Ted Bosch: Alan Mummery custom 52' cutter with a Rocna 40

Ted Bosch is the kind of cruiser who prefers penguins to palm trees. His custom designed self-built 52' yacht reflects his attitude. Displacing 20 tons at 15.5m, Capistrano is constructed of aluminium, and is designed to take her crew anywhere their fancy might decree.

His latest adventure was a trip across the Southern Ocean from New Zealand to Chile, to explore remote Patagonia. Not that Ted is any stranger to heavy duty sailing; he has already circumnavigated once.

Patagonia, like the South Island of New Zealand, presents some challenging environments, to say the least. There is little in the way of towns or resources. There is unpredictable and unforgiving weather. There's ice. There are a multitude of uncharted hazards. Anchoring isn't easy, either.

Ted initially had a plough, but had seen the German designed Bügel around, and already liked the concept of the roll-bar. When he found the option of a Rocna 40, it was a no-brainer, and he bought one just before Capistrano left New Zealand.

Typical anchorages in Chile consist of a sandy rocky bottom - and very deep water. Ted comments: "We can't speak more highly of our Rocna anchor, it regularly continues to impress us. We are currently in Puerto Natales, Chile, heading down to Cape Horn. The other day we were anchored in an exposed anchorage with a steady 40 knot wind with gusts up to 50+ and the anchor held tight without dragging. We also slept confident that she would hold."

"The anchor sets amazingly fast, digging deep into any sand or mud, which is very obvious when pulling the anchor up as it takes quite a load to release her from the mud and often brings half the sea bed with her! We also haven't had any problems dragging on the odd rocky bottom we have come across."

Writing from Patagonia, Ted tells of the interest the Rocna generates in other cruisers. "Already yachties have been asking me about the anchor, and I feel to be a rep for the Rocna firm here. We are really rapt with the Rocna and now would not consider any other anchor... Certainly it was value for money."

Ted is happy to answer enquiries, and kindly allowed us to publish his e-mail address here. To ask his independent opinion of his Rocna, please e-mail him at ZMR6306@sailmail.com.