- Gray blocks show the average range of maximum hold for the Mantus Dinghy Anchor. Long duration “pulses” applied after 1 to 3 hours proved effective.
- Gray blocks show the average range of maximum hold for the Guardian G-5. The anchor’s average maximum hold saw little or no improvement after 3 hours.
- The test arrangement ensured that the direction of the load would remain relatively constant throughout the test.
Our test boat, a 34-foot catamaran, became our test platform. Securely anchored in a number of soft mud locations, we pull the smaller anchors toward it using the primary winches.
First, as a control, we tested each of the 2-pound anchors by measuring holding capacity when set immediately after deployment using a slow, steady pull. We also tested the holding capacity of anchors that had been left to soak for an hour without any initial set; this was to establish if settling time alone made any difference.
We tested short period cyclical loading, akin to waves and swell by loading and unloading with a winch 10 times in 5-10 second bursts of 50% holding capacity. We then tested anchors that had been set 10 minutes after deployment to 70% of the holding capacity determined in the “control” test, and allowed each to soak without loading for 1-hour and 3-hours. We then pulled each of these examples until they dragged.
Finally, we tested the effect of cyclical loading over a period of hours, trying to mimic the effect of moderate wind and wave action. Again, each anchor was set to approximately 70% of the holding capacity, as determined by the first test. However this time, we applied cyclical loading two ways; by pulling with a winch 10 times for 30 seconds with one minute rest between pulls to simulate wave action, and also by allowing the small anchor, set as a stern anchor, to take the side load as the boat gently yawed from side to side in a light variable wind, simulating wind load fluctuations.
Again, at the end of the time period, we then pulled the anchors until they dragged. This was repeated at least four times. We then repeated this testing with a 35-pound Manson Supreme in soft mud. As with all anchor testing and in soft mud, variability is the rule.
We moved our test boat a few times so as to test in muds of slightly different consistency. We recorded the maximum tension, but all data analysis and plots reflect the tension 30 seconds after the winching stopped because this holding is a better measure of anchor holding and stability.