Tomcat anchor

I'm glad to hear that Rocna is doing well now. I probably wouldn't have mentioned anything, but I noticed that a Smith article was mentioned a few posts ago, and that reminded me of one of the Smiths who used to come on very strong on forums. If that's all water under the bridge, then good news. The Rocna design seems very good, and if they are made in Canada I consider that a good thing. Thanks for the update.

The "new generation" anchor designs do seem to set very quickly. I remember the first time I was on a boat (not mine) with a Rocna. I was on my off-watch, in my bunk, when we reached port and I heard the chain rattling over as per usual. I sat up, then "Wow" when the anchor grabbed. It was like stopping fast in a car. Never experienced that before.

I never had any problem with the "old school" CQR over the years (on larger boats), but I do have a new generation anchor on the C-Dory, and it seems to work very well, so far.
 
A large number of cruisers have gone to Ronca. Jeff Siege has two 120 lb Ronca on his bow rollers on the 53 foot Defever. (I believe he still has at least one Fortress aboard for stern and mud.) l I would keep that Fortress for mud, stern and a light weight anchor to take in the dinghy when you need a second anchor.

SuperMax is now back in production after being bought by Stephen Bedford, and they have a 9#. The 12# would be the appropriate size for the Tom Cat. have been wanting to order the 9#, just to see how it works in the light weight. (Marie would probably disown me for buying another anchor!) SuperMax has a great reputation as an all around anchor! But are difficult to stow, not that should make a difference for a great anchor!

http://maxmarineproducts.com
 
I noticed that the Venture 23' typically has a Rocna (I think) anchor. I first noticed it is on my recently acquired boat and then on "Pacific Wander" by observing photographs.

Anyone have opinions of the "new generation" anchors?
 
The new concave/scoop anchors (Spade, Rocna, Manson Supreme, etc) are terrific!

After using a Bruce on our CD22, and a Bruce on our 26-footer, I switched to a 10kg Rocna a few years ago. Sets solidly very quickly, even in fairly kelpy bottoms, and holds like crazy.
 
Rain, If you review the many threads on anchors, you will find that not only are many switching to the "3rd generation, such as Ronca, they are also dong well in many of the tests, and many large full-time cruising boats, where superior anchoring gear is essential have switched to the scoop type.
 
Chester":obsm3o6u said:
We had a Rocna on Chester but I tired of looking around the roll bar while underway so I replaced it with a Manson Boss.
Click to expand...

Did you have to make any changes to the launcher for either the Rocna or Manson Boss?

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

IMGP6713.thumb.jpg
 
There I was, at the Toronto boat show, just two days following the Admiral's birthday, so I did what every decent man would do, I bought her a Rocna 10 for a birthday gift.

If hysterical laughter is any indication, she's OK it.

http://www.rocna.com

So, here I am, looking for advice on how to spec a new rode that will be worthy of the Rocna.

New Moon, Thataway, and others, what would you recommend?

--Georgs
 
Hi Georgs,

Don't know what depths you're going to be anchoring in, but for BC and SE Alaska (typically anchoring in 25-65 feet), I'd suggest 300 feet of New England Ropes (theirs is top quality) 1/2" three-strand, spliced to at least 30 feet of 1/4" HT (G43?) chain. For my much heavier (11,000 lb loaded) 26-footer that's what I use, with 44 feet of chain and a 10kg Rocna.

If you have a windlass and your rode locker is tight, 8-plait might be better - but I haven't yet learned how to splice that to chain. Should be illustrations somewhere on the web. I think Dr Bob knows the drill.

If you don't have a windlass, I'd use 7/16" double-braid. We had that on our C-Dory. If you could get it eye-spliced onto a thimble, you could shackle it to the chain.
 
NewMoon":1xcqyt90 said:
If you don't have a windlass, I'd use 7/16" double-braid. We had that on our C-Dory. If you could get it eye-spliced onto a thimble, you could shackle it to the chain.
Click to expand...

At the moment, I have no windlass on the TomCat. I'd love to be able to do without the complication and expense, but I'm not sure I can hand over hand 22 pounds of anchor and, say, 30 feet of chain, with a total rode of perhaps 250 feet.

Has anyone in their seventies or eighties successfully cruised a TomCat or CD25 without at least a manual windlass? (I'm only 74 but Significant Other says I'm almost 80!)

--Georgs
 
George;

Congratulations to the Admiral on her birthday, and the great birthday present!

I am an advocate of the 1/2" Yale Brait 8 plait, since it hands nicely and takes about 1/2 of the volume of 3 strand. It also works very well with the windlass, when you get one. The 1/4" HT chain is what the windlasses use, so I would get than in anticipation. 3/8 Brait. is strong enough, but the difference in cost is only about 10 cents a foot, and the hand is far better with the 1/2".

I have 300 feet of Brait, but with the occasional anchoring in the West Coast, that is necessary. In the Rivers, probably 150 feet will do the job. Chain--I would want at a min. 10 feet, better with 20 feet, but the Ronca bites in easily, so the chain will be mostly for abrasion protection.

Defender generally has good prices, and quality products. That is where I got my current anchor rode. They have it pre splices with a thimble on "close out" sale currently, and not a bad price.

The rope to chain splice I did is at:
http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t=21709
It is holding up very well, been in some 50 knot blows.

Now if we can get you down where it is warm...and really use that Tom Cat 24!
 
Thanks very much, Bob, for your detailed recommendation. Much appreciated. And love your photo how-to on splicing rope to chain.

I'll pass along your greetings to the Admiral.

--Georgs
 
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