How good is the Rocna?

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by estarzinger

Just as a slightly contrary point of view . . . We had a Rocna and dragged more with it than any other anchor (except our original cqr on silk which was undersized and we dumped pretty quickly). My thought was that it was excellent in good penetrating bottoms but lousy in bad or non-penetrating bottoms. We sold it and never regretted that.

The spade unfortunately has "the galvanizing problem". That always eliminated it from my personal consideration.

The fortress is truly excellent for special purposes, but I personally don't consider an aluminum anchor appropriate for everyday use (it gets nicked and dinged).

Like you, I had a 55kg (121 pounds) Rocna for a few years. It never once dragged, ever, and I used it in some tough conditions.

However, it did not set very well compared to the Spades I have been using off and on for almost 20 years. I think it may be the lack of balance, or the relatively dull fluke, or both. It had a particular problem with soft mud (get out the Fortress! ), and some kinds of hard sand.

Everything is relative -- the Rocna set much better than the Delta which came with my boat.

But for me, the Spade has worked noticeably better.

As you said, the galvanizing is a problem with the Spade. I've basically resigned myself to the anchor looking shabby. Although when I'm anchoring a lot, like now, the rust is polished off by the seabed and it doesn't look too bad.

I also agree with you about the Fortress for everyday use. I've bent the shank on mine. Replaced free under the superb Fortress service. But that would be little comfort in a remote place.

[Fortress]

As I recall, you have the 21 lb (10 kg) FX-37 and you bent the shank in severe conditions?


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[redsky49]

Originally Posted by Fortress

As I recall, you have the 21 lb (10 kg) FX-37 and you bent the shank in severe conditions?


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For reference, I have a Fortress FX-55 as my storm/hurricane/everything-going-to-hell anchor. This on a 41' Bristol, about 30,000 lbs. cruising weight.

It has seen me through two hurricanes and a couple near misses. No bent shaft.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by Fortress

As I recall, you have the 21 lb (10 kg) FX-37 and you bent the shank in severe conditions?

Not severe conditions, but the anchor was buried deeply. As your anchors are, admirably, wont to do.

[CSY Man]

. For reference, I have a Fortress FX-55 as my storm/hurricane/everything-going-to-hell anchor. This on a 41' Bristol, about 30,000 lbs. cruising weight.

Had the same FX-55 for a hurricane hook on my CSY 33, 23,000 lbs displacement.
16,000 lbs holding power in good sand. Gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling but never had to break it out.
Rocna 20 kg for working anchor.
Fortress FX-37 for spare working anchor, stored on cabin top.
Fortress FX-55 for storm anchor, stored under cockpit.
Danforth 12-HT for stern anchor, hanging on the aft railing.
Bruce copy for dink anchor.
All of the above with generous chain/line rode.

Slept good in the Bahamas and Florida Keys and never had an anchoring problem.

[Matt Johnson]

Had a Rocna 25kg on our 34' 12,000 pound Sabre and loved every minute of it. Dragged once in Mexico, but when I pulled the anchor up, found a motorcycle frame attached to the anchor.

Have now switched to a 55lb Mantus and it looks great too with it's razor sharp point. We are now 37' 19,000 pounds and should hold just fine. Also have a Fortress FX-55 as stern, storm anchor.... But need the mud palms if Fortress is feeling generous : )

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[CSY Man]

. . But need the mud palms if Fortress is feeling generous : )

Fortress ARE generous: They sent me the mud palms even after I bought my FX-55 used.

[Rustic Charm]

Compared to the Rocna and Mantus the Fortress is a completely different anchor.

But what is the difference in a Rocna and Mantus other than the Mantus bolts together

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by Rustic Charm

Compared to the Rocna and Mantus the Fortress is a completely different anchor.

But what is the difference in a Rocna and Mantus other than the Mantus bolts together

The Mantus is a different geometry -- it's much wider. It also has a sharper fluke, and a smaller diameter hoop.

I think that means that it will be even harder to stow than the Rocna. According to numerous accounts, it works somewhat better than the Rocna under most conditions, but not dramatically so.

[Fortress]

Originally Posted by funjohnson

Also have a Fortress FX-55 as stern, storm anchor.... But need the mud palms if Fortress is feeling generous : )

Funjohnson - please send me a PM with your shipping address...

[Prairie Chicken]

What Ann said. See the thread Photos of Anchors Setting. End of story.


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[northwestsailor]

We have an 88# Rocna and a 100# Spade. They both work flawlessly if you take the time to set them properly. This is probably true of almost all well known anchors. The advantage of the Spade is that it disassembles into smaller parts for stowage. So for us it is a spare that we tested out for three months in BC and AK. Only had one lunch hook failure that was surely our fault. Second time around it worked well all evening.

[Rustic Charm]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

The Mantus is a different geometry -- it's much wider. It also has a sharper fluke, and a smaller diameter hoop.

I think that means that it will be even harder to stow than the Rocna. According to numerous accounts, it works somewhat better than the Rocna under most conditions, but not dramatically so.

cheers I couldn't tell much in the pictures.

My second anchor looks like it's called a CQR, about a 20kg. I needed a second anchor and someone offered it to me last year for $100. Are they 'alright' ?

[four winds]

Hey Rustic, genuine CQR? That's a great price, btw.

It seems they were the gold standard for decades. And many folks still hold them in high regard.

I still have one on board that saw years of use from Nova Scotia to Trinidad. It is showing it's age with wear on the pivot pin, and I understand that this can cause a decrease in performance. I believe mine has been compromised by this wear.

It's my third hook behind a Manson and Fortress.

[Rustic Charm]

Originally Posted by four winds

Hey Rustic, genuine CQR? That's a great price, btw.

It seems they were the gold standard for decades. And many folks still hold them in high regard.

I still have one on board that saw years of use from Nova Scotia to Trinidad. It is showing it's age with wear on the pivot pin, and I understand that this can cause a decrease in performance. I believe mine has been compromised by this wear.

It's my third hook behind a Manson and Fortress.

cool. Something I've finally come up ahead with

How do you tell if it's a genuine CQR? I was just going off the pictures when I googled anchor images. So far I've used it once and that was in tandum with my Rocna. I'm only guessing at the size. It might be similar weight, I'm not sure.