On our Desolation Sound trip this summer I was reminded of the likelihood that someday we will have to cut away our anchor from it being snagged on some underwater log or object that won't let it go. We saw several people this summer having to do just that. Our backup has been our old CQR which I know is junk. So I took the plunge and bought a whole new anchor rode set up and made my current Mantus my backup and gave away the CQR.
The new Mantus M1 Performance has several changes over the prior M1. It's shank is reinforced with some ribbing, though I've never had any trouble with that. The roll bar is also flanged and mounted more strongly, making it less likely to bend. Again, not something I've had trouble with. And the construction method is different as the old M1 mounted on "top" of the blade that digs in and on the new one it pulls through a gap in the blade and is therefore able to protrude wider than the gap, providing additional support to the tip to again prevent bending.
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| Comes in a sturdy wooden box |
I again mounted it with a Mantus S2 swivel and I love them. Trouble free swiveling. I bought 100 feet of HT chain, and 200 feet of 8 plait nylon. I spliced the 8 plait onto the chain, which was hard work, and now have my usual 300 feet of total rode. This is the same as what I've been using all these many years with my prior Mantus.
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| Laying out and marking my rode at 25' intervals |
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| I use these cable ties to mark my rode |
I've had nothing but perfect results with my Mantus anchor in year round anchoring in all conditions. We anchor out almost exclusively, as I really don't like being on docks or on a ball. We go in winter storms. Aeolus is often pushed around by 25-30 knot winds. Never, not once, has the anchor dragged once set. The only, ONLY time it didn't set immediately was in Princess Cove, Portland Island, which has kelp so deep you can only grab kelp.
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| Mounted. I have to change my roller because this new one has the pin hole a bit higher and doesn't match my existing roller alignment. |
I will be more comfortable now knowing that if I have to cut away my anchor from being snagged, my backup is the same thing and will get us home from wherever.
And in case anyone is wondering what my chain locker looks like on Aeolus:
