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The anchor conundrum
By Duncan | July 11, 2008
First of all, welcome to the new Blog bost category of kit choices. Here we will look at our dilemma’s and (hopefully) we can generate some discussion via the comments module below, which will save us some time in research and provide a useful resource for people planning similar voyages.
So, onto anchors. We are pretty sure we need one, actually we want 2 anchors, a primary and secondary/kedge. We have 2 smaller danforth/fortress anchors already, and plan to use these as the secondary / dinghy anchor. Thus the question of what system to use as the primary. We have already decided not to go for a windlass (it would be cruel to put that much weight in the bow of a raceboat, well that and they are quite pricey…), so a rode of warp and chain is clearly the right way to go (coupled with this being much better that all chain due to the impact dampening stretch of the warp). So onto anchor types:
CQR, Bruce, Delta, Danforth, New Generation types, so many types and very hard to find any objective views, with choice of anchor type creating an almost religious zeal in some people. For my part, I have used the almost ubiquitous CQR on various charter boats in the Solent and found them to be universally crap, especially in grass (I am not a fan as you can probably guess, and so starts my religious rant on the subject). I have had more success with the Bruce type, and have many a happy night bobbing secure in the knowledge that good ‘old Bruce was holding me fast. However doing some research highlighted a whole new area of “modern” anchor designs (the CQR / Bruce etc. designs being over 50 years old (ish) - anchor design does not evolve rapidly it would appear). A useful Wikipedia article on anchors is here showing all anchor types.
A little bit of Googling suggested the Rocna, Manson Supreme and Spade were the best, with the Spade coming in 3rd, closely followed by Delta. There seemed to be little difference between the Rocna and Manson Supreme, and some more investigation suggested that the Manson design might have originated from the Rocna, and Rocna weren’t too happy about it! - see the article here.
The price difference between the Rocna and the Supreme, pushed us towards the Manson. The eithical side of my mind did try an argument along the lines of supporting innovation in the marine industry, unfortuately my (now very battered) wallet, gave ethics a firm kick and steered us towards the Manson of the Rocna / Manson pair. The only issue is that the Delta is still much cheaper than the Manson (£150 to £280), so the only question that remains, is Delta vs Manson……thoughts anyone?
Loading ...Topics: Boat kit - help us pick |
July 13th, 2008 at 5:54 am
There’s more than a little difference between the Rocna and Manson’s version - Manson’s version has much less tip weight and its construction is quite a bit ‘cheaper’. There are one or two chaps over the pond who say as much, plus the test results if you believe them confirm it. The Rocna and Spade are both quite a bit better.
Knock-offs are cheaper for a reason. If you’re buying an anchor on price, you will get what you pay for. It’s the one item on your boat *worth* paying a little for! Saving £100 or whatever when you’re securing a boat worth £X?G is just silly.
July 22nd, 2008 at 1:54 pm
My view is that any of the Rocna, Manson, Delta and Spade would do the job. Whilst I take Steve’s point, I think all the above will secure the boat, so my feeling is the Delta is the way we should go…
The money we save could go towards other safety kit, which has a greater overall impact than the marginal additional performance of the Rocna.
July 24th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Stupid question but how about getting one the next size up? Then whatever anchor you eventually choose would still allow you to sleep in peace at night.
We used the trusty bruce all the way across the pacific and it didn’t budge once. It was a massive heavy brute though for which we used a windlass.
The holding was 90% sand but we often did 360’s in the night…also some massive squalls, one in bora bora spun us around onto a lee shore at 3am and briefly hit 55 knots!
July 24th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
We are planning on doing exactly that. We are probably going for a 20kg Delta which for a 6 tonne boat we figure should fulfil the adage of “you know when your anchor is big enough when everyone in the marina starts laughing at you”.
Ewan’s parents have a 20 tonne Calisto 43 which sits reliably with a 25kg Delta (I believe) and so even accounting for the increased windage of our rig, we figure a 20kg Delta should hold more securely than a 12yr old does to his first copy of playboy
The night in Bora Bora sounds exciting - where were you anchored? I have had issues picking up a mooring in the ‘marina’ in Bora Bora at night before and had to spend one concerning night anchored in 20metres on a steeply shelving floor near the cruise ship quay. We also tried anchoring on the rock floor further west once, but dragged the anchor off the shelf when the wind swung - the eeery feeling of seeing lights move past the windows when “at anchor” is quite disconcerting….
August 29th, 2008 at 2:28 am
Other new gen :
A new option will be available at:
http://www.ancoralatina.com
August 29th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
I generally use a CQR which holds good enough in sand. Other welllknown anchors also perform well in sand. In problematic areas, stone, grss etc my favorite is admiralty. This is the best anchor in different bottom types even in sand.