Using a Rocna

justsomeguy · Sep 14, 2015

Patience is gonna be needed getting that out of the mud.

What's our second choice for an anchor type?

BobT · Sep 14, 2015

His windlass manufacturer will tell him to Always power up to it and use a chain stopper or snubber to let the weight of the boat break it out. It does take a few minutes to steer these big triangles of steel up through the muck. They cut their way in so they must cut their way out unless you want to dead-lift huge buckets of mud. We just upgraded the whole package with a Rocna Vulcan and a Maxwell windlass from hand lifting an old CQR. The bite is impressive in Chesapeake mud. My chiropractor will be so disappointed.
A poster here once suggested shortening up the scope to tight vertical and going to make coffee while the anchor worked its way upwards. Depending of breeze etc., of course.

Gunni · Sep 14, 2015

I have a 33 kg Manson supreme, similar anchor. Unless the anchor is snagged on something you don't need a snubber to retrieve these very effective anchors. You just shorten scope get on top of it, lever the shank vertical and up it comes. Which is pretty much the case for any properly set anchor.

Cambo · Sep 14, 2015

We purchased a 10kg Rocna for our 31' boat at the beginning of this season, and have been very happy with it.

It sets easily, the first try and has never dragged on us. We always use lots of scope and set it with a good amount of thrust.

We have never had major issues lifting it, sometimes it takes a little messing around, but no different than another anchor that has set well.

My only complaint is the amount of muck it brings up with it, but that means it's working!

Stu Jackson · Sep 14, 2015

Consider the alternative.

Oh, wait, he already did that with his CQR, an anchor that rarely set and usually dragged.

If someone suggested I get an anchor because it didn't set and stay well, I'd seriously wonder about their sanity.

Kings Gambit · Sep 14, 2015

Richandhelen said:
A neighbor has a 33 kilo Rocna on his 42' boat and says he loves it BUT... He says that it holds so well in a muddy bottom that he has to power up to the anchor AND PUT A SNUBBER BACK ON to get the weight of the boat to pull the anchor out. He says that the nose of the 20000 lb vessel actually dips as the anchor is plucked out and he fears the strain on the windlass. While I would like to have a super-anchor on those dark and stormy nights I would not look forward to another lean-over-bow maneuver for each extraction. What does this esteemed group have to say?

A chain snubber should be stopped off on a bow cleat; thus, removing strain from the chain rode as the boat bobs. No need to fear for the windlass if he's using it all correctly. Perhaps you meant to convey that he fears when a snubber is not attached?

Also, you do not have to lean over the bow. Attach the snubber to the chain in the throw between the windlass and the bow roller then stop off at the cleat. I have a snatch block on a padeye just aft of the windlass to fairlead my snubber line to a bow cleat. For any uninitiated, a chain snubber consists of a chain hook of the correct size shackled to a thimbled eye-splice in 3-strand nylon rope of about 25 to 30 ft length. You can make 'em up yourself.

Ralph Johnstone · Sep 14, 2015

Richandhelen said:
He says that it holds so well in a muddy bottom that he has to power up to the anchor AND PUT A SNUBBER BACK ON to get the weight of the boat to pull the anchor out.

Don't know what windlass he's got, but that's the written procedure for breaking out the anchor as described in the Lewmar manual.

I know a similar dock neighbour (maybe the same guy) and he's described how deep he can sink his bow as a measure of how good his anchor is. Nobody reads the instructions.

Benny17441 · Sep 17, 2015

I agree with your take. I would choose and I actually carry an anchor adequate for 90% of the conditions I regularly encounter. For the other 10% I will improvise. I also carry a lunch anchor which I prefer to deploy when conditions are calm. I do own a storm anchor but it only goes aboard on extended trips. I'm a coastal cruiser and very much pick and choose my weather windows and very rarely encounter conditions that will exceed my ground tackle. Don't know about your boat but these newer Hunters like to sail at anchor so make sure that you choose an anchor with adequate holding but not so efficient that it digs excessively deep. Also recognize that your boat's displacement is mostly responsible for burying that anchor. I like a CQR as they set and reset quickly and have had no problems with extractions.

gettinthere · Sep 18, 2015

We have the Mantus 65 lb for our 34,000lb 42' Endeavour.

Use it 100% of the time. Sets very well every time and in the Chesapeake that means deep.

We motor up while taking in slack and then power the anchor out with the engine. There is a pawl stopper on my windlass I can engage if the clutch starts slipping.

Ken Cross · Sep 18, 2015

If your roller can't take the strain of pulling the anchor up, how can it take the strain of holding in a storm? You should be fine.

Ken

Maine Sail · Sep 18, 2015

Ken Cross said:
If your roller can't take the strain of pulling the anchor up, how can it take the strain of holding in a storm? You should be fine.

Ken

Think of most anchor rollers as a Thule rack. You can transport your bike with it but not lift your car. The vast majority of rollers should not be used in storms...

Rollers on most production boats are really only suitable for transportation of the anchor (Thule rack).. Once the anchor is dropped you move the rode to a proper cleat and then set it. Unless it is dead nuts calm, I use the mooring cleat....

The roller on our old C-310 was the epitome of a joke/Thule rack...... I barely felt comfortable transporting the anchor on it let alone anchoring. A venerable paper-clip of an anchor roller...

Gunni · Sep 18, 2015

You have to evaluate your boat and determine the strong points. On a cruiser like the hunter 44 I would expect that the bow roller was up to the job of retrieving the hook in any situation. You would want to inspect the attachment of whatever cleat, post or padeye you might want to alternatively tie off to. Until I upgraded the backing plates on my bow cleats my bow rollers were much stronger. Cleats should have backing plates, not fender washers! I snub off my all chain rode with a bridle to both forward cleats. There is no load on my bow roller.

If your windlass can't bring your boat to your anchor, you have a windlass problem, not an anchor / bow roller problem. Run your engine in neutral to generate the volts/amperage you need for reliable windlass operation, draw yourself to your anchor on short scope and let the anchor shank lever to vertical, keep the boat in position on a tight rode. With a minute or two of patience the anchor will work free and your windlass will easily lift it out. If not, you rig a snub and ease the boat forward of the anchor. This is a good way to lose some gelcoat off your bow, or topsides so it is a last resort. As in most sailing situations, easy does it.

woodster · Sep 18, 2015

this might be a great addition to your musings do you have a pic of the one on your csc would love to see it

Scott B · Sep 18, 2015

Have had a Rocna for 8 years. Power/drift up to anchor until right above. My wife puts engine into reverse to break out anchor then quick burst in forward to stop momentum. I pull up the rest of the way and dunk the anchor a few times to loosen mud. Once on board wash-down hose to clean up.

BJV · Sep 22, 2015

Everybody in a rush.
We slowly motor up, taking in rode untill above hook.
Apply a bit of tension and the slow rocking of he boat eases anchor out.
Takes an extra 60 seconds, but easy on hardware.
We have 20 kg Rocna and Tigress "Armstrong Handraulic" winch.

gettinthere · Sep 22, 2015

BJV said:
Everybody in a rush.
We slowly motor up, taking in rode untill above hook.
Apply a bit of tension and the slow rocking of he boat eases anchor out.
Takes an extra 60 seconds, but easy on hardware.
We have 20 kg Rocna and Tigress "Armstrong Handraulic" winch.

"Armstrong Handraulic"

I have one of those, 555 model.

Scott B · Sep 22, 2015

gettinthere said:
"Armstrong Handraulic"

I have one of those, 555 model.

Yep, me too. Left Armstrong, right Armstrong.

But mines a 59 model so it's 56 this year does that make it it 5956 model.?

Gunni · Sep 22, 2015

I can only imagine the joy when Edison's electricity arrives on your fore deck!