Mantus M2 44lb Test/Review. Anchor Video # 108

[@dennismckee7934]

. . . Um . . You make anchor testing really interesting . . A compliment I've never before shared - and not likely to again . . . Thank you!

[@petreskyfilms]

We used a 65lb Mantus M2 with full chain on our Leopard 42 catamaran. Can't stress how exceptionally well that anchor worked for us in the Bahamas.

[@criticalthought7527]

Sir, This is such a fantastic service to the boating community. Thanks for all the work you put into these videos. I just feel sorry for the sea bed creatures that you are continuously dredging about. ;-) (I imagine it's nowhere near the disturbance caused by bottom trawlers and manganese mining, but still. :-) If you are helping to prevent wrecks and pollution from same, as well as damage from dragging anchors that tear up more of the seabed in the cruising grounds, then I guess we, and the oceans, are ahead of the game. Peace and Love, j

[@hansbattenberg8990]

Hi, thanks for all info and testing! I bought an 25 lb Mantus M2 and it fits perfect in the anchoring storage of my Jeanneau Sun 2000.

[@renny9879]

20:09 then 18:23 you say no seabed sticks then you show it sticking 🤫. Not that it matters, your tests are the gold standard in unbiased and transparent anchor testing. Thanks so much.

[@flygoodwin]

I would be happy to make a correction, but after re-watching those segments, I could not find a contradictory statement about mud. Can you clarify exactly what I said that is in error?

[@gransol3215]

Your videos improving steadily in quality, timing, editing and content. The "boring factor" common in your first releases due to long shots is now fading away thanks to a more dynamic approach and editing. Image quality and sound also rising and very important in technical videos like yours. Also, rankings are exciting! and help us to focus on the features that really count. Looking forward to see the Lewmar Epsilon testing. Still holding my new anchor order to a Spade, Vulcan or... maybe Epsilon? let´s see next week.

[@flygoodwin]

Thanks GRAN, I have considered deleting the early material because, as you said, it is horribly boring. I can only guess how many new viewers are lost due to negative first impression.

[@gransol3215]

@@flygoodwin Think of those early days lost viewers as a toll to be paid in the learning curve process. If they were really interested in anchoring they will come back. Your channel is gathering popularity among the cruising community. More and more I come across reviews and comments refering to Panope as the new standard in anchor testing. Keep it up and don´t delete!

[@MrAthlon4800]

@@flygoodwin Pretty much all the popular channels on KZbin will have early videos that are not as high quality as later videos. I would urge you not to delete those videos. Those early videos were actually a lot better than you may think because you pretty much mastered underwater filming of anchor behaviour on your very first anchor videos. How cool is that!? Impressive! Clearly you are a clever man. I actually followed your channel since those early videos and back then I was thinking those early videos were some of the best anchor test videos I had seen. If you ever were to delete those videos I would only consider doing it if you were to repeat the tests with the same anchor, but saying that it might mess up your high popularity first big video (as people may want to see the full footage referenced in that video) where you choose between anchors and go with the Spade as your then favourite with Mantus as a backup. Don’t delete is my vote.

[@johncampbell388]

As a new sailor I was mesmerized watching the early videos. Actually seeing how anchors set and reset explained how and why anchors drag. I couldn't get enough of those videos.

[@Caine-nl7yz]

Steve, Two thoughts that may or may not have value. I own an M2 46; now with new style shank. So far its been great. A note of thanks to Mantus for contacting us all and offering an improved shank at no cost. No company gets everything perfect all the time, but standing behind your product means a lot to me. I notice the way M2 assembles that it pulls the shank hard to one side of the wedge vs centered. I understand in tests hole drilling has impact on mud on some anchors. I wonder if the shank being hard against one side makes a difference as well. One side has a gap, the other does not. On an instinct to remove side motion that adds stress, I added a big flatwasher to mine to center shank in the opening. My M2 does not have a significant dip on one side of the wedge as you noted. Now to really go off the deep end. There has for a long time been a hard lanolin compound available that is melted and applied to propellers. This was the precursor to things like prop-speed coating.. Marine growth won't stick to it. I wondered if we coated the small areas that are prone to mud sticking with a release such as that, it would allow better reset. It's counter intuitive in that an anchor to me is partially a friction device....as well as a hook....but if you prevented mud gobs in key areas...maybe the more temperamental anchors would reset better. A crazy thought, If was a success, and we had an anchor with fewer mud fails,, anchor manufacturers might learn other ways to reduce adhesion on existing units vs making them slippery. .

[@flygoodwin]

Caine, Re: Shank to one side of slot: Very good idea, but, apparently this is not the cause of the mud sticking to one side and not the other. The shank was forced to the side OPPOSITE of the mud fouling (in other words, the gap was on the fouling side). Re: Non-stick coatings on anchors: I have not (yet) tested any non-stick coatings, but I have marked an anchor fluke with permanent marker. Markings were %100 removed after one set. My prediction is that non-stick coatings will be quickly worn away. Note: my predictions have been wrong before. Stay tuned......

[@dracey1778]

Another great video, Steve. I think I'm a little disappointed though, I was sure the M2 was going to steal the show and outperform the rest. Go figure.

[@chrisditrani8338]

If anyone at Mantus is listening I did buy a M2 based on Steve’s testing.

[@douglaswagner311]

Steve... thanks again for another great video… I was really anticipating this review because I’m ready to buy a new 45 pound anchor for my boat and I thought the M2 was the one... it performed pretty good considering in my opinion it’s second quality goods. I certainly wouldn’t accept this particular example now that you’ve throughly tested it and found its flaws. To be fair, I believe you did a great service to Mantus by pointing out the defects in this particular anchor and hopefully they will immediately send you a replacement piece to compare. Somebody had to know it was not first quality and they still sent it to you 🙄

[@tomsmith777]

Yes, but Steve does all his tests privately and anonymously. That’s what’s so good is that they are the same anchors that the shops sell.

[@jdsfairlinetarga3790]

Hi Steve Question on 20Kg Anchor option, Ive come down to 2 options. This M2 Mantus and the Rocna Vulcan ? Which would you say is the better option form those 2. They are same price point in Galvanised.? Boat is 37 feet Faireline Targa Sport cruiser 8-9 Ton and 11.5m Currently has a bent Danforth Stainless 20+kg but does not hold bottom in changing tides or wind

[@sonofneptunesailing917]

Thanks for the video! I just bought a 35lbs M2 to replace my 25 lbs M1 on a 28 foot sailboat. I wonder if the mantus M2 you used had a manufacturing flaw that would be covered under warranty as a manufacture defect??

[@librulcunspirisy]

Thanks.

[@tstrandv123]

How did Mantus reply to these flaws? Are they taking actions to produce better qualty anchors in the future? Great tests, thank you.

[@flygoodwin]

Shortly after this video was made, Mantus acknowledged my finding and told me that a response was forthcoming. No response yet.

[@17quarters48]

I'm going to order this one, is 44# a good weight for a 36 Catalina, she weights around 18,00ish

[@ylemoine1]

Is it possible the shackle has jammed at the shank, thereby pulling on the anchor slightly off alignment? If you look at the chain/shank intersection at 14:30 it seems to be off to the right in the photo. Edit: ignore my comment, wrote this before watching the rest of the video. Good analysis! Thanks 🙏

[@RHP-pw8xt]

Great video Steve. I have an M2 17lbs and need to buy a 44lbs size anchor. Have Mantus come back to you within the last 6 months to update the position on the manufacturing flaw? Many thanks for your excellent tests,

[@jascan1489]

This anchor was on my list to buy, let me ask a question. I've had a 35lb lewmar for the last couple of yrs, and has worked good for the most part. my boat is a 15k lb power boat, I'm looking to replace it for something in the 40lb range. mostly sand bottom Fl waterways. what would be your recommendation?

[@patrickmiller4987]

Watch the lewmar claw test! Worst anchor yet!

[@petermcminn9508]

This was great, Steve. Any chance you could test a Mantus M1 35? Bought one recently on strong recommendations and curious how it performs against others in your tests.

[@flygoodwin]

Thanks Peter, I think it is a safe assumption that a 35lb M1 will behave similar to the 45lb M1 that I have already tested extensively. Unfortunately, I have not consolidated all of the 45lb M1 tests in a single video (vet). See the Ranking Chart at the end of this video for a quick comparison to the other 45lb (range) anchors.

[@kevinmcbride7043]

I would like to donate to the channel, but I can't see a link to do so - other sites have prominent buttons to push. Can you make it more clear how to do this?

[@flygoodwin]

Hi Kevin, In the final moments of the videos I have an onscreen 'Patreon' donate button. Also, in the description below each video, I include links to my Patreon and Paypal accounts.

[@davidross5291]

Is the bolt stainless or galvanized? If not stainless, you could use an AN10 aircraft bolt which is zinc and cadmium plates and comes in 1/16 increment grip lengths.

[@flygoodwin]

Bolt is stainless. Stainless aircraft bolts exist, and would be a good choice.

[@evansanglin9428]

What the heck. Bought one of these based on your previous review, saying it was great. Now, it's not good at all? Also, I don't have the issue with it being loose on the bow roller as your other video indicated.

[@librulcunspirisy]

Put on your big girl panties. You're responsible for your decisions.

[@patrickmiller4987]

Says its still a good anchor bro, says so at bout 28:35, maybe without the manufact. flaw it would have done better! Anyone following these tests knows by now that there are diff. between sizes of the same make/model. Patience pays off until more testing is done.

[@darshanpatel5932]

Does your anchor have the same welding flaw as the one Steve tested?

[@JohnSmith-fl5qn]

@@patrickmiller4987 so what is the need for those tests?

[@GrampalettasCamp]

What do you think about filling some of the bolt threads with filled epoxy?

[@flygoodwin]

Epoxy filled threads might help protect the galvanizing to a certain degree, but when subjected to extreme loads (anchor stuck under a rock) the epoxy will compress or crumble away. I have located a source for a "smooth shanked" Titanium bolt that I believe will be an improvement. Stay tuned.

[@GrampalettasCamp]

@@flygoodwin thanks

[@robertreynolds2702]

Hi Steve, just received my M2 44LBS .after watching your report , I checked out the fluke and have found the Same if not greater asymmetry problem as your self, the welds both sides definitely should have been ground down far better,and I was disappointed and surprised to find that the anchor is manufactured in China,maybe that tells a story.Have you had any contact from Mantus regarding this problem ? Regards Robert UK 🇬🇧

[@flygoodwin]

Thanks for sharing, Robert. I have not had any further communications with Mantus since shortly after the M2 test.

[@michaelmcburnie611]

With a windlass power of 1000 on a 42 ft new Leopard what would be the maximum weight I could use on an anchor? Will be mostly based in PNW and will spend as much as required to have a secure anchor. Thanks!

[@flygoodwin]

Worst case scenario might be retrieving the anchor from 100 ft depth. 3/8" chain weighs 1.5 pounds per foot or 150 lbs for 100 ft. If the windlass truly does have the ability to regularly lift 1000 pounds, than the limiting factor for anchor size may very well be something else, like the bow roller.

[@joegraceffo642]

Hi Steve. Was this M2 with the original shank design or the new shank design?

[@flygoodwin]

Joe, Mantus submitted this anchor (and the 17 pounder) very recently. I am almost certain this is the current version.

[@joegraceffo642]

@@flygoodwin OK. We had terrible problems in the Chesapeake (soft mud bottom) with the original. I did get the new shank replacement, but also moved up one size in anchor and moved to a different region. so can't really compare old to new, but have no complaint now. The new shank opens up the angle between shank and fluke.

[@AfterDeath1986]

You're killing me mate I was sold on a 65lb Vulcan for my Valiant 40 and now the M2 looks awesome too 😭😭😭 Figure can't go wrong with either when upgrading from a 45lb cqr

[@MrAthlon4800]

As you can see from the chart towards the end of his video, he has more testing for the Vulcan., three fields/tests are yet to be done so things will become clearer then/soon. :-)

[@AfterDeath1986]

@@MrAthlon4800 yup :) I truly love his unbiased take on this.. literally the only chap I trust regarding anchors.. everyone else seems to be paid off, or biased, or not very thorough/scientific? In their reviews/tests.

[@roderikvanl]

@@MrAthlon4800 aha, that's what the X's mean....cool! Thank heavens i still got time with deciding on my anchor choice :-)

[@svdellajean253]

What caused the Mantis M1 to drop from 3rd place in video #100 to 8th place in this video?

[@flygoodwin]

Funny you should ask this, as my next video will include another "shake up" in the rankings due to new, more comprehensive testing in the Soft Mud (a seabed where the Mantus M1 performs very well). Look for the M1 to reclaim a spot high on the chart. To answer your question, there are four reasons that the Mantus M1's overall rank fell between video's #100 and #108: 1 - The Viking 20 was added. This anchor scored higher than the M1, thus displacing it down one slot. 2 - The Mantus M2 was added. This anchor scored higher than the M1, thus displacing it down one slot. 3 - A new category was added. See "Self Launching Power" from video #106. The M1 was mediocre, thus reducing it's total average. 4 - The Viking 20 and Mantus M2's dominant performances in the cobblestone set the bar much higher. This resulted in the previous "best" anchors (in Cobblstone) to all be downgraded (Excel, Vulcan, SARCA, Spade, and Mantus M2.)

[@nvrmor023]

Just curious, does anybody use a 45lb anchor with just rode?

[@MrAthlon4800]

I have thought about this too. Well, imagine a situation where someone loses their chain due to human error, or else it gets caught on a snag and needs cut. One might only have a spare rope for such an emergency, especially as chain is so heavy and expensive. So I do think all possible eventualities should be tested for.

[@MiQBohlin]

👍🏽⚓️🐣

[@snakeplisken4278]

Without chain, this is not a fair test, sorry. The pull has to remain horizontal, and you will only get that with chain as part of the rode or all chain.

[@SOLDOZER]

No idea what this even means. Word salad.