Anchor opinions! Everybody that owns a boat certainly has one. Me, being as how I built my Herreshoff Marco Polo in the early 80's, went with a 'first generation anchor'....my 75# CQR with 1/2" chain kept us where we intended through about 50K miles of cruising, including being on the hook through a couple hurricanes. 120+ winds (Tahiti in 82) The trick is to have an anchor that is good for any sort of holding, the CQR may not be the very best in soft mud, but once in, it's in. No matter which a person chooses....an open roadstead is still something that gets one up several times during the night. -Veteran '66-68 ex-Schooner Valkyrie.

I want an anchor that I can lose without talking to my bankmanager first :-) This peace of eye candy I would never throw overboard.

@johnwallis1309

3 жыл бұрын

My personal view on anchors. Most of my cruising be done in fine weather coastal that is Now while I know one needs a good anchor set up to protect the vessel like in the case of a Lee shore when engines kaput, with increasing wind. I carried 3 anchors fisherman's,carnforth,and Bruce,one with a very long length of chain .and two with shorter, lengths. Found 90%of the time used the Bruce on a short chain the length of the boat with a rope around twice the length,this was more than adequate for shallow crowded Anchorages Up to about a force 4 or 5 Beaufort. And easy to haul by hand. But felt safe that there was also a good heavy anchor there with heavy chain ready to go if needed Over the years have lost 3 anchors at different times.one my own fault. Two were cut away fowled down one I grasped and got back fine weather It would break my heart to lose a four grand anchor and chain

@ToddDuplerDUPDAWG

3 жыл бұрын

😆

@skoronesa1

2 жыл бұрын

I don't think finance is an issue for this guy.

@atxsailor452

Жыл бұрын

Think the anchor is expensive, try the cost of replacing the boat… We have one and it’s the best money I have spent as I sleep easy on anchor and we normally anchor in 80’ of water.

If i was the manufacturer i would send you your money back for that superb review

I have an ultra and swivel for 3 yrs very good anchor, good set no dragging, because it s stainless i recommend a stainless chain to minimize rust on galvanized chain caused by having 2 different metals, I have experienced rust on the first 2 links so much so that I have to cut the links every 8 month to prevent rust stains on foredeck

Everyone I know who get a Rockna is very happy. Never heard the problem with mud, maybe in some places. We had an way undersize one (mistake) but it never never dragged.

Thanks for testing ULTRA and the swivel. Romain "Sales Manager France" for ULTRA MARINE

We have an Ultra and never had an issue with it in all kinds of conditions. What amazing footage of it setting and resetting.

For anybody thinking to buy one, say you have a 45ft, 10T displacement yacht you'll need the 27kg version, at € 2,300.00, plus swivel of € 300.00. Safety is priceless, sure, but these babies are expensive! Great video though, learned a thing or two, thanks!

Danforth for a hard sand free bottom and a big Bruce for everything else!!

Love my Ultra. Great to see it in action. Always sleep soundly on it and you can even shave in it when you pull it up in the morning!

Great video, thanks very much for the post. xx

I got a 40 pound bruce and 26 foot of 3/16 on 26 foot sailboat on a huricane sally it was rocky but it hold in place rock solid

WOW! The upside-down Delta pic is crazy. 03:35 Thx for the great video!

I have a 1975 Aquasport 170. I use my boat in the Tampa Bay area where the bottom is nearly all sand or grasses and I use a Danforth thats made for a boat up to 26', 8' of chain and 200' of 3/8" nylon line. Lol pretty simple for a pretty simple boat. I also have a second, smaller Danforth for the stern or whatever, really, when needed.

So many boats here in Turkey use the Ultra as they are made in Turkey. Our buddy boat Acheron upgraded to one recently and is very happy with the setting and holding. We still love our huge Mantus, with the roll bar, which has never let us down. 👍

@svfairisle

3 жыл бұрын

Who are you kidding Baz, we all know you've only got that Mantis so we can have an episode where your dragging towards the shore at 3am and you have to dive down and remove the rock that's stuck in your roll bar and save the ship! No seriously of all the roll bar anchors I like the Mantus most as it's so bloody big (especially yours) you're very unlikely to get something jammed in there.

@SailingABSea

3 жыл бұрын

😂 Have you been hacking into our hard drive and spying on our upcoming episodes? 😀

@svfairisle

3 жыл бұрын

Ha! no I just know you Aussies you're not happy unless there's been a near death experience, I reckon you guys breed the poisonous spiders and great white sharks on purpose just to make life more interesting!

This Sarca Excel has been rock solid for me. Second to none.

why did i enjoy watching the setting of the anchor as much as i did......how sad am I :-)

just purchased a CQR for a 18.5 ft cabin cruiser, never knew a lot about the anchor system. I have truly learned something today. thanks for the great video.. I will be watching your channel thanks 🙂

Remortgaging to buy one is the problem!

here in norway almost everyone uses bruce, and it works perfectly

Great review, the under water footage clearly shows the anchors performance and must give you the confidence you can sleep peacefully in the knowledge that your yacht is secure.

Another good video Steve, I'm a Rocna man myself on the Scottish West Coast by night, and a small Hydrobubble for lunch. That thing is way to posh for my boat, fur coat on a tramp my mate Niall would say.

Since I have an Ultra I doubt I will change! I also have the ultra anchor ring. They are not only beautiful, they are the best that money can buy. And, I had a rocna that I sold, I wished good luck to who bought it...

The Ultra anchor does look impressive, but it also looks very expensive. I now Googled. These anchors are almost $2000 for a modest-sized sailboat. But then I think if I weren't retired. So funny that he starts not being impressed by shiny anchors, but then it is a shiny anchor that he ultimately picks, albeit one that actually performs.

for the price and design aesthetic of them, Ultra should really supply one actual anchor and another shiny polished replica to enjoy as a display piece on the coffee table :)

@svfairisle

3 жыл бұрын

If we ever sell Fair Isle and move ashore the Ultra is coming with us for exactly that purpose, thats why I'm never anchoring in rock... Don't want to scratch it!

@ronschwolsky1626

3 жыл бұрын

@@svfairisle Who are you, Rodney Dangerfield?

@svfairisle

3 жыл бұрын

@@ronschwolsky1626 My wife and I were happy for twenty years. Then we met.

@ultramarine9942

2 жыл бұрын

Hello, only see your comment now but we actually have small replicas, send us a message if you wish to have one ;) really great decoration!

Good video , i found very interesting , thank you. I have CQR anchors on both my boats. Just have to say , like i do to most people these days 😂. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ' momentum is not inertia ' . To try and keep it simple. 'Momentum must be overcome to stop an object thats moving ' ,,,,,,,,,,,where as . 'Inertia must be overcome to start an object moving' . Similarly both according to mass .

Steve's videos are excellent and extremely helpful in choosing an anchor.

Excellent info!

I find your technical parts to your channel great. Can't wait for more

Fantastic video, as always!

I remember years ago with a danford in 60+ Knots on a 30 foot try (Yes you heard that right ) Offshore wind lifting the yacht completely out of the water in the gust , getting hit by penny sized pebbles from the shore 150 meters away (took off the paint & some antifoul forard). We had a smaller CQR & a fisherman out either side of the our main pick the danford . After the blow , 36 hrs, the fisherman was straightened out , The CQR was OK But the Danfords shank had stretched a third more of its original size - Sold the try next week .

Great review, certainly got me thinking of what I should now be using. Been following your channel from the very start, keep up the good work and stay safe out there.

Great video as usual

Awesome video!

I'm sure the Ultra is a great bit of kit but having just checked Jimmy Green Marine, the cost to replace my 20kg Rocna and 65m of 8mm chain would be over £3000 - far in excess of what many could realistically afford. My outlay for tackle that's kept my boat secure in 45+kts on more than one occasion in a variety of places was barely £800. Unless you're lucky enough to have a magic wallet, everything about cruising is a compromise based on experience, competence and what you can actually afford - even safety-critical items. If I wasn't confident that my anchor would hold in any given situation then I'd either not anchor or I'd maintain a watch. I was certainly impressed with your review of the Ultra which was fair, although it's clear it would never fit on my boat without substantial alterations to the bow rollers, adding yet more expense. Perhaps the reason why there's not many reviews of the Ultra is because so few people can afford one!

@kevinfisher1345

3 жыл бұрын

A thoughtful and well reasoned response. In particular this "If I wasn't confident that my anchor would hold in any given situation then I'd either not anchor or I'd maintain a watch." Sadly far too many do not do this. Heck just watching their _Anchoring 101_ video with that one boat that had simply dropped their Delta anchor down and was sitting practically under the bow, and never backed down to set it, so Delta was just sitting on top of the surface is far too common. And you do have a pretty decent anchor to begin with in the Rocna. So for you and your actions, I can fully understand your reasoning. However in case others read this and think that can apply to everyone. Once again far too many do not stop and think that spending money to ensure they have decent holding, especially for cruisers that live on the boat all the time it is money well spent. Far less to spend good amount on anchor and save the cost of replacing whole boat in bad situation. Kinda like oh it is going to take $10k to replace the roof on my house, and not many can afford that so I will just let it go .... not. People will make an exception and find w/e way they can to make it a priority as soon as they can.

@jonathangreedy

3 жыл бұрын

Lots in Turkey

@andrewvik8710

3 жыл бұрын

Sig Sauer, what kind of boat do you have? I'm looking at a 20kg Rocna with 8mm chain for my 36-foot sloop, 6+ tons.

@brownnoise357

Жыл бұрын

@@kevinfisher1345 I got talked into trying a Lewmar Dekta Oversized Anchor, by the Boatyard Owner where I had a lot of Work Done on my last Sailboat, after Purchasing it, and having ordered very high quality triple Galvanised Chain, as my Visitors Visa in the USA was running out, I was starting to Panic, and Peter said I can get a Delta shipped here overnight, you can have it tomorrow, and if you don't like it, come back once the Visa has reset, and I'll give you your money back, adding, we've never had a problem with them. Fair enough, I went with it, and tbh, was really surprised just how good a Genuine Lewmar Delta Anchor was. Problem - so many Counterfeits around, but Peter sources Genuine ones. I'll have to Sail up the East Coast to his Yard, unless the Boatbuilder has access to Genuine ones as well (tbh, pretty likely ), and I'll pick up an oversized Mantus 2 in Texas, as a backup Anchor anyway (actually Island Packet likely will be able to get one of those for me as well - disassembled, they are great to have in a Locker, not taking up much space. Best Wishes and Fair Winds. Bob in Wales. 👍⛵️✨️✨️✨️

Excellent vid, really useful. Cheers ⛵

Excellent video. Thank you.

Excellent video as usual; thanks.

Excellent anchor video! Best we’ve ever seen! Thanks you so much for providing such an abundance of information and links also! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. Five stars as always! 👍

GREAT stuff!!! Another good vid! CHEERS from CANADA!!!

Excellent video and very interesting. Given that you anchor in most locations I can totally see why you have gone for the best! Now I’m looking forward to the Kedge review! ⛵️

Another fantastic video on sailing knowledge, skill and ability. Well done.

Thank you! This was really helpful!

✨💯✨👍 Another top flight offering. Ultra certainly chose an appropriate moniker for their product.

Pure joy to watch my friend! This is what I am striving for in my videos!

Really appreciate this comprehensive video Steve thanks 🙂

great choice! appears to be top of the pack after all the reviews and testing.

Good info, well presented. Grazie.

Thank you so much. The resetting is impressively documented and I am sure getting it on video take much effort. Appreciated.

In the California delta most anchorage’s are mud bottoms with grass. I had a 43’ fiberglass houseboat that had a lot of sail area. I had three anchors. A Fortress aluminum “Danforth”, an original Bruce, and a Lewmar delta. Danforth was next to worthless as an anchor unless it was deep beyond sea growth otherwise it was great at hauling up a “salad ball”. The Bruce was very good and would quickly punch through the grass but if it did pull out it needed to be de-weeded before a reset. The Lewmar delta is inexpensive and dependable. Nothing fussy, just lower and back away. It was the most likely to reset if it got yanked over. I always set at least two anchors (didn’t have to re-aim the TV rabbit ears).

My boat came with an Ultra and its the best i have ever used but yes very expensive to buy. I notice that HR seem to spec it as standard so thats a great recommendation.

@Valden23

3 жыл бұрын

Hi Keith. Ultra anchors do indeed look good on HRs, but they are not standard. They are offered as optional extras on the models I've looked at. Perhaps that's what you meant; they're the standard option, if an anchor is included in the buyer's specification. You know, HR are a bit funny like this, with some of their options and with some of their standard inclusions. A teak deck is optional, but try to buy an HR without one! You'll hear multiple reasons why it won't work. And on the HR44, slab reefing is standard, but try to buy one with that. The first guy that did had all sorts of trouble, as HR were not geared up to deliver it. Funny. :-)

Great video

I have a small Spade anchor on my 7 mtr which came with the boat so was pleased to see your views. 😀

Thank you so much for sharing I was totally looking for a good anchor I have a 30 foot Pearson I live in Miami and I am totally happy with your video thank you so much good job sailor👍

Great video.

Another great informational video again! Thanks Steve. It’s nice to see real-time and actual events while using this anchor. Well done on the underwater/setting perspective! All the best Richard

Awesome video Captain. Never too much opinions in this matter. I have the Bruce model for sand and it performs great. I love your boat, it is realy beautiful I must say! Greeting from a floating caravan captain here! Cheers

Regarding the Ultra, you can always just use 2 shackles if you don't like the swivel. One small nitpick is that on some boats, water pools in the ultra anchor on the pulpit, and then it corrodes because it is like a dish holding water. There was a 70something Princess on our dock that i would walk by the Ultra every day going to my boat, and there was always corrosion and pooled water in it.

Beautiful anchor

Thank you !

Great review and I looked into the Ultra and really like its performance. I personally will be getting a 20 or 25kg Rocna as the 20kg is around $800 New Zealand, the 25kg is a little under $1200 New Zealand and the 20kg Ultra without the swivel is a little over $3600 New Zealand. So while I think the Ultra is better resetting and less prone to fouling the Rocna has been well proven in extreme conditions and is very popular here in NZ. For those that can afford the Ultra I have not heard anything bad about them and your anchor is some of the best insurance you can get for your boat.

@brownnoise357

Жыл бұрын

Frankly, any of the good Anchors are fine, and we'll up to the job once they are properly Set. and sometimes in the right place at the right time, they need to be able to fail, y breaking out sideways, as that really an Save the Boat, like happened when that First Tornado clobbered my boat, and the port side deck was going under, the Delta popped out sideways and the boat shot back upright. Believe it or not, but there is such a ting as being Overbuilt. Years ago, when we got hit in Britain by that Hurricane, the local guy with the house on top of an exposed hilltop, had been really huffed at how strong he had built,t his roof. however, when the Hurricane hit it, there was no area of the roof weak enough to reduce the pressure, no windows in it he could open even. and the Complete Roof lifted pff the wallpaper, flipped upside down, and landed in the front garden - thankfully nobody hurt, other than pride . So a Genuine to spec Lewmar Delta, tested in a pretty nasty Tornado Storm passed with flying Colours as far as I'm concerned. Talk about Confidence building that isn't misplaced. Still, ever forget, circumstances can arise that can defeat pretty much everything, and it pays to have a ba kup plan. Mine will be a Mantus 2 ready to assemble in a Locker, plus a suitably oversized inboard diesel, with a bloody good prop to get out of trouble with. Not really kidding, but I'm of the Top Fuel Dunny Car Dragster engine Philosophy when it comes to the power needed to exit stage left, With Style, but screw the elegance when you need to be Gone. There's people putting 10hp electric motors on 40 plus foot boats ffs ! what on Earth are these idiots Smoking ? Frankly, they are Influencing others to think that somehow this is an OK way to think ! What happens when shit gets really serious ? And it Will Get Really Serious at Sea, it is never IF, it is always WHEN. Anchors an be too secure, resulting in even Chains snapping. See examples when a bad storm hit the Scilly Isles off Cornwall UK, when the yacht Vagabond went in the rocks. One boat fired up its inboard diesel, and was able to exit stage left at a rate of knots. That wasn't 10hp of Diesel, or of Electric. Yet people seem to think I'm taking the piss when I tell them to forget pipsqueek electric motors, and make damned sure you don't have an undersized inboard diesel My next boat is 44ft, and It has either an 80hp or 85hp inboard Djesel as Standard. That'll do fine. There'll be a lots of grunt at low rpm Flexofold prop going on it as well. It'll hit the 8.27 knots Hull speed, with no problem, as Doing a Brave Sir Robin (Holy Brail , Monty Python) and Boldly Running Away, Frequently, is the only Plan B That Can Work. Being Stubborn, and hanging in there too long, and you end up like the Black Knight, getting your legs chopped off. There are very good Anchors out there, Pick one, and make it work, then have a Backup. Then make sure you have Very good chain. all I saw in Chandlers in the USA, was awful Chinese Crap made with poor steel, and the Galvanising was worse. I bought American Steel triple Galvanised made for the American Trucking industry, and it was drop dead gorgeous, and a fraction of the price of the Chinese Crap. A little more for regulated for use with a Windlass, but not much more. . So £3000+ anchor - how many of them end up on the end of rubbish Chain ? 🤔

@brownnoise357

Жыл бұрын

PS. To me, a Real McCoy genuine Lewmar Delta (if you can find one ) is a Rocna Anchor without the Hoop ? Like with Every Anchor, make sure it is set and things should be good. I'll be backing my next one up with a Mantus 2 as they seem to set well in weed and Sea grass covered bottoms. If you have a ear for good steel that's been properly Hardened and Tempered, make it ring, and you can tell if it's a good one by the tone. Teulu Channel got a good one I knew as soon as I heard it ring, that Lewmar Delta has held in 50 plus knots now, no issues. 👍 Best Wishes and Fair Winds. Bob in Wales. ⛵️✨️✨️✨️

@inuendo0003

6 ай бұрын

thwvulcan made by rockna seems very similar

I totally agree! Ultra all dah way!

Sailingfairisle. you really are top notch. I loved the objectivity and quality of this video to the point I am considering buying a real ultra for the dream boat in my mind. You didn’t even mention how fabulous it would look on the bow roller of any yacht...present or future.

Did you get that shot in one attempt? Awesome!

@svfairisle

9 ай бұрын

Yes after a lot of effort planting the camera.

Thankyou for going through the anchor types with clear reasoning as to the good , bad and the ugly. Up to date my preference and from all I had read I was of the view that the Sarca was possibly the best out there. However, watching/listening to your description re the Ultra I can see why perhaps not so. It’s always good to learn from others experience. I was never a fan of the Rocna, despite plenty of others saying they are great. Likewise seeing the Ultra swivel it certainly looks like it’s a decent bit of kit. Checking the prices on line for the Ultra and given it’s stainless as well, it sure looks like decent value for money and one’s peace of mind.

Very helpful ... Very well done video

@svfairisle

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Todd

Definitely a superb anchor.

I have in my 44 Moody 1 CQR 45 and 1 Bruce made in Belgium 44, they are the best.

@svfairisle

2 жыл бұрын

As I said in the film if you have anchors that work for your boat where you are then you could stick with them if you don’t want to go further afield. But be in no doubt they are not the best. You have two 1st generation anchors which have the worse holding of any anchors out there.

Simply clear and excellent. Thanks. (25kg Rocna user, that doesnt always set in hard sand - thats Kastos in Greece)

Hard sand is the best holding bottom, all the anchor hook well on this. A good test should be done in nasty ground like rolling stones, soft mud, grass.

@svfairisle

3 жыл бұрын

This wasnt 'hard sand' it was more like concrete I couldnt bang a sharpened metal pole into it with a club hammer! I know with absolute certainty that my Delta wouldn't touch it we would have just towed it around the anchorage as we have on other occasions! It would have been interesting to see how anchors like the Spade and Rocna would cope with it, i think they would have dug in just maybe not as quickly.

Appreciate the info. Our spade has served us well over the last 8 years from the Atlantic to pacific. Only drawback…bit of rust now that the galvanized coating has worn off.

Kudos on some very impressive camera work! Very interesting to see your anchor setting so quickly. I have been using a Rochna very successfully for the past five or so years. Yes, I’ve heard more impressive comments regarding spades, mantis and other anchors but nothing enough to make me want to buy another anchor. In more than 100 anchorages over the past few years, I’ve only dragged twice and in both instances I am convinced that no anchor would have held. In 50+ years of cruising in North America, Europe, the Caribbean and northern Africa, I’ve never locked my boat and have never lost anything other than one anchor! I would seriously lose sleep over your beautiful stainless steel anchor if it was perched on my bow in plain view. I am guessing your stainless steel anchor chain combined with your anchor and swivel makes the total cost of these items comparable to the entire cost of your beautiful yacht! But there is something certainly said for peace of mind sleeping at night in a precarious anchorage. Another point worth mentioning. On at least two occasions I have anchored in 70 feet of water. Naturally a 5 to 1 scope is impractical. But no doubt due to the tremendous weight of the chain, a 3 to 1 scope held us in fairly brisk conditions. I would have loved to see a video of the anchor in that situation, but my guess is that all that chain hung vertical from the boat and then was flat against the seabed to the anchor.

@svfairisle

3 жыл бұрын

Yes as I said at the beginning of the video, if the anchor you have is working for you then you're probably okay. We didn't have any problems with the Delta in Holland or the UK and if that was my cruising ground i may have stuck with it as it seemed to cope with that sort of mud well. It was hopeless in the Scilly Isles though and several other places and I never really trusted it. And that's actually pretty important to your own wellbeing, i definitely sleep much better at anchor with the Ultra than I did with the Delta because i trust it! There are some formulas that people use for scope taking in to consideration the depth, but fair to say the deeper the water you're anchoring the less scope you need. 3:1 is usually plenty in deep water. If we leave Fair isle somewhere I will be locking the anchor to the bow sprit!

@waterboy8999

3 жыл бұрын

@@svfairisle and somewhere that doesn't sell cordless angle grinders.........

@atxsailor452

3 жыл бұрын

If our Ultra anchor is up we are on the move so good luck steeling it!

@riffseeks10s46

3 жыл бұрын

@@atxsailor452 You must be that one cruiser in this millennium to have never stopped in a marina overnight! When my Delta was stolen it was our first night in a marina in several weeks as we ducked in an unfamiliar inlet in Central Florida and couldn’t find a comfortable anchorage before quickly fading light in the late fall. We were bow-to and our anchor was conveniently (for the theft!) over the dock. We were soundly asleep and never heard anything, At the time (2001) Deltas were the rage. In addition to seizing wire, I used to tighten the shackle with a 10” wrench, so the thief was equipped. My backup was a Danforth and I had a Fortress stowed away, but I visited a local used marine equipment store for piece of mind and reluctantly bought a Chinese knock-off CQR that set after 5+ tries and dragged with astounding regularity!

@riffseeks10s46

3 жыл бұрын

@@atxsailor452 Additionally, for what it’s worth, I have altered my technique slightly in the hopes of thwarting a thief. Now, once the anchor is up, I over tension the anchor in the bow roller using the windless. Now getting the pin out of the shackle is considerably more difficult. Also, the swivel I use requires a large Allen key. I’ve filled the Allen key hole with silicone sealer in the hope to frustrate a would-be thief operating in darkness. I know all these measures are probably irrelevant to a determined thief, but at least I get the satisfaction of knowing I make his task more challenging. I am always reminded of a friend who despite 24/7 security and video surveillance at his factory is unable to stop the loss of 20 foot fiberglass extension ladders from his facility over the years. Unfortunately, a determined thief can always defeat the best protections.

Steve.... excellent review... Hooked from the beginning! 🙄 Was looking at a chain and anchor swap will look at this little combo closely ... I doubt cheap but there again a drag into the rocks would dwarf the bill if you had a boat left....

Thanks God I’ve just bought a Ultramarine too!! 😍

Nice review. We use a 60 kg Ultra w/ 100 m 12mm G70 on our 56' -- same weight but more windage -- and we _love_ it. Yes it looks expensive at first sight but it's just so good.

@svfairisle

3 жыл бұрын

60kg's! wow you're not going anywhere!

@atxsailor452

3 жыл бұрын

We have a 60kg on our 62' 28 ton sailboat which is the recommended size from Ultra for our our size and weight. It was a hard pill to swallow price wise but beats not being able to sleep at anchor!

Great video, ultra looks great ...BUT THE PRICE IS INSANE!

I'm convinced..!!

@svfairisle

3 жыл бұрын

It'd look good on the bow of the Amel James & your lovely washer will always keep it clean and shiny!

I found you video useful giving feedback on the delta and brugel. Im a small yacht 6 m kingfisher 20.I carry plenty chain 100 feet 6mm plus 50 feet 8mm with 100 foot warp or 170 feet 8mm with 100 ft 6mm. I have 7.5 kg bruce on 6mm which holds fine up to F 6 plus. 22lb Thames anchor on 8mm, and double up a 20 lb fisherman in tandem with bruce in kelp or weed. But im looking for additional anchor that works better in weed or rock and good reset so thought about the delta or brugel both realistic priced. You given me confidence in them , cheers!

Whew. Pretty

Definitely a nice looking anchor. It's also interesting that Rocna's new anchor is somewhat similar in shape to the Ultra and lacks the hoop of the original rocna. Always nice to see actual testing being done rather than just purely anecdotal testimony (though the sheer popularity of the rocna does suggest it's at least a decent anchor). I am shocked just how little product testing happens in boating. It seems like any actual testing and comparison between different options is always at least a decade old. Surprising since one of the standard things you hear about buying a boat is "never buy a boat without testing it", lol.

@svfairisle

3 жыл бұрын

There's no question the Rocna is a decent anchor and yes I think their new offering the Vulcan is even better, surprisingly hasn't generated the Rocna following, strange. Maybe Peter Smith is just too much of a salesman, who knows. I definitely think he pushed too hard on the 'independent' testing with sponsored magazines with the Rocna, people start to see through that. One of the things I like with Ultra is they positively encourage external testing. very rare..

@FlesHBoX

3 жыл бұрын

@@svfairisle Well, the Ultra is now definitely high on my list to look at when it comes time for me :)

Great review, but I would say that as I was about to start this sentence with "snap!". Around the marina there are a lot of die-hards that won't listen to anything and would rebuke your 5:1 scope. Me, I'm in total agreement, and if it's that crowded move away. The chain is as important as the anchor and we found an auto aligning and rotating swivel which is priceless in preserving the front of the boat. Now where's my magnet! A review of secondary anchors would be very welcome.

Great video. I love to learn new things about boating although we motor boat. We have a delta anchor and I just hate it. I used to anchor over night but just don’t do it now as I don’t trust the delta to re-set. The ultra anchor looks superb. I will take a look on line to see the different sizes available. As I say great video but I missed Judy this time.

@svfairisle

3 жыл бұрын

I miss her too:( but she's back on Sunday:)

An excellent analysis of the different types. I used a CQR and a Bruce in a hurricane but that Ultra might be worth getting hold of. I will probably paint it some ugly colour though to make it less appealing to magpies (know what I mean? wink wink!)

Rocna is a beast

Great video full of valuable information. I watched Steve's video but one thing I didn't like about it was instead of using the swivel designed to work with this anchor he used a janky two shackle setup. It was easy to see that, that definitely didn't help the Ultra's performance. Your video on the other hand uses the proper over engineered swivel and showcases just how well the Ultra Anchors handle resetting. I know that when I finally get my vessel one of the first purchases will be an Ultra with their swivel and chain because I do so enjoy a good nights sleep...

@ultramarine9942

2 жыл бұрын

Hello, thank you for your trust in our products! Let us know once you have your boat, will help you find the best size :) Take care

Will look very pretty on the bow roller. If the fishermans anchor is heavy enough, it works!!!!!

Grate video thanks for the info ⛵⛵⛵⛵⛵

HEY Fair Isle, I had to say that your video was a very good review of what appears to be a very good anchor . I do like all the thought and build quality behind that anchor . I have also seen very compelling video on the Rockna and that anchor also seems to reset very very well... but scope is very important for it to dig properly. I have seen the Rockna handle 90 and 180 degree wind shift and reset every time ... it may have used a bit more real estate to do it... but it reset every time. Robert North Star

@svfairisle

3 жыл бұрын

I have no doubt the Rocna resets brilliantly 99.9% of the time, it's the 0.1 (probably less, who knows?) percent of the time when it might get something stuck in the roll bar and therefore not reset that worries me.

Nice anchor. The money is very nice too!

I just like pointy objects. This has satisfied.

Big like thanks for the video love from Israel

Your ⚓ is your ace in the hole if all else fails you will be relying on that anchor good choice I'm Guna get one

The ultra is to pretty to put in the water , it looks like a piece of art ! Lol

The weight of an anchor on the bow and its effect upon sailing performance is another factor. The excellent holding performance of the Ultra for its size (along with the Spade, which I've chosen because I'm not as rich as Steve) means that good holding can be had without increased pendulum motion when sailing. I keep seeing folks choose heavy Rocnas, when a lighter Spade (or Ultra for rich people ;-) ) would dig deeper and bobble less.

@svfairisle

3 жыл бұрын

Yes very good point, weight on the bow is key for a lot of boats (and all Cats) at 26tons Fair Isle isn't that sensitive to it & she's designed to have two anchors on the bow but it's still an issue it we ant to sail well. The other factor is of course the anchor chain. It's definitely not a good idea to lessen the weight of your anchor because of balance issues, much better to go down a size in chain but up a grade in strength. i.e from 12mm to 10mm switching up one grade in this list from standard-to-G40-to-G70-to-Cromox doing that will save about 33% of the weight of the chain (for the same strength) which will be more that the weight of a whole anchor. Of course strong chain comes at a price. I just think the price is worth it. I do love it that you think price is no object to us but I assure you it is. It's just a question of priorities, our generator has died for instance, we don't have money for a new one so its candles and the wind-up radio this season! ... while we're securely anchored!!

@Valden23

3 жыл бұрын

​@@svfairisle I also think the price is worth it. I was once asked, without warning, to explain the concept of value for money to a room full of air force officers and replied with, 'It's whatever we say it is. But in the end, what is more important is affordability.' I assess the Ultra anchor as representing excellent value for money. However, in the mix of things I need to spend money on to get a boat built and going, it wasn't affordable. The Spade was affordable and is good enough. :-) I will replace it with an Ultra Mk II one day.

@svfairisle

3 жыл бұрын

Very good summary.

Glad to see you went with an Ultra. I was torn between Ultra and Spade as you probably remember from previous comments of mine. My neighbor has an Ultra and absolutely loves it. My Spade has just started to loose the yellow surprising after a year. I suspected it would be more gone by now. I went with a 55lb anchor which when we set off full time cruising will become a spare anchor as we will likely go up to a 77lb or 100lb anchor as a primary. Whats interesting is the Ultra sizing guide is telling me for my boat (17ton 42 footer mono) I should run their 77lb anchor while Spade is saying the 55lb is fine. I suspect side by side comparison, Ultra will hold better in higher winds due to higher weight and size. It would be interesting to get both anchors and run them in a side by side, weight for weight test. Great to see you post this video, I think people tend to under estimate the importance of a good anchor and anchoring system. It's one of those functions that people tend to cheap out. Reduce budgets in other areas to get an anchoring system that is the best is better than one that is "okay in most cases"

@svfairisle

3 жыл бұрын

I think the general consensus is that Spade underestimate the sizes. I think they went quite strong on not having to rely on weight with modern anchors the way you did with older models as an advertising line, but somewhat overdid it! maybe to prove a point, who knows.

@jordandegeus5791

3 жыл бұрын

@@svfairisle Agreed! I think Steve needs to expand his testing and do side by side of weight to weight tests!

I noticed you attached the anchor to swivel directly , I was recommended to install 3 links of chain between anchor and swivel to avoid breaking the swivel when the anchor turns .

@svfairisle

Жыл бұрын

It depends on the swivel and on the anchor. Unfortunately the Luddite tendencies of most of us sailors tends to make us hang on to old practices that used to be valid and no longer are. Anchors used to be designed with slots not holes as well to make it possible to fit a shackle the right way around. But this makes the anchor shank weaker. There are some very good swivels out there now. Ultra design their system with a hole not a slot to keep maximum strength and match it with a very strong swivel that has maximised the size and strength of the pin and added a bridging plate and articulation to cope with the prising loads you can get with a turning anchor, especially if it’s stuck. I have made a video on the Ultra swivel which might explain this better.

Nice work again Steve thank-you. Do you have any thoughts re the stainless used in the anchor (and fittings)and its longevity in tropical environments (thinking about your comments re chain in Anchoring 101)? I may have missed it but didn't see the spec on the Ultra website.

@svfairisle

3 жыл бұрын

Ultra use 316L which has a high PREN factor which makes it good for tropical water but you're right not impervious to all corrosion. The corrosion that is still possible (but not anything like to the degree of normal 316, or even 316Ti) But if you think about it crevice corrosion is not really an issue at all with a great hunk of metal like an anchor. With a chain you have lots of welds that are perfect (if they're not none well) for crevice corrosion. The Ultra has 316L flukes which is more than enough for it's usage and duplex steel for the shank. i think the reason for that is not corrosion but rather greater strength and ductility.

Nice video! Thanks for all the hard work! I was expecting to see the Mantus, at least a comment or opinion. Why wasn't that model mentionned?

@svfairisle

3 жыл бұрын

To be honest I did have a whole section on the Mantus along with other roll bar anchors, but it was all a bit negative and also long and geeky for most, so I cut it. I do have a bias against roll bar anchors for the reasons stated, but I don't want to force that opinion on people too much. Roll bar anchors just don't make a lot of sense to me & so they don't play much of a part in my list. If you disagree with that bias then anchors like the Rocna and Mantus become much stronger contenders.

@PhilLemoine

3 жыл бұрын

@@svfairisle Mantus has both the M1 and M2. The M1 has the rolling bar, but not the M2. Anyways, thanks for the insights!

Wherry is the classic stickancor

Very well done. I did a circumnavigation about 20 years ago with the anchors you immediately dismissed--the Bruce (bower anchor), CQR, and Danforth, which I don't believe you mentioned. We only used the Danforth for a stern anchor. I have no experience with the modern anchors you mentioned. But all three of the above have saved my bacon enough times that I would not tempt the gods by disparaging them. I have dragged exactly one time in my sailing career. It was with the Bruce, after a windshift in about 25 k, in weed. Fortunately, my crew was aboard and awake. I have had difficulty getting the Bruce to set a couple of times, the worst of which was in Mykonos. But when we finally found a good spot, we stuck through a gale and were one of the very few boats that didn't move an inch. I of course have nothing to offer in the way of criticism at all, and am only speaking from my own experience. But my impression is that 90% of anchoring failures fall into three categories. In order of frequency they are 1) Poor anchoring technique. 2) Completely inadequate holding ground. This of course should be discovered during anchoring, and if moving isn't an option, a proper 24-hour anchor watch should be maintained. 3) Gear failure, which can be obviously avoided by proper maintenance. Again, well done, thanks for the report, and fair winds.

@svfairisle

3 жыл бұрын

20 years ago you had the best anchors available, comparing what I know about first gen anchors and modern anchors I'm glad I have the easy life now! I agree totally about your number one point, I would be interested in your feed back on the anchoring technique video i did : kzread.info/dash/bejne/ZJtqq9Vvo8mchto.html one thing about anchoring with 1st gen anchors is your technique HAS to be good!

@terrulian

3 жыл бұрын

@@svfairisle OK, I watched the technique video, which was very thorough. I have no important differences with you, although I have no experience with stainless ground tackle. Happy to take your word on it. But a couple of comments: 1) A kellet or sentinel is, I agree, of little use in preventing dragging. However, I sail in the San Francisco Bay area where we have forceful currents that change every six hours. If you don't have all chain, and most local sailors don't, the rode can absolutely get wrapped around the keel and this is a very serious problem, as the anchor is now tasked with holding the boat when it is beam-to the current...which isn't going to happen. Don't ask how I know. 2) When backing down on the anchor, I teach students to look perpendicular to the boat and find a range. With power applied as you suggest, this is a very good way of testing if the anchor is holding, and it requires no other person's judgment. 3) You may want to mention an anchor watch. Every once in awhile you may have to ride out a gale in an anchorage with dodgy holding. We always kept a 24-hour watch, but this can also be done electronically by setting the alarm on GPS, depthsounder, or radar, or better still, all three. I never trusted that method, though, as I had doubts about waking up!! Beautiful boat, by the way, and again, very well done!

@svfairisle

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for that excellent analysis, I agree with every word. I do however have more faith in GPS anchor alarms. I wouldn't rely on one in a blow with a lee shore, but I can testify to the fact my ipad gps anchor alarm warned me I was dragging well before I was aware of the fact while sitting in the cockpit observing one evening this summer, they are VERY good!

@halftiderock

Жыл бұрын

I circumnavigated in the 1970s. I had a hawse pipe so the anchor was either going to fit or we had to keep it on deck and put it overboard every time we wanted to anchor. I survived very nicely with a Danforth and a 200# Luke on all charin The Luke has flukes that have as much frontal area as most of the second-generation anchors 25% of it's weight. The only drawback is it can't hold in very soft mud. When we wanted a lunch hook we had a 45 # Northhill which had a predictable "popout" when the wind hit 45 knots. Because I have to pick an anchor that will fit in a hawse pipe i will probably continue to use the Danforth. For those who still use ithe Danforth it is important to understand that it was designed to be a light weight anchor with extraordinary holding power for it's weight and was the anchor for landing craft basically to be used in a sand bottom. straight into the beach and then straight back out. it's weakness is that if it is well set the stock can bend and it can get choked up with a rock or piece of wood, eel grass or hard bottom and fail to reset. I've dropped mine on a lobster trap and in Corsica on the springs from a queen-sized bed. I dragged with it last week after a 180-degree wind shift when I brought it to the surface the hard clay bottom was stuffed into the flukes and the anchor could never have reset. The boat next to us with a plow dragged at every major wind shift and their lack of success became predictable and embarrassing to watch. They had a plow and it did not like the hard bottom. These are just the musings of an old fart with a Danforth in the hawse. Another thing that I notice is that people don't paint their anchors white. On most bottoms a bright white anchor stands out and whether it s set or not can often be observed from the surface.

@terrulian

Жыл бұрын

@@svfairisle All of the alarms--radar, depthsounder, and GPS, are reliable. What I have no reason to count on is that I would wake up, especially when asleep after a difficult passage.