[MHml] Reducing weight

[Jesse Deupree]

Robert Gunn wrote:

>Has anyone hd any experience with the Fortress alloy anchors?  I bought two
>on the strength of the convincing advertising, one for my Turissimo 10m and
>one for my father's 22' bilge keeler, since he was having back problems
>which the old anchor was not helping.  Both of us had huge trouble getting
>them to set, ending up dragging over and over again, when used in the same
>way as steel Danforths (including chain the length of the vessel or more,
>not the short length said to be adequate with the Fortress).  Were we doing
>something wrong, or are they hard to set?  Once set, they held OK.  (Once
>when trying unsuccessfully to anchor in shallow water with a sandy bottom, I
>rowed out to watch what was happening and the thing was just sliding over
>the bottom without digging in.  Once I manually pushed the flukes into the
>sand, it was fine.)
>I ended up buying a Bruce, which has been fine, and my father going back to
>his steel Danforth, also fine.
>Any ideas or experiences from the group?
>

I've had success with mine here in Maine. I use a short length of 
chain. I must say, my goal when anchoring is to be in a spot where a 
fish hook would hold me, and in Maine that is easy and fun. I've 
never really challenged the anchor. I carry a plow as alternative but 
favor the fortress. I think there are two fluke angle settings you 
might explore.

Jesse Deupree
F-27 ION
Portland Maine
The quietest night I ever spent was in a 35 ft. mono, up in Cobscook 
Bay behind Minister Island. After anchoring and supper in this land 
of 25 ft. tides I figured we could use a little more scope, so I 
pulled out an extra six feet of rode and flaked it on the deck and 
re-cleated. In the morning I looked and the flake was still there- we 
hadn't pulled hard enough to slide six feet of rode against the deck- 
a nice gentle spot.