps the most common difficult substrate.

If the water is clear you can sometimes find a small weed free patch, as the first photo of my Mantus M1 shows, but in some parts of the world it is important to be able to reliably anchor in thick weed.

The second photo shows the set in thick weed when no sand patches were available.

 

[Neeves]

Reality is often different from dreams.

It does not matter what design your anchor might be - but they all have one simple and identical characteristic.

The anchor has a shank that is attached to a fluke.

Anchors when they set do not work like a knife through butter, they work more like one of those devices that make a curl of butter. As an anchor sets the whole device moves forward and the shank/fluke interface catches all and sundry, mostly sundry aka weed and grass. In sand or mud its different - the fluke still moves forward as it dives and shovels the sand it displaces forward, up and to the side (to a lesser or greater extent) - a bit like a snow plough or bulldozer. In moving forward it leaves a space, empty, behind the fluke (which will fill with time and movement of the sea). There is absolutely nothing that an owner can do to stop the grass collecting at the crown (interface of shank and fluke) and the thicker the weed the quicker the anchor will clog - and a clogged anchor will not dive and will not set reliably.

Don't believe this....?




I apologise, I've shown them before. To suggest your anchor design does not do this is a fallacy (or everyone would be knocking on that anchor maker's door) and dangerous.

If you really want to anchor in weed - a Fisherman's - and even then you will not develop hold to withstand a Storm.

Jonathan

 

[geem]

I didn't actually say Odin would not work in grass, I said Fortress would not work - but I did say both were fluke anchors. I have not tested in weed, yet, because - I had no success weed, here in Australia, and I simply chicken out and steer clear.

No anchor is good in grass, except a Fishermans.

To get reliable hold you need to get below the root mass. In light weather the hold in the root mass might be enough - but if the wind gets up - I would not take the risk.

The next issue is - you spend the night safely at anchor, you then lift the anchor to discover you have 15kgs of weed impacted on the anchor. You are single handed and you are drifting - you need to find open water to clear the mess.

We steer clear.

Jonathan

Not my experience. In the Caribbean, the vast majority of anchorages are covered in seagrass. You just drop the anchor in it. If you have a Delta, the risk of dragging is high. If you have a better anchor, the anchor will set. Our Spade works very well in seagrass as it digs through it. It would be good to try thr new odin. I was thinking of swapping out one of my aluminium anchors. May be an Odin as back up would be good. Do you know what sizes they have in production? 19t ketch, 44ft will need one of the larger sizes.

 

[Neeves]

Not my experience. In the Caribbean, the vast majority of anchorages are covered in seagrass. You just drop the anchor in it. If you have a Delta, the risk of dragging is high. If you have a better anchor, the anchor will set. Our Spade works very well in seagrass as it digs through it. It would be good to try thr new odin. I was thinking of swapping out one of my aluminium anchors. May be an Odin as back up would be good. Do you know what sizes they have in production? 19t ketch, 44ft will need one of the larger sizes.

Your grass is not like ours! Our grass is a healthy, green version of the pictures in post 11, above. The grass is thick, dense and healthy not like the picture of the scrawny weed in the picture in post 9, which is in the Caribbean.

I'm not sure if size of anchor in weed might be important, not suggesting oversizing but bigger yachts, slightly larger than most owned here have bigger engines and success in weed might be partially contingent on 'grunt'. We have had no success and have learnt to go elsewhere - and don't waste time

There is grass and there is other grass!

Sadly I don't sell anchors . But it would be nice to think that a thread on YBW engendered some solid support for a business making leisure anchors in Ukraine.

Coincidentally, yesterday, I've been asked a similar question for Canada, he needs a smaller anchor, but Viking have one Odin40 and one Odin 60 in stock which I think is roughly equivalent to a 30/35kg Spade, which might be a bit small for you, what weight is the Spade? My, uninformed, guess might be that a 33kg Rocna would be fine for you so a Odin 60 might actually be about right. I know stock is held in Belgium (which is where my Odin 8kg, came from) so freight is not a big issue (or not an issue at all if you happen to be passing). . Belgium was a bit out of the way for me so mine came quickly by courier. The Odin 40, 8kg, was chosen as being a similar size to our Spade and Excels and it comfortably performs better in sand than our 8kg aluminium Spade, A80, our 8kg Aluminium Excel and its 15kg steel brother and is stronger than the Spade and on a par, for strength, with the steel Excel. None of this is really a surprise as the Odin has roughly the same fluke area as the anchors listed but a significantly thinner fluke plate.

I don't make nor sell anchors and my suggestions might be way out so I'd recommend you contact the owner of the business. Izi Kalvo izikalvo@gmail.com and maybe copy in full my post and the relevant part of yours and see what he suggests. If the Odin 60 is too small he may have stock awaiting shipment out and/or another production run currently or scheduled, there maybe something bigger for when you need it.

As Spade paint their flukes a bright yellow I think the Ukrainians should paint theirs a combination of Yellow and Blue.

Jonathan

 

[geem]

Your grass is not like ours! Our grass is a healthy, green version of the pictures in post 11, above. The grass is thick, dense and healthy not like the picture of the scrawny weed in the picture in post 9, which is in the Caribbean.

I'm not sure if size of anchor in weed might be important, not suggesting oversizing but bigger yachts, slightly larger than most owned here have bigger engines and success in weed might be partially contingent on 'grunt'. We have had no success and have learnt to go elsewhere - and don't waste time

There is grass and there is other grass!

Sadly I don't sell anchors . But it would be nice to think that a thread on YBW engendered some solid support for a business making leisure anchors in Ukraine.

Coincidentally, yesterday, I've been asked a similar question for Canada, he needs a smaller anchor, but Viking have one Odin40 and one Odin 60 in stock which I think is roughly equivalent to a 30/35kg Spade, which might be a bit small for you, what weight is the Spade? My, uninformed, guess might be that a 33kg Rocna would be fine for you so a Odin 60 might actually be about right. I know stock is held in Belgium (which is where my Odin 8kg, came from) so freight is not a big issue (or not an issue at all if you happen to be passing). . Belgium was a bit out of the way for me so mine came quickly by courier. The Odin 40, 8kg, was chosen as being a similar size to our Spade and Excels and it comfortably performs better in sand than our 8kg aluminium Spade, A80, our 8kg Aluminium Excel and its 15kg steel brother and is stronger than the Spade and on a par, for strength, with the steel Excel. None of this is really a surprise as the Odin has roughly the same fluke area as the anchors listed but a significantly thinner fluke plate.

I don't make nor sell anchors and my suggestions might be way out so I'd recommend you contact the owner of the business. Izi Kalvo izikalvo@gmail.com and maybe copy in full my post and the relevant part of yours and see what he suggests. If the Odin 60 is too small he may have stock awaiting shipment out and/or another production run currently or scheduled, there maybe something bigger for when you need it.

As Spade paint their flukes a bright yellow I think the Ukrainians should paint theirs a combination of Yellow and Blue.

Jonathan

The website doesn't seem to have info on the odin. There seems to be some issues.

 

[Neeves]

The website doesn't seem to have info on the odin. There seems to be some issues.

Some one else said the same.

Ask Izi, he will provide the background you need.

In my opinion they make good anchors, have imaginative ideas but are not professional web site builders.

I'd rather they invested in anchors and their development, rather than spiffy websites, others will disagree.

I'm a supporter of Ukraine, this give me opportunity to add substance to that support - I'm forgiving.

Jonathan

Edit

If this breaks some Forum rules - sincere apologies

 

[geem]

Some one else said the same.

Ask Izi, he will provide the background you need.

In my opinion they make good anchors, have imaginative ideas but are not professional web site builders.

I'd rather they invested in anchors and their development, rather than spiffy websites, others will disagree.

I'm a supporter of Ukraine, this give me opportunity to add substance to that support - I'm forgiving.

Jonathan

Edit

If this breaks some Forum rules - sincere apologies

They don't need a spiffy website. Just one that actually works. If I can't find any information on it, I am reluctant to purchase

 

[Bouba]

Some one else said the same.

Ask Izi, he will provide the background you need.

In my opinion they make good anchors, have imaginative ideas but are not professional web site builders.

I'd rather they invested in anchors and their development, rather than spiffy websites, others will disagree.

I'm a supporter of Ukraine, this give me opportunity to add substance to that support - I'm forgiving.

Jonathan

Edit

If this breaks some Forum rules - sincere apologies

I also try to spend my money where it will support those that need support.....and (much more difficult) try to not spend money on those beyond the pale.....but, that said, I wouldn’t buy an anchor for political reasons....it has to be the best or otherwise no....anchors are one item where you can compromise your political beliefs.
That said...I’m willing to accept your word that it’s the best anchor since sliced bread

 

[Neeves]

They don't need a spiffy website. Just one that actually works. If I can't find any information on it, I am reluctant to purchase

I did suggest you contacted the owner of the business. Everyone has requirements for their anchor that are different to everyone else. If you contacted direct you would receive focussed attention providing answers to your 'unique' needs.

I'm sure when they have the time (or maybe the spare cash) - the website problems will be ironed out.

I don't see Ukraine nor Taiwan to be political issues. If the Ukrainian's, or the free world, fail and Taiwan is assimilated our world will change - maybe not important to us - but it will be to the next generation. However that is no reason to invest based on someone, apparently, spruiking a product.

I was given an anchor, I have given my opinion of it. I simply think it magic and if you are in the market maybe its one to consider, maybe delay the purchase that has been your focus, you might not need it urgently - winter is coming. Watch and see how it pans out. If you rush off now and buy the other one and then regret your impatience - it will not be because I sat on my results, my omission.

The personal email address is there, not so many people will buy an anchor today, or tomorrow and even less will think of an Odin - so, maybe, take a little time send an email with your queries and get the answers to your specific issues. When the business is bigger - that personal touch will slowly go (who speaks with Peter or Craig Smith today). There will just be a spiffy, impersonal, website.

Jonathan

 

[geem]

I did suggest you contacted the owner of the business. Everyone has requirements for their anchor that are different to everyone else. If you contacted direct you would receive focussed attention providing answers to your 'unique' needs.

I'm sure when they have the time (or maybe the spare cash) - the website problems will be ironed out.

I don't see Ukraine nor Taiwan to be political issues. If the Ukrainian's, or the free world, fail and Taiwan is assimilated our world will change - maybe not important to us - but it will be to the next generation. However that is no reason to invest based on someone, apparently, spruiking a product.

I was given an anchor, I have given my opinion of it. I simply think it magic and if you are in the market maybe its one to consider, maybe delay the purchase that has been your focus, you might not need it urgently - winter is coming. Watch and see how it pans out. If you rush off now and buy the other one and then regret your impatience - it will not be because I sat on my results, my omission.

The personal email address is there, not so many people will buy an anchor today, or tomorrow and even less will think of an Odin - so, maybe, take a little time send an email with your queries and get the answers to your specific issues. When the business is bigger - that personal touch will slowly go (who speaks with Peter or Craig Smith today). There will just be a spiffy, impersonal, website.

Jonathan

Jonathan. I can't access any info on the website about the anchor. It's not much of an ask. All the details of the viking anchor are there.

 

[Bouba]

I would like to ask a generic question......this Odin is designed to fit on a Lewmar bow roller.....since the bow roller was designed initially for the Delta, a deeply flawed anchor, and nearly all new generation anchors are made to fit the same bow roller....are they all inherently flawed?
Allow me to add to my argument....the Rocna is often criticized....but the Vulcan gets much praise....and the Vulcan is a Rocna designed for a different bow roller