www.Sail-Search.com: AUCKLAND, Rocna Anchors, manufacturer of the revolutionary, high-performance Rocna anchor, has announced the release of a comprehensive online data resource comprising articles and information on anchors, anchoring accessories and the science of anchoring.

The Rocna Knowledge Base, is an indexed, searchable digital encyclopaedia, covering every anchor/anchoring-related topic imaginable.

Freely available to the public, the Rocna Knowledge Base began as a collection of material intended to deal with common enquiries Rocna Anchors receives from its customers. It quickly grew into a far more extensive resource, able to deal comprehensively and conclusively with many topics frequently raised by boaters all over the world.

The new website includes a section specific to the Rocna, including installation case studies and examples, complete with relevant photos for many common boat types. Advice, such as guidelines for designing and building the ideal bow roller, is also provided.

Other content from the 'Anchors' section includes analyses of independent testing, clear explanations of Lloyd's and RINA anchor classification, advice on sizing anchors, and much more.

Properly formatted pages can be printed from the website for easier reading if desired.

Content is not restricted to anchors. Other sections focus on the rest of the anchoring system: chain, rope, connectors (shackles and swivels), windlasses, etc. Optimising rode make-up is explained, with a mind to performance and practicality. Best practice anchoring techniques are covered, with entries on multiple anchor rigs, tandem anchoring and optimising the scope and catenary of the rode for best anchor performance.

The Rocna Knowledge Base is a collaborative effort. The company welcomes input from other parties. In particular, Rocna owners are invited to contribute to the bow installation case studies section for the benefit of other boaters.

Developed over five years and released in early 2005, the Rocna anchor has proven to be the ultimate boat anchor, confirmed by independent testing and positive user feedback. Available in galvanised and stainless steel, in sizes from 4 kg (9 lb) to 275 kg (606 lb), there is a Rocna for every vessel, from runabouts to small ships.

Contact: Rocna Anchors

More Rocna Articles

www.SailSearch.com: The following report comes courtesy of 'Captain Vinnie':

I have just returned from six days sailing on the sailboat of a good friend of mine along the NSW coast of Australia. We had a fantastic sail north on the first day in a southerly blow of 35kts. gusting to 40kts. She is a 43ft. fast cruising yacht and with two reefs in the mainsail we were comfortably sailing at 8 - 9 knots plus.

My friend had recently purchased a new 35lb Delta anchor (it is a 43ft. yacht) and was keen to try it out 'in anger' so to speak. We anchored the following evening in a reasonably exposed bay in 7 metres of clear water and with a south east swell running into it. We ran out 30 metres of chain scope.

Backing up, we could not make it set on our first attempt. On retrieving the anchor we discovered the chain scope wrapped around the anchor shaft - in our enthusiasm in dropping it, the chain had overtaken the anchor - there was no way it would ever set like that!

Correcting the problem we reset it and the anchor bit in immediately and held fast. Not satisfied, the inflatable was driven out and over the anchor position to check if it had set satisfactorily. The verdict was that although lying somewhat to one side it had bitten into the sandy bottom, no furrow, and was holding the boat.

She rode to the anchor very well all night in ten to twelve knots of wind and moderate swell.

The following is an extract from Lewmars website on their Delta anchors:

The Delta anchor leads the way in innovative anchor engineering. The high-grade manganese steel used in the construction of the Delta anchor gives it maximum tensile strength. Its unique shank profile and ballasted tip make the Delta anchor self-launching. The low centre of gravity and self-righting geometry ensure that the Delta anchor will set immediately. Consistent and reliable in performance, the Delta anchor has Lloyd's Register Type Approval as a High Holding Power anchor and is specified as the primary anchor used by numerous National Lifeboat organisations. Also available in premium grade Duplex/High Tensile stainless steel.

Manufactured from high grade manganese steel. Self launching. Lloyd's Register Type Approval. Guaranteed for life against Breakage.

For more detailed data on a range of anchors you can read a report on a very extensive test carried out on fourteen different models conducted by Yachting Monthly. This is in pdf format and you can find it on www.rocna.com/press/press/ reproduced courtesy Lewmar, Rocna and Yachting Monthly.

Also Read another Report on Rocna Anchors HERE.

You can read more about anchoring incidents, good and not so good, in Vince's ebook 'Voyage of the Little Ship 'Tere Moana' downloadable from his website Sailboat To Adventure

www.Sail-Search.com: This month has been a bit of a Red Letter month for Sail Search as we have consistently clocked in excess of 1 200 UNIQUE visitors a day to the Sail Search site.

We thought that a list of the keywords used bringing sailors to the Sail Search Site via Google, Yahoo MSN and all the other search engines may help you optimise YOUR sailing Site:

Sample of the 3 942 Keyphrases used on search engines for the period 1 March to 27 March 2007:

Go to Axandra to get desktop software that will help you get to the TOP of the Search Engines and STAY there.

Tip of the Day: Not everyone knows how to spell correctly.

In an extensive comparison test of 14 boat anchors, the Rocna behaved consistently and performed better than all others to achieve the highest average holding power. The test, performed by US ship chandler West Marine, and written up in US magazine SAIL and British magazine Yachting Monthly, involved real world testing in three different locations at three different scopes. The bottom was sand, and anchors were sized for a “cruising boat in the 35-40 foot range” – a Rocna 15 (33lbs) was provided by Rocna Anchors.

In the “max pull” results, which measure the peak force the anchors held while dragging, the Rocna was at the very top of the chart. However, in the crucial “max before releasing” results, which measure the force sustained before the anchors began to move (i.e. holding power), the Rocna was impressively far ahead, withstanding on average a force over 45% greater than its nearest rival, the Spade. The Delta was a close third.
The comparison included all notable anchor designs available in the world today, some provided by their manufacturers and others by West Marine, who sell several of the contenders. In addition to the usual favorites such as the CQR, claw, Fortress, and Delta, many “new generation” anchors were tested and analyzed. While some lived up to their manufacturer’s claims, many displayed a failure to set or behaved inconsistently across the various tests, damaging their average results. The Océane from SPADE and newcomer XYZ performed very poorly, while others such as the Bulwagga, WASI Bügel, and SARCA turned in results which were respectable but most likely disappointing for their proprietors.

In their introduction, SAIL commented that “the effectiveness of any anchor is highly dependent on a long list of variables”. The comparison testing covered numerous scenarios and introduced a number of multiple pulls, something lacking from many past anchor tests, while keeping all other factors constant. This ensures the most realistic simulation of real-world anchoring, as each anchor must perform consistently and reliably in order to score well in the average results.

Peter Smith, designer of the Rocna, considers the results prove his own ideas about new generation boat anchors to be correct. “With three test locations and three different scopes, this testing can rightly claim to provide a good illustration of anchor performance. What’s more, the range of anchors tested was complete, not just the usual handful of traditional types, so giving readers a good comparison.”

Rocna anchors are performing in some of the world’s toughest locales, including the South Island of New Zealand, Patagonia in Chile, and Greenland, and are also in use by the NZ Navy (Sail Training) and Coastguard (Northern Region). Available worldwide in both galvanized and stainless steel in sizes from 4Kg (9lbs) to 110Kg (243lbs), and larger sizes available on request, a Rocna is available for any vessel from a runabout to a small ship.

Related Links:
Yachting Monthly
Sail Magazine
Rocna Anchors
Anchor Testing Chart

Released in early 2005 and representing the very latest in modern anchor design, the Rocna is a New Zealand developed "new generation" marine anchor. Its features include instant-setting, superior holding power on most seabeds, and no use of lead or cast iron weights, meaning weight is more efficiently used in extra fluke area and structural strength. The design is intended to address the issues that plague more traditional types (ploughs and claws) such as poor setting reliability and lack of roll-stability, and is now also available locally in South Africa.

The roll-bar guarantees the correct attitude for setting is achieved every time, and also means dedicated tip-weight is not required (an inefficiency common in other anchor types, such as ploughs). The chisel tip toe cuts through hard sand and weed or grass, and the skids at the rear guide the anchor through its setting motion, ensuring a quick and proper set in all seabeds from soft mud to hard sand. After testing, Boating NZ commented that the Rocna "always set quickly… the drag pattern always under a metre…" Furthermore, the anchor remains buried when load is reversed or when dragged beyond yield.

The shank is high tensile steel for maximum resistance to deformation, and is shaped to allow self-launching, self-retrieval, and a practical fit on most bow-rollers. The Rocna does not feature any gimmicks such as dual rode attachment points, de-mountable shanks, or anything that would compromise the anchor’s philosophy of reliability, durability, and clarity of design.

Hand-built from modern high strength alloy steels, Rocna has plans on proving itself the world’s best performing, most dependable, and safest anchoring solution. It has been designed for serious use in demanding environments, and is contributing to the safety, security, and enjoyment of cruising on many vessels around the world – including those crewed by some of yachting’s best known persons, such as guru Steve Dashew, who calls his Rocna "better than any anchor we have used in the past – Bruce, CQR, Danforth… excellent versatility".

Rocna anchors are performing in some of the world’s toughest locales, including the South Island of New Zealand, Patagonia in Chile, and Greenland, and are also in use by the NZ Navy (Sail Training) and Coastguard (Northern Region). Praise is the norm from all customers all around the world – Bill Parlatore, editor of US magazine PassageMaker, calls the Rocna "one awesome anchor… sets easily and holds seriously… your anchor rocks!" Colin Speedie of the Scottish Wildlife Trusts uses a Rocna in the Hebrides (North West Scotland) and considers it to be "by far the best anchor I have ever used, and I've used most… excellent!".

Available in both galvanized and stainless steel in sizes from 4Kg (9lbs) to 110Kg (243lbs), and larger sizes available on request, a Rocna is available for any vessel from a runabout to a small ship. Contact: David King, Rainbow Nation Marine Supply, (0) 31 705 7907 or sales@africancats.com, or visit www.rocna.co.za