We have not had an anchor thread for a while and no one seems to want to discuss politics or religion so let's make it anchors. This is my latest which I had to make to replace an identical anchor that is caught on a wreck just off the coast here. It's not lost, I know where it is!
This is my version of an Ultra but the dimensions and geometry are the same as a rocna 10kg anchor. The main difference is the hollow shank which Has a triangular cross-section versus the ultra's diamond shape. The keel is deeper than that of the ultra and the spade. The plating is all 3mm stainless in 316.
Bare weight is 7 kg.
Total weight 11.5 kg.
The three point weights are end of shank 0.2 kg.
Wing weighs 4kg
Point weighs 6.6 kg so there is more than a 50% ratio of the anchor at the point. These are dry weights of course and with the chain added and in a few metres of water the buoyant shank will mean the ratio will be higher again.
This is how the anchor always lands on the bottom.
Keel is full of lead.
The bottom photo is the worst the anchor can land. 6.6 kg on that tip means it digs in fast. The rest of the rode is 12m of 8mm stainless chain and 100m of nylon multiplatt. Some people are going to make the comment the anchor is a bit small. I can assure you it holds an SS34 easily. My neigbouring yacht is an Amel 54 with their stock Bugel anchor that is noticeably smaller!
Hi Ramona.
I know it's an anchor.
I know that it was designed and constructed to do a job.
I know that it will do that job perfectly, but..
I just wish that you had had access to a TIG or MIG welder.
gary
I do have a mig welder but I prefer welding SS in arc. I usually use BOC smooth arc rods and weld 1mm plate perfectly. Unfortunately, the welding shop closed locally and I bought some really crappy rods off eBay and welding 3mm plate was a struggle. They were half the price of the BOC rods but rubbish to weld with.
Select to expand quoteRamona said..
The bottom photo is the worst the anchor can land. 6.6 kg on that tip means it digs in fast. The rest of the rode is 12m of 8mm stainless chain and 100m of nylon multiplatt. Some people are going to make the comment the anchor is a bit small. I can assure you it holds an SS34 easily. My neigbouring yacht is an Amel 54 with their stock Bugel anchor that is noticeably smaller!
Excellent job, looks great, wish I had the skills and tools
That's awesome, what a beast, I love it! Tell us about the little winglets you've incorporated on it, they look like they'll have a tendency to snag weed and hinder its operation?
Select to expand quote2bish said..
That's awesome, what a beast, I love it! Tell us about the little winglets you've incorporated on it, they look like they'll have a tendency to snag weed and hinder its operation?
They just aid in driving the point under. Most good anchors have them.
Anchor Porn.
The Ultra has the wings faired in a bit but I think this is to make it more attractive. These are apparently the most stolen anchors in Australia.
Ah good one, they're certainly a good-looking anchor! I reckon the fairing of the wings is way more than cosmetic though. Have you watched Steve's anchor tests on the SV Panope channel, I've seen mud and weed stick to anchor features where I wouldn't have guessed it would. It can hinder the setting, causing them to not set, or to release early in the pull test.
Here's his test of and Ultra:
Yep I watched his videos. The Ultra is a bit too pretty. Even after some use they still are very shiny. There was one on a power cruiser on the slips a few weeks ago and the owner removed it after he saw me purving at it. My anchor is on the boat and I'm hoping it will colour up a bit and not be so noticeable soon!
If you lay the anchor like in the last of my photos on wet sand and pull on the chain the wing drags for about 30cm before turning the point in. This is the worst the anchor can do on landing and after watching the anchor fall in water it always lands like in the fifth photo thanks to the buoyant shank. I never set any anchor, just let the boat drift back. All my anchoring is in hard sand.
nice job the genuine ones seem a ridiculous price and it looks like you have the geometry perfect
Select to expand quoteboty said..
nice job the genuine ones seem a ridiculous price and it looks like you have the geometry perfect
Thanks. I believe the Utras are made in Turkey and there is obviously a lot of hours of labour involved.
Select to expand quoteRamona said..
Yep I watched his videos. The Ultra is a bit too pretty. Even after some use they still are very shiny. There was one on a power cruiser on the slips a few weeks ago and the owner removed it after he saw me purving at it. My anchor is on the boat and I'm hoping it will colour up a bit and not be so noticeable soon!
If you lay the anchor like in the last of my photos on wet sand and pull on the chain the wing drags for about 30cm before turning the point in. This is the worst the anchor can do on landing and after watching the anchor fall in water it always lands like in the fifth photo thanks to the buoyant shank. I never set any anchor, just let the boat drift back. All my anchoring is in hard sand.
That's very cool Romona, I was wondering what the little wings were for. You never stop learning....
Thanks for sharing!
SB
looks bombproof. Oh, and ugly enough no scumbag is going to lift it.
Thanks for sharing your boat related work.
Select to expand quoteDrogueOne said..
looks bombproof. Oh, and ugly enough no scumbag is going to lift it.
Thanks for sharing your boat related work.
My mate was looking at it today and reckoned I should have ground back the welds. I explained that I was aiming for the daggy look so it does not go walkabout!
Select to expand quoteRamona said..DrogueOne said..
looks bombproof. Oh, and ugly enough no scumbag is going to lift it.
Thanks for sharing your boat related work.
My mate was looking at it today and reckoned I should have ground back the welds. I explained that I was aiming for the daggy look so it does not go walkabout!
it should get a good polish in the sand
