Anchors and anchor rollers

[March]

Like the man said above, to each his own. I went through my shares of anchors, and the best one that worked for me is the Bullwagga, hands down (which doesn't seem to appear in the otherwise interesting survey) . It is a PITA to store, but we keep it dangling over the pulpit (some rubber hose wrapped around the chromium tube to prevent scratching). Easy to deploy. The few times the waters were particularly choppy and the anchor was swaying too much and banging against the pulpit, I simply dragged it inside through the fore-hatch and kept it on the front berth.
The anchor never failed us. Not once, though we got our shares of pinched fingers. I always make sure to check the shackles (additionally secured with twisted wire--lost another anchor because the shackle simply gave out) and the rode; i would be heartbroken if I lost this one; they don't seem to make them anymore.

[bahama bound]

awhile back i bought a really nice windlass .and i have a small teak bow pulpit ,i would love to use it on my mac ,my wife is the one that has to pull the anchor ,but i dont know if its practical ,if i used a pulpit i would think i would have to have some kind of stainless strut for support ??? would love to make it work ,its kinda hard for my wife to pull anchor around the furler ???? but i dont know if it would be worth the effort ???

[Wind Chime]

We've had great successs in the Pacific Northwest with our 7.5kg (16.5lb) SS-Bruce.
Here are photos of the bow roller as well.

[yukonbob]

After last year I'm done with the fortress. I've looked at the ronca and crq's, and bruce, but the delta keeps coming up on top, for me anyways. hard setting in loose or hard bottoms and talked to people that have been able to get a hold in kelp first try. Which is short of amazing. Think of wrapping your anchor up in slimy leather. The ronca and one other I can't remember but almost identical to ronca, from New Zealand perhaps? are in the top three; but the delta seems to do the same but without the roll cage (therfore IMHO looks better Especially in SS). I don't know hot it's goin to do in the rocks, but can't be any worse than a fortress.

[NiceAft]

Bob,

Make certain you check out the study I posted previously. I have a Lewmar Delta, I like my Delta, but I would have purchased the Rocna if I had better information. All of the tests indicate it is a better design.

Ray

[yukonbob]

Ya I've been looking at those all winter, and they seem to favour one brand from another.Delta, Ronca and the other one (really should look that up)? always seem to come close to the top and they are definatly the top three. Maybe it's because the ronca is newer and most boaters don't own one…yet? but I haven't read a personal review from someone who's owned a delta (for many years) that isn't satisfied with it in real world conditions; There are more of them out there than most other brands. I'm not knocking the Ronca, and was initially sold when I saw their promo video, but after looking at reviews from boaters traveling around the world with their all be it old anchors, and raving about how surprised they were in some crazy conditions in some other part of the world in a bad bottom, I've been leaning towards the delta. I haven't bought new tackle yet, and can always be persuaded

[NiceAft]

In this study ( http://www.petersmith.net.nz/boat-ancho ... esting.php ) , West Marine indicates they sell more of their less quality anchors than the good stuff. i.e. many people having anchors such as the Lewmar Delta [me included] does not make it better than the Rocna. I'm paraphrasing The multiple comparisons in the article show it not as good. that doesn't mean it's bad, just not as good.

Ray

[Sumner]

... but I would have purchased the Rocna if I had better information. All of the tests indicate it is a better design. Ray

It is a good design, but if you Google it on the boards you will find that things changed when they outsourced to China...

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f11 ... 59164.html

http://www.practical-sailor.com/blog/-10562-1.html

...now it is owned by a Canadian firm if I remember right and things are supposed of of been fixed.

....they seem to favor one brand from another.Delta, Ronca and the other one (really should look that up)? ....

I believe you are referring to the Manson Supreme which is now very highly rated on the crusing forums. As I mentioned before we have one on both boats and we are thinking about selling the 35 lb. CQR that came with the Endeavour and replacing it with a second Manson, either another 35 or go up to the 44. It seems to work in about all bottoms and is quite strong the way it is built, but will still pierce bottom growth,

Sum

===================================
Our MacGregor 26-S

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

[NiceAft]

Thanks Sum,

I'm sure that information will be good for someone, but for me it's a moot point. I have no intention of switching anchors at this late date.

Ray

[Kittiwake]

We use a 7.5 kg (~16.5 lb) Bruce-type claw, with 30 feet of good chain; and have so far never used our spare smaller claw. We anchor overnight regularly in 14-foot tides along the BC coast. The only time we dragged anchor was in exactly the spot where (upon subsequent reading! ) the cruising guide warned that anchors don't hold. I always try to use generous rode; and as commented above, use of chain is important.
Kittiwake

[yukonbob]

Yes and yes. I also remember something on the ronca's not fitting on the anchor roller on an M too well? possibly? Or it not fitting through the front stanchions, can''t remember now.

... but I would have purchased the Rocna if I had better information. All of the tests indicate it is a better design. Ray

It is a good design, but if you Google it on the boards you will find that things changed when they outsourced to China...

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f11 ... 59164.html

http://www.practical-sailor.com/blog/-10562-1.html

...now it is owned by a Canadian firm if I remember right and things are supposed of of been fixed.

....they seem to favor one brand from another.Delta, Ronca and the other one (really should look that up)? ....

I believe you are referring to the Manson Supreme which is now very highly rated on the crusing forums. As I mentioned before we have one on both boats and we are thinking about selling the 35 lb. CQR that came with the Endeavour and replacing it with a second Manson, either another 35 or go up to the 44. It seems to work in about all bottoms and is quite strong the way it is built, but will still pierce bottom growth,

Sum

===================================
Our MacGregor 26-S

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

[NiceAft]

Yes and yes. I also remember something on the ronca's not fitting on the anchor roller on an M too well? possibly? Or it not fitting through the front stanchions, can''t remember now.

This is why you do your research. You study the information, and when all is done, you make your purchase If after all of that, one finds out that it's not perfect, well, that's life. Make adjustments, and carry a backup anchor

If I may borrow from Abe Lincoln....Some of the anchors hold some of the time. Some of the anchors hold most of the time, but none of the anchors hold all of the time.

Ray

[dxg4848]

my wife is the one that has to pull the anchor

Showed this to my wife...... You don't want to know what she said!

[Tomfoolery]

In this study ( http://www.petersmith.net.nz/boat-ancho ... esting.php ) , West Marine indicates they sell more of their less quality anchors than the good stuff. i.e. many people having anchors such as the Lewmar Delta [me included] does not make it better than the Rocna. I'm paraphrasing The multiple comparisons in the article show it not as good. that doesn't mean it's bad, just not as good.

Slow as I am sometimes, I just realized the author of the review of other people's studies is Peter Smith, who happens to be . . . wait for it . . . the original designer of the Rocna.

http://www.petersmith.net.nz/

That doesn't mean the testing is flawed, or the results not accurate, but it is a roundup of testing done by others that leads to the conclusion that the Rocna is the best anchor.

With a couple of other common anchors coming in right around it in performance, I'd be happy with any of them.

And I was perfectly happy with my Bruce until he said it didn't work so good.

[NiceAft]

That is very funny

Ray