I originally dismissed the Excel as a
Delta copy until I was encouraged to take a closer look. After researching this
anchor I was convinced enough to
purchase one and let go of my trusty
Rocna Vulcan.
I posted a side by side
photo of my new Excel and my older, smaller
Delta on another thread and decided this would be a fun topic on its own. I just got it and it'll be another couple of weeks before we continue cruising so I haven't been able to test it yet, but this is intended to address the confusion of some (including myself) who at first glance think they are similar designs, which now I see is far from the reality.
In brief, the Delta is clearly a plow and the Excel is a 70/30 concave/convex hybrid, but more about that below.
Scroll to see a
photo of my Delta and Excel side by side.
They are different sizes but their differences are readily apparent.
Here's some (non-expert!) observations and opinions:
- They both have a triangular shape (I know, that's just a gimme)
- The build quality is dramatically different. The Delta appears to be a simple design, easy to manufacture, and very affordable. The Excel seems like a
work of art to me with so many purposeful details. It is NOT a simple
anchor.
- The shank angle appears to be similar by eye (I didn't measure and don't know how!)
- The Excel has concave ears and flat surfaces all along both edges, while the Delta is clearly a plow that has its ears sticking out. Sarca denies the Excel is a plow and says it's 70/30 convex/concave. A really interesting design that I think might amplify holding
power.
- The Delta has a straight tip and sits flat on the ground. The Excel has a tip that curves downward that I imagine helps it set faster and dig deeper.
- The tip of the Excel is SS welded on and can be sharpened to retain its effectiveness.
- The Excel has cut outs with its name, etc and I imagine that's intentional and not for branding (a sticker or stamping is cheaper and what the others do), or to save weight or manufacturing costs, but I don't know.
- The Excel has a long shank, longer than a Delta of the same size. I imagine that helps fast setting and digging as well, but don't know for sure.
- The Delta "ears" are flat and rounded, while the Excel's are squared and bend up at the ends, which I imagine might help with
diving deep and holding, but that's just a guess.
- Both the Delta and Excel have a cross bar that I imagine is for strength. The Delta cross bar is a narrow rod and the Excels is a much larger tube.
- Both have a
steel weight welded underneath near the tip.
And that's everything that I can spot. Please feel free to add your own observations and experiences with either or both of these anchors.