This problem is not unique to Fortress. Virtually all of the light
weight type anchors with wide flukes will exhibit the same behavior
unless the boat is almost stopped before dropping the anchor. The only
cure is shape and weight. An anchor with a thinner profile such as a
Spade, Bruce, CQR or Plow, with a decent amount of chain on it, will
get to the bottom even with the boat moving. I'd recommend at least a
boat length of chain in most cases, sized to match the breaking
strength of the rode and holding power of the anchor. As a bonus you
end up with an anchor system that will usually reset itself if the
anchor pulls out for some reason.

It is true that a heavy anchor with heavy chain begs for a windlass,
but speed of retrieval is usually much less important than speed of
setting in an emergency situation.

In fairness to the Fortress (and to Danforth's), they have a great deal
of holding power for their weight and are deservedly very popular for
general usage. In addition the Fortress can be disassembled for more
compact storage. I'm thinking of buying a really large Fortress and
carrying it disassembled as an ultimate storm anchor.

I use one as a kedge on my 48' sportfish. (Lots of windage). Many
nights the wind has switched and I have had no problems at all with the
Fortress catching. I use 40" of chain and a 10:1 scope for night time
use. I would use it as a main anchor but my boat came with a large
danforth and I am to cheap to replace it just to save the weight.

I also have one on my tender (18' whaler) with 10' of chain and it works
like a champ as well. My 12' dingy also has one with no chain and it
will sail a bit before catching but I just use the motor to allow it to
hit the bottom first.

We cruise the Bahamas (Sand and grass), South Florida (mud and sand),
and the keys (Various bottoms mainly sand and grass)



Real Name wrote:
Has anyone else tried the Fortress anchor and been disappointed with them?
I have found once the anchor bites in and is set, it is a great anchor. The
problem is if you are in a current, the anchor "sails" in the water, making
it very difficult to set the hook.

On 18 Jul 2005 00:20:09 -0700, "
wrote:

*snip!

There is almost no such thing as too much chain. I have only 50-feet,
and consider that a pretty minimal amount of chain for my mixed rode.


I remember the story from near Cape Horn. The skipper had oversized
his anchor to a 75 CQR and was surprised to see a same-size boat using
and holding with a 45 CQR. The skipper on the other boat explained,
"The chain! The chain!" He was using 1/2" all-chain rode. The weight
of his chain kept his anchor firmly set.

"Skipper" wrote in message
...
On 18 Jul 2005 00:20:09 -0700, "
wrote:

*snip!

There is almost no such thing as too much chain. I have only 50-feet,
and consider that a pretty minimal amount of chain for my mixed rode.


I remember the story from near Cape Horn. The skipper had oversized
his anchor to a 75 CQR and was surprised to see a same-size boat using
and holding with a 45 CQR. The skipper on the other boat explained,
"The chain! The chain!" He was using 1/2" all-chain rode. The weight
of his chain kept his anchor firmly set.


Was the skipper on the 45 CQR boat a little person? "The chain! The
chain!"