Another Round

I just got the latest issue of Passage Maker magazine. On page 34 Nigel Calder clearly states his all around anchor type preferences. Chuck Hawley responds. Its another round of the Spades against the bantam weight aluminum Danforth class. On the last go round on this subject I stated my opinion that Fortress staged this test as an advertising stunt knowingly cherry picking the bottom conditions so their product would shine. Interestingly some well known anchors did much worse than expected. At our local large marine supply store there are very few fortress anchors on display and a large number of Spade types and I have noticed this for several months. There appears to be a growing momentum toward the spade types and some of this may be due to advertising but I also suspect a good deal is due to word of mouth on the part of new users. While it is not hard science the experience of boaters like Caulder ,myself and many thousands more can not be totally discounted. I personally think the fairest anchor testing to date has been done by Practical Sailor Magazine. We are only in the early rounds of what is most likely a 15 round bout.

I've long been of the opinion that the Spade anchor designs are closer to ideal or perfection than others. I wouldn't be surprised if a Spade anchor could pass the rest in performance and rocket to the top w one or more slight modifications.

When is the next anchor test expected?

Why does any of this matter when Rocna's are the best. Period.



That should do it!......:lol:

eyschulman,
N4712s remark reminds me to ask you what "large marine store" you are referring to? It would seem to be most likely Fisheries Supply. I was there recently and was shocked to see more very large Rocna anchors than I've ever seen before. There was a sort of hallway w huge shinny Rocna's lining the hallways sides. Rocna's, shiny Rocna's everywhere and no other anchor proudly displayed. The rest seemed more or less forgotten. I asked the salesman about it and he said they sell many more Rocna's than all other anchors combined. The long scope performance is very good ... perhaps as good as N4712 says. However it's also well known that there are limitations to the high performance of the brand.
I too am impressed w the Practical Sailor's tests and will be looking fwd to more.

manyboats said:

eyschulman,
N4712s remark reminds me to ask you what "large marine store" you are referring to? It would seem to be most likely Fisheries Supply. I was there recently and was shocked to see more very large Rocna anchors than I've ever seen before. There was a sort of hallway w huge shinny Rocna's lining the hallways sides. Rocna's, shiny Rocna's everywhere and no other anchor proudly displayed. The rest seemed more or less forgotten. I asked the salesman about it and he said they sell many more Rocna's than all other anchors combined. The long scope performance is very good ... perhaps as good as N4712 says or implies. However it's also well known that there are limitations to the high performance of the brand.
I too am impressed w the Practical Sailor's tests and will be looking fwd to more.

Click to expand...

I'm just pushing your buttons all in good fun.


I did notice our WM had a display with the new Vulcans in both galv and stainless. Almost splurged and bought one as a stern anchor.

manyboats said:

.... Rocnas, shiny Rocnas everywhere and no other anchor proudly displayed. The rest seemed more or less forgotten. I asked the salesman about it and he said they sell many more Rocnas than all other anchors combined....

Click to expand...

If they only stock/display Rocnas, no surprise that`s what they sell. If they had Sarcas proudly displayed...
(Apologies, Apostrophe Man dropped by, found work to do).

Well played Sir.
Remember Bruce it is the USA they are not lucky like us.

manyboats said:

eyschulman,
N4712s remark reminds me to ask you what "large marine store" you are referring to? It would seem to be most likely Fisheries Supply. I was there recently and was shocked to see more very large Rocna anchors than I've ever seen before. There was a sort of hallway w huge shinny Rocna's lining the hallways sides. Rocna's, shiny Rocna's everywhere and no other anchor proudly displayed. The rest seemed more or less forgotten. I asked the salesman about it and he said they sell many more Rocna's than all other anchors combined. The long scope performance is very good ... perhaps as good as N4712 says. However it's also well known that there are limitations to the high performance of the brand.
I too am impressed w the Practical Sailor's tests and will be looking fwd to more.

Click to expand...

Yes Fisheries. There was a time not so long ago when I had to order a spade type anchor from fisheries since they barely stocked them. As to sales due to what they stock that is not the whole picture. I believe they keep tabs on what their customers want.