Manson Supreme Anchor Purchase

[2ndWind]

Does anyone use the Manson (or Ranca) Supreme anchor. I want to buy a second anchor and was at the Strictly Sail show in Chicago. The Manson Supreme anchor caught my eye for holding and setting dynamics. The 15 lb is good up to a 25ft boat and the 25lb is good for up to a 35 foot boat. Being that the Macgregor X is just shy o 26ft, lighter than most boats and this being a 2nd anchor (expect to used as primary as the first is a Dansforth that came with the boat) and my first mate (wife) may have to handle it, and considering the cost difference (about $75 I was hoping to get away with the lighter, smaller anchor. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

[nedmiller]

Expect to get lots of opinions on this one! Here's Mine: The Mac is a light boat, but it presents a large surface area to the wind. Your profile doesn't tell us where you are located. If you are sailing mainly smaller lakes, say in the midwest, I would think the 15# would be enough for the Mac since the Ronca and Mason are both the new generation anchor and the weight of the anchor is a bit less of a concern than the surface area. It will depend, however, on several factors, including how much chain you attached to the anchor, since more chain will allow the anchor to hold better. Of course, more chain gives you more weight. I would go with at least 30' of chain if you are going with the smaller anchor. Another factor is the scope. Since scope depends on the depth of the water and the total length of your rode, you will need to have enough rode to give you 7:1 in the deepest water you expect to anchor in. The Mac is great because you can usually tuck in closer to shore in shallow water. If you expect a blow, try to get to 10:1. In expected harsh conditions, you can always use two anchors.
If you are anchoring in big water, go with the larger anchor and lots of chain. Otherwise, you won't be able to relax and go to sleep when things get rough.

SILK

[Sumner]

We bought the 25# Manson this last year and that is what I would recommend. We anchor every night and can't pick and choose the weather so want the best we can have. At some point you might not be able to pick and choose, so why not spend the extra. We have an S so don't have as much windage as you, but still we have been out with above 50 mph winds, so want to be safe. Is your boat and your guys health worth $75 more?

Is there a health reason you can't handle the anchor? If you install a bow roller it is way easier to put in and take out.



We now use the Manson as our primary anchor and the 22# claw on the right above as the backup or both on a.....



...... Bahamian Moor if needed. We also have a Fortress FX11 as a backup taken apart down below and retired the danforth to the Suburban. We have 30 feet of chain and 200 feel 7/16 3 twist nylon on the Manson and 30 feet of chain and 200 feet of 3/8 line on the claw.

The claw is a little easier to use than the Manson and if the dollars or whatever was going to make a difference on the smaller vs. larger Manson then I'd go with the 22# claw instead. We never drug anchor using it. We wanted a really good anchor just in case we lost the claw, so backed it up with the Manson. Now if we only put one anchor down it is the Manson. Why not use the best one possible if you have 2 or 3?

c ya and stay safe,

Sum

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Our MacGregor S Pages

Mac-Venture Links

[2ndWind]

Thanks for your replies. We are located in Chicago, plan to primarily sail in inland and sheltered water but spend a lot of time on Lake Michigan. Of course Lake Michigan has been known for "sea like" weather and rapid changing conditions. Our health is good but sometimes my wife may have to do the hauling and handling. Point is well taken for going for the extra safety factor as an anchor is meant to do just that.

I have decided to go with the 25lb anchor and bow roller as suggested. Recommendation on store to purchase, anchor and a bow roller and mounting would be greatly appreciated.

[Québec 1]

I'm looking at buying a Kobra anchor.
http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/052 ... 2e40e2/128
http://www.manson-marine.co.nz/Anchor%2 ... 0Nov09.pdf

Q1

[Divecoz]

I have two anchors.. One like the one you see in sumners photos.. a Bruce Claw Clone.. I then Have a Danforth ( West Marine) Clone as well.
I chose two different anchors to serve two different bottom structures.. ( what I have been told over and over again) No One Anchor works best in every situation. I there by feel , I need two differnt styles, working best in two differnt bottom structures.. That be as it is , that is what I have . Worse case scenario? I use both and hope for the best. I have as well . What I feel for my purposes and intent, a substantial amount of tackle. The claw has 30 feet of chain with 150 feet of rode The Danforth has 15 feet of chain with I think? 100 feet of rode and , I have snubbers for both.. Snubbers are rubber things that take the shock out of the rode ( shock absorber) and reduce jolting... helps to keep the anchor in place..not being torn off the bottom .. I ride much better at anchor now.. If I am wrong with my thinking? Its what I have and have had no further issues, after the one anchor drag I did experience .. Sea Tow Captain asked me? Did you have a snubber in the anchor line? I answered that I didn't but now I always do for long term anchoring..
Your Results may be different

[nedmiller]

I think the 'two anchor' theory is a good one. We actually have 4 and carry at least two on the Mac at all times, but which two depends on where we're going and how well anchorages are known. On a longer trip to Lake Superior's Apostle Island, we took a 21# Spade S60 and our larger steel Danforth clone. The Spade is much like the Manson in holding power-but lighter compared to actual surface area-no roll-bar. If heading out to Midwestern lakes with known good sheltered anchorages, we often take the Fortress FX7 (a mere 4#) (for mud/sand) and the Spade A60 (weighing in at only 10# but same actual holding power as the 21# steel version) for everything else. Both of these aluminum anchors are amazing light, rated for our size boats, and have tremendous holding power.

Quite frankly, most of our nights out (even on a long Kentucky Lake trip) we have used the FX7 because it is so light and easy to bring in and we tend to anchor in mud. If I had it to do again, I would buy the aluminum FX11 for more holding power, and maybe a Spade S80 for my storm anchor but we've never dragged with either the Fortress or Spade. Long trips with unknown anchorages get the two Spades and the Danforth and that gives me the option of using two Spades if needed--and I can't imagine putting myself in a situation where they would drag--and in fact, have never had to resort to this. The Admiral is very much inclined to find a hidey-hole if the forecast isn't good.
We mount the Danforth or Fortress on the bow rail with a hanger from West Marine and the Spade fits nicely on the bow roller.
SILK

[Oskar 26M]

We have the 12 kg (25lb) Manson Supreme.

The high windage needs a very substantial anchor.

We had plenty of anchor dragging problems in the windy /weedy bottom conditions in which we sail and anchor before we got the Supreme.

It is a great anchor, sets easily and holds extremely well.

HOWEVER, see my thread Anchor Caution and all the comments that followed. Be very cautious about using the "rock slot" on the Manson Supreme or any other similar anchor. NEVER use the rock slot if you plan to leave the boat.

This is the only problem we have had since we got the Manson Supreme. With the rode attached to the end of the shank it has never dragged at all. I wouldn't trust anything else.

[Divecoz]

Oscar... how much chain are you using?

[streuber]

We are going to run the Inside Passage to Alaska in the summer and decided to upgrade the primary anchor to a Manson. I have not had an issue with it since installing it, however installing it on the bow was quite a task. It has a permanent mount on the bow and it trailers well. Here is a link to the mod on the Macgregors site. http://www.macgregorsailors.com/modt/in ... ?view=1460

[Oskar 26M]

Divcoz: I use about 9 metres of chain at the moment. Cant remember the size but its fairly heavy... 5/16" I think

[Sumner]

We are going to run the Inside Passage to Alaska in the summer...

That is a nice looking installation.

Be sure and post a trip report and picture on that trip,

Sum

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Our MacGregor S Pages

Mac-Venture Links

[Sugar Bear]

Yes please let us know about your trip. that is one that we want to do in a few years. An your mod looks good.

[Ixneigh]

Im a big fan of delta anchors but i bought a rocna 25 for my new after reading about it. I thought the finish and metal work looked better on the rocna then on the manson. The rocna fits on the oem roller but just barely. Have not yet put it to any real tests. Its sharp point would appear able to penitrate grass and weed to get to good holding underneath.
25 is the least id use on either the or the due to high freeboard.
Im out here right now on a three anchor mooring in 25 k and can barely hold the anchorline with my hands when the boat swings.

My eventual anchor complement will be the rocna 25, a danforth 12, a barnacle anchor 25 (points if anyone knows what that is) and a fortess hope never to have to use, anchor. The rocna will be the everyday anchor. I have 35 feet of 3/8 chain and 50 feet of 5/8 line on it. I can bend additional line on if needed.
I would have gone for the 35 pound anchor but the fordeck is too small to deal with that size.
Yes its excessive. Yes i like to sleep. I shhlepped a 35 delta around on the venture and felt i could anchor anywhere with it. That hook is now part of my new boats mooring system, that also uses a 25 delta, and a 60 danforth.

Ixniegh

[Québec 1]

I just bought a KOBRA
http://www.ctcmarineandleisure.co.uk/ac ... _Steel.jpg
cause it is supposed to have a higher weight for strength ratio and can fit in the anchor locker along with my delta as it also folds down. I get 33 % off through my sailing club.
http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/052 ... 2e40e2/128