In article ,
says...

I have often wondered about the fortress. I envy its light weight but am
concerned about the holding power. I have often noticed that the CQR sometimes
does not dig in at all but lies on its side. Therefore the only thing holding
us
in the spot is the weight of the anchor and the weight and caternary of the
chain. If there is any current or wind the CQR will anchor in though.

Can anyone advise why the weight of the fortress is not a factor for concern?
I
would love the light weight to load in the dinghy when using it as a kedge.

The Fortress is marvelous when it digs in. It doesn't always. Its light weight
can cause it to fly over the bottom but its design really makes it dig in once
it strfats to set. Recently our windlass has been on the blink putting the
Delta 35 with all chain rode out of business. (We could free-fall the anchor
but getting it back would be far more than this back could endure.) So we used
a Fortress FX-11 on ten to one rope rode and it held our 16,000 lb O'Day 37
perfectly. Had a hell of a job breaking it out. We also have an FX-23 as storm
anchor. It has 40 ft. of chain and can be managed without a windlass. To answer
your question, The Fortress has tremendous holding power in most bottoms but
not weeds. The angle of the flukes can be changed for use in soupy mud.

In article ,
Gogarty wrote:

In article ,
says...

I have often wondered about the fortress. I envy its light weight
but am concerned about the holding power. I have often noticed that
the CQR sometimes does not dig in at all but lies on its side.
Therefore the only thing holding us in the spot is the weight of the
anchor and the weight and caternary of the chain. If there is any
current or wind the CQR will anchor in though.

Can anyone advise why the weight of the fortress is not a factor for
concern? I would love the light weight to load in the dinghy when
using it as a kedge.

The Fortress is marvelous when it digs in. It doesn't always. Its
light weight can cause it to fly over the bottom but its design
really makes it dig in once it strfats to set. Recently our windlass
has been on the blink putting the Delta 35 with all chain rode out of
business. (We could free-fall the anchor but getting it back would be
far more than this back could endure.) So we used a Fortress FX-11 on
ten to one rope rode and it held our 16,000 lb O'Day 37 perfectly.
Had a hell of a job breaking it out. We also have an FX-23 as storm
anchor. It has 40 ft. of chain and can be managed without a windlass.
To answer your question, The Fortress has tremendous holding power in
most bottoms but not weeds. The angle of the flukes can be changed
for use in soupy mud.

The flying and difficulty in breaking out are problems that the Fortress
shares with the Danforth, from which it was derived. Though either would
be adequate for the Chesapeake most of the time, I have relegated such
to secondary use after trying out the SPADE. Doesn't fly, is much easier
to break out, and won't trip out in a wind shift.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/

On Tue, 12 Jul 2005 00:15:20 GMT, Jere Lull wrote:

In article ,
Gogarty wrote:


The Fortress is marvelous when it digs in. It doesn't always. Its
light weight can cause it to fly over the bottom but its design
really makes it dig in once it strfats to set. Recently our windlass
has been on the blink putting the Delta 35 with all chain rode out of
business. (We could free-fall the anchor but getting it back would be
far more than this back could endure.) So we used a Fortress FX-11 on
ten to one rope rode and it held our 16,000 lb O'Day 37 perfectly.
Had a hell of a job breaking it out. We also have an FX-23 as storm
anchor. It has 40 ft. of chain and can be managed without a windlass.
To answer your question, The Fortress has tremendous holding power in
most bottoms but not weeds. The angle of the flukes can be changed
for use in soupy mud.

The flying and difficulty in breaking out are problems that the Fortress
shares with the Danforth, from which it was derived. Though either would
be adequate for the Chesapeake most of the time, I have relegated such
to secondary use after trying out the SPADE. Doesn't fly, is much easier
to break out, and won't trip out in a wind shift.

Thank you Gentlemen.
I have a German friend who has been cruising for over 20 years. They have a
bugelhof (I know that I have the spelling wrong) which is simply a straight
non-pivoting shank welded to a triangle at about an angle of 45 degrees. It has
a hemispherical 1/2 rod hoop on top to ensure it flips over. They held in plus
80 knots winds on Elizabeth reef off Australia. They swear by it. I have a
workshop template for it back aboard my boat. I have since seen a lot of German
boats with it.

Peter H

Thank you Gentlemen.
I have a German friend who has been cruising for over 20 years. They have
a
bugelhof (I know that I have the spelling wrong) which is simply a
straight
non-pivoting shank welded to a triangle at about an angle of 45 degrees.
It has
a hemispherical 1/2 rod hoop on top to ensure it flips over. They held in
plus
80 knots winds on Elizabeth reef off Australia. They swear by it. I have a
workshop template for it back aboard my boat. I have since seen a lot of
German
boats with it.

Peter H

BUEGEL anchor
G

On Tue, 12 Jul 2005 08:13:19 -0700, Gordon wrote:


BUEGEL anchor
G

http://www.inter-yacht.com/Buegel/BuegelIntro.html

That "Powerball" connector looks interesting.

Peter Hendra wrote:

Thank you Gentlemen.
I have a German friend who has been cruising for over 20 years. They have a
bugelhof (I know that I have the spelling wrong) which is simply a straight
non-pivoting shank welded to a triangle at about an angle of 45 degrees. It has
a hemispherical 1/2 rod hoop on top to ensure it flips over. They held in plus
80 knots winds on Elizabeth reef off Australia. They swear by it. I have a
workshop template for it back aboard my boat. I have since seen a lot of German
boats with it.


Is this just another example of typical German engineering?

Lew