Rocna Anchors Situation

[Joe CD MS 300]

Duplicate deleted

[Sea Hunt Video]

For those who do not subscribe you may want to purchase the September 2011 issue of Practical Sailor. They have a detailed article on the Rocna anchor dispute. The article provides some additional context to the dispute - at least for me.

The article ends with the following statement:

"If you believe you have a Rocna made of the 'alternate metal' and would like to have it tested, contact PS at practicalsailor[NO SPAM]@belvoirpubs[NO SPAM].com."

I added the two "[NO SPAM]" insertions

[Joe CD MS 300]

Hopefully the issue will have arrives by the time I get back home tomorrow I'm interested to see what PS has to say. I guess the testing would be destructive. PS should work out a deal with West Marine to test any anchors that have been returned. Rocna claims that no China made 15 kg/33lb anchors have the steel issue.

I contacted West Marine recently. WM indicated that NO damaged Rocna anchors have been returned. Some have been returned because of galvanizing wear on the tip and some undamaged anchors were returned because of the steel announcement. It would be nice to have those tested.

[SurryMark]

Moderator: please delete this if you consider it commercial. I have no personal knowledge or interest in this Rocna-Manson type anchor by Anchor Right Australia. This bit is simply copied from CruisersForum.com.

Personally, I have a 10kg Rocna (Canada, 1998) for my main anchor (no problems) and a new 15lb Manson for a backup, plus several Danforth and Danforth-type hooks that I don't bother to keep on the boat.

+++
Re: Rocna Recall - China vs Canada Quality Comparison
Hi to all,

Rex Francis from Anchor Right Australia here, I have noticed in your posts many wanting to know how proof testing is performed and how it relates to side pull on anchor shanks, I have no commercial interest in your part of the world as we don't sell there.

We have been through the whole process of getting accredited for Super High Holding Power and would like to share our information in detail with you, I have been trying to post this information ... to enlighten you guys as what testing is all about, I keep getting a suspicious activity sign when I go to post so have emailed the forum.

We have just finished proof testing on two large anchors along with some great photo's,this information, if for some reason I cannot get it on your forum it will be posted on our web site within the next few days,we intend to make all of our testing, method of testing ,test cert's what ever transparent available to the public so you know exactly what you should be looking for when trying to make up your mind in an anchor design.

None of this information should be confidential, we are proud of what we have achieved and are more than happy to share it. if you go to our web site www.anchorright.com.au there is already much reading in our research and development and some great video's, as I have said within the next few days I will be posting the process proof testing on there with photo's within the next few days.

Kind Regards.

Rex Francis .

Managing director of Anchor Right Australia.

[Sea Hunt Video]

The April 2013 issue of Practical Sailor has a six (6) page detailed article on "The Bent Anchor Syndrome" entitled Peering Down the Anchor Shank. It has some detailed and technical discussions of various anchors - Manson, Rocna, Fortress, Spade, etc. There are also two renewed references to "Chinese-made Rocna anchors" using "a shank steel of reduced specifications" from the Practical Sailor article in September 2011. The Editor suggests that Rocna anchors are now being made in Canada (Canada Metals Pacific-Vancouver) with quality materials, unlike the materials used in Chinese-made Rocna anchors. The article also referenced and applauded West Marine's efforts to replace any questionable Chinese-made Rocna anchors.

I seem to recall someone suggesting problems with Chinese-made products were in the past. It would seem "not so much". There are apparently anywhere from 330 to 4,000 of these inferior grade steel Rocnas on sailboats today.

Next month PS will be doing a follow-up article where they are going "to bend some anchors".

Maine Sail, the PS Editor invited sailors to send him "stories and pictures of . . . bent and broken anchors . . ." I seem to recall you had several startling photos and some personal experiences. You may wish to send the photos, etc. to practical[NO SPAM]sailor@belvoirpubs[NO SPAM].com

I think individual issues of PS can be ordered at 1.800.424.7887.