Fortress Anchor

[Lakepilot]

Here are some sites I've found useful for anchor info.


1. Super Max: http://www.creativemarine.com/catalog/text/anchor.html

2. Test results for various anchors: http://anchors.synthasite.com/anchor-tests.php

3. More Test results (better than item 2 above): http://www.ultra-sidra.com/doc/segel...ors-tested.pdf

4. Rocna anchor: http://www.rocna.com/assets/Uploads/...pperreview.pdf

5. Another anchor report: http://www.web4homes.com/c380/anchors.htm

6. A Mushroom anchor: http://www.annesanchors.com/seating.html (I thing these normally have to be pretty big for overnight holding.)

7. If you want the math: http://alain.fraysse.free.fr/sail/ro...r/anchor_b.htm

[jrc]

Most new cruisers come with the delta or a clone of it. I think it's a good universal anchor, especially if you have a windlass and plenty of chain.

When I had a 26' bow rider I used a 9lb super hooker with 6' of chain. It was good in sand and big rocks. It was pretty good in mud, but would slowly drag if windy. It sucked in gravel, would never set well or just skip along.

I also had a 13lb super hooker, but it did not fit in the anchor locker so I only used it when I had too. This is now my back anchor for my cruiser.

The fortress is a lot lighter and weaker than a super hooker, making handling easier. But in big rocks, anchors get stuck. I've had to power out anchors with the the boat motor before. I'm afraid what that would do to an expensive aluminum anchor.

I'm almost afraid to write this at the beginning of the season, but so far I've only lost one anchor to the rocky bottom of Winnipesaukee. All the rest eventually came up.

[NoRegrets]

Good point JRC. The Fortress is used for the stern. We have the delta type as the bow anchor.

[jrc]

Actually as I typed the last, I started thinking that maybe a nice light Fortress would make a better stern anchor. I only use a stern at sandbars so no worries about bending.

[Lakepilot]

Originally Posted by jrc

Actually as I typed the last, I started thinking that maybe a nice light Fortress would make a better stern anchor. I only use a stern at sandbars so no worries about bending.

I never anchor any of our Winni based boats, but we have a Whaler in Florida I do anchor often. I have two Danforth anchors. One for the bow and the smaller one for the stern to hold it off the beach. The larger Danforth holds great no matter what. The smaller stern anchor doesn't work very well at all when there's a moderate breeze. I'm going to buy a bigger Danforth for the stern next season.

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by jrc

The fortress is a lot lighter and weaker than a super hooker, making handling easier. But in big rocks, anchors get stuck. I've had to power out anchors with the the boat motor before. I'm afraid what that would do to an expensive aluminum anchor.

They have a lifetime warranty. Bend it and they'll take care of it.