Asmat wrote: NO, Annie! I once anchored off Culatra using a 20 kg Chinese Delta lookee likee and found my 32 footer sliding sideways between other anchored vessels in an 0300 squall. Subsequent tests showed that there's a flaw in the geometry or weight distribution of the counterfeit version, rendering it unreliable. I buried it at sea in a deep hole. I'm happy so far, with my genuine Delta.

Ah, I should have explained.  This knock off was made by the guy who gave it to me - an engineer - who, so he told me, slavishly copied a friend's genuine Delta.  As he's been anchoring for several decades on the big one he made, he seems to have got it right.  However, it is intended as a back-up anchor (the Manson Supreme will be on the bow) and if it proves unreliable, I shall buy a patent anchor.  I have to say, I would be unhappy buying a copy of any anchor for my bower.  Indeed, come to think of it, I'd always purchase the patent model if buying new.  The Manson I bought second-hand (still with its label!) and had it re-galvanised - the galvanising had worn off the tip.  The cost of the whole package was half the cost of a new anchor: a good way of getting decent ground tackle on a tight budget.

Chris wrote:

Serious cruisers think that the new generation anchors are a quantum leap ahead of the CQR, Delta and Bruce.

David, that's terrible news for my financial planning!

But good to know. Thankyou.

Anchors and boats are odd: occasionally boat A drags all over the place with one anchor and then happily stays put with another.  The owner will swear at the first one and sear by the second one.  On the other hand, boat B will be a headache when anchored on the second anchor but always behave herself on the first. 

My own choice is a 10kg Manson Supreme, but to be honest, I still have a very soft spot for a Bruce and I am perfectly happy with my 10 kg Delta (knock-off) for a second anchor, for the 26ft boat I'm building.  I have a wee Bruce for a kedge.  Admittedly, some kind soul gave me the Delta, which he had carried, unused, on his boat for 20 years!  One of the really great things about a smaller boat, is that you can 'over-anchor' the boat and still have easily-handled ground tackle.  On Fanshi, I intend to have 8mm chain with my 10kg Manson:  I saw a 45 footer the other day with the same kit!!  Admittedly, that is ludicrous, but there are heaps of boats 10 ft longer than mine where the only difference between their ground tackle and mine is an extra 5 kg on the anchor!

Anchors may seem expensive, but you will wish you'd invested a bit more money when you are dragging down onto the rocks.  They are not something I would economise on.

(Those who are still fans of the older-style anchors, can choose to take David's comment about quantum leaps literally!)

Chris,

I started out with Deltas aboard Tystie, but changed to Rocnas when the Delta let me down once too often, in a strong squall and good holding ground.

Serious cruisers think that the new generation anchors are a quantum leap ahead of the CQR, Delta and Bruce. They rate the Spade as the best of all, but it's expensive, due to the fabricated construction. The Vulcan has, as nearly as I can see, the same geometry as the Spade, and I have been very happy with mine as the main anchor aboard Weaverbird. I have a Rocna as well, and just once (summer 2018, Acairseid Mhor, F9, rocks close to leeward), I deployed both of them for extra peace of mind, but actually one would have held.

Anonymous wrote:

...with safety in mind I would divide the interior into several watertight compartments. 

I like it, but that would create a bilge for every compartment, things start to get complicated.

The most easily flooded compartment is the cockpit, of course, and it could be filled in seconds... maybe I'll start there!

Chris, good starting point, with safety in mind I would divide the interior into several watertight compartments.  Not something readily done on an already fitted out boat.