Setting the anchor
Many people dive on their anchor after backing down on it but have you ever watched what happens when you first try to set it? We do just about every time we drop the hook.
In the video below you can see our Mantus Anchor set in sand as we back down on it, slowly increasing the engine RPMs. Note that because there was no wind at the time that we deployed it, before backing down the anchor was simply lying on its side. We certainly wouldn’t want to leave it like that and if you’re anchoring in front of us, we hope you wouldn’t either!
Mike
We have a 65# Mantus on our Tartan 42 and WE.LOVE.IT. We’ve been riding out days of 20-30 KT winds in the Abacos and I sleep very peacefully. Now if I could just get Moorings to put them on all their charter boats…
Deb
S/V Kintala
http://www.theretirementproject.blogspot.com
I really think the Moorings should consider that.
Nice video. I noticed you’re not running any swivel on your anchor. I have been comtemplating taking ours off because it just gets jammed with sand or mud and doesn’t allow itself to spin. So, when we haul the anchor up the chain still hops off the gypsy. It’s also the weakest link in the system. Thoughts?
Definitely get rid of the swivel! Our friend just lost his anchor when it failed.
http://www.zerotocruising.com/to-swivel-or-not-to-swivel/
Mike – We are still using our Rocna, but I like the fact that the Mantus anchor can be stored easily by removing 4 or 6 bolts and it costs less than the Rocna. We also use the 37 Fortress in the Chesapeake Bay. We’ll be leaving October for another trip south. we do use the Mantus hook for the chain and their multi deck opener. Nice products from Mantus, Tx.
The Rocna is awesome, no question. The Mantus benefits you mention are significant. They are inovative. We have the Fortress from ZTC on One Love although we have yet to use it. When that thing buries it is almost impossible to get back!
Buried! Probably a good idea for everyone to watch their anchor set in several bottom types at least once in a while, in addition to checking the set afterwards with a mask/snorkel. I’m surprised how quickly that Mantus dug in without any dragging. How hard were you backing down?
I did NOT back down hard. Rebecca and I have a system where she watches the anchor and tells me with hand signals when to throttle up, until the anchor is buried. In this case, knowing that she was filming especially, I was surprised when she told me to stop.
WE just bought a Mantus a few months ago and love it so far. Have not given it thorough trials yet but feeling pretty confident with the choice. I like the idea of watching it set. Gonna do that!
We watch it set every time. The only times we don’t are when it’s too late in the day and there’s not enough light, or the water is dirty, murky or too deep.
Mike, comment at some point on the new water maker pls. Is it loud when making water, running the pump? Well matched to the honda gen? Any complaints? Thanks, jeff
In brief, it is awesome. No complaints. It does what it says it will do. Ours is the 40GPH model which is not really designed to run off a Honda. The 20 and 30 GPH models are. Is it loud? Yes, but all watermakers are, I think. Fortunately we don’t have to run it as long as it produces such a high volume.
After reading your recommendation I bought a 45lb Mantus anchor and bridle with chain grabber at the Miami boat show. The guys at Mantus were very friendly and when I mentioned you and Rebecca I was able to negotiate even a better deal!!! Keep up with the good and bad of the gear you use.
Really? Knowing us gives you negotiating power? Impressive. 😉
Mike the video is great. Unfortunately for those of us not in the BVI, we generally can’t see the anchor due to weed, mud, murky water, rough surface and depth. We just have to wait and see if it holds.
Also, most of us have to cope with strong tidal currents so the anchor will either have to turn round every 6 hours, or else it has to come out and re-set the other way. We would all be nervous wrecks if we had to worry about it and feel we had to inspect it every time.
Furthermore, if the tide isn’t the problem, then the wind gusting from different directions may be. This can cause the anchor to have to cope with frequent drastic changes in direction and pull. Perhaps it is a good thing that we can’t see it!
Mike
Sounds like you’d better have a BIG and EFFECTIVE anchor then!
🙂 Yes a 10kg Rocna with 50m of 6mm chain and 100m anchorplait. Seems to work well on a 26ft Heavenly Twin cat.
The old 25lb CQR was good, until I moved to a VERY weedy area, then it could not get through.
Mike
Sounds perfect.
The replacement for the CQR, and for good reasons to!
Our first upgrade on both ZTC and One Love: New, big, effective anchor! Never regretted either decision.
Good video, very informative. The angle of the chain looked too parallel to the bottom for the majority of cases though, wouldn’t you say? What was the depth, of both the anchor and the boat – when you made this video? How did you manage to get the chain dragging across the bottom while setting the anchor? Wouldn’t you expect the angle of chain to be lifting off the bottom? Even if you had a lot of chain, I’d still think I shouldn’t see the chain ploughing through the bottom. Usually, the shoreline profile (particularly with sand) makes the angle even higher…….
Depth was 10′, 7:1 scope. As I noted in one of the other comments, the anchor set relatively quickly so I didn’t back down on it super hard as Rebecca told me to stop. I’m sure that if I had backed down harder, we would have seen the chain lifting off the ground a bit higher.