Comment of The Month (John)
posted by John & Phyllis Web Site
We got the comment below from Alain Poiraud, designer of the SPADE anchor, on our Rocna versus SPADE post, now archived on our web site. In that post I said: “In looking at the Rocna, its basic fluke design is very similar to the SPADE and I would expect it to be at least as good.” and “the Rocna seems to have scored a bit better on recent tests by SAIL Magazine and West Marine, although I should say that I’m not a big believer in anchor tests.”
Alain, quite rightly, took me to task on these two statements. I just did not have enough information to say “at least” and my reference to the test was particularly out of line since I’m very skeptical of tests anyway (at least I said that) for several reasons, the most important being that the first thing that testers look for is a consistent bottom, but what separates a good anchor from a poor one is its performance in inconsistent sea floors like rocks, kelp, hard sand, and a mix of all three.
We have deleted the words “at least” and the entire reference to tests in the archived post.
However, there is one thing that can and should be learned from these recent tests: new generation anchors like the Rocna and SPADE are a huge improvement over older designs like the CQR and Claw (Bruce). The CQR has repeatedly shown terrible problems setting in anything but thick mud—this I already knew from bitter personal experience—and the Bruce, while generally setting better than the CQR, has exhibited poor holding and a very worrying inability to reset when it does drag.
It amazes me that even 10 years or so after the introduction of the SPADE people are still passionately defending older anchor designs, and even being downright offensive about it to people like Alain who, after all, revolutionized anchor design and in doing so made cruising safer and more fun for all of us; or at least those of us who are willing to give these new anchors a try.
Obviously, Alain is partial to his brain child as can be seen in his comment. I have no opinion one way or another on his assertions, other than to say that the SPADE is a great anchor that has made a huge difference to Phyllis’ and my enjoyment of cruising.
One final thing. We have received no money or preferred treatment from Alain or SPADE, not even a discount—Alain, you cheapskate! (JA*)
Alain’s Comment:
I’m not too surprised to read your comments about the Rocna score on SAIL magazine.. as Rocna has pasted on every nautical forums, the same ADVERTISING and the same Rocna’s MODIFIED CURVE showing that the Rocna anchor was by far the first on the test.
But I strongly engage you, and any readers of this post, to carefully read the three reports made of this test (Sail, Yachting Monthly and Power and Motor Yacht (http://powerandmotoryacht.com/gearreview/boat-anchor-test/index5.aspx).
In none of the three magazines, the Rocna has been reported “First” --in fact, the Rocna has always been behind the Spade. Further more, it should be noted that the Rocna tested was much bigger that the Spade (1030 sq cm for the Rocna compared to only 800 sq cm for the Spade.)
* Joke alert.
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