450: L450 - anyone using a 40kg Rocna?

[gstent]

Does it fit the bow roller OK to should I go down to the 33? Hope the Quick windlass is up to the job!

[sailnow2011]

Make sure the total weight of the anchor and chain are less then the working load of the windlass.

[Bean Counter]

We have a 6 year old 40kg Rocna + 1/2" chain with Quick Dylan windlass. The windlass had a warranty issue with PO in year one, but has never let us down in last 3 years of cruising and mainly anchoring, it has never tripped the breaker. When the Rocna is well set in mud or submerged in sand the windlass struggles to break the anchor free, so we motor over the anchor when the chain is tight and it lifts the shank enough to then get the anchor to break free. As an aside, the other day we wanted to get rid of some twist in the chain so we went to deep water and dropped the anchor and 80 meters of chain. The windlass could barely lift that vertical load and I had to give it a helping hand pulling on the chain till it got to about 50 meters. Maybe if I had the generator running giving max volts it would have done better.

[Bean Counter]

In addition to the above, the PO was not happy with standard Lagoon bow roller (which still works, because I have used it). In year 3 he a had a custom made Delrin roller with a larger diameter roller wheel and larger flared cheeks which probably assisted angled chain retrieval and anchor alignment a bit better than standard. That Delrin roller has now worn through and we need a new one. We used an anchor swivel for a while to help reduce chain twist, it made no difference to the anchor coming the right way up on to the first roller. It always comes up backwards and then when the shank enters the U of the roller bracket it turns around the proper way.

[YPSILANTI]

Yes, the 50 ft South African Knysna Cats are fitted with a 40kg Rocna. they are excellent and well fitted cats. I have a similar 47 ft Voyage and I will shortly be buying a 50kg Rocna, so Id say doent go below a 40. Bean Counter, would your hardware handle a 50kg. If it could, would you be more comfortable with a 50kg Rocna or do you think its a mistake. Our boats are very similar. I want a 50ft for that extra security when I'm not around and a blow arrives. Your comments will be welcomed. Regards Mike

[a64pilot]

I hesitate to post as I am a Mono, but I have a 40 kg Rocna on my 38", excess I know.
I would not if I were you go to a 33 on a boat your size, not unless you only day anchor

[Emerald Sea]

[QUOTE= As an aside, the other day we wanted to get rid of some twist in the chain so we went to deep water and dropped the anchor and 80 meters of chain. The windlass could barely lift that vertical load and I had to give it a helping hand pulling on the chain till it got to about 50 meters. Maybe if I had the generator running giving max volts it would have done better.[/QUOTE]

We've removed our twist in a similar way but first removed the chain from the anchor. A few meters of coaching it along is all thats needed before the self weight takes over. The Quick windlass easily picks up the chain only.

The 40kg Rocna fits into the standard 450 bow roller.

[HopCar]

You can go on the Rocna website and down load a profile of the anchor.
Transfer the profile to cardboard or better foam core, cut it out and try it on the anchor roller. It's a little work but easier than trying to return a 40 kilo anchor that didn't fit.

[Bean Counter]

Emerald Sea, yes we will just do chain next time. We had a swivel on at the time with hex bolts and loctite and so I was too lazy to heat it up and take the anchor off, but now we only have a shackle it will be easier next time. Our problem is the chain has rusted and no longer fits the gypsy on all links, time for a new chain, sadly. The gypsy is a 12mm - 13mm, but we will be getting US chain so apparently only 7/16 Hi Test will fit.

YPSILANTI re 50 kg Rocna, there would seem to be enough room to fit a bigger anchor, I think our current windlass is at it's limit with the 40 and 1/2" chain.

[PaulinOz]

Yes 40 kg Rocna on L450 all good, no problems in three years so far.

The chain weighs 3.8 kg/meter or there about. So it is only like trying to lift an extra 4 meters of chain. The chain is the weight to be conscious of, as you will struggle to dead lift 80 meters plus anchor as has bee quoted.

Standard OEM 25kg Delta on left, 40kg Rocna on right, which one will promote a better nights sleep when on anchor.

[gstent]

Thanks everyone - its a no brainer - the Rocna 40 it is!

[anthonyp0808]

I will be fitting a Rocna 40 when I get back to the boat in 3 weeks time. (with a Fortress FX37 as secondary)

There is currently an anchor swivel fitted.

My question - should I keep it or ditch this swivel?

[Whomda]

Originally Posted by PaulinOz

Yes 40 kg Rocna on L450 all good, no problems in three years so far.

Just to confirm, you made no changes to the bow roller to accommodate the big Rocna?

[PaulinOz]

No just attached the new anchor on to existing chain.

Fitted original 25kg Delta with 15 meters of 13mm chain and 100 meters of rope rode and put away as spare in locker 3 years ago, I assume it is still there but have not looked at it for 3 years. Full time live aboard cruising East Coast Oz.

[PaulinOz]

Quote "There is currently an anchor swivel fitted.

My question - should I keep it or ditch this swivel?"

I guess it depends on the quality and Working load of the swivel. Would want to be stronger than chain and attachment shackle.

I do not have one fitted and have not had the need for one so far.

The anchor always seems to right itself as it comes up to the boat, usually Idrag it through the water on 2 meters of chain to clean before bringing it all the way in.