The Quick Olympic anchor test: video of the trial with underwater footage

Today, we are not about to test a boat or its hull capabilities. The goal of this day is to dive in and discover how the Olympic anchor by Quick Nautical Equipment actually performs when put to the test.

When it comes to onboard equipment, we at The International Yachting Media are never satisfied with technical spec sheets or marketing promises. We want to experience it firsthand—or rather, we want to “pull” with all our strength to see where the limit lies.

In this specific case, we disembarked a 27-kilogram Ultra anchor that we had on board for a few years and loaded a 26-kilogram Olympic anchor. From this swap, we also produced a useful tutorial at our testing center in Marina Porto Antico, which you can watch HERE.

The Psychological and Practical Importance of a Secure Anchor

Before diving into the technical details of our test of the Quick Olympic anchor, a brief introduction is in order. Sleeping at anchor is one of the most fascinating experiences boating has to offer. The silence broken only by the backwash, the starry sky far from light pollution, waking up surrounded by the colors of dawn. However, this magic can quickly turn into a nightmare if you lack total confidence in your ground tackle.

Anchor anxiety is a well-known syndrome among boaters: you wake up in the middle of the night at the slightest shift in wind intensity, compulsively check anchor alarm apps, and step out into the cockpit to peer into the dark at land references to see if the boat is dragging.

A top-quality anchor isn’t just a piece of metal at the bottom of the sea; it’s your best natural tranquilizer. A high-performing anchor is synonymous with a peaceful night’s sleep and peace of mind for the entire crew. It is with this critical mindset that we put to the test this innovative model produced by the famous Italian multinational Quick Group, specialized in high-quality marine equipment.

The Quick Olympic Anchor Test: Weather Conditions During the Trial

To make this test of the Quick Olympic anchor truly reliable, after more than a month of nights spent at anchor, we chose not to limit ourselves to a simple daytime test conducted in ideal conditions. Instead, we selected a night that allowed us to take advantage of typical Mediterranean weather shifts.

Yesterday, a moderate Mistral blew steadily between 15 and 20 knots, while a shift to a Sirocco was expected overnight. This is a classic condition requiring solid ground tackle to avoid nighttime surprises—in short, the ideal scenario for our test.

Shortly before dawn, as often happens with sea breezes or passing small disturbances, the wind made a decisive shift, turning to the Southeast. We had been waiting for this opportunity for days, so as soon as I woke up, I couldn’t wait to dive in to see how our anchor had behaved on the seabed, because wind shifts are enemy number one for an anchor’s holding power. When the boat’s bow rotates and begins pulling the chain from a completely different direction, traditional anchors often risk breaking free from the sandy bottom and struggle to reset, risking dragging along the seabed.

Armed with a mask, snorkel, and underwater camera, I dove in to document the situation. As you can clearly see in the video, despite the overnight wind shifts, our Olympic anchor was still right there at a depth of 7 meters, perfectly embedded in the sand. Meanwhile, the rest of the chain, about 25 meters long, traced a semicircle that indisputably confirmed the wind rotation.

The Olympic Anchor Test: Simulating a Sudden 180-Degree Wind Shift

Still not satisfied with the organic results of the test, we decided to push the trial of the Quick Olympic anchor to the next level. Leveraging the natural position the chain had assumed underwater, we organized a critical simulation to see what happens when the wind suddenly and violently shifts by 180 degrees.

For those familiar with boating, this is unanimously considered one of the toughest and most dreaded tests for any anchor. I dove back into the water to get a clear view of both the anchor and the seabed, while the crew aboard put the engine in reverse to apply tension to the system from the opposite direction.

The results, clearly visible in our underwater footage, were impressive.

Our Quick Olympic anchor performed exemplarily: despite enduring a load that simulated a drastic 180-degree wind shift, it reset immediately. This means it managed to reposition itself and re-penetrate the sand virtually within its own turning radius, without hesitation or skittering along the bottom. This responsiveness is crucial in crowded coves or tight spots, where dragging for a few dozen meters before resetting could mean hitting rocks or another vessel.

Extreme Traction: Full Throttle in Reverse

Our test, however, was not over yet. We wanted to stress the product to its absolute limit. I dove back down, and at my command (a continuous release of air bubbles from my regulator’s second stage), full reverse power was engaged from Daydreamer‘s helm—around 3,800 RPM. Our editorial boat is powered by a robust 87-horsepower turbodiesel Lombardini engine, capable of generating formidable thrust when the throttle is pushed all the way down.

What happened down at the bottom? The images from this final test speak for themselves. Despite pulling with the maximum power generated by our engine, the only reaction from our Olympic anchor was to dig deeper and deeper, until it virtually disappeared beneath the sandy surface. It used its geometry to dig in and bury itself in less than a meter of travel.

From that moment on, there was no budging it. A rock-solid hold that turned the anchor into an immovable fixed point on the seabed.

The Engineering Behind the Performance

Where does this level of performance come from?

At the core of our Quick Olympic Anchor Test results lies painstaking engineering. The material used is AISI 316 stainless steel—an alloy that guarantees exceptional mechanical strength against tensile and torsional forces, along with unmatched resistance to the marine environment.

Weight distribution, shank design, and fluke angle have all been calibrated to ensure the anchor lands in the correct orientation upon touching the seabed, rapidly setting at the first hint of tension.

Quick Nautical Equipment offers the Olympic range in 12 different models, starting at 7 kg (15 lb)—ideal for smaller craft—up to 140 kg (309 lb) monsters designed for large-tonnage superyachts. Demonstrating complete confidence in this product, Quick provides a lifetime warranty on Olympic anchors upon product registration.

The Olympic Flip Swivel for the Quick Olympic Anchor

The Olympic Flip Swivel is a vital component of the entire anchoring system. Also constructed from mirror-polished AISI 630 stainless steel, it is engineered to offer extraordinary mechanical strength under heavy loads and high protection against marine corrosion.

The real innovation of this component lies in its patented self-flipping system which allows the anchor to set immediately following a wind rotation. Another essential function of the Olympic swivel is ensuring the anchor automatically reorients itself to seat correctly on the bow roller during retrieval, eliminating the risk of impacts or scratches on the bow.

Furthermore, the articulated joint of the Olympic swivel prevents the chain from twisting, promoting smooth running and neat storage in the chain locker.

Conclusion: A Month at Anchor Without Hesitation

Analyzing the data and footage objectively, Quick has succeeded in creating an anchor that ranks at the very top of the current market in terms of absolute holding power and rapid setting.

Beyond these specific tests and single-day stress tests, there is an even more compelling piece of evidence I want to share with our readers.

We didn’t limit ourselves to a two-hour test. We have been cruising on our editorial boat, Daydreamer, for over a month. Throughout this extended period, we slept exclusively at anchor using the Olympic anchor, experiencing all types and intensities of wind conditions. Over this entire period at sea, the anchor never moved a single millimeter.

Our conclusion regarding the test of this Quick Olympic anchor is clear: if you are searching for an anchor that guarantees peaceful nights and secure moorings for you and your family, the Quick Olympic is undoubtedly the best choice you can make.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About the Quick Nautical Equipment Olympic Anchor