Anchor's Up again

hardee · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 9:42 pm Post subject: Anachor testing in WM catalog

Thanks Sarge, The Admirable says I cannot afford to read that book Cry

but I did anyway. Did not remember that test was listed in there.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

thataway · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 10:16 pm Post subject:

The Ronca is on the first page of the ancoring section as well as the Manson supreme. The Ronca 22 lb is $407, the Manson Supreme 25lb galvanized is $289, in Stainless it is $1159 (not a typo)!

The 22# Delta is $172 and the 25lb CQR is $559. Contrast that with the 22# West Marine Traditional at $90 and the 25# West Marine Performance at $ 210 (same as the old Danforth HT--and Danforth are no longer listed in West Marine catalogue). Compared with the Fortress FX 37 (21 lbs and what was used in the West Tests that Sarge mentioned) @ $499--or the Fortress FX 11 (7 lbs) which is the size for our C Dories at $169, or the similar Guardian G11 (6lbs) at $95.

So the prices range from $90 to $1160 for close to the same holding power! I use the Delta 14 and 22, the FX 37 "storm anchor"--Guardian FX 11 and Danforth 12lb. I have ordered the Manson 25, and I will test all of these anchors this weekend, assuming good weather.

I find it interesting that the West Marine Danfoth copy didn't perform anywhere nearly as well as the Fortress in the "compacted sand"--I had used Danforth anchors for many years and never had a failure in sand.

Stay tuned for my "tests"--

Sea Wolf · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 3:14 am Post subject:

timflan · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 11:34 am Post subject:

I'm also VERY interested in your anchor tests. If you're willing, we could work them up into a post or a series of posts on Navagear.

thataway · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 7:03 pm Post subject:

Tim,
My tests will probably be fairly crude, since I don't have a strain guage (unless I make one with a spring scale and a lever arm)--we wll see how much load it takes. You are welcome to use the tests as you see fit, along with the explaination of the difficulty of doing proper anchor tests.

Joe, It might be that the "sharpness" is a factor--and that is one of the reasons I like the HT Danorth and Performance versions of the West Marine--they are made of high tensile steel and have sharper edges than the sheet metal anchors do. I suspect it would depend on how "compacted" the sand is. Our sand around here is very soft--and of a fine granular nature (often called "powder sugar" sand).

I have a couple of WW II anchors I will also test--one is a 40 lb Danforth, Riveted model, and the other is Stainless Steel Sea Plane anchor--North hill style. The FX 37 and the 40 lb Danforth are about the same fluke area--but the FX Fortress does have sharper flukes edges.

Sea Wolf · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 7:12 pm Post subject:

Bob-

I wish I lived close enough to you to help you with the anchor tests!

Much more fun that simply cruising or fishing! (For an investigative personality, at least!)

Joe. Teeth

hardee · Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 12:36 am Post subject: Anchor tests

Dr. Bob,
I saw your anchor test results on another thread. Looks like the Manson Supreme (which looks closely related to the Rocna), came out close to the Delta plow, which looks like a practical alternative.

Thank you for your efforts,

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

Doryman · Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2009 11:52 pm Post subject:

Bob, I wondered if you had any thoughts on the Rocna/Manson vs. the SuperMax?

Warren

Aurelia · Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2009 1:36 am Post subject:

On the topic of uncommon anchors, Anybody have experience with one of these? I have a Bruce primary and I am considering this one as a second, stern unit.

http://www.westmarine.com/1/1/1100-water-spike-anchor-22-35-from-marinetech-products.html

hardee · Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2009 2:30 am Post subject: Anchor searching, Isn't this fun?

Can't say I have seen one on any boat in our area. Does look nice and light at 16lbs, but think it may not launch and retrieve on a roller very well. Anchor searching, Isn't this fun Question

Wish I would have put the link to Dr Bob's anchor test into this thread Embarassed

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

Sea Wolf · Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2009 12:24 pm Post subject:

Looks like a specialty anchor designed for fishermen for relatively light duty in lakes or rivers on smaller boats, and also designed to release easily because of the "back out" feature. Not really for big water use, big boats, or overnight security. Might be a good lunch hook though, for limited use. I can imagine some saying that a stern anchor should or could also be a decent smaller heavy duty capable anchor that had a greater range of uses.

Water Spike Anchor, 22'-35'

"Overview of Water Spike Anchor, 22'-35'. (from the West Marine site)

WaterSpike will hold tightly on the lake bottom and release just as easy. The number one anchor used by professional anglers, the WaterSpike is the last anchor you will ever own.
For boats 22-35 feet.
Incredibly light weight. Only 16lbs!
Unmatched holding power in hard or soft bottoms.
Unique Sliding Ring design guarantees release everytime.
Completely collapsible for easy storage.
Used by professional fishermen all over the world."

"Developed and brought to popularity on the most rugged and structurally uneven body of water in all of Minnesota’s Ten Thousand Lakes. Lake Mille Lacs was not only the reason the WaterSpike was created, but it’s also the reason it’s been proven the best anchor in existence. With the flick of your wrist, the WaterSpike will hold tightly on the lake bottom and release just as easy. The number one anchor used by professional anglers, the WaterSpike is the last anchor you will ever own. For boats up to 16 feet. Incredibly light weight. Only 6lbs! Unmatched holding power in hard or soft bottoms. Unique Sliding Ring design guarantees release everytime. Completely collapsible for easy storage. Used by professional fishermen all over the world."

And from the Boating Solutions.com sight regarding the smaller anchor of the two sizes available:

"Developed and brought to popularity on the most rugged and structurally uneven body of water in all of Minnesota’s Ten Thousand Lakes. Lake Mille Lacs was not only the reason the WaterSpike was created, but it’s also the reason it’s been proven the best anchor in existence. With the flick of your wrist, the WaterSpike will hold tightly on the lake bottom and release just as easy. The number one anchor used by professional anglers, the WaterSpike is the last anchor you will ever own. For boats up to 16 feet. Incredibly light weight. Only 6lbs! Unmatched holding power in hard or soft bottoms. Unique Sliding Ring design guarantees release everytime. Completely collapsible for easy storage. Used by professional fishermen all over the world."

Joe. Teeth

thataway · Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2009 7:05 pm Post subject:

I would avoid the water spike for several reasons: not fitting well on a roller, with light frame it might torque and does not seem to have the same strength as a Fortress or Danforth--which are similar type of anchors. The flukes do not appear to be sharpened--which as noted above is one of the real plus features of the High Tensile Danforths and Fortress.

I just purchased a stern anchor for the Caracal--(18 foot, cat, weight about 1300 lbs, plus engine of 440 lbs, fuel of 180 lbs and gear of 200 lbs--about 2000 lbs total max) and it is a Guardian 4 # The primary anchor is a Delta 14 # (I gave the Manson Supreme away with the C Dory 25).

As to the Super Max vs the Ronca and Manson Supreme; The Super Max by Creative Marine has proven to be an excellent anchor in the mud and much of the anchoring areas of the ICW on the East Coast. It is more of a shovel type of anchor, but with reasonable sharp edges of the flukes. For some reason it really buries in the mud, and gets down into clay or sand much better than any of the other anchors. I have friends who had drug each year on a cruise up and down the ICW with all other anchors, and claim after going to the SuperMax they never drag. BUT, it is an awkward anchor to put on a pulpit. It is also fairly expensive, and not perticularly good in grass. I do not own one.

Aurelia · Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2009 8:02 pm Post subject:

I would not normally use it on the bow roller so that is not a problem. I will take a look at some of the Fortress and Delta options as well. I would like to have 500-600ft of stern tie line/rode available so I am also brainstorming methods of winding and storing such a big length of thin line. Have been looking at hose reels for garden and air hose so far...

Greg