PeterSmith.net.nz

Greek Micro Storm (article from Sailing Today)

13 Mar 2012

In September last year, Vliko Bay in Ionian Greece was hit by a freak weather event described as a “microburst” after the fact. The sailing club in the bay recorded a peak wind strength of 95 knots, winds that beached and destroyed many boats. A catamaran was even flipped in the water – fortunately without serious injury to the onboard owners.

An article written by a couple onboard a Dufour Classic 41 during the drama has been put online as a customer story over at Rocna.com. Several of the boats, including the Dufour and the cat that flipped, were on Rocna anchors so this all makes good testimonial material for Rocna – but the story is recommended reading regardless. The authors talk of catching “…terrifying glimpses through spray of nearby boats knocked down with keels showing…” and is a good cautionary tale on the importance of preparedness, even while in harbors supposed to be perfectly safe and secure.

The article PDF, courtesy of UK magazine Sailing Today, can be downloaded at the following page:

http://www.rocna.com/rocna-world/customer-stories/testimonial/14

More photos from the Falkland Islands

22 Dec 2011

Peter’s Falkland Islands photo journal was published earlier in 2011. Kiwi Roa is still in Stanley and has done a little more cruising around the islands, and a few new photos have been added to that journal.

Some old friends, and some new ones, turned up in Stanley this year. All are interesting characters that take the path less sailed. And away from the bright lights of Stanley, the Western Falklands offer a strange and remote wilderness for the cruising explorer.

View the photos online:

http://www.petersmith.net.nz/photos/falklands-6.php

Rocna re-licensing & historical steel quality issues

1 Oct 2011

Apologies in advance for the commercial nature of this update – in compensation, the photo journal for South Georgia Island is ready to go and it’ll be released in the next little while. For those of you not interested in anchors, you can stop reading now.

Peter has returned to New Zealand (Kiwi Roa is still in the Falklands) to handle several issues regarding Hold Fast Anchors, former licensees of the Rocna anchor. The Rocna license was re-assigned on September 20 to Canada Metal (Pacific) Ltd, who will be taking over all Rocna-related business effective immediately.

There has been a bit of controversy online and in print concerning the steel type used in the shanks of the Rocna anchor. The facts about this issue, as well as a brief introduction to Canada Metal, have been published on PeterSmith.net.nz in the form of a statement intended to clarify matters.

For a brief introduction to Canada Metal, and the facts on the steel issue, visit:

http://www.petersmith.net.nz/boat-anchors/2011-oct-01-rocna-issues.php

Rocna holds out for best performance in Practical Boat Owner anchor testing

19 Aug 2011

British magazine Practical Boat Owner has published a write-up of anchor testing conducted by Professor John Knox. Results see the Rocna anchor turn in the strongest performance.

The testing includes eight different types and involved very carefully controlled pulls using a methodology based on a refreshing degree of scientific rigor.

The results are a further boost for new generation anchors, particularly the genuine Rocna – the 15 kg model of which achieved the highest ultimate holding capacity, beating out the Spade S80 and imitations from Manson. The old generation CQR, Bruce types, and Delta trail well behind.

The write-up is found in the August edition of Practical Boat Owner. Peter has published a short précis of the test, including a summary of the results, which may be viewed online:

http://www.petersmith.net.nz/boat-anchors/independent-performance-testing.php

Old Generation Anchors: What’s really the problem?

5 Jul 2011

Old generation anchors under-perform modern substitutes, yet many boaters cling to tradition. What really are the flaws of the CQR, Bruce, Danforth, Fortress, and Delta anchors…?

http://www.petersmith.net.nz/boat-anchors/old-generation-anchors.php

Staten Island & Falkland Islands Photo Journal

22 Feb 2011

Photo journal of Staten Is. & Falklands expedition by yacht. From the last tip of Patagonia out into the South Atlantic, a look at the amazing terrain of Staten Island and the barren wilderness of the Falklands…

http://www.petersmith.net.nz/photos/falklands-1.php

Patagonia Photo Journal

16 Feb 2010

Photo journal of Patagonia expedition by yacht. From the Southern Ocean through the Chilean channels and glaciers to the famous Beagle Channel and Cape Horn in Tierra del Fuego…

http://www.petersmith.net.nz/photos/patagonia-1.php

Antarctica Photo Journal

16 Jun 2009

Photos of Antarctica expedition by yacht. The region from Cape Horn to Antarctica itself is fraught with peril for the boater but an experience like no other…

http://www.petersmith.net.nz/photos/antarctica-1.php

About “Kiwi Roa”

4 Apr 2008

About Peter’s yacht: 15 m aluminium cruising sailboat designed for all conditions and destinations; cumulation of decades of boat-building and world cruising experience…

http://www.petersmith.net.nz/about/kiwiroa.php

About Peter

4 Apr 2008

Biography of Peter Smith: boat builder, long distance cruising sailor, designer of the Rocna anchor. Peter’s recent trips include New Zealand, Chile, and Patagonia and Antarctica…

http://www.petersmith.net.nz/about/peter.php

New Generation Anchors: Explained and Compared

4 Apr 2008

Comparison of new generation anchors, including the Bügel (WASI), Spade, Ultra, Sword / Raya, SARCA, and Rocna. Outlines comparative advantages and disadvantages…

http://www.petersmith.net.nz/boat-anchors/new-gen-boat-anchors-explained.php

Anchoring Beyond 2007 (Coastguard Member’s Handbook)

4 Apr 2008

About the basics of anchoring and associated equipment from the CG Northern Region Member’s Handbook 2007, with considerations of modern anchors and anchoring techniques…

http://www.petersmith.net.nz/boat-anchors/anchoring-in-2007.php

Kellets or Anchor Angels / Sentinels: Uses and Applications

4 Apr 2008

About anchor kellets, also known as anchor angels/buddies/sentinels. Misconceptions lead to false anchoring security. Computer simulations examine proper real world applications…

http://www.petersmith.net.nz/boat-anchors/kellets.php

Catenary & Scope In Anchor Rode: Anchor Systems For Small Boats

4 Apr 2008

The true implications of catenary and scope for selecting size of chain and rope in anchor rode, and the optimum lengths to use. Theoretical modelling, and real world case studies…

http://www.petersmith.net.nz/boat-anchors/catenary.php

Two to Tandem: Maximizing Holding Power by Tandem Anchoring

4 Apr 2008

Tandem anchoring – rigging and deploying dual anchors in series: case studies, and theoretical and practical considerations. Tandem anchoring is involved and requires great care…

http://www.petersmith.net.nz/boat-anchors/tandem-anchoring.php

Anchor Certification, HHP & SHHP Classification, Type Approval: Lloyd’s, RINA, et al

4 Apr 2008

Anchor certification from Lloyd’s Register, RINA, ABS, and others. Requirements and actual meanings of certification, type approval, and HHP & SHHP classification…

http://www.petersmith.net.nz/boat-anchors/classification.php

An Essay on New Generation Boat Anchors

4 Apr 2008

New generation anchors out-perform traditional plows and claws – the new Bügel, Spade, and Rocna anchors avoid the flaws of the older anchor styles for better safety and security…

http://www.petersmith.net.nz/boat-anchors/new-generation-anchors.php

PeterSmith.net.nz

4 Apr 2008

Peter Smith: boat builder, long distance cruising sailor, and Rocna anchor designer. Articles about anchoring; Peter’s yacht; and photo journals from Patagonia, Antarctica, and more…

http://www.petersmith.net.nz/