This format is right to the point and the editing spot on! Thanks for all your efforts and providing a wealth of information nobody has ever put out to such a scale nor truly independently!
Since I have the chance to get in the first comment: I stand in awe at the quality of your tests, the amount of work put in to this, and dedication you have. I hope it is not just a chore, but that you have fun and get enjoyment out of it! Anyway, thank you.
Thanks, Christopher. Yes, I am still having fun discovering what makes anchors "tick". That said, the video making (especially speaking in front of the camera) is not interesting to me. I would much rather spend all of my time conducting tests, but without the videos, all this would have never happened.
Thank you for continuing to do these! I dream of sailing one day and believe a good anchor is the single best piece of equipment on any boat. You help us all define a great anchor!
I bought a Sarca Excel, size based on Sarca's charts for my 38 foot catamaran. I based the purchase on my understanding of your test results. I have gone through two tropical storms with it, the most recent being Helene. It has been amazing. We had winds over 60 mph last night and the anchor plot shows a short arc with no dragging at all. This was a sand and mud bottom, 9:1 scope on all chain, with a 40 foot climbing rope bridle for shock loads. At times the chain was completely straight and the bridle line humming. Three boats around me dragged aground. I have anchored in rivers and estuaries in Florida quite a bit and found it resets almost flawlessly every tide change. As you found, if I remember correctly, it is crap in very soft mud. So I have an oversized Fortress for that. Thank you for your years of work. Have you done any testing of using multiple anchors on a single rode? Practical Sailor found a 'V' formation on a single rode gave a big increase in holding and was effective at limiting veering as well. Rather than have to cobble it together, I've been thinking about a plate to attach two or more anchors to a single rode for a more secure storm anchor system. As I'm on my boat I can't really run tests on the system effectively, but am having a plate made, similar but much smaller than those used by industrial fish farms. I'll do what I can to test it but with only a couple of hundred pound of thrust from 2 little outboards, the results may not say much.
We are just about to go and get our new sailboat and sail it home during three weeks. It has got a Bruce original at the back and a Delta in the front. Probably we’ll change the Delta for another anchor. Maybe an Excel or Roc a Vulcan. Your professional videos are a superb help. Thank you so much 😊
Steve, Thank you for getting back to me on the Excel anchor. Unfortunately I think I would have to stay with the #2 or a different anchor all together. The bow roller assembly is a bit short and I think the anchor might get a little too close for comfort to the fiberglass bow. The anchor that came on the boat when we bought it last year, 2008 boat, is a 14 pound Simpson Lawrence. That company was sold to Lewmar I believe well before this boat was built. I have seen this same type on other 26 foot Commanders. Might be what the builder put on the boats. Thanks again Neal
Thanks for that test report. I am designing an anchor based on What I am seeing in your tests. Without having seen the Excel up close my judgement is that it is the nose down tip of the Excel that gives the anchor its cobble penetration ability. I have some ideas to go further with that direction. The weakness in the soft bed holding is because the plow shape weakens the overburden, and there is insufficient flat area to compensate. My interest is in achieving a Hurricane holding capacity anchor, without its being too massive. The anchor on my boat may actually be an early Excel, it certainly looks close and I can now see how to bring it up to the performance you are proving. Nope mine is a Delta. It needs upgrading.
I just got the EX-CEL #3 28lb. It shipped to me pretty quick. There were some dents on the round stock cross bar that could have used some more finish grinding before galvanizing, but looks nice other than that. I like that 28lb. range that I couldn't find with your other top anchor picks. I'm taking my Erickson 29 up towards your neck of the woods..Everett WA. I just completed a two week (70hr.) refit on my anchor locker rebuilding from below with 4' of 1/2" G10 epoxy laminate plate, using a starboard mounting plate above. Its solid as a rock. All new winch and hardware, Cross Sampson Post, Bow Roller and Chocks. Its awesome and should be perfect for anchoring up north! Thanks again Steve!!
...and yes, it was totally acceptable to have the abbreviated underwater footage. We know what you do by now and trust you to tell the truth. Plus it shortens the video.
Hi , if you already had an Excel as a primary anchor, what would you recommend as a backup anchor, that would work well in most conditions. I currently have an Excel 6 on a 46’ yacht.
@@grantcormack9683 Not sure if your question is aimed specifically at Christopher but I suspect you are asking the community in general. So I will give you my thoughts. I think a Viking anchor or else a Mantus M1 anchor would be a good backup for an Excel just because if you hit really hardcore clay, grass or hard packed sand the thin blade design of these anchors might help to penetrate, although this scenario would be very rare because the Excel is very good at penetrating seabeds. I do not own an Excel but I very much admire the Excel as a top performer and I like it’s strong robust design. But this is just my opinion, everyone will have their own ideas of what is the best anchor. Plus you know your cruising area better.
@@MrAthlon4800 Thanks Ross I’ve owned 2 Sarca Excels on different boats. Currently in the Med on an Oceanis 46.1 and can’t think of an all round anchor that I’d prefer. I think the Mantus comes up quite well too and think a variation of anchors can only be a good thing.
This is the anchor I have for my 23 foot Norwalk Island Sharpie. Glad to see it test s as well as the bigger Excels. A test I would love tp see is how chain size effect holding. I've heard of people using a wire leader to help slice through the seabed easier, and others add a length of really heavy chain between the anchor and the winch. I wonder what works best in which seabed type. Thanks for all the great videos.
Thanks, Ben. I am just now editing a video on this subject. I only tested 2 anchors in 1 seabed type, so the findings are are somewhat incomplete - for now. Look for the video this coming Saturday.
@@flygoodwin thanks Steve, interesting result, even if it wasn't conclusive. Apparently it was an old Chesapeake bay trick for soft mud. It seams in the harder bottoms it probably isn't worthwhile.
I guess you should move the focus onto the anchor wire rope/chain if you use the same diameter rope/chain on both the large Excel and the little Excel. All other things being equal, the small Excel will of course have a harder time pulling an anchor rope of 16 mm with you in the soft mud bottom Compared to the large Excel, where the anchor rope is proportionally "smaller" and thus easier for the large anchor to pull with it down the bottom. I would suggest you try the little Excel with a soft vire Ø 5 mm on the first 3 - 5 meters. Then I think you'll get a different result.
Awesome review. It would be good to have the Rocna Vulcan 9 in your tests. I have had problems with the Vulcan 9 not resetting after 180 degree wind shift in sand/mud and almost loosing the boat to the rocks. I hope to solve that by switching to the Excel #2.
Steve, good work on all your testing. I was wondering if you think a #2 excel would be big enough for 26 foot Commander. Boat weighs 8, 000 pounds dry and has 10 foot beam. Not planning to be out in rough weather. Up here in Desolation sound and Discovery Islands. The Sarca site says to use a #3. But concerned about too much weight for the Lofrans X1 Windlass. and on the bow roller. Thanks if you have any thoughts. ;
Neal, I can't comment on the bow roller strength without inspection, but assuming it is strong enough, I would go for the larger anchor, just in case you unknowingly anchor in a challenging seabed. If necessary, reduce the amount of chain to stay under the windlass' working load of 95kg.
Thanks Steve for your hard work, editing is perfect. We know how your method of testing is impeccable 👌. Would it be safe to say that the #3 excel would do even better in the soft mud tests than the #2 ? Just happens to be the size I would pick and might change my mind on this being my second anchor or first .
@@flygoodwinThanks Steve, good enough for me I want two different style anchors that work well. So I bought the Viking 10 and I'll get the #3 excel for my primary anchor . The Viking 10 breaks down better for storage .
Thank you so much for this great information. Are the Ex-cel anchors available in the USA? I have not been able to find them. If you have information where to purchase them, could you share it? thank you
Aye m8, I do agree on most comments that this program format actually is the best so far. And you know what? I think you'll get more "watched minutes" as this. Many viewers are not as patient as us nerds and want to head to the results immediately, and as soon as they have reached them, they might have gained enough interest to watch longer. Have you noticed any difference by reading the measures/numbers so far?
A video sometime comparing the geometry of the Delta to the Excel might be interesting. Clearly there are some important differences that massively affect performance.
Ross, If you have not seen it, check out my Delta video #70. Although I did not make a thorough analysis of the differences, It has some some good side by side shots of the Delta and Excel.
Ross I’ve owned a Delta and several Excels. All were above specs for the boat size. Although they might be similar they were chalk n cheese. I’m not sure why, but the Delta was difficult to set and generally unreliable. I’ve previously said that I rate the Excels highly. I have no connection to Sarca and in fact freighted my own Excel to Europe for our boat.
@@grantcormack9683 Thanks for your feedback re. your experience. You might be interested to know for yourself and sailing friends to know that Jimmy Green Marine in the U.K. is now the European distributor for Excel anchors. Similarly I have no connections to anchor makers and sellers.
Would you please tell me what you think the best all around anchor would be for a 28.5 10K llbs sailboat, and the best anchor for mooring full time or summer time in sand? Thank you for your time. would you jump up a size?
Jeffrey, Unfortunately, My experience with anchors in "sand" is limited to just the one seabed and it has a fair amount of cohesive material (mud) a foot or so from the surface. Assuming the "sand" where you anchor is different than this, I really cannot make a recommendation. Generally speaking, I believe having a larger anchor ("up a size") is beneficial.
Hey Steve, I was talking to kingston anchors up in Ontario today, they want to send you a quickset anchor for testing. I have their contact info if you want it.
Steve, or anyone, do you know if the stainless steel tip is a section of stainless steel plate over a cast mild steel ballast or is the ballast a combination of cast mild steel with a cast stainless steel end toe? I guess what I am trying to figure out is if there is a theoretical weakness in the ballast of the Excel that wouldn’t be present in say the Vulcan?
@@flygoodwin Yeah, but if it is two pieces of cast metal welded then the weld will only be as thick as no more than 1cm, perhaps is what I mean. But fair enough if you do not know the exact details, thanks. I might email them sometime.
![[LIVE] : ONE ลุมพินี 85 | คู่เอก "ยอดเหล็กเพชร vs ผึ้งหลวง"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Qq_19bnnxEo/mqdefault.jpg)
This format is right to the point and the editing spot on!
Thanks for all your efforts and providing a wealth of information nobody has ever put out to such a scale nor truly independently!
Since I have the chance to get in the first comment: I stand in awe at the quality of your tests, the amount of work put in to this, and dedication you have. I hope it is not just a chore, but that you have fun and get enjoyment out of it! Anyway, thank you.
Thanks, Christopher. Yes, I am still having fun discovering what makes anchors "tick". That said, the video making (especially speaking in front of the camera) is not interesting to me. I would much rather spend all of my time conducting tests, but without the videos, all this would have never happened.
Great mix of introductory content, underwater footage, chart analysis and conclusions.
Thank you for continuing to do these! I dream of sailing one day and believe a good anchor is the single best piece of equipment on any boat. You help us all define a great anchor!
Great videos, I watched 3 or 4 of your comparisons & then confidently bought a used excel 2 sizes larger than I need.
Thanks for your work.
I bought a Sarca Excel, size based on Sarca's charts for my 38 foot catamaran. I based the purchase on my understanding of your test results.
I have gone through two tropical storms with it, the most recent being Helene. It has been amazing. We had winds over 60 mph last night and the anchor plot shows a short arc with no dragging at all.
This was a sand and mud bottom, 9:1 scope on all chain, with a 40 foot climbing rope bridle for shock loads. At times the chain was completely straight and the bridle line humming. Three boats around me dragged aground.
I have anchored in rivers and estuaries in Florida quite a bit and found it resets almost flawlessly every tide change. As you found, if I remember correctly, it is crap in very soft mud. So I have an oversized Fortress for that.
Thank you for your years of work.
Have you done any testing of using multiple anchors on a single rode? Practical Sailor found a 'V' formation on a single rode gave a big increase in holding and was effective at limiting veering as well. Rather than have to cobble it together, I've been thinking about a plate to attach two or more anchors to a single rode for a more secure storm anchor system. As I'm on my boat I can't really run tests on the system effectively, but am having a plate made, similar but much smaller than those used by industrial fish farms. I'll do what I can to test it but with only a couple of hundred pound of thrust from 2 little outboards, the results may not say much.
We are just about to go and get our new sailboat and sail it home during three weeks. It has got a Bruce original at the back and a Delta in the front. Probably we’ll change the Delta for another anchor. Maybe an Excel or Roc a Vulcan. Your professional videos are a superb help. Thank you so much 😊
Steve, Thank you for getting back to me on the Excel anchor. Unfortunately I think I would have to stay with the #2 or a different anchor all together. The bow roller assembly is a bit short and I think the anchor might get a little too close for comfort to the fiberglass bow. The anchor that came on the boat when we bought it last year, 2008 boat, is a 14 pound Simpson Lawrence. That company was sold to Lewmar I believe well before this boat was built. I have seen this same type on other 26 foot Commanders. Might be what the builder put on the boats.
Thanks again
Neal
Thanks for that test report. I am designing an anchor based on What I am seeing in your tests. Without having seen the Excel up close my judgement is that it is the nose down tip of the Excel that gives the anchor its cobble penetration ability. I have some ideas to go further with that direction. The weakness in the soft bed holding is because the plow shape weakens the overburden, and there is insufficient flat area to compensate. My interest is in achieving a Hurricane holding capacity anchor, without its being too massive. The anchor on my boat may actually be an early Excel, it certainly looks close and I can now see how to bring it up to the performance you are proving. Nope mine is a Delta. It needs upgrading.
We REALLY appreciate this work, Thank you!
I have both a Excel #2, and a Viking 10 for my Contessa 26. Which to use on a cruise? Well, looks like I can't go too wrong with either.
I just got the EX-CEL #3 28lb. It shipped to me pretty quick. There were some dents on the round stock cross bar that could have used some more finish grinding before galvanizing, but looks nice other than that. I like that 28lb. range that I couldn't find with your other top anchor picks. I'm taking my Erickson 29 up towards your neck of the woods..Everett WA. I just completed a two week (70hr.) refit on my anchor locker rebuilding from below with 4' of 1/2" G10 epoxy laminate plate, using a starboard mounting plate above. Its solid as a rock. All new winch and hardware, Cross Sampson Post, Bow Roller and Chocks. Its awesome and should be perfect for anchoring up north! Thanks again Steve!!
Sounds like a very solid anchor system. Enjoy your cruise.
Update been archoring a lot in the San Juan’s with the Ex-Cel anchor and I’m still real happy. Thanks for your research Steve
...and yes, it was totally acceptable to have the abbreviated underwater footage. We know what you do by now and trust you to tell the truth. Plus it shortens the video.
Hi , if you already had an Excel as a primary anchor, what would you recommend as a backup anchor, that would work well in most conditions.
I currently have an Excel 6 on a 46’ yacht.
@@grantcormack9683 Not sure if your question is aimed specifically at Christopher but I suspect you are asking the community in general. So I will give you my thoughts. I think a Viking anchor or else a Mantus M1 anchor would be a good backup for an Excel just because if you hit really hardcore clay, grass or hard packed sand the thin blade design of these anchors might help to penetrate, although this scenario would be very rare because the Excel is very good at penetrating seabeds. I do not own an Excel but I very much admire the Excel as a top performer and I like it’s strong robust design. But this is just my opinion, everyone will have their own ideas of what is the best anchor. Plus you know your cruising area better.
@@MrAthlon4800
Thanks Ross
I’ve owned 2 Sarca Excels on different boats. Currently in the Med on an Oceanis 46.1 and can’t think of an all round anchor that I’d prefer. I think the Mantus comes up quite well too and think a variation of anchors can only be a good thing.
This is the anchor I have for my 23 foot Norwalk Island Sharpie. Glad to see it test s as well as the bigger Excels.
A test I would love tp see is how chain size effect holding. I've heard of people using a wire leader to help slice through the seabed easier, and others add a length of really heavy chain between the anchor and the winch.
I wonder what works best in which seabed type.
Thanks for all the great videos.
Thanks, Ben. I am just now editing a video on this subject. I only tested 2 anchors in 1 seabed type, so the findings are are somewhat incomplete - for now. Look for the video this coming Saturday.
@@flygoodwin thanks Steve, interesting result, even if it wasn't conclusive. Apparently it was an old Chesapeake bay trick for soft mud. It seams in the harder bottoms it probably isn't worthwhile.
I guess you should move the focus onto the anchor wire rope/chain if you use the same diameter rope/chain on both the large Excel and the little Excel.
All other things being equal, the small Excel will of course have a harder time pulling an anchor rope of 16 mm with you in the soft mud bottom Compared to the large Excel, where the anchor rope is proportionally "smaller" and thus easier for the large anchor to pull with it down the bottom.
I would suggest you try the little Excel with a soft vire Ø 5 mm on the first 3 - 5 meters.
Then I think you'll get a different result.
FYI, I bought a Sarca Execl #5 and a Fortress FX23 for my project.
Awesome review. It would be good to have the Rocna Vulcan 9 in your tests. I have had problems with the Vulcan 9 not resetting after 180 degree wind shift in sand/mud and almost loosing the boat to the rocks. I hope to solve that by switching to the Excel #2.
If a Vulcan 9 comes my way, I will most certainly test it.
Steve, good work on all your testing. I was wondering if you think a #2 excel would be big enough for 26 foot Commander. Boat weighs 8, 000 pounds dry and has 10 foot beam. Not planning to be out in rough weather. Up here in Desolation sound and Discovery Islands. The Sarca site says to use a #3. But concerned about too much weight for the Lofrans X1 Windlass. and on the bow roller. Thanks if you have any thoughts. ;
Neal, I can't comment on the bow roller strength without inspection, but assuming it is strong enough, I would go for the larger anchor, just in case you unknowingly anchor in a challenging seabed. If necessary, reduce the amount of chain to stay under the windlass' working load of 95kg.
Thanks Steve for your hard work, editing is perfect. We know how your method of testing is impeccable 👌. Would it be safe to say that the #3 excel would do even better in the soft mud tests than the #2 ? Just happens to be the size I would pick and might change my mind on this being my second anchor or first .
I would expect the #3 to perform better than the #2 to an extent even greater than the size % increase.
@@flygoodwinThanks Steve, good enough for me I want two different style anchors that work well. So I bought the Viking 10 and I'll get the #3 excel for my primary anchor . The Viking 10 breaks down better for storage .
Thank you so much for this great information. Are the Ex-cel anchors available in the USA? I have not been able to find them. If you have information where to purchase them, could you share it? thank you
North American Distribution is handled by Ground Tackle Marine of British Columbia, Canada.
Aye m8, I do agree on most comments that this program format actually is the best so far. And you know what? I think you'll get more "watched minutes" as this. Many viewers are not as patient as us nerds and want to head to the results immediately, and as soon as they have reached them, they might have gained enough interest to watch longer. Have you noticed any difference by reading the measures/numbers so far?
No change in watched minutes as far as I can tell. In the future I'll do more of the abbreviated underwater clips.
Outstanding report out
Thank you
A video sometime comparing the geometry of the Delta to the Excel might be interesting. Clearly there are some important differences that massively affect performance.
Ross, If you have not seen it, check out my Delta video #70. Although I did not make a thorough analysis of the differences, It has some some good side by side shots of the Delta and Excel.
Ross I’ve owned a Delta and several Excels. All were above specs for the boat size. Although they might be similar they were chalk n cheese. I’m not sure why, but the Delta was difficult to set and generally unreliable. I’ve previously said that I rate the Excels highly. I have no connection to Sarca and in fact freighted my own Excel to Europe for our boat.
@@grantcormack9683 Thanks for your feedback re. your experience. You might be interested to know for yourself and sailing friends to know that Jimmy Green Marine in the U.K. is now the European distributor for Excel anchors. Similarly I have no connections to anchor makers and sellers.
Would you please tell me what you think the best all around anchor would be for a 28.5 10K llbs sailboat, and the best anchor for mooring full time or summer time in sand? Thank you for your time. would you jump up a size?
Jeffrey, Unfortunately, My experience with anchors in "sand" is limited to just the one seabed and it has a fair amount of cohesive material (mud) a foot or so from the surface. Assuming the "sand" where you anchor is different than this, I really cannot make a recommendation.
Generally speaking, I believe having a larger anchor ("up a size") is beneficial.
Hey Steve, I was talking to kingston anchors up in Ontario today, they want to send you a quickset anchor for testing. I have their contact info if you want it.
Sounds good! I would be happy to test a Kingston Quickset.
Perfect content, well done. Thanks for your time & effort
Steve, or anyone, do you know if the stainless steel tip is a section of stainless steel plate over a cast mild steel ballast or is the ballast a combination of cast mild steel with a cast stainless steel end toe? I guess what I am trying to figure out is if there is a theoretical weakness in the ballast of the Excel that wouldn’t be present in say the Vulcan?
Ross, I do not know the exact construction details for the Excel, but the fluke tip is so thick that strength should be nothing to worry about.
@@flygoodwin Yeah, but if it is two pieces of cast metal welded then the weld will only be as thick as no more than 1cm, perhaps is what I mean. But fair enough if you do not know the exact details, thanks. I might email them sometime.
I've watched you videos and what I want to know is if you had 1 anchor for the pnw what would it be
Where abouts ? I like the viking and the excel what size do you need ? I live in Haida Gwaii
I live in bellingham area of washington state I live year round on a laguna 33 just got a 55 delta on the hook
@@jeremybacon8519 if that's the size you're looking for the excel is ranked the best according to Steve's tests.
How does the thrust translate into a wind speed? Or is it even possible?