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Rocna vs Mantus vs Ultra: One Anchor Had a Serious Problem
July 22, 2026 · 11 min · 41K views
What this video covers
The Rocna, Mantus M1, and Ultra represent the modern generation of spade anchors, each utilizing a concave fluke to outperform traditional plow and claw designs.0:09 The Rocna, designed by Peter Smith, features a roll bar for consistent setting but faced a 2010 controversy regarding the use of lower-grade steel in Chinese-manufactured shanks.0:56 The Mantus M1, designed by a physician and a NASA engineer, offers a modular, bolt-together design for easy storage and uses high-tensile steel.1:35 The Ultra, a stainless-steel, no-roll-bar anchor, relies on a lead-ballasted tip for self-righting and carries a significantly higher price point.2:22 Independent testing on the Chesapeake Bay showed that while scoop anchors perform well in sand, Fortress-style aluminum anchors provide superior holding in soft mud.5:10 Real-world observations indicate that all three modern designs require adequate scope to maintain holding power during wind or tide reversals.10:12 Choosing between these anchors depends on bow geometry, budget, and primary cruising grounds, with galvanized options offering high performance for most sailors.
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