How to stow a Fortress Anchor

Greetings all. No need here for another anchor debate. But after dragging 1/4 mile in a strong blow July 4- it's time to unhook my 44# Delta and figure out how to get the Fortress 37 I keep stowed beneath the aft cabin bed mounted and hang it on the front. Can someone show me the correct hardware needed to stow the 37 on the pulpit so that it self deploys (I hope to get an electric windlass installed soon) and looks "correct" as well?? Thanks all.


1983 Present 42 Sundeck
Twin Lehman 135's

I think the answer is whatever works. Look at boats with similar pulpits to yours that carry a Danforth. Same deal, just heavier.

We carry our Fortress FX23 in a mount on the swimstep because that's how we use it, as a stern anchor. But it can easily be carried forward and deployed off the bow if we wanted to use it that way.

Cut two short pieces of fresh water hose, clear with fabric reinforcement, and force on the ends of the cross bar. These will protect your gel coat.

I've got an FX11 on the pulpit (I know guys, I'm sorry!) I wouldn't think you'd need any kind of special hardware or anything. You could probably set it up just like your delta. Here's mine. Once in a while I have to encourage it to drop, but usually it self deploys pretty well. I try to leave a little slack in the chain when I bring her home. If it comes up tight against the stops, the shank tends to flatten out and she'll resist dropping without a friendly jostle. I doubt you would have that issue, as your shank would be at a steeper angle than mine, I think.

Dave,
It looks like you have what I am looking for. Possibly the mount style you have could be bolted on top of our pulpit?


1983 Present 42 Sundeck
Twin Lehman 135's

Here are a few pics.


1983 Present 42 Sundeck
Twin Lehman 135's

I'm sure you could bolt that on there, somehow. I'd try using your existing setup first though. I don't see why it wouldn't fit in there like your delta did.



It might rub the underside of your pulpit a bit.

Greetings,
Mr. F. "...another anchor debate." TOO LATE! "...the correct hardware needed to stow..."

Wayfarer has the correct roller system for Fortress type anchors. That flare on the bottom of the guide centers the anchor and holds the flukes fast making auto retrieval real easy.

Or, get Parks to make you a deal on a spiffy new Rocna or Vulcan anchor. It might set you back a few coins, but they sure do work well.

Oh wait, I thought this was the anchor debate thread...


Having a cold one with my anchor...

Perhaps you could bridge over the hole in the pulpit with a long base anchor mount. What about a 1/2 piece of starboard cut to fit the top of the pulpit that covers the hole and then install the mount.

I have the same 44# Delta and a FX-37 as you. Your boat is larger with more windage then mine by a long shot. Perhaps the next size up would have worked better or even having both deployed, dragging is no fun.


I find the 44# Delta works great in sand (90% of my needs) With the FX the perfect for holding in Mud (I have the mud palms always installed)

I love the easy launch and retrieve with the Delta but would replace it with a funny named anchor beginning with an R or an M should it not make it back up to the rail.

I consider the FX a great storm or mud anchor so it stays, but I am familiar with it's limitations regarding setting and reversing.

Manyboats I like your setup, you even have room for a 2nd line guide for deploying a 2nd anchor on that pulpit. I am in the process of doing the same by adding a line guide to port of the offset main anchor. The anchor will not be stored on the pulpit due to space available.

There's several on our float that mount the Dan or Fortress like in dimmer's post #9 and Dave's post #4. Keeps the flukes fixed so the whole anchor dosn't move.
In most waters the Fortress makes a very good primary anchor.
Shoot of a msg to Brian at Fortress Anchors for the latest on carrying the Fortress on the bow.

SCOTTEDAVIS,
I think the Fortress is supreme in sand too.

I could have used an upper case "S" for supreme and been a trouble maker like cardude.

I tried to start trouble.

Didn't get any bites.

?

HAHA Dude,
I thought it was a brave entry and assumed you'd get lots of airborne tomatoes.

Steve: Here's my FX-23 on the pulpit rail with a made-for Windline bracket that fits 7/8 to 1.25 rails. Holds very securely. Also have the same for my FX-37. Connect shackle and throw. I use a bike lock if I'm somewhere I feel insecure.

Windline Marine Mfg., also has stanchion mount brackets. Here's the link on e-bay, but you can get it on Amazon also.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/sis.html?_n...hor+Bracket+For+Danforth+and+Fortress+Anchors

My 390 Mainship has a very similar pulpit. the boat came with a Delta and I replaced it with a Fortress. It fit with no modifications
John
2003 MS390

I wouldn't want one on a bow rail as it would obstruct visability.

Since they are so light putting them flat on the deck and deploying them by hand should be easy. The deck mounting hardware is readily availible, secures them well and is easy to use. This system was very popular in the past for both Yachtsman and Danforth anchors.

manyboats said:

There's several on our float that mount the Dan or Fortress like in dimmer's post #9 and Dave's post #4. Keeps the flukes fixed so the whole anchor dosn't move.
In most waters the Fortress makes a very good primary anchor.
Shoot of a msg to Brian at Fortress Anchors for the latest on carrying the Fortress on the bow.

SCOTTEDAVIS,
I think the Fortress is supreme in sand too.

I could have used an upper case "S" for supreme and been a trouble maker like cardude.

Click to expand...

Great info from all. I like the dimmers mounting. Possibly a starboard cover would retain the original set up? Or use SS 1/4" Diamond plate? (I have 4 -1' x 4' new pieces)
I It was quite a blow on ship Island. The portals were open and we had two screens fail and water soaking the center on the aft cabin bed.
DUDE,
This is me making an anchor check. Course I couldn't hold my breath long enough to make it ! Notice the 4 lines on the rode. 100'.



1983 Present 42 Sundeck
Twin Lehman 135's

Forklift, we have a similar pulpit to yours (not exactly the same), and our FX-37 will fit in it, as is, no mods required.

OTOH, I think you could maybe if necessary replace the roller insert in your existing slot with hardware that would lower the flukes and improve the angle and/or location of the shank end. I've seen some of those, looks like it could be a direct replacement for existing roller hardware, but sorry, don't know brands/models.

-Chris

Just an FYI, as we finally should get to leave home to spend several consecutive days aboard our Tolly...

Some time ago, Parks sold/sent me a Fortress FX23 – Thanks again Parks!

Due to biz needs and in-family health complications my then planned FX23 anchor tests in very-soft muddy bottom were delayed till now. We often anchor in unusual locations and manners that afford privacy as well as clean freshwater swimming every/all day. Planning to use FX23 as a mud-bottom back anchor with its Mud Palms installed. I currently have four anchors aboard for tests… FX23 will be number five. Hoping and planning for the FX23 to reduce anchor selection needs to just two for general bow and stern needs.

Let you know details when tests produce results… as time aboard boat permits… probably next fall before I make conclusions after several FX23 uses.

Happy Anchor Daze! - Art

Make sure the anchor is well secured. My bow (claw) anchor was well-tested yesterday in the closely-packed, steep, five-foot waves in eastern Suisun Bay. The Coot plowed/bucked through, producing solid vertical walls/sheets of water when falling into the trough and hitting the next wave. Anchor remained solid.

Those are the results I want Mark. In our marina Sunday I dunked past most of the slips I saw Fortress was 2/1. And the Gulf Coast in our area is where a lot of the Mississippi River silt settles. This equals a muddy bottom.


1983 Present 42 Sundeck
Twin Lehman 135's

I anchor in sand mostly, with the occasional mud. I have yet to drag mine. The one time I did drag a Danforth type was on a friend's boat. The anchor was a cheap knockoff, way too small for the boat, and the bottom was rock and dense weeds. Not a good combination.

I've kept my anchors on deck or below. No problem.

But I may change that so I'm listening.

If your just bow anchoring and swinging, with a 10/1 scope, you might work with a 37. Personally, i use a 55 on my 46 Chung hwa, looks alot like yours. I can get away with 60 feet chain, in 12 feet water, with the stern anchored as well in about a 30 mph broadside blow so far. Chain was bar tight directly to the anchor. Fortress fx55 was buried about 5 inches below surface, only dragged into the ground about 2 feet. the wind averaged about 18 all day, and sustained 26-30 for about an hour. Pretty packed Sand bottom at Fort Mccray in pensacola. No wave action, just wind. I normally go for about 100 feet of chain, to my FX55 off the bow in 12 to 14 feet of water, then have dual fx 55s off the stern, no chain, just anchors. They sit about 15 feet behind the boat, off each corner. I could get away with one, with chain, up in the weeds, but I dont like making people walk over my anchor line all day as they walk the beach, so go with the shorter option but have to use two anchors. My bow mounted 55 is on a set of rollers, which deploys just fine. Ill throw a pic up here if you want one.