Anchors

[Dale Tanski]

I am thinking about purchasing a Manson Supreme Anchor.  Any comments?  Anybody have one out there?  Anybody know someone that has one and believes what they say about it?
Dale

[Higgins]

I was going to chime in after your storm episode, but figured every idiot has an opinion on anchors.  Well, since you asked straight-up, here's this idiot's opinion.  I've got a 45# manson supreme and it's unreal.  Just setting it on the dock will give you confidence.  It sits extremely positive on it's tine, regardless of how you orient it.  Easy to see why it works so well.  I've used it a lot in mud (with weeds which can make grabbing the bottom challenging) in 30+ knots in the San Francisco Bay and it's never dragged.  I've only used it a few times in sand, but with similar results.  It has always set on the first pass.  I also have a 35# cqr which is extremely difficult/impossible to set.  I actually plan on the cqr dragging and use it as such... mainly as a lunch hook or when simply throwing chain over the side will suffice.  BTW, a 35#cqr and a 45# manson seem to be custom made to sit next to each other on a standard 365 bow sprit.

Only down-side is that the manson supreme is an extreme eye-sore... almost embarrassing.  Could be an issue for a girl like Maruska.

[RayNWanda]

I know Rich uses a Manson Supreme on his boat and likes it. He made pretty much the same comment on the CQR dragging.

[Dale Tanski]

I am still laughing from your ending comments.  I recently have read many articles regarding anchors and in one of them it mentioned something along the lines that anchors were like religions, each have their devote followers.

I knew when I posted this topic it could potentially silicate thorny response's, but that is a good thing.

I have only really been let down by a CQR on that one occasion, that being said I have never required an anchor to hold in those type of conditions for an extended period of time.  I have had the plow bury so deep in sand that the entire shank is not visible and it took much effort to recover it.  Sand and mud are too different animals and the mud I encountered is not muck, or really mud, but clay.  The only thing that put it in the mud category was the fact it was wet and it made  a mess on the deck.  Much of it is still on the anchor.

I thanks you for your comments and the chuckle this morning and you have positively enforced much of my research. I also like the storage information on the bow roller.  Only from a P365er would that information be available.  I am not sure what the eyesore comment means, there are plenty of strange and ugly looking anchors out there to my eye but I am looking for substance over appearance. Perhaps you are referring to the Mansons roll bar, that looks a bit goofy.

Thanks again...
Dale

[RayNWanda]

I think those can be had in stainless with a mirror polished finish. As good as Maruska looks, it's the only way to go.

[Dale Tanski]

Ray,
Thanks so much for your input...
According to the Defender web site, for a mere $1340 MORE (to be read in addition to) I can indeed get that anchor in stainless.  After all, I wouldn't want to embarrass a girl like Maruska by hanging just any old galvanized hunk of iron out there on the bow roller for everyone to see as they walked by.  I must admit that the anchor is the very first thing one would see while strolling down the dock.  In fact, if it is an east wind, that mirror polished baby might get some smudge prints and drool on it from all of the gawkers as the bow roller tends to encroach a bit on the main dock.
If I only had Wandas money...
Dale

[RayNWanda]

Yeah well, that's why we don't have one either...

[Dale Tanski]

Ray,
I have an idea... a 45 pounder should be perfect for that boat you just bought.  I'll go halves with you, figuring I would use it from mid May to October 15th, that is when they pull the plugs on marinas around here.  That leaves you with mid October through mid May.  It is too hot to sail there when I would be using it, and it is too cold to sail here when you would be using it.

Gorden,
Out of curiosity I checked Defenders web site, and low and behold they happen to sell SUNCOR stainless chain.  It says - Versatility and power come together in this highly polished family of chain. Features: Added corrosion resistance The aesthetic appeal of polished chain. Desirable to boating enthusiasts who want a refined look to their anchor lead chain.... I think that will meet your requirements! Price??? only $28.99/ft.  I am thinking Ray and I should go for the 200ft half drum barrel.

The rest of you,
Ray and I are now soliciting monetary contributions toward the purchase of a 45lb Stainless Manson Supream anchor for in depth study and tests regarding the performance and holding characteristics of this relatively new anchor design.  Tests will be conducted year round in the corrosive oil soaked waters and harsh heat in the Gulf of Mexico, as well as fresh water testing in various bottom conditions of the lower Great lakes.  It is our intention to conduct international based tests both in Mexican waters as well as Canadian waters.  At the conclusion of the test we will publish a comprehensive review of our findings.  Ray and I are more than willing to risk our vessels for the safety of the group and the rewards that will be realized. After all, it is for the children.

Good luck...
Dale

[Dale Tanski]

Gordon,
You know I'm all in, the real problem here is Ray.  He is blaming his wife Wanda, but I gotta figure having benefited unfairly from life's lottery in the 80's, being an insider in big oil and all, and now owning several large yachts he knows that it is only a matter of time before the pitchfork crowd begins chanting "tax the Ray". 

If we could convince him that precious metals investment now include stainless from New Zealand we have a shot. 

Dale

[RayNWanda]

 We have been gone for 6 days to Matagorda Island eating grilled redfish and speckled trout and trying to keep the lights on. Ed Houston told me that the electrical system in the Prouts runs on smoke. With an Air Breeze, 170 watts of solar, a 65 amp Balmar, and 4 new Trojan golf cart batteries we just barely kept the lights on. No smoke, but where is all this electricity going? It is back on the 50A battery charger for now. Next week we will start over with a new battery monitor and start figuring out how much we are putting in the bank, how much is coming out, and where it is going.

Somebody has been feeding the resident raccoons. Now when a boat shows up they expect a handout. I chased 3 of them off the dock one night and one off the deck another night. That is a problem with being nearly 17 feet wide. You go into a 24 foot wide slip and you can't position the boat far enough away from the dock to discourage them from boarding.

I may have to chrome my 44 lb. Bruce though...