Actually, the Fortress site recommends six feet of chain. If you tried deploy
that while moving, or while holding station in a strong current, it might not
get to the bottom. They don't specify size, so if you used 6 feet of 3/16
chain, you've only added 2.5 pounds, not enough to take it down in a current.

Its true that most any cruising manual will advise chain, but they are
invariably talking about "working" or "storm" anchors, not lunch hooks or mud
hooks. For instance, you wouldn't want chain on one of these:
http://www.flyfishusa.com/pontoon/po...or/anchor.html

I'm not knocking the Fortress; I've used one for a dozen years and strongly
recommend them. Also, I'm not saying you shouldn't use chain, although I think
some people use too much. I'm only saying its important to understand how
different anchors work in different situations, and to use them accordingly.


"SAIL LOCO" wrote in message
...
The Fortress, without a chain, would hover about 5 feet below the
surface. Six feet of chain was enough to take it down, but I ended up using 8
or 10 feet with it.

I think Fortress states in their instruction sheet that you should use chain.
I think every manufacture states that you should use chain. I think every
anchor assembly article I ever read states to use chain.
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