C&#111;ntinuing anchor discussi&#111;n

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Posted: 08 January 2023 at 12:01

Hi Martin - yes, I read that about climbing rope too. Haven't tried it myself but I can see the attraction. Although the friction of the water would damp the effect and absorb some of the rebound, I'd want to make sure it wasn't too springy, though. However, while I appreciate that the author was writing generically I certainly would not want to put both legs of the bridle over any cantilevered anchor roller such as on the 370/400. The strain from yawing would most likely damage the assembly and chafe through the rope; chafe protection only lasts so long. You'd also lose the benefits that a wider-set bridle gives against yaw; might not be much but as they say on that TV advert, 'every little helps'. I do agree that about 8-10m is the sweet spot for length, however, regardless of vessel size or weight. Like you, I found that the difference that a properly rigged snubber makes has to be experienced to be believed. Given the choice, I far prefer to be at anchor during a real blow than on a mooring ball.

H400 (2008) 'Wight Leopard', Gosport UK

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Posted: 08 January 2023 at 13:06

Hi Owen - you're welcome; there's probably only been slightly more arguments over anchors than Prince Harry has picked with his family. While both can be equally boring at least anchors have a use; the other simply has one syllable adrift...

I'd far rather be on a boat where the skipper knew how to set a Delta properly than one with a Rocna just chucked over the side in hope, as you see so many doing. That said, as you point out a great advantage is that the modern designs set rapidly. Mine has been great other than in heavy weed; I'm considering a Spade or Sarca Excel as a 2nd anchor as they seem to do better in such conditions but will try to avoid such whenever possible. Incidentally, my comment about anchoring in 60 kts wasn't intended as any form of compliment to my seamanship - I made that classic mistake of believing the forecast that I wanted to believe. Still, while the experience was 'sobering' (expletives deleted) it gave me huge confidence in the boat itself and the anchoring tackle. What it did do was confirm the policy of always anchoring for very strong winds if intending to sleep on the boat overnight.

Edited by Ratbasher - 08 January 2023 at 13:09

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Posted: 09 January 2023 at 19:26

Ratbasher - FYI an alternate to the Spade & Sarca. If you can find one at the right price, I found a Fortress FX-37 fits the standard Hanse roller. Excellent kedge anchor for weed as an alternative to the bower. It also breaks into component pieces & weighs in at less than 10kg. If anything, I’ve gone oversized and the FX-23 is probably the sweet spot for weed & kedge hook purposes. I long ago imported it from the US when exchange rates weren’t uphill to the UK :)

Mark

Edited by Mark_J1 - 09 January 2023 at 19:29

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Posted: 10 January 2023 at 10:32

Hi Mark - many thanks, yes; I'd been looking at the cheaper 'Guardian' version as a kedge to replace my old Delta used for that purpose. Made by the same company but without the facility to adjust the blades to different angles. We lived by the Chesapeake for some years for which Fortresses were absolutely brilliant in the prevailing gloop but I'd never even considered one for weedy bottoms. I recall from that YM article on the H400 that you've cruised pretty widely so I guess you've had good results. If a kedge is able to double as the bower when conditions change in its favor then this would certainly save space - and very importantly weight given the amount of extra ~~crap~~ gear we carry for cruising now. My only concern would be resetting with the turn of the tide when staying for a while.

Iain

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Posted: 02 April 2023 at 21:19

Hi Rock,

Thank you for the pictures.
I would like to if you are still using the 8mm chain and the original Lewmar Pro Series 1000 windlass with the new Rocna Vulcan and if they all fit well together.

In addition I would like to know i f you considered the Detla 20kg when you did the upgrade of the anchor.

We had a couple of unpleasent situations with the Delta 16kg (Hanse 400) in strong wind and guts and I'm considering an upgrade.

Thank you in advance,

Raimondo

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Posted: 03 April 2023 at 11:09

Rainmondo - if I may pre-empt Peter's reply, 8mm chain with the original windlass has been fine with my 20kg Rocna. It fits the bow OK even with a top-down furler set on the bowsprit. Any of the new-style (Rocna, Spade, Excel, Manson etc) should out-perform a Delta of similar weight provided they've been set correctly.

That said, if you're anchoring in stronger winds and gusty conditions I'd recommend using at least Grade 40 chain. 8mm Grade 40 has a breaking strain of just over 4000kg while Grade 70 is over 7000kg. The Working Load Limit is about one third of those figures, however. Use of a bridle is a must (see earlier posts) and I'd only use a swivel if you had found you definitely needed one as they introduce another potential point of failure into your system. If you must have one, I'd recommend using a few links of 10mm chain between the anchor and swivel. If you connect it straight to the anchor as so many still seem to do, you reduce the breaking strain even on a Kong from 5000kg in a straight line to 2000kg on a lateral pull and risk a sudden fracture of one of its arms. Not something you want to be worrying about anchored in a dark and stormy night...

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Posted: 03 April 2023 at 16:48

Indeed Raimondo, still using the standard 8mm chain.

And actually replaced my smaller swivel for a bigger Kong (sorry, straight to the anchor).

As Iain also suggests, I switched from the delta as the newer anchor designs have been continuously improved from the classic delta and spade design, and proven more capable during tests.

and my standard Lewmar pro series 1000 appears to be dealing well with the 20kg Rocna.

Actually also bought an off the shelve sailinox anchor bowroller 780x90x125, looks very good, material is 5mm stainless. I just still have to fit it, which will be a bit of a challenge as the standard bolt holes don’t align with the holes on my bow. The Hanse holes are ‘all over the place’.

Regards,

Peter

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Posted: 11 April 2023 at 13:36

Dear Iain and Peter,

Thanks a lot for your infornation.

To take the final decision to buy a new anchor and replace the original Delta 16kg, I still have to understand if it's better in our case (Hanse 400) to decide for the orginal Rocna, wich fits properly on our bow if I understood correctely from Iain, or the newer Vulcan, that Peter showed how to fit (and costs a bit more).

Advices are always welcome,

Raimondo

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Posted: 11 April 2023 at 15:30

Hi Raimondo - although the Rocna does fit, the roll bar can still be a bit of a nuisance as I take the anchor off the roller when heading offshore. If I was starting again I think I'd look at the new Sarca Excel (22kg) or the 20kg Spade. The Excel is reputed to be better in weed. If you're not aware of them, have a look at the superb series of tests by Steve Goodwin on YouTube.

As you're finding, if you asked 5 owners what they thought about anchors you'd get at least 10 different opinions - all strongly held.

Edited by Ratbasher - 11 April 2023 at 15:30

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