The polished stainless steel Mr Fantastic anchor fitting offers a practical solution for the safe deployment and recovery of M anchors at the bow. At the heart of the system are gas springs that push a carriage with the bow roller and the anchor forwards. In addition, the carriage tilts slightly downwards, allowing the anchor to drop in a controlled manner and reducing resistance when retrieving. The extension leads to a greater distance between the ground bar and the bow, which prevents damage to the hull when the anchor swings.
Simple and automatic
The extendable anchor boom Mr Fantastic from Osculati is available in three sizes: for anchors weighing 7.5 to 10, 10 to 15 and 20 to 30 kilograms. As the size increases, so does the extension from 13 to 20 to 22 centimetres. This makes the anchor fitting particularly practical for boats with a vertical stem. The high-quality stainless steel construction ensures high corrosion resistance and durability in maritime use. Despite the robust design, the design remains compact and light, so that it blends harmoniously into the bow section of various boat types. A version for anchors weighing 50 kilograms was also exhibited at boot Düsseldorf 2025. Osculati made this especially for Azimut Yachts. For yachts between 30 and 40 feet, the medium size should be suitable for anchors weighing up to 15 kilograms.
No special consideration needs to be given to the bow fitting during the anchor manoeuvre. When the anchor chain is lowered, the gas struts automatically push the carriage forwards with the anchor roller. When the anchor chain is caught up, it pulls the anchor and carriage aft together on the last section against the resistance of the gas struts as far as the stop. This means that no extra drive or separate control is required for the fitting. This is done by the anchor winch. Operation is therefore very intuitive. The shortened fitting when the anchor is raised makes harbour manoeuvres easier, as it also reduces the length of the boat compared to a fixed bowsprit.
Install once, repair less
The three sizes of the Mr Fantastic anchor fitting start at 530 euros for the bow roller for 7.5 to 10 kilogrammes of anchor weight. The medium size for 10 to 15-kilogram anchors, which is the most interesting for most owners, costs 640 euros. The largest standard version costs €1999 for anchors weighing between 20 and 30 kilograms. This high investment must be set in relation to the regular gelcoat or paint repairs that might be necessary if the anchor were to hit the stern during manoeuvres. Retrofitting can therefore make financial sense for owners of boats with a vertical stem who like to anchor a lot. Osculati products are sold in Germany by Gründl.
