Anchor Choices...

[liquidity]

Anchors and related gear seem to kick off some of the most passionate discussions SO at the risk of asking a "religion question" at the family xmass dinner that dissolves into gunplay ....

We have a new Beneteau 49 (2009-not the 2010 versionw/ spoiler and plan to run her up and down the East Coast. She'll be based on the Potomac River so we can do weekenders when not able to do longer runs. She came with a basic Danforth w/ 25ft of chain and 200ft of rode which seems lacking to my admittedly DownEast upbringing. Some have suggested a Fortress with 200ft. of chain but that seems like the "using a chainsaw to cut butter" solution (to quote an old friend). We're talking about a WIDE variety of situations, and I admit I dislike adding drogues, weights, springs, windings, doodads etc. unless I have to.

What anchor combo would you actually use?
What combo would you never buy again?

Thanks in advance for relevant advice.

[Christian Van H]

Manson Supreme or Rocna with all 3/8 min. chain would be best. Would not use a Fortress as a primary anchor. Original Bruce or Manson copy would be second choice. You just spent a small fortune on that yacht. Give it the best insurance you can buy...Great ground tackle.

[steve_hendry]

Unless the Danforth is ridiculously small, keep it for the Chesapeake. Adding the Rocna or Manson sounds good to me too, though I don't have any experience with those.

[liquidity]

Addtional Question- Anyone ever used one of these?
Their demo video is pretty slick... QuicklineUSA - Ultra Anchor

Again - thanks in advance for the advice

[Highlander40]

I have been using a Spade for a few years now and when I saw the Ultra anchor at a show, I said, that looks like a Spade copy.

The sales guy said yes! It's just smoother and refined a bit. More expensive but if you've got to have that stainless shine, go for it!

[Christian Van H]

Originally Posted by liquidity

Addtional Question- Anyone ever used one of these?

It's a nice, pretty, EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE anchor. Very similar to Manson, Rocna and Spade. Stick to the Manson or the Rocna. Go Stainless if you want, both companies offer them. Main reason I wouldn't count on the Danforth is when current or wind changes, the anchor can pop and drag rather than reset. I feel that either the Manson or Rocna is MUCH better at that game...

[Bash]

My primary anchor is a Rocna, my stern anchor is a Fortress, and my storm anchor is an even bigger Fortress.

[Highlander40]

The main difference between the two is the penetrating tip.
Ultra and Spade have a lead filled pyramid sort of shape while the Rocna is made from flat plate with some reinforcement.

The Ultra is a very close copy . the Rocna has the same attack angle but different in other ways. Rocna has a roll bar, the others don't. Some would say that a roll bar is wasted weight and can clog with mud or rocks.

Some say that the Rocna will dig in deeper due to the lower cross section at the tip. The Spade and Ultra have more weight at the tip.

You pays your money and takes your chances. Both work.

[maxingout]

I'll stick with my 70 pound Beugel Anchor and 200 feet of chain wherever I am in the world.

[Highlander40]

I also have a large Fortress and a Spade for daily use.
Thinking about the ways storms behave. The wind usually swings around or reverses.
The fortress will win the straight pull contest with the Spade, just because it's much bigger but what happens when the wind swings around?
I have seen Danforths with bent shanks because they don't pivot well.
Once the shank is bent, the anchor is just a fancy paper weight. It most likely would not set again properly.

So.. unless I am anchored bow and stern, the Spade looks to be more reliable. Comments?

[Highlander40]

Isn't the Beugel very similar to the Rocna?

[Bash]

My storm strategy would be to set the Fortress in tandem with the Rocna, which makes specific provisions for tandem sets.

[Steve Pope]

The Buegel was the "first" of the new generation anchors, the spade, Rocna and Manson Supreme are incremental advances on the Buegel. All are good, with the supreme and the rocna generally being the same and more readily available, price being the only major difference.
The Delta gets a good rating down here in NZ but not as high as the other 3.

[Christian Van H]

Originally Posted by Highlander40

Isn't the Beugel very similar to the Rocna?

I believe it's closer to a Spade... Well, it's cool that everyone here seems to be of the same mind on this one! All similar anchors for primary, and all have the ability to reset if pulled. NICE!!!

[liquidity]

Have to echo Christian's comments and say I am surprised at the consensus among sailors even!!!! Thanks for the feedback.

I have to say the Ultra guys don't seem to be THAT far out of wack with the Rocna's (admittedly, 4 digits for an Anchor is the tough part to swallow, after that its easy) Watching them drag around CQR's that never dug in was depresing and interesting in equal measure (they are off the list). I suppose the math is easier if I stay focused on the purchase price of the boat, or the drinks I can enjoy with a good solid hook down. Sigh.....