anchors

[oak]

I was looki ng at Black Sheeps' anchor a Rocna 6.
Is this the standard issue from HM?how do you find it holding generally in mud in particular
Oak
"Merlin"

[David Peck]

The "Rocna 6" anchor fitted on "Black Sheep" is not the standard issue from HM. HM make their own anchor which is a cross between the Rocna and the Bugel anchor (the originator, I believe, of this style). The HM anchor has a simpler flat plate as opposed to the slightly "V" shape of the Rocna.

I have the standard issue HM anchor on my boat and have used it on a number of occaisions this year in the strong tidal and muddy conditions of the Thames Estuary and surprisingly, found it it worked very well. I use it with 5 metres of 6mm chain attached to approx 30 metres of 12mm rope. It has the advantage of being designed to locate and fix on the HM bow roller and I suspect, is probably cheaper than the Rocna!

I would imagine the Rocna will work well but perhaps "Black Sheep" will be able to give us his findings but being based in Holland may not yet have experienced much tidal effect?

Regards
David Peck
Whistling Rufus CC94

[oak]

Thanks for that David,
I have a couple of CQR look alikes when I like to use the kedge at lunch times.
I have not found it particularly good in mud. I will try to borrow a Rocna to see if it will fit in my bow roller,although I tend to keep the anchors in a locker
Jack
Merlin

[seasickwhale]

Hi everyone,

after messing about with cheapie anchors I set about making my own "Bügelanker" of about 8 kgs. I have got it on 10 m of 6 mm chain (on a proper swivel) and about 25 m of rope attached.

I have now used it for the second season and found the holding very good in all grounds that we encountered; mud, sand, slightly weedy and gravelly. Once set currents didn't upset the anchor.

I had it laser cut (2 pieces) and welded together with the "Bügel"-bar at a total cost of appr. 150 Euros.

The Anchor was designed to measure to fit the cockpit locker (S.A.-CC19) as a snug fit with little room for rattling or bashing about.

I have attached the drawing as DWG in the zip-file for anyone interested. I would have liked to atteach a PDF as well - but the permitted file size of 19,8 kB is ridiculous - I can't make a PDF that small.


EDIT

It seems to be impossible to upload even a 50k-zip-file. All I get is "Upload of file failed". After about 1 million tries it worked once - only to upload a corrupted and useless file.

The size limits are laughable anyway. Sorry about that - if you are interested in the drawing drop me a mail or PN - I will send you the file directly.

[oak]

Stephan,
Could you perhaps load a photo so we could get the general impression?
Jack
Merlin

[seasickwhale]

Hi Jack,

see attachment - it is not my anchor or photo, but it looks just like that (only I used stainless).

[Dennis]

Hello Stephan

Your anchor looks very similar to the one HM are currently supplying (see 1st photo in "Mary Ann Modifications".

Has Bob copied your design?

Cheers Dennis

[oak]

Hi Jack,

see attachment - it is not my anchor or photo, but it looks just like that (only I used stainless).

thanks Stephan
Jack

[David Peck]

Jack,

The anchor shown in Stephan's photo is exactly the same as my HM anchor.

The Rocna anhchor is similar but has a slightly dished or "Vee'd" plate (like a shallow spoon). As Stephan's anchor works well for him, I would would consider buying the HM version or making your own to his drawing.

I'm sure the HM anchor would be cheaper than a Rocna 6kg (£158 sterling from Piplers of Poole). My Anchor with bow roller and locking pins fitted on the boat was £199.00.

Regards
David Peck
Whistling Rufus CC94

[Black Sheep]

Hi,

I used to have a Brittany anchor on my shrimper which was doing a great job in the muddy areas of Holland but performed very badly on the hard sand of my home lake.
For Black Sheep I was looking for a better performing anchor design on hard sand and was convinced by my neighbour who installed a Rocna anchor on his First 31" and sailed all the areas of Holland and the Round Britain rally. So far the Rocna is doing fine (no experience on tidal waters yet). The Rocna does fit on the standard bow roller but you have to construct an alternative to the pin solution normally provided by HM. And yes, I fully admit that the HM solution is more affordable and might have been a working alternative even for my home lake!

kind regards,
Michel