[MHml] Fortress Anchors

[brian eiland]

37' Cat

I've had considerable experience with a Fortress anchor around the Chesapeake
Bay, and then on a trip down the East coast of USA, and subsequently to the
Fla keys. 

I've also had many experiences anchoring in the Bahamas and on another trip
down the chain of Caribbean islands to South America.

A very brief review in general. In soft mud and sand it's strictly a case of
surface area of the anchor as to how well it will hold in a breeze. The larger
percentage of surface area of a Danforth style anchor(including Fortress) seem
to work best here. Then the anchor flukes must be strong enough to not bend.
Fortress works find here.

My problem with Fortress is getting it to set. Its so light it wants to
"swim". This was a real problem in hard bottoms...sand over coral,hard packed
sand...etc. Even the heavier steel danforth worked better. For this reason I
would not have another Fortress.

One of my biggest concerns when anchoring is what's going to happen when the
boat shiffs around a little (which invariably it will). Countless times I gone
to bed and awoke to a shift in current and/or wind and always a highened alert
as to the anchor making the adjustment on its own. Any anchor thats hard to
set gives me great concern in this situation. Spinning 180 will break most
anchors free, so then its a question of their grabbing on again. Fortress will
not do this with any confidence at all!!...maybe in soft mud but not anything
harder. I also like to be able to leave the boat for several days. I would
NEVER do so while anchored with a Fortress.

In harder stuff its really a question of some point on the anchor penatrating
the surface of the hardpack or finding a crevice in the rock, coral etc.
Surface area is far less important. I prefer that this "point" of the anchor
be closely aligned with the centerline of the pulling anchor rode so that
there is less tripping forces. The more misaligned the resistance
force(holding) is with the anchor rode force, the higher tendency for the
anchor to rotate out of holding; and this also makes setting this type more
difficult.

You really need at minimum two types of anchors, one for soft and one for
hard. I've yet to see an anchor that does both well.

PS.Is there anybody out there that has ever had any experience with a
"Wishbone" anchor?? They were sold back in the early seventies. I would like
to hear from you.


"David Busenbarrick" <sailcat at tampabay.rr.com> wrote:
> Has anyone hd any experience with the Fortress alloy anchors?  I bought
two
> Robert Gunn
> Chesapeake - modified Tennant Turissimo 10m Cat
> Auckland, NZ

Hi Robert,
I used a fortress while cruising and was quite satisfied with it. Only used
it in sand and soft mud where the CQR would drag or drift. When in San Blas
islands of Panama, anchored behind a reef with strong currents, it was
amazing to watch the other boats anchor next to us and slowly drift aft over
the next few days. I used one that was 2 sizes larger than recommended for
my boat and did set it by hand occasionally. I also had a bruce, which was
too small, as they initially undersized their recommendations. It was
inadequate, heavy and hard to store. The Spade or Delta sound like good
alternatives. Most of our anchoring was tradewind conditions, so not much
swinging or direction reversal.

Hope this helps,
David Busenbarrick


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