Owner reports, compiled

Rocna Anchor: What 99 Owner Reports Actually Say

The roll-bar new-generation anchor that much of the cruising world switched to from the CQR and Delta. What owners say about setting, holding, weed, mud and the bow roller, and where the Vulcan fits in.

99 first-hand reports from 10 sources, posted 2007–2026. Collected 9 October 2026. We have not tested this anchor ourselves; every count below links to what was read.

If you buy through links on this page we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. It never changes what owners said.

Galvanised Rocna 15 anchor with its roll bar, concave fluke and long shank
Photo: Rocna
Type
Concave fluke, roll bar, ballasted toe
Sizes (Original)
14, from 4 to 275 kg
Finish
Galvanised or polished stainless
Warranty
Lifetime, against defects, breakage, bending
Classification
RINA SHHP (galv. 55-110 kg)
Sibling without roll bar
Vulcan, 4 to 55 kg

Owners say it suits

  • Sand and most mud: no negative sand reports, and the mud complaints are about clods packing the fluke, not dragging.
  • Setting fast: 22 of 24 owners who mention it say it bites first time.
  • Owners replacing a CQR, Delta or Bruce on the same boat.

Think twice if

  • You anchor mostly in thick weed or seagrass: owners are split 7 to 5, with switches to a Spade.
  • Your bow roller sits under a bowsprit or close to a furler: the roll bar fouls, and the Vulcan does not always fit either.
  • You anchor on rock: we found one report, and it was negative. Not enough to judge.

What Owners Say, Topic by Topic

Each report is counted once for every topic it talks about. The bar length is how many owners raised the topic; the colours are what they said.

Positive Mixed Negative
  • Overall experience38 positive, 5 mixed, 1 negative
  • Sets quickly22 positive, 2 mixed, 0 negative
  • Fits the bow roller11 positive, 7 mixed, 4 negative
  • Holding in mud11 positive, 7 mixed, 0 negative
  • Holding in sand15 positive, 1 mixed, 0 negative
  • Weed and grass7 positive, 1 mixed, 5 negative
  • Resets when the wind shifts6 positive, 0 mixed, 2 negative
  • Build and galvanising3 positive, 0 mixed, 1 negative
  • Sizing2 positive, 2 mixed, 0 negative
  • Weight and handling2 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative
  • Rock and coral0 positive, 0 mixed, 1 negative
  • Price and value1 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative

Sets quickly 24 reports: 22 positive, 2 mixed, 0 negative

  • “Three months of use: digs in suddenly; recommends ~1500 rpm to bed it.” YBW forum, 2007 · Oyster 41
  • “Has owned several Rocnas and a Vulcan; prefers the Rocna, Vulcan needed repeat set attempts.” YBW forum, 2017 · various boats

Fits the bow roller 22 reports: 11 positive, 7 mixed, 4 negative

Holding in mud 18 reports: 11 positive, 7 mixed, 0 negative

Holding in sand 16 reports: 15 positive, 1 mixed, 0 negative

  • “Immediate bite and perfect holding in UK sand-over-rock anchorages.” YBW forum, 2007 · 13-tonne boat
  • “200+ nights: sets instantly in most bottoms, struggled only in hard sand and very soft mud.” YBW forum, 2016

Weed and grass 13 reports: 7 positive, 1 mixed, 5 negative

  • “Rocna performed well in heavy weed compared to a Knox they tried.” YBW forum, 2023
  • “Rocna failed to set or hold in thick seagrass; replaced with a Spade.” YBW forum, 2023

Resets when the wind shifts 8 reports: 6 positive, 0 mixed, 2 negative

  • “Once properly set it has never dragged and copes with wind shifts.” YBW forum, 2022
  • “Mostly holds 'like glue' in sand; once badly set it did not reset by itself.” YBW forum, 2017 · 37 ft light cruiser

Where the Reports Come From

  • YBW forum57
  • Sailboat Owners forum20
  • Jeanneau Owners forum7
  • followtheboat.com5
  • IPYOA forum3
  • TugNuts forum2
  • Small Craft Advisor2
  • Sailing Sweet Ruca1
  • Catamaran Guru1
  • Practical Boat Owner1

Sources are named so you can check our work. None of them is affiliated with this page or endorses it.

Sizing

Rocna sizes by boat length and displacement: find your length, then take the first displacement column at or above your boat's. The chart assumes 50 knots of wind, surge and poor holding ground, and multihulls go one size up.

Rocna sizing chart

The Facts, With Sources

  • Designed by New Zealand sailor Peter Smith, who built the first prototype during his family's circumnavigation aboard Kiwi Roa. (Rocna)
  • Since September 2011 the Rocna design and brand belong to Canada Metal (Pacific), with production in Vancouver and Ningbo, China; Rocna is now part of CMP Group in Delta, British Columbia. (Practical Sailor, Oct 2011)
  • In 2010 some China-made Rocnas had shanks of a weaker steel grade than published. Rocna's CEO said fewer than 300 reached North America; a former production manager claimed about 4,000, which Rocna disputed. West Marine sent customers a notice offering refunds in August 2011. (Practical Sailor, Aug 2011)
  • In October 2011 Canada Metal offered an exchange for the 2010 non-conforming anchors, saying they still exceeded industry proof-load requirements. None of the owner reports we read describes a bent or failed shank. (Practical Sailor, Oct 2011)
  • Classification is from RINA, not Lloyd's: RINA type approval and Super High Holding Power (SHHP) classification for galvanised Rocna Originals of 55 to 110 kg. Rocna says other classification societies accept it as equivalent. (Rocna Knowledge Base)
  • Yachting Monthly (2022) gave the galvanised Rocna 5/5 for fast setting and holding; its cons were the price and that it does not stow neatly on every bow roller, the problem the Vulcan was designed to solve. (Yachting Monthly)
  • In Practical Sailor's 2013 resetting tests, after a 180-degree veer the Rocna kept a clod of seabed in its fluke and dragged upside down until it cleared, then reset. (Practical Sailor, 2013)
  • In Steve Goodwin's SV Panope tests, as reported by Loose Cannon in 2025, a CQR beat the original Rocna in a direct comparison, and the Vulcan was second best all round in the 40 to 50 lb class. We read the report, not the test itself. (Loose Cannon, 2025 (secondary))
Every report we counted (99) · open the list
  1. Original's roll bar hit the sprit; switched to a Vulcan which fits and performs well. (Original + Vulcan, Gulfstar 37 ft (1979)) Sailboat Owners forum 2018-11
  2. Held at 3:1 scope in 20-25 kn; much easier to set than their old genuine Bruce. (Original, Hunter 410, 25 kg) Sailboat Owners forum 2018-11
  3. 55 lb Vulcan gives great performance and stows well on the platform. (Vulcan, Corbin 39, 25 kg) Sailboat Owners forum 2018-11
  4. The regular Rocna 20 kg (44 lb) fits fine on their Hunter 356. (Original, Hunter 356, 20 kg) Sailboat Owners forum 2018-11
  5. Installed a Rocna 15; fits the roller and has performed well. (Catalina 34 (1985), 15 kg) Sailboat Owners forum 2015-04
  6. Three years of use with no problems. (Hunter 34) Sailboat Owners forum 2013-08
  7. About 3 years in Maine bottoms: never a missed set, never dragged; works on the roller. (Original, Hunter 356, 20 kg) Sailboat Owners forum 2013-08
  8. Satisfied with a 10 kg Rocna; stresses technique when setting. (Catalina 34, 10 kg) Sailboat Owners forum 2013-08
  9. Only two deployments so far, 'so far so good'. (Ericson 26-2, 10 kg) Sailboat Owners forum 2013-08
  10. Bought a Vulcan last season, no issues so far. (Vulcan, Beneteau Oceanis 35.1) Sailboat Owners forum 2022-05
  11. 25 kg Rocna fits the stock roller and holds the boat well. (Original, Beneteau 423, 25 kg) Sailboat Owners forum 2022-05
  12. Always sets and holds, even in bad Maine bottoms. (Original, Hunter 356, 20 kg) Sailboat Owners forum 2022-05
  13. Holds reliably in freshwater lake mud, clay and weed on week-long trips. (Original, Catalina 310) Sailboat Owners forum 2021-02
  14. Galvanised Rocna after ~2000 nights shows only surface oxidation and some fluke wear. (Pearson 530) Sailboat Owners forum 2019-09
  15. Oversized 44 lb Rocna has never dragged in winds up to 45 kn. (Original, Hunter 356, 20 kg) Sailboat Owners forum 2019-09
  16. Went with the 20 kg Rocna recommends but suspects the chart leans on marketing. (Catalina 36 (~14,500 lb), 20 kg) Sailboat Owners forum 2017-07
  17. Rocna 15 used from Rhode Island to Florida west coast without dragging. (O'Day 35 (11,500 lb), 15 kg) Sailboat Owners forum 2023-10
  18. Primary 25 kg Rocna on all chain used repeatedly in tight Keys anchorages with reversing current. (Hunter 38, 25 kg) Sailboat Owners forum 2023-03
  19. About 7 years in the Caribbean with all-chain and snubber, no failures. (Original, Pearson 530) Sailboat Owners forum 2023-03
  20. Replaced an ageing Rocna after rust set in; kept it as secondary. (Hunter 49) Sailboat Owners forum 2023-03
  21. Dragged twice in weedy, poor-holding spots; better after setting at 1000-1500 rpm. (Bavaria 42, 25 kg) YBW forum 2007-09
  22. Three months of use: digs in suddenly; recommends ~1500 rpm to bed it. (Oyster 41, 25 kg) YBW forum 2007-09
  23. Immediate bite and perfect holding in UK sand-over-rock anchorages. (13-tonne boat, 33 kg) YBW forum 2007-09
  24. Set at first but dragged repeatedly in poor-holding Croatian anchorages. (multihull, 15 kg) YBW forum 2007-09
  25. Works far better than the CQR it replaced; bow roller needed modifying. (N42) YBW forum 2009-05
  26. Dragged at first in Cawsand Bay, then set well with better technique. (N39, 20 kg) YBW forum 2009-05
  27. Oversized Rocna never dragged in west Scotland, but has dragged a few times on poor holding and wind shifts. (Original, 39 ft monohull, 25 kg) YBW forum 2023-03/2023-04
  28. Rocna failed to set or hold in thick seagrass; replaced with a Spade. (Original) YBW forum 2023-05
  29. Rocna performed well in heavy weed compared to a Knox they tried. (Original) YBW forum 2023-06
  30. Of the anchors they've used, the Rocna gave the most confidence. () YBW forum 2020-07
  31. Happy with their Rocna. (Original) YBW forum 2017-10
  32. Has owned several Rocnas and a Vulcan; prefers the Rocna, Vulcan needed repeat set attempts. (Original + Vulcan, various boats) YBW forum 2017-10
  33. Satisfied with the 25 kg Vulcan. (Vulcan, Jeanneau 44i, 25 kg) YBW forum 2017-10
  34. Vulcan self-rights and digs in when pulled. (Vulcan) YBW forum 2017-10
  35. 9 kg Vulcan buries itself in sand; wobbles on the roller but fits the bow locker. (Vulcan, 9 kg) YBW forum 2017-10
  36. Several years of use; 'rock solid' through major squalls per GPS traces. (Original) YBW forum 2017-10
  37. Sleeps better than with the old plough, but the Vulcan broke loose on passage and damaged gelcoat. (Vulcan, 12 kg) YBW forum 2017-10
  38. Mostly holds 'like glue' in sand; once badly set it did not reset by itself. (Vulcan, 37 ft light cruiser, 15 kg) YBW forum 2017-10
  39. Good in sand but repeatedly fails to set in seagrass, pulling up clumps. (Vulcan, Dehler 37 cws, 15 kg) YBW forum 2020-10
  40. Anchor self-rotates correctly onto the roller during retrieval. (38 ft sailboat, 20 kg) YBW forum 2015-07
  41. After Delta drags, Rocna grips in weed and soft mud but not on solid Croatian rock. (catamaran) YBW forum 2015-07
  42. Superior holding in sand and mud; had to modify the bow roller. (33 kg) YBW forum 2015-08
  43. Sets roughly five times faster than their Delta and holds better in most bottoms. () YBW forum 2015-08
  44. Switched from a dragging Delta; Rocna sets quickly with better holding in mud and sand. (Original) YBW forum 2015-08
  45. 500+ nights in the Balearics without dragging; sets within inches. (35 ft catamaran, 25 kg) YBW forum 2015-08
  46. 9 kg Vulcan set immediately in Weymouth sand and took real force to break out. (Vulcan, Seawolf 26, 9 kg) YBW forum 2015-04
  47. Bought a 15 kg Vulcan instead of a bigger Rocna; easier to handle and stow than the 20 kg Bruce. (Vulcan, 15 kg) YBW forum 2015-04
  48. First use near Poole: fast set, secure hold on short scope, clean retrieval. (Vulcan, Beneteau Swift Trawler 36, 15 kg) YBW forum 2015-05
  49. Two uses (Poole mud, Studland sand) held reliably, similar to their Rocna and Spade. (Vulcan) YBW forum 2015-05
  50. 200+ nights: sets instantly in most bottoms, struggled only in hard sand and very soft mud. (Original) YBW forum 2016-10
  51. Replaced a 20 kg CQR with a 20 kg Rocna; same positive experience as Ravi. (Original, 20 kg) YBW forum 2016-10
  52. Replaced a CQR copy; 'sets instantly every time and has never dragged'. (Original, 15 kg) YBW forum 2016-10
  53. Uses both Rocna and Spade; can't tell them apart in real-world use. (Original) YBW forum 2017-02
  54. 100% set-and-hold record; anchor still looks excellent. () YBW forum 2017-02
  55. Perfect record with their Rocna; says the rode matters more than the anchor. () YBW forum 2017-02
  56. No problems with the Rocna. () YBW forum 2020-09
  57. Bought a Rocna a couple of years ago and would choose it again. () YBW forum 2020-09
  58. Has always set first time and never dragged, weed included. (25 kg) YBW forum 2020-09
  59. Rocna excellent, though their similar-weight Mantus M1 is a little better in some conditions. () YBW forum 2020-09
  60. Far better than their old Delta in weed; minimal movement over three days. (Original, 48-tonne vessel, 55 kg) YBW forum 2019-07
  61. Big improvement on a 27 kg CQR copy, but would like an even heavier one. (Original, 28-tonne vessel, 40 kg) YBW forum 2019-07
  62. 55 kg Rocna beat their 60 kg Delta; best anchor they've owned. (Original, Ferretti 630 (40 t), 55 kg) YBW forum 2019-07
  63. 15 kg Rocna vastly better than the Danforth it replaced. (Original, 15 kg) YBW forum 2022-07
  64. 15 kg Rocna performs as well as the 20 kg Spade they dropped over rust. (Original, 15 kg) YBW forum 2022-07
  65. 25 kg Vulcan excellent; chosen over Spade because of Spade galvanising seen. (Vulcan, 25 kg) YBW forum 2022-07
  66. Once properly set it has never dragged and copes with wind shifts. (Original, 15 kg) YBW forum 2022-07
  67. Off-the-shelf tilting roller needed one roller modified for secure stowage. () YBW forum 2025-03
  68. Vulcan's curved shank won't sit on a standard roller; planning a custom fabrication. (Vulcan) YBW forum 2025-03
  69. Comes up with big clods of sticky mud and dragged under low rpm until cleaned. (Original) YBW forum 2022-09
  70. Similar sticky-mud build-up in Patmos. (Original) YBW forum 2022-09
  71. Sets well in Newtown, Poole and Helford mud; needs a hose to clear the hoop. (Original) YBW forum 2022-09
  72. Anchored a lot on mud without issue. (Original) YBW forum 2022-09
  73. East Coast mud builds up but has never caused a drag. (Original) YBW forum 2022-09
  74. Big mud samples in Scottish sticky mud that need aggressive cleaning. (Original, 25 kg) YBW forum 2022-09
  75. Big mud clumps but never a problem with 180-degree turns. (Original) YBW forum 2022-09
  76. Never dragged once set, but sometimes must scrape mud off to get a grip. (Original, liveaboard, 25 kg) YBW forum 2022-09
  77. Replaced a dragging Delta; has photos of successful resets. (Original) YBW forum 2018-12
  78. Sets immediately; held through 60+ kn gusts in Turkey; retrieval needed a technique change. (Original, Oyster 435, 33 kg) followtheboat.com 2008-11
  79. Rocna 25 outperforms their Bruce, CQR and Fortress over several seasons. (25 kg) followtheboat.com 2009-12
  80. Held in a 45+ mph surprise gale but has trouble in weedy bottoms. (Hunter 450, 33 kg) followtheboat.com 2011-02
  81. Stainless Rocna 15 fouled on a wreck and was recovered. (Original (stainless), 31 ft Pursuit, 15 kg) followtheboat.com 2011-02
  82. Rocna 15 resists dragging in winds over 35 kn. (Seawind 1000 catamaran, 15 kg) followtheboat.com 2011-09
  83. Sets and holds every time; no roller interference. (Original, Sun Odyssey 42DS) Jeanneau Owners forum 2018-02
  84. Excellent set/hold but curved shank rocks sideways and hits the furler drum. (Vulcan, Sun Odyssey 379, 20 kg) Jeanneau Owners forum 2018-02
  85. Sets and holds almost every time; failed once when the tip caught a shell. (Original, Sun Odyssey 36i) Jeanneau Owners forum 2018-02
  86. Sets first time more often than their old Delta. (Vulcan, Sun Fast 3200, 20 kg) Jeanneau Owners forum 2018-02
  87. Very happy; chose Vulcan because the roll bar won't clear the bowsprit. (Vulcan, Sun Odyssey 419, 25 kg) Jeanneau Owners forum 2020-11
  88. Fits with minor modification; more reassured than with the Delta. (Original, Sun Odyssey 39i) Jeanneau Owners forum 2020-11
  89. Very good anchor, vastly better than CQR, fits the roller. (Original, Sun Odyssey 42DS, 20 kg) Jeanneau Owners forum 2020-11
  90. Rocna 10 set automatically and never dragged, even in 25-30 mph. (Original, Cutwater, 10 kg) TugNuts forum 2021-10
  91. Instant set in clean sand three times; hard to break out. (Vulcan, Ranger R29 (2014)) TugNuts forum 2021-10
  92. 55 lb Rocna held them in 54 kn for over two hours. (Original, Island Packet 35 (20,000 lb), 25 kg) IPYOA forum 2015
  93. Six weeks on the ICW with currents, tide shifts and wind: held consistently. (Original, Island Packet 420, 33 kg) IPYOA forum 2015
  94. Pleased with set, hold and retrieval after early fit issues were solved. (Vulcan, Island Packet 31) IPYOA forum 2015
  95. Held through 60 kn off Eleuthera at 5:1 in sand and later blows in Caribbean and Brazil. (Original, J/46, 12 t, 33 kg) Sailing Sweet Ruca 2021-2024
  96. Two years on own catamaran: incredible holding, resets when jerked out. (catamaran (model not stated)) Catamaran Guru unknown
  97. 5-10 years of own use: sets faster and more firmly than plough or claw types. (Original) Practical Boat Owner 2024-06
  98. Has held solid everywhere from Desolation Sound to Lake Washington. () Small Craft Advisor 2026-01
  99. Says she is satisfied with her Rocna. () Small Craft Advisor 2023-05
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