Yet another anchor possibility

[mike uk]

To add to the bewildering array of choices, many of which have been subjected to some expert debate on this board, here's another.

Anyone tried the Sword? Any views?


Mike

oops - posted in wrong place - see same question in main discussion board.

[James V]

I remeber some thing on it. It is simular to a plow with same like problems. After the tip dulls you have a plow.

[mtc]

Isn't that the French anchor which I cannot recall the name?

It's not the Sword. Begins with a Q.

Quest, Quam,

help me

[Frank C]

You're thinking of its big brother anchor, the Spade.
Read further down the webpage linked above for a refresher on them both.

[mike uk]

Yes, the Sword is the little brother of the Spade which is French (well, actually, Tunisian!) but they do sell globally through marine dealers.

The Spade has a good reputation so I was quite interested in the cheaper Sword alternative, especially since there is no suggestion on their website that its reliability is any less than that of its big brother. They seem to suggest the cost saving comes from a slight redesign incorporating cheaper manufacturing processes.

That's a good comment from James - no sharp tip and I may as well have a cheap plow? But whilst it is still sharp I'm better off aren't I?

Also, how important is the stuff about surface area shape? After all they have patented it! Or is that just sales talk.

The anchor manufacturers certainly know how to bombard us with masses of technical information - I'm just not sure how much of it is either relevant or valid.

I'm sure experienced sailors will have settled on their favourite anchor systems whilst trying out new ideas from time to time. As a newer sailor, I don't have that accumulated experience so I guess I will have to pay my money and make my choice!

Anyone got a view on this?

Regards
Mike

[Frank C]

Spade performed as no. 1 or 2 in the tests run by Practical Sailor a few years back. I'd expect the Sword will perform well too. I love my Bulwagga anchor. If I didn't already own it, I'd probably choose it again. But I'd also consider the Rocna and Sword as very close alternatives ... their costs are all similar. It looks like both Rocna and Sword would make an easier fit on the bow.

All 3 of these choices will require an anchor roller, but that's a good thing. It's not an easy one, but one of the best convenience mods I've done. I installed a full-width backing plate under the deck, spanning the bow where the cleat bolts pierce the deck - as Blanton has also described.

I think there's one very compelling feature possessed by both Rocna and Bulwagga ... their designs are self-righting, plus the Bull has a third fluke. They have a chance, at least, to reset themselves if pulled loose by a 180 degree shift. In fact, Bulwagga demonstrates it in their video (in sand), and it seems the 3rd fluke might give it better odds after mudded - which has been ~90% of my anchoring conditions.

[craigsmith]

Isn't that the French anchor which I cannot recall the name?

It's not the Sword. Begins with a Q.

Quest, Quam,

help me

Perhaps a Q without a tail?

It is not a new anchor at all. It used to be called the "Oceane", and was renamed - twice in fact - and is now the "Sword". The design of the shank is also slightly different.

Spade performed as no. 1 or 2 in the tests run by Practical Sailor a few years back. I'd expect the Sword will perform well too. I love my Bulwagga anchor. If I didn't already own it, I'd probably choose it again. But I'd also consider the Rocna and Sword as very close alternatives ... their costs are all similar. It looks like both Rocna and Sword would make an easier fit on the bow.

Spade was recently heavily criticized and not recommended at all by Practical Sailor's recent anchor testing (April 2006). This is in no way intended as a negative comment on the Spade, which is an excellent anchor, but rather a criticism of Practical Sailor.

Don't consider the Rocna and Sword as close alternatives. Their costs are not at all similar, the Sword is substantially cheaper. Consider that the Rocna performs similarly or better than the Spade, then ask yourself the reason for Spade developing a second cheaper anchor type. Given that it is cheaper, if it performs equally, what raison d'etre does the Spade itself continue to possess? (Rhetorical question).

[mtc]

Thanks, Craig - that was bothering me. . . what was that word??????. Funny how it was close to a Q. Being mostly visually perceptive at times has its drawbacks.

This is not a blue/white thing, but just a preference. I was going to go with the OCEANE-type anchor. Liked the design and the new non-plow philosophy. The CQRs are the staple of cruisers, then the BRUCEs from what I've been told around the marina. Neither moved me and weren't designed like I would design an anchor.

After going through a dozen or so anchor performance reports from a few reliable sources (NAVY, Practical Sailor, West Marine, Sail, Cruising World, et al) the RONCNA's performance and design fit my expectations perfectly. Here's their company web source page with links so some reviews. Of course, the reviews are all very positive as you would imagine. Read around on your own. That's what I did.

http://www.rocna.com/main.php?section=b ... ess&page=0

Another thing about the ROCNA - it fit the M bow lines perfectly.





I did need to upgrade the roller with a BRUCE-TYPE design (ironically) http://www.macgregorsailors.com/cgi-bin ... record=704

Came out well.

During my Chemistry laboratory days, we'd call molecular construction 'elegant' when you were able to find the best, slickest, trickest, quickest way to build the structure.

I'd say the ROCNA was 'elegant' and if you look at the beauty lounging on the beach, just resting below the water, calling for you. . . she's also somewhat, 'sexy'



All this over anchors. . . I gotta get a life!

Michael