Mantas M1 or Sarca Excel

[Kettlewell]

He may not be a perfect source of testing, but he has done the most comprehensive testing of a wide range of anchors that anyone has done in a very long time, including with underwater video to see behavior. Despite any weak points in his testing or unknowns in funding sources (keep in mind he started doing this testing with boats and anchors he already had access to before he asked for any outside funding), it's still the best test data available to us at this point.

^^This^^ Panope's testing is by far the best done in recent years. Plus, my own use of the Mantus M1 confirms to me it is a great anchor. It is by far the fastest setting anchor I have ever used, and it doesn't require a lot of fiddling to get it right. I have no doubt Spades are good too, if you can get one set properly, but I have witnessed numerous anchoring attempts thwarted by scooping up a big ball of weed and mud, destroying the ability of the anchor to set. This is observed in the same harbor where I was anchored first time, every time using my Mantus. Have not used the Excel.

By the way, be aware that both the Excel and the Mantus M1 have very long shanks. Be sure they will work with your anchoring gear.

[dksail]

Another vote for the M1. Ours is on a 45’ sloop and we have anchored 100’s of times. We have the 65lb model. It sets in about 3 feet based on about 100 in the water checks. Customer service on other Mantus products has been exceptional.

[malbert73]

Originally Posted by Wandering1

Panope is doing movies. He can portray what ever he wants.
He needs to declare his sponsors or he isn't independent

Help me understand- what independent source of anchor setting information do you rely on?


Regarding Panope- do you really think he's using CGI to show anchors setting? Have you actually watched any of his videos? You can mute his commentary and ignore his charts and the videos still speak for themselves.

You seem to have an agenda against his work, but I'm figuring it's healthy skepticism instead.

[Factor]

No Roll Bar - ever

[Kettlewell]

No Roll Bar - ever

Why? I was skeptical of roll bars at first, but have found they work perfectly on Mantus anchors at least. I do avoid anchoring in weed whenever possible, and I can see that could be a possible place where the rollbar could collect grass.

[carstenb]

Originally Posted by Wandering1

Panope is doing movies. He can portray what ever he wants.
He needs to declare his sponsors or he isn't independent

I would say you are off base with these accusations. Do you have any proof he is sponsored by an anchor manufacturer?

His website is a world class resource. You may not like his results but that doesn’t entitle you to question his integrity

[malbert73]

Originally Posted by Factor

No Roll Bar - ever

No wasted anchor weight in ballast- ever

[nmuir]

Another vote for the M1.


Had an M1 on a 50' pilothouse trawler, anchoring in deep water up north (up to 90') and so often on shorter 3:1 scope. Never had a problem.


So happy I got a 125# M1 for our 52' 70,000 lb ketch in the Med. Always been good in hundreds of nights on the hook.


Have never experienced any problem with build quality or strength.


Never tried a Sarca though as don't feel the need to try something different.



Good luck in your search. One can go down a bit of a hole researching anchor reviews!

[KeelsonGraham]

Another vote for the Sarca. Very happy with ours.

[Panope]

My responses in red

Originally Posted by Wandering1

Sarca Excel would be my choice. I don't rate the Mantus or Penope vids. I asked him many probing questions and got very unsatisfactory answers.


Don't beat around the bush. Tell us what these alleged "very unsatisfactory answers" are. Please use direct quotes.

He did declare a large sum of money from a benefactor.

"The largest "lump" sum of money that I have received was a one time donation of $500 via PayPal by an ANONYMOUS donor.

The largest ongoing benefactor is an individual whom I have met in person and is a member of this forum. Since Oct of 2020, he as contributed a total of $875 via my Patreon account. He sails a large classic schooner out the Bay Area. He has no affiliation with any anchor manufacturer.

You have to wonder who is backing him.

No you don't.

On numerous occasions I have given detailed accounting of my revenue sources:

YouTube averages about $50 per month.

Patrons (currently 79 in number) donate less than $300 dollars per video.

Random individuals occasionally send one time donations via PayPal. Average for the year 2023 was less than $100 dollars per month.

I do not accept money from any anchor manufacturer or seller.

Several anchor manufacturers have attempted to support my work by signing up to my Patreon Account. Regardless of their assurances of genuine, non-influential support of my work, these memberships were all terminated (by me) soon after joining.

He pushes the M1...

B.S.

......but I have seen the Mantus official video of that anchor setting and it took several anchor lengths to set. Eventually Mantus pulled that video. A Sarca, Spade or Rocna all set in their own length. This is super important when you are setting in seagrass. Any dragging through the grass just fouls the anchor.
We have been using a Spade for many years as liveaboards. Love the anchor but hate the terrible galvanising. Thousands of night at anchor

[Capt Clark]

Panope is one of the best and most valuable contributor in this forum. We owe a large debt of gratitude to Steve of Panope. His research is extremely valuable and will live on for decades. I seriously doubt he is sponsored by any manufacturer. I bought an Excel recently based upon Steve’s review. I asked the Excel guy about Steve and what kind of relationship he has with Panope. The owner is very appreciative of him and tells me he can’t even buy Steve lunch. He has tried to to say thanks for his work but Steve wants to stay unsponsored by any manufacturer.


Regarding Panope-

[Panope]

Originally Posted by Wandering1

Panope is doing movies. He can portray what ever he wants.
He needs to declare his sponsors or he isn't independent

All sources of money and support have been declared.

There are no hidden "sponsors".

[carstenb]

Originally Posted by Wandering1

Panope is doing movies. He can portray what ever he wants.
He needs to declare his sponsors or he isn't independent

Considering Steves response to your allegations- do you have anything to add that substatiates your unfounded accusations or do you wish to apologize?

Any man with an ounze of personal honor would apologize

[malbert73]

Wandering has gone silent once we all called him on his BS.

[Kettlewell]

It continues to amaze me how vitriolic threads get on here. It's why I spent a lot of time (years) not posting. Cruising should be a relaxing pursuit, at least for the mind, and why can't we all get along? If your id is injured by someone else's choice of gear or opinions on boats you might want to look inward to find the problem.