Keep or sell? 25# Manson supreme

[lastgreatgeneration]

So I have been living on anchor for a few seasons, years apart. I am (was) using the Manson 25 on my Pearson Ariel, and now the Sabre 28. For the longest time the anchor has never dragged in the Chesapeake mud however the other day it started dragging with the engine full throttle in reverse (10-1 scope in 7(ish) feet of water). I run the engine under load about an hour a week (not all at full throttle). I instantly hauled and put down the 33# genuine Bruce anchor, so far no problems also on 10-1. I'm on 35' of 5/16 HT and 9/16 rope rode.

Yesterday I purchased a galvanized Mantus 45# off of sailorsams, I'm not messing around any more. I like good sleep and of course it's not cheap or convenient when living on anchor. Plus I want the anchor to be suitable for my next boat about 35 feet. Also thinking about switching to 5/8 rode for the next setup.

So I am scratching my head about whether to keep or sell the Manson 25. Because I have the 33 Bruce and soon the 45 mantus. Should I keep it for a stern anchor? Would it be prudent to keep it? I checked the prices online and maybe used on a good day it is worth $200. Defender has it on sale now for $235. It's very hard to stow even on my current boat, but it may be useful to keep as a spare.

A few people up here have told me that they use the Bruce exclusively in the Chesapeake mud and then switch to a plow type when they are in bottoms other than mud.

Thank you for the advice.

[Godot]

According to Practical Sailor (Mud Anchors), the Rocna/Manson Supreme/Mantus type of anchor is not the best in soft mud, and perhaps and old fashioned Danforth is a better bet. Other people I've talked to have had absolutely to trouble with the rollbars here in the Chesapeake.

I've been very happy with my Rocna 10 (22#), which is essentially the same anchor as your Manson, in the Chesapeake. I've never dragged. It's a good anchor. But that isn't to say that at some point conditions might not conspire to let me drag, and I've often wondered if I should have gone up a size. I was anchored out last year with an approaching hurricane, and I really, really wondered if I should have gone up a size. Fortunately, Joaquin went out to sea and I didn't have to test it in those kinds of conditions.

A Mantus 45 is huge for a 28' boat, storm anchor sized. While soft mud may not be its' forte, I suspect you are going to stay put in pretty much any conditions. Which is good, because hauling it up and resetting is something I bet you won't be happy doing very often (unless, perhaps, you have a good windlass, and probably an electric one at that).

Before buying Seeker I looked at a Sabre 28. One thing that struck me was that there was not an abundance of extra stowage. Given the roll bar shape to the Manson, finding a place to keep it below deck may be problematic. I think using it as a stern anchor is overkill as well. I have a small Fortress for that role as it stows nicely in a cockpit locker, and is light enough where I can throw it a bit as a kedge, or more easily handle it rowing (or perhaps with the aid of flotation, even swimming) it out.

With two good bow anchors already, I think you are in pretty good shape. If you want to go with another spare (and I certainly won't discourage it), I'd consider something that can stow easier. Maybe a Fortress, or if you like the roll bar anchors, a smaller Mantus, which I understand can be disassembled. Or, maybe even taking your current Mantus, and keep it below disassembled as a storm anchor, or for use in the rare event that neither the Manson or the Bruce set well.

It might also be worth considering anchoring technique. When the mud is soft, I tend to very slowly set my anchor. Drop it, let out scope, and let windage push me for awhile. I think this lets the anchor settle into the mud. After I've given it a few minutes, I very slowly start bringing up the RPMs and backing down under power. It takes several minutes. When done, as often as not I need to power out the anchor. Or, when the motor is being stubborn, I haul in the chain until it is vertical, cleat it off, and let the anchor slowly work its' way out.

Your mileage may vary. This does not constitute professional advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. I may be wrong.

[CharlieJ]

One more try to post this :o The site hasn't liked me lately

On Tehani I carry a 22 pound SL Claw ( Bruce copy). It's been my primary anchor since launch Has 75 feet of 1/4 G4 and 200 feet of 1/2 3 strand.

I've anchored every where from the Texas coast around to the Keys, over the Bahamas (Bimini, Berries, Nassau, Exumas, Eleuthra and back), up the east coast to Annapolis and back to Texas. Plus three round trips here to Florida and return. 11,800 miles at last count not counting around here locally

I have had that anchor fail to set ONCE- off Frazier Hogg Cay in  the Berry's, where the book told me it wouldn't. Picked up a mooring. Was like anchoring on a concrete parking lot  :o

I also always carry a 12 pound Hi tensile (real) Danforth with 25 feet of the same chain, and 150 feet of 1/2 3 strand. I've used it as a stern anchor, or to hold the boat off to one side in a channel

when cruising long term I carry a 16 pound folding Northill again with 25 feet of chain and 150 feet  of nylon. I use that when there is no open bottom only grass

Would not dream of using it alone (or the Danforth) in a reversing tide situation- don't trust either to reset. The Bruce copy ALWAYS does.

I'll keep my Bruce clone I trust it. Even in the mud in the Chesapeake, which is not an unusual bottom for the coast

[lastgreatgeneration]

To me the Bruce anchor has been unproven to me until now.on Saturday Annapolis had forecasted winds 45-50 mph. Today I saw large road signs on 50 snapped in the middle, also a 1' diameter tree snapped in half. The Bruce held all night, I think it dug in a few more feet. I re-anchored today on and the anchor was really dug in, I let the wind work it free and it came up pretty easy. My first serious trial with the 33 Bruce was a total success and I'm very happy with it versus my prior experience with the Manson.

Yes the Sabre 28 does have lack of stowage, however I can fit both the bruce and Manson in the anchor locker and then close it shut. I do have a 20# genuine danforth but I put it in storage because I see little utility in it and my boat is heavy enough already.

I spent so much money on the Manson especially when I dodnt have a lot of it. I may keep it aboard or put it in storage.

I started living on anchor with 90' of 9/16 chain but it was such a pain to haul up constantly. So I eventually split it up 35-35-20. This is what I'm currently working with. Also just picked up 115' of 5/8" nylon, added a splice/whip/thimble. I think this is going to be the dedicated rode for the 45 mantus. I am gone sometimes at night and I work a full time job. So its nice knowing that my boat is where I left it.

Thanks so much for the excellent responses. I'm learning new things every day.