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ULTRA Anchors - Strength??

Discussion in 'Technical Discussion' started by UNLEASHED, Aug 3, 2013.

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  1. UNLEASHED

    UNLEASHED New Member

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    Seriously considering a 60# ULTRA Anchor for my Viking 48 Convertible. A neighbor boat just installed one and loves it's quick set, holding power and other engineered features. Check it out if you haven't heard of it.

    The anchor is built with 316 stainless steel. The shovel is filled with lead and the shank is hollow.

    I always heard that stainless steel isn't as strong to begin with and have seen proof of this. Therefore, I wonder how a hollow stainless steel shank could be strong enough??
  2. T.K.

    T.K. Senior Member

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    I am not a fan of hollow shank and tubular construction anchors, I prefer solid anchors. My favorites are the Lewmar Delta stainless steel anchors.
  3. Capt Bill11

    Capt Bill11 Senior Member

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    Get a galvanized Rocna at least one size up from the recommended size for your boat and sleep very soundly when anchored for the night.
  4. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    What he said:

    I have slept soundly behind a Rocna one size up since 2007. :cool:
  5. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    I know bill and I disagree on this, but I sleep very well on a big Bruce/claw. It s not fancy, it s not pretty shiny stainless steel, but it never fails to set on the first attempt and holds like Velcro in sand and mud. So far this year, I must have set it 200 times and it hasn't failed once.

    I don't see the point of a SS anchor... They re way too expensive and don't perform better. I guess they re great to impress your dock neighbors :)
  6. Old Phart

    Old Phart Senior Member

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    I dunno
    Let's not forget the mermaids.

    It never hurts to impress the ladies. ;)
  7. UNLEASHED

    UNLEASHED New Member

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    I appreciate the input. I don't care about the SS especially because I don't think it as strong as galvanized. I just want to make certain I have the best ground tackle when I head from San Diego to Panama for a grand adventure of fishing and exploring.

    On my prior boat I had a Delta and they have 30% of their weight in the tip. I liked it. On my Viking I have a 44# claw anchor which will be stored in the laz as a spare.

    Had planned to go with a 55# Delta but will now look at the Rocna. Norseman, for my Viking 48, 56000# do you recommend the 50# (33-52') or 73# (36-66') Rocna?

    Thanks again to all!!
  8. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    If your on the left coast, I assume your all chain or allot of chain before the rode. So, a silly question of windlass capacity may not apply, but?
    Also, How much modifications must you do to secure a Rocna in your current rollers? How can you lock it in place (without windlass)?
    I'm another Bruce fan, Ugly but works fine. Extra Fortress's stored below with extra chains and rode coils.
  9. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    I m not familiar with the conditions on the left coast, but I don't find the delta to hold well in soft mud. It s fine in sand and hard mud and unlike a danforth or Bruce, it will get thru grass better.

    A long as it fits on your pulpit, go with the bigger one. 60 or less is marginal for a 50 footer.
  10. Capt Bill11

    Capt Bill11 Senior Member

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    Rocna is one of the few anchor companies that under rates their anchor size recommendations. Or perhaps I should say realistically rates their anchor size recommendations.

    But I would still go with the next size up from their recommendation.

    My theory on anchors is if you have a powered windlass doing the work of lifting your anchor, then get and put down the biggest one you can the first time. In fact if other boaters point at your anchor and laugh at its size for your boat, then it's just right. :)

    Why anybody would consider it good seamanship to have to get up at 3 in the morning when a storm rolls in to deploy their "storm" anchor is beyond me.
  11. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Or use a "lunch hook"... That is one dumb concept! I like to eat my lunch while it s hot and drink my drink before it s Warm or the ice has watered it down. if I start dragging and have to reset anchor, I will eat cold and drink warm. No thanks... :)
  12. Delfin

    Delfin Member

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    Bit late to the conversation, but I guess you start on a forum some place.

    The Ultra has a horizontal reinforcing bar inside the shank to strengthen it. My understanding is that the first ones didn't have this, then they added a single piece of flat bar, now use an overlapping double bar. I bought one, and can't vouch for its ultimate strength, but it digs in very quickly and holds better than the 80 kilo Claw I replaced.
  13. Viceroy

    Viceroy Member

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    Look at the Commercial vessels

    We have two anchors...and a couple in storage for venturing into new territory. I always look at the smaller commercial fishermen, under 60 feet, and see what they're using in the waters that we cruise. Plus I like lots of chain and wire rope for really "silly" places that are unfamiliar in the Pacific Northwest. CQR is a favourite. Cheers, Richard.
  14. NEO56

    NEO56 Member

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    I have been doing serious research on this subject, and have read nothing but incredible things about Rocna anchors. This was an Australian invention and company, who have been bought out by a Canadian company. And I am in agreement with the earlier post....who cares if an Anchor is ugly...if it sets and holds...then I'm sold! (no poetic justice taken):D
  15. Delfin

    Delfin Member

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    If you're sold on a hoop style anchor, you might want to check the Manson Supreme. It performs about the same - better sometimes, worse others - than the Rocna, but the shank is around 15% stronger because of a larger total cross section and one grade better steel. As a personal preference, I like diving anchors, and the hoop inhibits this behavior. Once set, the Fortress generally outperforms them all, which may be why our local Coasties carry them on their cutters. But if a top performer that is butt ugly is what you are looking for, the Spade comes out on top of most every test I am aware off, and it is a diving anchor so as long as the sea bed will allow it, the harder you pull the better it sets.

    As near as I can tell, the Ultra is an improvement on the Spade, is downright purty, and sets and holds phenomenally. But it is expensive....
  16. Capt Bill11

    Capt Bill11 Senior Member

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    I used a 110 kg Rocna on a 90' aluminum vessel that I took from Ft. Lauderdale, down through parts of the Caribbean, Panama and on to the West coast of Costa Rica and back. It set every time in all bottoms and set hard.

    We always slept soundly. :)