Nomad Willy
Guru
The Forfjord is a twin fluke anchor definitely related to the Danforth but w three huge differences. Instead of being very light it's very heavy. The flukes are wide apart while the Danforths flukes are close together to very close together. And the Forfjord lacks the stock of the Danforth. At one time (I think) all anchors had stocks and the CQR, Dreadnaught and Forfjord were stockless and were referred to as stockless anchors. Without the stock the Forfjord was free to rotate within the bounds of what the flukes would allow. If the bottom is a little bit more favorable to penetration on one fluke it would dig in and I'm not sure if the other fluke would follow * ...or follow equally. Seems to me there would be a strong chance only one fluke would bury. And then the Forfjord would be much like a Kedge. But I had similar thoughts about the Bruce and as I recall those notions were shown to be wrong. But (also as I seem to recall) those that understand the Forfjord *said the beauty of that is that once buried the Forfjord, if pulled from another angle will allow one fluke to break out temporarily while the anchor repositions itself thus not really breaking out. Most to many anchors break out completely and need to reset completely. But the Forfjord does not have sharp flukes and little of the anchors weight is on the fluke tips when in a setting position on the bottom. And many are modified for better holding in mud by welding extensions onto the side of the flukes but that could make the penetrating issue even worse. Dragging in mud is obviously an issue as many of the Forfjords in Craig have the "mud mod". The Forfjord is probably almost indestructible *....even small ones. I've seen several Bruce's w bent shanks (one bent almost 90 degrees) but I've never seen a bent Forfjord. Since it's not a high holding power anchor one needs to carry a Forfjord about twice the weight of what they would normally carry. I can't recall any fishermen raving about the Forfjord but many do re the claw. I think more and more fishermen are changing to claws. Probably when they drag their Forfjord's and feel the need to change. They get the claw because it looks (and is I think) skookum and many more fishermen have them than anything else. My friend Ed here on the island w a 30' Willard has a 65lb Forfjord and has had good luck w it for well over 5 years and has no intention of changing his anchor. I have only had*a few minutes experience personally w the Forfjord so hopefully others w more experience will be able to expand or correct what I've thrown out here as a beginning.
-- Edited by nomadwilly on Monday 7th of November 2011 12:57:15 PM
-- Edited by nomadwilly on Monday 7th of November 2011 12:57:15 PM