The following is one of a series of Safety-at-Sea thoughts that first appear in the OCC’s e-bulletin.
Anchor Choice, a generational question
There is safety-at-sea and there is safety-at-anchor. Being safe at anchor often gets overlooked until zero-dark-thirty and a squall is coming through.
Writing about anchors usually stirs up a hornet’s nest of response, but I believe that the evidence is in that the new generation of anchors (SPADE, Rocna, Manson, etc.) is superior to the old generation (CQR, Bruce, Delta, Fortress, etc.). They are so far superior that I believe a case can be made that having a new generation anchor approaches being a safety issue: much like having and using jacklines and tethers offshore.
Some of us do a lot of anchoring, many do not, but every vessel should have an anchor that is dependable and easily deployed. I am not saying that the old generation anchors can’t anchor safely: after all, they have for generations. But I am saying that the new generation do everything significantly better: which translates into safety-at-anchor and peace of mind when the wind starts to howl.
I have been in a number of ports these last few years where boats that wander widely congregate and, almost without exception, the word is out: every boat sports a new generation anchor on the bow.
I hate to suggest that a valued anchor who has been a trusted piece of gear be turned into a lawn ornament, but safety suggests that one’s bower anchor be chosen from the new generation.
Safe anchoring, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy
Questions as to the actual anchor, among the new generation of anchors, has already seen some discussion in the Forum.

Our boat (OVNI 395) came with a Delta 20kg/44lbs and we thought it was fine but it let us down on three occasions, of which one required some very hectic manoeuvring to avoid damage to other boats - all was OK and of course it was at night.  So, we bought a Manson Supreme (the clue is in the name) 27kg/60lbs.  We sleep easy at night now.  We have not tested it in hurricane force winds but it has reset during a 180 degree wind shift in 35-40kts.  We keep the Delta for a second anchor/tandem anchoring/spare - and we have a Fortress FX-55 just to be sure.

So much about anchors is personal experience, different bottoms, different boats that at present I suspect it is hard to be certain about the various merits of the modern brands.  I suppose there is some cunning designer working on the next generation of anchors ... at least let's hope so.

+x

 

Philip Heaton - 2/25/2020

Our boat (OVNI 395) came with a Delta 20kg/44lbs and we thought it was fine but it let us down on three occasions, of which one required some very hectic manoeuvring to avoid damage to other boats - all was OK and of course it was at night.  So, we bought a Manson Supreme (the clue is in the name) 27kg/60lbs.  We sleep easy at night now.  We have not tested it in hurricane force winds but it has reset during a 180 degree wind shift in 35-40kts.  We keep the Delta for a second anchor/tandem anchoring/spare - and we have a Fortress FX-55 just to be sure.

So much about anchors is personal experience, different bottoms, different boats that at present I suspect it is hard to be certain about the various merits of the modern brands.  I suppose there is some cunning designer working on the next generation of anchors ... at least let's hope so.

Hi Phillip,
Sorry you endured 3 occasions of your Delta letting you down. There are certainly no guarantees that come with the new generation anchors, but I suspect that stories such as you describe will occur less often, probably far less often. One thing of note in your post  I would wish to underline: that is that you bumped up the weight of your bower from 44 to 60 pounds. I believe that setting/holding effectiveness increases exponentially with weight, so you now have a much better anchor with a good deal more potential to hold your boat in place. I suspect the added weight on the bow will make no noticeable difference to your sailing and that the price difference pales in comparison to how much better you sleep.
My best, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy