MYSTERY ANCHOR

[Salishseer]

A question about a mystery ANCHOR: Prior owner (passed) purchased an "80 lb ACE" plow-style, chromed, anchor. I can't find, in Google, who made this anchor or any formation about it. DOES ANYONE RECOGNIZE THIS ANCHOR? Thanks.

 

[C lectric]

Photos or a few photos so it can be seen. A photo may jog some ones memory.

 

[Salishseer]

Photos or a few photos so it can be seen. A photo may jog some ones memory.

Thanks... good idea. I will post pics in the morning.
Mel

 

[Salishseer]

 

[Salishseer]

This just looks like an old style plow anchor, but can't decipher the logo. Does anyone know this logo/brand of anchor? THANK YOU.

I can't find any specs or logo, anywhere!
Mel

 

[drewread]

Looks like the logo belongs to ARITEX.

 

[Just working]

trust me its Airtex in Taiwan

 

[drewread]

trust me its Airtex in Taiwan

Almost.. Or autocorrect.

ARITEX

 

[Salishseer]

Ah.. you guys are great. But now the question: is this nothing but an 80# bottom sitter, or does it have good quality and most of all, holding power? Does it suffer the typical "land-on-my-side-and-I -won't get-right-up" PLOW problems?

Coming from the east, are there metallurgic concerns anyone would have in the Aritex product?

Last question: if you were me, and I want to by a 45kg Ultra, what would you sell this Aritex anchor for? [any buyers? it is in San Rafael - SF Bay, CA.]

Thanks, all. I love this place!
Mel

 

[NWboater2]

You pay a lot extra for the ultra’s polished stainless bling factor. All the galvanized next gen anchors are also good and much cheaper. No idea on value of the one you have. Good luck!

 

[NWboater2]

Check out sv panope/steve Goodwins anchor tests on you tube. Entertaining and informative

 

[Salishseer]

Thanks, all. As an oceanographer, seen/used lots of anchors over decades... the videos and tests of Ultra's blow away nearly all others, and avoid the bad behavior of plows, and the problems of the roll bar in Rocnas..... Am not about shiny bling, but easy penetration and later washing. The change of wind and tide (180 and 360 deg changes) are impressive in Ultra's staying dug in. Yeah, bucks are high, but holding is what I care about after investing my left arm, right leg and.. yeah, other parts. Thanks, again. Mel

 

[ranger58sb]

the videos and tests of Ultra's blow away nearly all others, and avoid the bad behavior of plows, and the problems of the roll bar in Rocnas.....

I haven't watched in a while -- since we bought our replacement anchor a couple years ago now, based on Steve's tests -- but I don't remember Ultras "blow away" others all that much. I think I remember they got good marks, but not hugely better than some others.

??

FWIW, we chose differently. Specifically one piece. Specifically to avoid stainless. Et cetera...

-Chris

 

[mvweebles]

The Plow style anchors were state of the art 40 years ago. They are now baubles more commonly seen converted into mailbox posts than on the bow of a cruising boat. I suspect the owner who purchased your knockoff did so because of the gleaming finish at a cheap price - hardly a legitimate credential for an anchor.

The attached chart from Panope is a few years old but likely not much has changed. The Ultra is a good anchor. But there are others that are at least as good without the polished appearance that doubles (or triples) the price (Mantus and Vulcan being two examples).

Peter

 

[Mambo42]

One other reason for me not to take a SS anchor is that you won't see SS go bad until it simply snaps. Cracklines can develop and you won't noticd. With a galvanized anchor you will at least see what the condition is.

 

[Delfin]

You pay a lot extra for the ultra’s polished stainless bling factor. All the galvanized next gen anchors are also good and much cheaper. No idea on value of the one you have. Good luck!

The Ultra's stainless construction isn't about bling, but about having a hollow shank that places most of the weight where you want it - in the toe. Additionally, the smooth surface facilitates the anchor digging in and "diving", which helps quick sets.

 

[mvweebles]

The Ultra's stainless construction isn't about bling, but about having a hollow shank that places most of the weight where you want it - in the toe. Additionally, the smooth surface facilitates the anchor digging in and "diving", which helps quick sets.

Here's a more recent Panope ranking (2022) that includes the Vulcan. The Ultra's tip weight ranking (right side of metrics) is only average with several others having better specs.

By far the best reason to own an Ultra is it's a shiny looking anchor - jewelry. And yes it works well too.

For a bow a anchor, any of the modern anchor designs are better than the older designs. Mantus, Vulcan, and Ultra are all readily available but there are others (Viking is a fairly recent entrant that Panope seemed to like but isn't as readily available). I carry a Vulcan on my bow and a disassembled Mantus as backup.

Peter