Hydrobubble anchor?

[Steve Paskey]

Anyone here know more about this?

www.anchorconcepts.com/html/welcome.asp (http://www.anchorconcepts.com/html/welcome.asp)

Looks interesting: sort of like a plow, but with a plastic "bubble" that's supposed to ensure that it hits the bottom in perfect position every time.

The media and testimonials on the site seem impressive, but I'd be interested to hear whether any forumites have any experience with the anchor.

Thanks!

[ 08-02-2003, 04:52 PM: Message edited by: Steve Paskey ]

[Ross Faneuf]

I'd wait for an actual test by someone like, say, Practial Sailor. I've noted they've tested some innovative/offbeat anchors which don't seem to work very well.

I would wonder how much effect a 'bubble' with 1-2 pounds of buoyancy (at most) would have on a 20-30 pound anchor.

My experience with a conventional anchor (Delta) in Maine has been great. I've had good luck as well with chartered or borrowed boats with a Danforth or CQR. I would have to have a series of bad experiences with a conventional anchor before I would consider something gimmicky.

[Figment]

Originally posted by Ross Faneuf:
.....I would have to have a series of bad experiences with a conventional anchor before I would consider something gimmicky.Gimmicky. Yeah, that says it.

It seems to me that a lot of people have spent a lot of time in recent years trying to reinvent the wheel, with respect to anchoring. Earlier today I stumbled across this contraption.....
http://www.slideanchor.com/web_images/4.jpg
This hydrobubble anchor thing, to me, is almost as goofy. I suppose the concept is sound, but I wonder how that bubble will hold up to a few occasions of being dragged past rocks and other bottom debris.

Personally, I wonder why all the fuss? The only times I've ever even seen anyone have trouble getting an anchor to grab, the cause was plain as day.... little or no chain, short scope, or woefully undersized tackle overall. I recognize that I don't frequent areas with particularly challenging bottom, but it's been my experience and observation that conventional tackle applied with a little good sense gets the job done every time.

:D

[Ian McColgin]

I share the skepticism about the bubble. Who want's to make an anchor lighter in the water?

The CQR and Bruce and I'm sure a couple of others set nicely and have great reps for durability and resetting.

The drysand video demonstrates nothing except that the anchor appears perfectly ready to furrough the bottom. Dragging slowly is still dragging. Not the viedo I'd choose to show off an anchor! A dry sand test is not meaningful though, and the straight pull holding power of this thing might be better than it appears.

Subtlties count in anchors. Along the traditional line, the curves and fluke design of the Herraschof pattern (Luke makes a nice one) really do matter. Danforths work (best for sand and mud) and 'danforth types' really fail both due to not getting the blade to shank angle right and to bad manufactoring. I keep one phoney plough on Grana just to show folk the difference between that piece of junk and a CQR.

Regarding anchors (and everything in life):

Anything works someplace; and

Nothing works perfectly every time; but

The good brands vetted by Practical Sailor are the way to go.