I'm sure most of you have seen a new name in anchors...Mantus...being mentioned from time to time. I just took delivery on one. Let me give you my impressions of the anchor and tell you why I purchased it.
The Mantus is in many ways similar to a Rocna or Manson Supreme, but there are some notable differences. The anchor is a spade type with a roll bar to assist in making it sit upright as are the others. But the first thing that jumps out at you is that the spade portion is bolted to the shank, not welded as are most other anchors. The second is the pointed end of the spade portion. It appears to be thicker/re-inforced as comparied with the others, and edges of the spade portion have a bevel so that there is an edge to help cut into the ground. Not sure that the others don't also, nor do I know the entry angle differences in the anchors. But Mantus claims their anchor to set quicker than the others and their web site has pictures of their tests (If you go to the website, it seems to work a bit slow, so be patient as you click through the screens...they will eventually appear).
There is more and more testing showing these new generation anchors all set better and hold more than the previous generation anchors such as CRQ, Danforth, Bruce, etc. As more and more testing and real life experience is gained, the case for this is building.
As to the bolted construction, some have expressed concern that it is not as strong as welds. I'm not sure why Mantus uses bolted construction, because welding is probably cheaper. But bolted assembly does something the others don't....it gives you the opportunity to disassemble an anchor and store it compactly below. This is why I bought this particular new generation anchor. It will be my storm anchor if and when I need it. Bolting should not be a concern...bolts are used everywhere. The wheels of your car and the engine are bolted in place, not welded. Mantus uses a total of 6 bolts, 4 to hold shank and spade together, 2 to hold the roll bar. Holes are big enough so that parts come together easily, and when disassembled, there are three relatively flat parts that store well.
Here in NC, the bottom is generally sand or mud, and Danforth is the anchor which you see on all size boats. Larger boats tend to carry two anchors, one of which will be a Danforth and the other is one a "heavier" anchor. In our marina, half the larger boats use the Bruce as that heavier anchor.
My Catalina 320 carries a 33 lb. Bruce as primary on anchor roller, and a 22 Danforth stored in the anchor locker. I don't really anchor out that much, but have been messing with boats in this area for over 40 years. I've always used the Danforth (generally a little oversized) for most of those years, and the Bruce for about 10 years. Both of those anchors set well in our bottom, and only one time have I not been able to get the Danforth to set despite whatever I did. The Bruce has always set, but as I said, I don't anchor that much. But setting and holding is a different thing. While I chose to ride out the hurricanes at the pier (with a spider web of lines), I see the results of these storms. And I hear stories of others cruising who unexpectly encounter a storm and drag. So while I will retain my Danforth and Bruce, I wanted something for storms. I purchased a 35lb. Mantus and it just arrived. I won't attempt to do a lot of tests on it because, as I said, my other anchors also set well. Mainsail and others are doing such testing and have the equipment to do so...it is my understanding that initial results of their testing is good with Mantus. While I stay at the pier (somewhat sheltered in most directions...not SW) in major storms, I can forsee when I might have to elect to anchor out on short notice (such as before Irene, when there was a 36 ft. Carver poorly tied up directly across from me..it was moved just before storm fortunately). Towards that end, I want to have the equipment on board or available for anchoring out. I previous keep a 43 lb. Danforth in storage on shore to be used with the Danforth and Bruce for storms, but I have encounter data that suggests that the holding power of all three would be marginal in a 70-90 kt. hurricane, which is the range we might expect....explains why lots of those other boats anchored out drag ashore. Putting the Mantus in this mix of anchors, will give me assurance that I will stay put, and the major concern is that someone else will drag down on me.
I am always a bit nervous about ordering things that I have not seen. The Mantus looks good and I am pleased with it. Of course, it is galvanized. The spade portion on the 35 lb. version is abut 3/8" thick, and shaped in a flat but somewhat gull wing shape. The spade portion is ~19" long, and ~21" wide, including about 2.5" ears on each side to hold the roll bar. The roll bar is 3/4" tube, bolted to the spade at either end with two 1/2" bolts. All bolts are galvanized with lock washers to prevent nuts from working loose. The shank portion is 1/2" thick, and fairly deep. It is considerable larger than the shank on the 43 lb. Danforth, so it should be more than adequate. The shank portion is 30" long, 9" high, and ~3" wide (base for bolts welded on). Four bolts hold the shank and spade together. It assembles fairly quickly, but obviously, you wouldn't be likely able to do so once you start dragging because of the time element. But generally, you know when you are going to encounter a serious storm, so there is time (only a couple of minutes are needed). If when anchored out (normal conditions), I will first use the Bruce, but if the conditions are such that I need to place a second anchor, I will use the Mantus in combination with the Bruce. The Danforth is then still ready to be deployed if those two don't hold). In time, I might place the Mantus on the anchor roller...it's size will fit fine, but the Bruce doesn't store as well below.
If one is going the use the Mantus as a primary anchor, the bolted construction becomes insignificant and either welded or bolted is ok. And there is a logic to place your best anchor where it is deployed first...but in my case, I think of the Bruce as my lunch anchor (have a windlass to help). Also, if it is to be one of your primary anchors, your selection choice will be influenced by other factors possibly....especially the bottom, where my existing anchors work well.
Delivery from Mantus was quick. They ship in a wood box (corregated top, and nylon strapping in two places). My anchor had a rough trip from Texas to NC, and all of the three major parts, which were held in place initially with small nylon wire ties, shifted breaking the ties, but no damage was done. Mantus might want to look at using stronger ties in the future, but this is a minor thing. After all, these are disposable shipping wrappings.
I am happy so far. It looks good.
The Mantus is in many ways similar to a Rocna or Manson Supreme, but there are some notable differences. The anchor is a spade type with a roll bar to assist in making it sit upright as are the others. But the first thing that jumps out at you is that the spade portion is bolted to the shank, not welded as are most other anchors. The second is the pointed end of the spade portion. It appears to be thicker/re-inforced as comparied with the others, and edges of the spade portion have a bevel so that there is an edge to help cut into the ground. Not sure that the others don't also, nor do I know the entry angle differences in the anchors. But Mantus claims their anchor to set quicker than the others and their web site has pictures of their tests (If you go to the website, it seems to work a bit slow, so be patient as you click through the screens...they will eventually appear).
There is more and more testing showing these new generation anchors all set better and hold more than the previous generation anchors such as CRQ, Danforth, Bruce, etc. As more and more testing and real life experience is gained, the case for this is building.
As to the bolted construction, some have expressed concern that it is not as strong as welds. I'm not sure why Mantus uses bolted construction, because welding is probably cheaper. But bolted assembly does something the others don't....it gives you the opportunity to disassemble an anchor and store it compactly below. This is why I bought this particular new generation anchor. It will be my storm anchor if and when I need it. Bolting should not be a concern...bolts are used everywhere. The wheels of your car and the engine are bolted in place, not welded. Mantus uses a total of 6 bolts, 4 to hold shank and spade together, 2 to hold the roll bar. Holes are big enough so that parts come together easily, and when disassembled, there are three relatively flat parts that store well.
Here in NC, the bottom is generally sand or mud, and Danforth is the anchor which you see on all size boats. Larger boats tend to carry two anchors, one of which will be a Danforth and the other is one a "heavier" anchor. In our marina, half the larger boats use the Bruce as that heavier anchor.
My Catalina 320 carries a 33 lb. Bruce as primary on anchor roller, and a 22 Danforth stored in the anchor locker. I don't really anchor out that much, but have been messing with boats in this area for over 40 years. I've always used the Danforth (generally a little oversized) for most of those years, and the Bruce for about 10 years. Both of those anchors set well in our bottom, and only one time have I not been able to get the Danforth to set despite whatever I did. The Bruce has always set, but as I said, I don't anchor that much. But setting and holding is a different thing. While I chose to ride out the hurricanes at the pier (with a spider web of lines), I see the results of these storms. And I hear stories of others cruising who unexpectly encounter a storm and drag. So while I will retain my Danforth and Bruce, I wanted something for storms. I purchased a 35lb. Mantus and it just arrived. I won't attempt to do a lot of tests on it because, as I said, my other anchors also set well. Mainsail and others are doing such testing and have the equipment to do so...it is my understanding that initial results of their testing is good with Mantus. While I stay at the pier (somewhat sheltered in most directions...not SW) in major storms, I can forsee when I might have to elect to anchor out on short notice (such as before Irene, when there was a 36 ft. Carver poorly tied up directly across from me..it was moved just before storm fortunately). Towards that end, I want to have the equipment on board or available for anchoring out. I previous keep a 43 lb. Danforth in storage on shore to be used with the Danforth and Bruce for storms, but I have encounter data that suggests that the holding power of all three would be marginal in a 70-90 kt. hurricane, which is the range we might expect....explains why lots of those other boats anchored out drag ashore. Putting the Mantus in this mix of anchors, will give me assurance that I will stay put, and the major concern is that someone else will drag down on me.
I am always a bit nervous about ordering things that I have not seen. The Mantus looks good and I am pleased with it. Of course, it is galvanized. The spade portion on the 35 lb. version is abut 3/8" thick, and shaped in a flat but somewhat gull wing shape. The spade portion is ~19" long, and ~21" wide, including about 2.5" ears on each side to hold the roll bar. The roll bar is 3/4" tube, bolted to the spade at either end with two 1/2" bolts. All bolts are galvanized with lock washers to prevent nuts from working loose. The shank portion is 1/2" thick, and fairly deep. It is considerable larger than the shank on the 43 lb. Danforth, so it should be more than adequate. The shank portion is 30" long, 9" high, and ~3" wide (base for bolts welded on). Four bolts hold the shank and spade together. It assembles fairly quickly, but obviously, you wouldn't be likely able to do so once you start dragging because of the time element. But generally, you know when you are going to encounter a serious storm, so there is time (only a couple of minutes are needed). If when anchored out (normal conditions), I will first use the Bruce, but if the conditions are such that I need to place a second anchor, I will use the Mantus in combination with the Bruce. The Danforth is then still ready to be deployed if those two don't hold). In time, I might place the Mantus on the anchor roller...it's size will fit fine, but the Bruce doesn't store as well below.
If one is going the use the Mantus as a primary anchor, the bolted construction becomes insignificant and either welded or bolted is ok. And there is a logic to place your best anchor where it is deployed first...but in my case, I think of the Bruce as my lunch anchor (have a windlass to help). Also, if it is to be one of your primary anchors, your selection choice will be influenced by other factors possibly....especially the bottom, where my existing anchors work well.
Delivery from Mantus was quick. They ship in a wood box (corregated top, and nylon strapping in two places). My anchor had a rough trip from Texas to NC, and all of the three major parts, which were held in place initially with small nylon wire ties, shifted breaking the ties, but no damage was done. Mantus might want to look at using stronger ties in the future, but this is a minor thing. After all, these are disposable shipping wrappings.
I am happy so far. It looks good.