Veering Test Part 2. Anchor Test Video #96

[@Silvervwolfee]

What you are doing is awsome!!! Very interesting. I don't even have a boat. Years ago I lived on a Santana 27. Rarely anchored. Had no idea what I was doing. I've learned a lot just watching these vids! Thank You!

[@highnotesailing5843]

Excellent veer series. Thanks! Ignore the critics.

[@shawnpirson1401]

Absolutely NO need to apologize. Thank you for this great testing you are conducting. It certainly helps us sleep on anchor with the great information you provide.

[@mm-zw1zc]

Don't worry about your passion or people claiming bias. You are * by far * the most objective source on this subject and it shows.

[@SecretSquirrel809]

Stop apologising....just be you. If anyone has a problem with you opinion...tuff, you are entitled to it ...if they don’t like it, who cares, there are always some arm chair experts out who know best. Just be happy and enjoy what you like doing and leave them to their sad opinionated lives. I like you videos and enjoy them so keep up the good work. Remember, it’s your channel, you do as you please.

[@toddmalone4384]

Great report, and thanks for being so upfront about your passion, motivations, and potential for bias - which we all have.

[@IanSGI]

I think you acceptably handle any bias, and it is not like viewers do not come with their own biases, anyway. i think your testing is fair; anchors pass or fail. End of story. I agree with those sailors requesting testing for rope-only rodes.Here is a question I would love to see answered: how much bigger would an anchor need to be to replace the weight of the chain? Would an 85lb anchor with a rope rode be as effective as a 45 lb anchor with 80' of 1/2" chain? if so, that would be a lot of weight savings. Great videos; really appreciate your passion. Screw the internet trolls: if they don't like, they can do their own testing.

[@flygoodwin]

Thanks, Ian. Variables such as water depth and seabed type make it impossible to give a precise prediction to your proposed scenario/question. That said, If scope is very short, then the rope only anchor may not set at all and be completely ineffective. On the other hand, with long scope (perhaps 7 to 1 or more) the 'larger anchor/rope rode' will likely have much higher holding power than the 'smaller anchor/chain rode' and therefore give far higher holding power for a given anchor system weight.

[@IanSGI]

@@flygoodwin That is interesting regarding the short scope on a rope-only rode not setting. I like extremes as they highlight particular things, and that is a good example. I'm not suggesting a precise answer; just a test that might highlight the differences. And, certainly, it would not need to cover all the different anchor types. I think you already have some of the results by testing the 17lb Mantus M1 with chain (this video) against the 45 lb Mantus M1 without chain (part 1). I would have to go back and find the segments again, but I think the 45lb rope-only Mantus had significantly more holding strength for far less weight.

[@timkenyon6088]

I am a scientist and I very much appreciate not only your work, but your methodology. Bias is human and the key is to recognize the bias and guard against it. You do that very well. As far as any criticism you might get, ignore it. This is the internet, after all. There are more than enough idiots to go around. Keep up the good work. I have a Rocna 33 on my Ranger 25 and it might be overkill, but I am glad to see that it performs well in soft mud, which is what we have in my area.

[@terry1jf]

Don’t let the haters get you down. You may be passionate but it’s obvious to anyone who’s paying attention that your test protocols are carefully considered and scrupulously fair. People may get upset because they don’t want to accept your results. I suppose it’s tough to hear that your favorite anchor isn’t as good as you thought. But that’s on them. You are providing a very valuable service to the boating community. Thank you

[@Roberto_Lions-Hill]

Ciao Steve! Wow, I watched all of your vids and what make them special is exactly the fact that you’re doing it for your passion, please don’t excuse about this as we love your vids and all the efforts you put in them. If I may ask I’d really love to see a test of Spade + Ultra + Mantus M2 on sandy mud veering + soft mud straight pull + gravell straight pull tests. That would be a really close fight as they’re really similar anchors and the smallest detail could be of interest. You’ve just gained a Patron ;-) Thanks again and keep this wonderful channel going on! Cheers from Italy.

[@flygoodwin]

Thanks Roberto, As soon as a Mantus M2 (or a Lewmar Epsilon) becomes available to me, I will give it the full treatment. As you say, could be a really close fight.

[@Roberto_Lions-Hill]

@@flygoodwin Indeed also the Epsilon would be an interesting anchor as it should mix: plow shape (resulted good in soft mud), scoop shape (resulted good in sandy mud), leaded tip (resulted good in general purposes but penetrated better gravel terrain), arch anchors (better righting, anyway it’s optional). With so many good perspectives it should result into the ultimate anchor or just an average anchor that wants to do too many things ;-) What should be evaluated, also if it’s a completely different kind of anchor in respect to Mantus and Rocna, is that the arch is internal to the fluke area and not external as the two anchors named above. You’re the man that can tell us the truth with your big experience! Can’t wait to see your tests!

[@Steve-ul8qb]

Best anchor testing out there! By far!!!

[@johnwalsh6237]

Thank you for what you do!! The people that are looking for the best anchor appreciate you and your time.

[@barrydavies2977]

You have no need to apologise. Your enthusiasm for the subject as well as your personal preference for 1 anchor are the result of many years experience. We are glad to be able to benefit. Your tests and reports are unbiased, despite your preference. For us users, we should look at your videos and pick the best anchor for our personal circumstances.

[@windwardpro]

1st class job. Thanks for being so responsive (and not angry!) about the criticism.

[@mikehannan8206]

Dude, I wish I could give you more than just one thumbs up. Have been folowing your anchor testing for a long time and it’s always facinating. PS, don’t listen to the negative commenters, they have no idea how much work goes into this. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@dustman96]

I don't think I've ever seen less biased anchor testing videos. Perhaps people saying that have biases of their own? And bias or no, hard to argue with the outcomes. No one else is nearly as thorough. Thank you and please don't sell out.

[@elodiefrank8113]

Once again, great work Steve. Thank you.

[@FlesHBoX]

I really wish that there was more testing like this for all aspects of boating. It seems like the vast majority of things are driven by anecdotal evidence rather than actual testing. You would think that this would be right up the alley of the major boating publications, but they all seem perfectly willing to name every product as the best ever, so long as that product buys a full page ad...

[@scottlanger8555]

Hi Steve - Thank you so much for your videos! Please do MORE all rope, or rope/chain tests. MANY of us small sailboat people with no windlasses and no capacity for the weight of all chain use lots of rope for anchoring!! These tests are what have been waiting for... smaller anchors, more rope :) thanks... keep on going!

[@flygoodwin]

Will do. In fact, I am in the middle of testing all of the 20lb range anchors with the winch and using 12 feet of chain + rope. Look for new "Sandy Mud Holding" data in an upcoming test.

[@scottlanger8555]

@@flygoodwin youre a hero! thanks again!!

[@sylvaingagnon3211]

Thank you! I get your passion and dedication.

[@grahamrichardson9613]

Hi Steve, I have a (6kg)12lb Rocna as my primary anchor on a 800kg trimaran. Will be conducting my own veering tests as you have done to see how it fares in my typical seabed conditions. Love your passion, Again, great real world results

[@MrA1582000]

Thank you for your time, effort and sharing. Glad to see my main anchor does the job well.

[@MiQBohlin]

Aye m8, your passion about this is brilliant, as are your results. Hard to find anyone going more scientific on the subject ⚓️ Keep it up 👍🏽

[@CoastLife]

amazing work as usual! :)

[@roberthorsford4266]

Steve, thanks, great work, much appreciated. I’m pretty sure that there will not be a “best anchor” conclusion as different anchors suit different substrates. So it will need to be a “best compromise anchor” as we can’t all carry four or five different anchors on board. A bent Mantus roll bar is a failure. So currently it’s looking like a Spade/Excel/Rocna. It’ll be interesting to see your review of Epsilon when it arrives.

[@dustman96]

It would be really awesome to see an edit of all tests for a particular brand and size of anchor.

[@chris-yy6no]

Thnx, edging ever closer to the one..

[@MrAthlon4800]

I think you should do a small number of rope only rodes for the simple reasons that often people use little or no chain, and also to show what difference in performance exists between rope versus chain rodes. Rope tests could improve safe anchoring techniques by discouraging the use of rope rodes. Just at the start of video you might need to explain your rational so you don’t get as much negative comments below video. Thanks again for yet another great video :-)

[@flygoodwin]

Thanks for the suggestion, Ross

[@mcooley4254]

Your passion and bias drive the valuable testing. I hope one day this produces a couple of original design anchors by you, or someone else. In the spirit of reducing the obvious weakness by slight modification, have you thought about testing the Mantus without the roll bar?? Please keep the excellent testing going.

[@flygoodwin]

I am reluctant to test a Mantus Anchor without the rollbar because it may encourage others to do same. A practice that I would consider unsafe.

[@kevinwillman430]

Could you do a test with the mantus m2 with no roll bar

[@flygoodwin]

As soon as one becomes available to me, I will test.

[@kevinwillman430]

@@flygoodwin you have great videos

[@kevinwillman430]

@@flygoodwin I have a 35’ tiara express 1995 weighs 22,000lbs Was thinking of getting mantus 65-85lb

[@Totter1011]

Hi Steve. I have sailed all my life, mostly as a professional. i've seen some of your videos and i thought there are some basic things you do not have in place. You most need the anchor to hold when you have anchored up, and there will be bad weather, waves, big waves, which pull in the anchor with short shocks. The whole idea with a lot of chain is that the waves only cause the boat to lift the chain up and down, and do not pull in shocks unless there are very large waves. then it is important that the anchor grips quickly again. In your tests, you use a motorboat that pulls steadily ascending until the anchor releases. that situation will rarely occur in reality. mvh Jens Dk

[@BarringtonOASmith]

In the old days, there was a late night infomercial where they advertised a cooking utensil. The host would yell their montra and the audience would repeat it in unison - "Set it and forget it". I'm not sure that this applies to anchors. We have anchor alarms for anchors that have escaped the set and are running away towards shore. My disappointment in your Rocna results are because it doesn't hold in straight line sets with holding force significantly greater than 500 lbs. Thank You for testing a genuine Rocna rather than Stephen Anchor that was once a Rocna. My takeaway from this is that if the wind shifts 80 degrees, I should plan to get up and reset my Rocna.

[@BarringtonOASmith]

Part 2 of question - If the anchor is oversized for the boat, does this make a difference in veering performance? Eg. My boat is 34 almost 35 feet. My anchors are a Rocna 20 (44 lbs) and a Delta 35 lbs. Both anchors are the next level up from the recommended weights from the manufacturer. That said, the Delta 22 (previous anchor) upper limit is 35 foot boat. So, the Delta 35 suffices as it meets the lower limit for the suggested boat range. Because the anchor is oversized for the boat does this improve the veering test statistics. Would a Rocna 44 lbs more than make up because it is holding a lower weight in the veer test.

[@BarringtonOASmith]

Part 3 of question - On each video, could you remind us what the wind conditions are for each power setting. Those power number settings that you reference are consistent in testing, however I'm not sure what it means in wind ranges. Could you clarify.

[@172GV]

Thank you. I enjoy your videos. Can you consider testing a larger steel spade versus the same size aluminum spade. Then same weight but different sizes. These steel versus aluminum topics are great questions for weight sensitive boats such as catamarans. For instance could i use everyday an oversized aluminum anchor and it would provide greater peace of mind every day and be adequate for holding during storms as well.

[@flygoodwin]

Thanks Gordon, I do not have access to an aluminum Spade. When and if I do, I will certainly conduct comparison tests between it and the steel version. That said, I have conducted tests of an Aluminum Excel #5 and a Steel Excel #5. In some seabeds, the two (identically dimensioned) anchors have very similar holding power. However, the aluminum anchor sometimes does not set as reliably due to the lack of weight to "push through" a challenging situation (weed, packed mud, gravel etc). There may be situations where a smaller, equal weight steel anchor will have high higher holding power than a larger aluminum anchor. I need to do more testing in this area to give a definitive answer.

[@davidhopkins]

I’m frustrated that you are being bullied by people who say you should not do any testing with rope only. You speak of your biases. I am concerned you have a bias towards weighted rode. The guy who invented the Rocna anchor has a personal blog site where he argues the weight of the rode has no real impact on holding power. Please put this idea to the test. For those of us without a windlas weight is critical. We want to know if it is smart to sacrifice chain weight for a heavier anchor. Some chain is needed to prevent chafing. Does it help if it is heavier? Thanks for your hard work.

[@flygoodwin]

Ok. I will do it.

[@petergibson6563]

I’ve watched your series, very interesting! Thanks Steve . Have you done a hard sand test yet? That would be interesting.

[@flygoodwin]

Thanks Peter, No hard sand testing yet. I agree, would be very interesting. Unfortunately, I have not found sea beds of hard sand in my local (PNW). The best alternative to a (nearby) hard sand seabed test, might be to drive out to the Pacific coast and conduct a beach test with a vehicle providing the pulling force. These beaches are very hard (no foot prints) when wet. Stay tuned.

[@CDNRower99]

Love this channel. Anyone know where i can source the Sarca Ex-Cel here in the US?

[@flygoodwin]

The North America distributor is in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. They will ship to the U.S. www.groundtackle.com/

[@MrAthlon4800]

Steve, are you familiar with the Bulwagga anchor? A company in Turkey has resurrected this anchor. It seems like an all round good anchor that works in sand, rock and grass etc. If you could get your hands on one it would be great. It would certainly make for interesting viewing for your subscribers given its unique design.

[@flygoodwin]

I agree. Testing a Bulwagga would be fascinating.

[@winmosser]

Stick to your guns Steve, and please continue comparing rope to chain; I’ve quit chain and just upsized the anchor instead. I’m still lifting a bit less weight in 20’ depth and never budge. I’m sure all the little critters are thankful I don’t rake the shit out of their habitat anymore with my chain.

[@kevinmcbride7043]

Thanks for your hard work. I'm going to make a suggestion: the gradual veering test which you perform probably replicates wind shift quite well, but not the veering which comes with anchoring in a tidal stream, which many people do all the time. In these circumstances the veer is usually 180 degrees all at once, when the tide changes. I suspect that you will get a different performance under those circumstances as the anchor will initially be pulled right back on itself. Any chance of doing a direct 180 degree veer? thanks.

[@flygoodwin]

Kevin, 180 degree reset testing has been a cornerstone of my testing since the beginning (5 years ago). These tests were conducted (and presented) individually, so, unfortunately, a comprehensive "shootout" video does not exist. However, your suggestion gives me the idea to create such a video by editing all these clips into one video. Thanks.

[@GI-AUS]

Hi Steve, great work! Could you please test the Mantus M1 without it's roll bar? I think it would improve it's performance!

[@flygoodwin]

Gerben, You may very well be correct about the performance improvement. However, the risk of the anchor becoming inverted (and not being able to reset) gives me pause about testing without the rollbar.

[@GI-AUS]

@@flygoodwin I think that the risk of 'perfect inversion' would be very low indeed. it would always fall on its side, then the nose start digging...

[@Silvervwolfee]

Which anchor would you choose in view of all the testing you've done?

[@flygoodwin]

The only category in which a particular anchor is clearly dominant is with the dinghy anchors, with the MANTUS DINGHY ANCHOR being my first choice. However, the larger anchor categories are much more competitive/complex. At this point, I do not see a "stand out" anchor. Ultimately my choice (if I had to make one), would be greatly affected by factors personal to me (cruising area, price, does it fit my bow roller, etc.). Stating this choice is probably not doing anyone a favor, as their circumstances will be different. It is my intent to provide everyone with ALL the information that I can gather, and let the individuals make the best decision for themselves.

[@Silvervwolfee]

@@flygoodwin Thank you kind gentleman!

[@joenavy203]

Why don’t you have an anchor windlass, I know I used to see an old 2 speed sl555 on your boat did something happen to it?

[@joenavy203]

Never mind, noticed you were using smaller boat and wouldn’t have an anchor windlass on that one. Do you plan on using that boat a whole lot more for your testing or will you start using your sail boat again soon. If you plan on continuing to use the smaller boat and wanted a windlass I’d consider donating one.

[@flygoodwin]

Joe, I will continue to use the smaller test boat and I am currently seeking a windlass. Very generous of you to consider donating one. What sort of windlass do you have?

[@jessebroome5468]

I ams who I ams

[@pierremartin592]

The chain is too short, pls make the same test again by add 30 feet chain

[@Steve-ul8qb]

Good idea. You should do it.

[@pierremartin592]

@@Steve-ul8qb If you roll back the vidéo to 6'54'' you can see that the chain lift-up from ground after the anchor shakle, the chain should lay on ground.