Mantus vs. Box anchor

lakevet · 08-20-2018, 10:23 PM

Hi folks.,
I'm looking to get a better primary anchor and shift my 8# Danforth onto stern duty. Various threads have spoken highly of both box and mantus anchors and I'm interested in hearing if there is a preference between these two. I have a 23 ft four winns bow rider that weighs 3800 lbs.
Thanks for any input.

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thinkxingu · 08-21-2018, 03:39 AM

I conducted a TON of research on anchors a few years back and was down to these same two. I ended up with a Mantus because I didn't like the weight, potential collapsibility, and some reports of the eye loop breaking on the box anchor. Since then, a bunch of my friends have gone to Mantus with equal success. For example, on Sunday we anchored in a stiff breeze and were the only boat of 4 near us that didn't drift or have to reset. In fact, two boats were continuously drifting and resetting to the point that we went to them on our way out to discuss anchoring (and, of course, Mantus).

That being said, box anchors, as well as Digger (ishoot308 will be by soon) and Fortress all get good reviews. I'll be sticking with my Mantus 8 pound, though, as it's been two years without a hiccup.

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winnipiseogee · 08-21-2018, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

I'll be sticking with my Mantus 8 pound,
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How big of a boat can your 8# mantus hold? I want a new anchor and I'm trying to fit a mantus in my anchor compartment.

Also does anyone have an opinion on the fortress anchors that Parafunalia sells? Those would fit better in the compartment.

I had a box anchor for my last boat. It was great for holding but a serious pain in the butt fold and unfold.

Thanks

Phantom · 08-21-2018, 06:22 AM

I remember thinkxingu's exhaustive research on this …………. but I have to tell you around the same timeframe we moved to the Fortress ( available at Parafunalia) and it has been SUPERB.

It is quite an amazing anchor - it is as light as a feather ( which my wife loves). When you first lift it, you would swear it would not hold a 6' skiff. We have only about 3' of chain leader and this thing grabs first time/ every time & holds steady in the roughest of "sandbar" conditions ---- no more slipping & resetting!

In deep water settings (Fall when the water is not swimmable), we have held other 26 to 32 footers "rafted to us" with ours being the sole anchor !

One trick we have learned with the Fortress -- as it is so lightweight, when dropping anchor in deeper bow waters - allow it a few seconds to "float" to the bottom (10-15 seconds) before reversing into position. It DOES NOT drop like a normal dead weighted anchor.

We have a 26' Crownline Bowrider

.

thinkxingu · 08-21-2018, 06:47 AM

The 8# holds our 20' pontoon with the bimini up in a fairly stiff wind. I think 22' would be the largest I'd use an 8# for, but not in heavy wind/chop.

As mentioned in my original response, Fortress gets very good reviews--between Mantus, Digger, box (the brand with the best history is Slide), and Fortress, you can't really go wrong.

Why I chose Mantus over Digger was no mechanics (the Digger has a ratcheting mechanism); why I chose Mantus over Fortress was that there were a fair amount of reviews that mentioned slower/less reliable setting and issues sliding/not resetting when swinging. With our bimini up, we can swing quite a bit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by winnipiseogee

How big of a boat can your 8# mantus hold? I want a new anchor and I'm trying to fit a mantus in my anchor compartment.

Also does anyone have an opinion on the fortress anchors that Parafunalia sells? Those would fit better in the compartment.

I had a box anchor for my last boat. It was great for holding but a serious pain in the butt fold and unfold.

Thanks

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Rich · 08-21-2018, 07:14 AM

I have a Mantus and love it. It's stuck every time I have deployed it.

I have never tried a box anchor, so I can't compare the two.

Gould1 · 08-21-2018, 07:30 AM

Box anchor for me! I've held 3 large boats off mine at the same time with no problems. Only thing I don't like is when you are pulling it up it most likely will be loaded with silt and will weigh a ton. You have to dip it multiple times in the water to clean it off. This can be a pain if your trying to pull anchor and get under way when it's windy and trying not to get blown into something or someone. If this happens, I usually will just bring it up to where it is just below the bow and dragging in the water. I'll idle out to a safe spot and then finish pulling it up. By then it will have cleaned it's self off. The plus side is you don't need a chain for it to work, and it will stow away on a small area when folded up.

SAMIAM · 08-21-2018, 07:54 AM

Prefer the Bruce anchor...….holds in high winds, never fails to dig in to sand or soft bottom

Phantom · 08-21-2018, 08:07 AM

I REALLY have issue with the use of "Box Anchors" when at certain sandbars ( Margate, Smalls Cove, Silver Sands) as they are such a potential hazard if stepped on !!

And to those who say "look before you step" -- tell that to the little ones.

Just one man's opinion !!

8gv · 08-21-2018, 08:36 AM

The Fortress FX-7 anchor works great for my '08 Sea Ray 240 Sundeck.

It easily fits in the bow locker on an diagonal. The rod is a bit too long to fit positioned traverse to the keel.

I use the same anchor in FL on my 220 Sundeck and it holds that one against rougher seas there.

The Fortress has two settings for the angle of the flukes. See their website for details on that.

Like any anchor, an length of appropriate gauge chain is required.

This anchor is so light that my chain is heavier than the anchor.

Hillcountry · 08-21-2018, 11:56 AM

I bought The Digger anchor based on Dan’s (ishoot308) experience and haven’t looked back...or had to reset anchor either.
At some point I’ll have a small Mantus for the stern while at sand bars.

TheCaptain · 08-21-2018, 07:36 PM

It might be old fashioned and a bit heavy, but I've always had good luck with a Navy anchor. It holds the 26' Formula just fine if I do my part and obtain proper scope. Out of the two you mentioned though, I'd go with the Mantus.

My experience with anchors is that the scope can be more important than the design itself - any of the "claw" anchor designs are going to skip along the bottom if your line is straight up and down.

lakevet · 08-21-2018, 09:49 PM

Thanks for the responses. I will look into the fortress anchor now as well. My wife is the one frequently pulling up the anchor and I do not think she will like the weight of a loaded box anchor.
How do the fortress or mantus handle some of the rocker anchor sites?

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thinkxingu · 08-22-2018, 05:35 AM

Not sure how much research you want to do, but here's one of the videos I watched when I was on my quest: https://youtu.be/l59f-OjWoq0 In the last ten minutes or so, he goes into which he would keep and why. (For those not wanting to watch, he keeps the Fortress as a stern/rowable anchor and a spade for his bow. He does admit his choice is subjective, though, as the Mantus is the "fastest and most reliable setting anchor maybe in the world" but that it doesn't "look beefy enough" and the spade "matches the curves on [his] boat.")

As for rocks with the Mantus, I've never had an issue. My guess is it's the same as any anchor with a point/points.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lakevet

Thanks for the responses. I will look into the fortress anchor now as well. My wife is the one frequently pulling up the anchor and I do not think she will like the weight of a loaded box anchor.
How do the fortress or mantus handle some of the rocker anchor sites?

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upthesaukee · 08-22-2018, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheCaptain

It might be old fashioned and a bit heavy, but I've always had good luck with a Navy anchor. It holds the 26' Formula just fine if I do my part and obtain proper scope. Out of the two you mentioned though, I'd go with the Mantus.

My experience with anchors is that the scope can be more important than the design itself - any of the "claw" anchor designs are going to skip along the bottom if your line is straight up and down.

When I anchor at our favorite spot, we are in around 16-18 ft of water. I drop my Danforth with 6ft of chain, and then play out around 40-50 ft of rode. Slowly backing up, I come out of gear when the rode is close to straight. Then it's in and out of gear with short bursts and the anchor seemingly sets itself. Once set, I will reduce the scope some. Anchor holds beautifully.

I do smile watching some boaters dropping the anchor straight down, often without any chain, then letting out a few more feet of rode., and being surprised when the anchor doesn't hold.

Dave

Phantom · 08-22-2018, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lakevet

My wife is the one frequently pulling up the anchor and I do not think she will like the weight of a loaded box anchor.

How do the fortress or mantus handle some of the rocker anchor sites?

Your wife will LOVE you for it !! As I said in my original post, we only use about 3' of chain and with the exception of potential "Muck" in some of the areas we drop, that's all she is hoisting up.

Fortress vs Mantus in rocky bottom? I would have to assume they are pretty equivalent (will defer to Thinkxingu) as that becomes a hit or miss situation for ANY anchor …. in my opinion.

WinnisquamZ · 08-22-2018, 07:32 AM

Having used a few anchors over the past few years attempting to hold at the Winnisquam sandbar limited no wake zone the box anchor is my choose. Keep in mind it is sand only. It does hold well

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lakevet · 08-22-2018, 10:22 PM

I looked at the fortress anchor. Appears very similar to my Danforth but weighs less. I am a little worried where I would stow a mantus on my boat. And my wife will be an unhappy wife pulling up the box (and that's no good). So based on everyone's
input, will probably get a fortress.
Thanks for all the info and here's to quick anchor sets and no drift!

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thinkxingu · 08-23-2018, 05:54 AM

If weight is a major issue, it may behoove you to research the Digger.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lakevet

I looked at the fortress anchor. Appears very similar to my Danforth but weighs less. I am a little worried where I would stow a mantus on my boat. And my wife will be an unhappy wife pulling up the box (and that's no good). So based on everyone's
input, will probably get a fortress.
Thanks for all the info and here's to quick anchor sets and no drift!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

Sent from my Moto G (5S) Plus using Tapatalk

kjkam · 08-23-2018, 12:27 PM

I bought a mantus 2lb dinghy anchor to test out as a stern anchor, found it to work fantastic, I have it on 50' of what is essentially a ski line, can easily throw it the length of the line, have had it work fantastic setting very fast in a sandy bottom, held the stern of a 28' with a 15mph broad side wind without issue. I would bet an 8lb one would be sufficient as a day anchor for most boats up to 32' or 10,000lbs, even though it is rated for far less

salty dog · 08-23-2018, 07:44 PM

While certainly not being the only "great" anchor out there, I purchased the #8 Mantus (based on praise and research from 'thinkxingu'), at the beginning of last season. We anchor almost every time we go out and after a back down to set it, it never fails to hold. I use 6' of chain and 150' of rode. I usually anchor in 6 to 12 feet and use maybe 1/3 of the rode.

Dave R · 08-24-2018, 06:46 AM

I would have a look at boats that are routinely anchored overnight and see what they use. I've spent a lot of time cruising in areas frequented by live-aboard boaters and Mantus anchors have become extremely popular on cruising boats. They have a great reputation for a reason. Can't say I've ever seen a box anchor or a digger anchor on any live-aboard boat. I understand priorities are going to be different between a day-use bowrider and a 50 foot cruiser, but the goal (to stay put) is the same when anchoring. I anchor overnight often and if I ever replace my 22lb Delta (which holds my 6000 lb boat very reliably when it sets, but sometimes lands upside down and won't set), it will be with a 13 or 25 lb Mantus. That said, I recently bought a TIG welder and I am considering the idea of welding a Mantus-style roll bar onto my Delta. It's a stainless steel model, so welding to it would be pretty easy and there would be no need to have it galvanized.

08-20-2018, 10:23 PM	#1
lakevet Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 27 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Mantus vs. Box anchor Hi folks., I'm looking to get a better primary anchor and shift my 8# Danforth onto stern duty. Various threads have spoken highly of both box and mantus anchors and I'm interested in hearing if there is a preference between these two. I have a 23 ft four winns bow rider that weighs 3800 lbs. Thanks for any input. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

08-21-2018, 06:22 AM	#4
Phantom Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Berlin, Ma / Gilford Posts: 1,934 Thanks: 450 Thanked 605 Times in 341 Posts	I remember thinkxingu's exhaustive research on this …………. but I have to tell you around the same timeframe we moved to the Fortress ( available at Parafunalia) and it has been SUPERB. It is quite an amazing anchor - it is as light as a feather ( which my wife loves). When you first lift it, you would swear it would not hold a 6' skiff. We have only about 3' of chain leader and this thing grabs first time/ every time & holds steady in the roughest of "sandbar" conditions ---- no more slipping & resetting! In deep water settings (Fall when the water is not swimmable), we have held other 26 to 32 footers "rafted to us" with ours being the sole anchor ! One trick we have learned with the Fortress -- as it is so lightweight, when dropping anchor in deeper bow waters - allow it a few seconds to "float" to the bottom (10-15 seconds) before reversing into position. It DOES NOT drop like a normal dead weighted anchor. We have a 26' Crownline Bowrider . __________________ *A bad day on the Big Lake (although I've never had one) - Still beats a day at the office!!*

08-21-2018, 07:14 AM	#6
Rich Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Derry / Gilford Posts: 1,246 Thanks: 73 Thanked 345 Times in 235 Posts	I have a Mantus and love it. It's stuck every time I have deployed it. I have never tried a box anchor, so I can't compare the two. __________________ Don't listen to me, obviously I don't understand what I'm talking about! Let's help each other save time and money: WinniGas.com

08-21-2018, 08:07 AM	#9
Phantom Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Berlin, Ma / Gilford Posts: 1,934 Thanks: 450 Thanked 605 Times in 341 Posts	I REALLY have issue with the use of "Box Anchors" when at certain sandbars ( Margate, Smalls Cove, Silver Sands) as they are such a potential hazard if stepped on !! And to those who say "look before you step" -- tell that to the little ones. Just one man's opinion !! __________________ *A bad day on the Big Lake (although I've never had one) - Still beats a day at the office!!*

08-23-2018, 12:27 PM	#20
kjkam Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 39 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Mantus Anchor I bought a mantus 2lb dinghy anchor to test out as a stern anchor, found it to work fantastic, I have it on 50' of what is essentially a ski line, can easily throw it the length of the line, have had it work fantastic setting very fast in a sandy bottom, held the stern of a 28' with a 15mph broad side wind without issue. I would bet an 8lb one would be sufficient as a day anchor for most boats up to 32' or 10,000lbs, even though it is rated for far less

The Following User Says Thank You to lakevet For This Useful Post:
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08-21-2018, 03:39 AM	#2
thinkxingu Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 6,244 Thanks: 1,172 Thanked 2,060 Times in 1,278 Posts	I conducted a TON of research on anchors a few years back and was down to these same two. I ended up with a Mantus because I didn't like the weight, potential collapsibility, and some reports of the eye loop breaking on the box anchor. Since then, a bunch of my friends have gone to Mantus with equal success. For example, on Sunday we anchored in a stiff breeze and were the only boat of 4 near us that didn't drift or have to reset. In fact, two boats were continuously drifting and resetting to the point that we went to them on our way out to discuss anchoring (and, of course, Mantus). That being said, box anchors, as well as Digger (ishoot308 will be by soon) and Fortress all get good reviews. I'll be sticking with my Mantus 8 pound, though, as it's been two years without a hiccup. Sent from my Moto G (5S) Plus using Tapatalk

The Following User Says Thank You to Phantom For This Useful Post:
stingray (08-21-2018)

08-21-2018, 07:30 AM	#7
Gould1 Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 38 Thanks: 2 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Box anchor for me! I've held 3 large boats off mine at the same time with no problems. Only thing I don't like is when you are pulling it up it most likely will be loaded with silt and will weigh a ton. You have to dip it multiple times in the water to clean it off. This can be a pain if your trying to pull anchor and get under way when it's windy and trying not to get blown into something or someone. If this happens, I usually will just bring it up to where it is just below the bow and dragging in the water. I'll idle out to a safe spot and then finish pulling it up. By then it will have cleaned it's self off. The plus side is you don't need a chain for it to work, and it will stow away on a small area when folded up.

08-21-2018, 07:54 AM	#8
SAMIAM Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 2,896 Thanks: 334 Thanked 1,676 Times in 586 Posts	Prefer the Bruce anchor...….holds in high winds, never fails to dig in to sand or soft bottom

08-21-2018, 08:36 AM	#10
8gv Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,094 Thanks: 64 Thanked 744 Times in 478 Posts	The Fortress FX-7 anchor works great for my '08 Sea Ray 240 Sundeck. It easily fits in the bow locker on an diagonal. The rod is a bit too long to fit positioned traverse to the keel. I use the same anchor in FL on my 220 Sundeck and it holds that one against rougher seas there. The Fortress has two settings for the angle of the flukes. See their website for details on that. Like any anchor, an length of appropriate gauge chain is required. This anchor is so light that my chain is heavier than the anchor.

08-21-2018, 11:56 AM	#11
Hillcountry Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: In the hills Posts: 2,420 Thanks: 1,677 Thanked 786 Times in 466 Posts	I bought The Digger anchor based on Dan’s (ishoot308) experience and haven’t looked back...or had to reset anchor either. At some point I’ll have a small Mantus for the stern while at sand bars.

08-21-2018, 07:36 PM	#12
TheCaptain Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	It might be old fashioned and a bit heavy, but I've always had good luck with a Navy anchor. It holds the 26' Formula just fine if I do my part and obtain proper scope. Out of the two you mentioned though, I'd go with the Mantus. My experience with anchors is that the scope can be more important than the design itself - any of the "claw" anchor designs are going to skip along the bottom if your line is straight up and down.

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to TheCaptain For This Useful Post:
lakevet (08-21-2018), upthesaukee (08-22-2018)

08-21-2018, 09:49 PM	#13
lakevet Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 27 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Thanks for the responses. I will look into the fortress anchor now as well. My wife is the one frequently pulling up the anchor and I do not think she will like the weight of a loaded box anchor. How do the fortress or mantus handle some of the rocker anchor sites? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

08-22-2018, 07:32 AM	#17
WinnisquamZ Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 2,060 Thanks: 210 Thanked 657 Times in 437 Posts	Having used a few anchors over the past few years attempting to hold at the Winnisquam sandbar limited no wake zone the box anchor is my choose. Keep in mind it is sand only. It does hold well Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

08-22-2018, 10:22 PM	#18
lakevet Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 27 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I looked at the fortress anchor. Appears very similar to my Danforth but weighs less. I am a little worried where I would stow a mantus on my boat. And my wife will be an unhappy wife pulling up the box (and that's no good). So based on everyone's input, will probably get a fortress. Thanks for all the info and here's to quick anchor sets and no drift! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

08-23-2018, 07:44 PM	#21
salty dog Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Beverly Cove, Ma Posts: 359 Thanks: 288 Thanked 148 Times in 82 Posts	Mantus is great! While certainly not being the only "great" anchor out there, I purchased the #8 Mantus (based on praise and research from 'thinkxingu'), at the beginning of last season. We anchor almost every time we go out and after a back down to set it, it never fails to hold. I use 6' of chain and 150' of rode. I usually anchor in 6 to 12 feet and use maybe 1/3 of the rode. __________________ I'd rather be relax'n at Winnipesaukee

08-24-2018, 06:46 AM	#22
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,985 Thanks: 246 Thanked 744 Times in 444 Posts	I would have a look at boats that are routinely anchored overnight and see what they use. I've spent a lot of time cruising in areas frequented by live-aboard boaters and Mantus anchors have become extremely popular on cruising boats. They have a great reputation for a reason. Can't say I've ever seen a box anchor or a digger anchor on any live-aboard boat. I understand priorities are going to be different between a day-use bowrider and a 50 foot cruiser, but the goal (to stay put) is the same when anchoring. I anchor overnight often and if I ever replace my 22lb Delta (which holds my 6000 lb boat very reliably when it sets, but sometimes lands upside down and won't set), it will be with a 13 or 25 lb Mantus. That said, I recently bought a TIG welder and I am considering the idea of welding a Mantus-style roll bar onto my Delta. It's a stainless steel model, so welding to it would be pretty easy and there would be no need to have it galvanized. Last edited by Dave R; 08-24-2018 at 08:13 AM.