Danforth anchor to replace delta...

Jgren

Member
Apr 27, 2016
94
Plymouth
Boat Info
2001 290 Amberjack
Engines
Yamaha F250's
Im thinking of replacing our delta with a danforth/fortress. It seems like the fluke style hooks up more reliability in our area more often. We have a 290 amberjack we'd like to make this change to. My question is, who has one mounted up to thier windlass system and what shank length does your anchor have. The delta we have looks to have a shorter shank than the fluke styles ive seen and my fear is the anchor wont set into place securely. Any info is appreciated. Thanks
 
Im thinking of replacing our delta with a danforth/fortress. It seems like the fluke style hooks up more reliability in our area more often. We have a 290 amberjack we'd like to make this change to. My question is, who has one mounted up to thier windlass system and what shank length does your anchor have. The delta we have looks to have a shorter shank than the fluke styles ive seen and my fear is the anchor wont set into place securely. Any info is appreciated. Thanks
For me, the danforth didn’t load as well as the delta. I would always have to go up to the bow to spin it 1/4 way one of the other
 
I can see that as a possible issue. The delta rarely has issues when bringing it back in.
 
The Danforth will stick up in the air in your mount made for a delta plus it will flop side to side
 

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I’d think long and hard before giving up on a delta. Holding grounds vary of course but my experience with both is if a danforth will work with a bottom, the delta will work even better.
 
Do you know the specific danforth you had or have?
I do not.

do you have some chain with your delta, that is def a game changer. This boat has all chain, last one had 15-20’, never an issue holding with a delta between the 2
 
I switched to a Vulcan and WOW what a difference!
 
I have always used a danforth anchor, in rocky sand and all sand/mud, have never had an issue. I have anchored out with others that have delta style plow etc.and have had them pull. I am all chain and maybe that makes a difference but I would not use anything else. My danforth is old style heavy steel, not the fortress aluminum style, that I would not use - too light and wouldn't hookup right from my experience. I like anchoring out on Friday afternoon and pulling on Sunday afternoon and in between having a boat or two tie along side and no issues.
 
I do not.

do you have some chain with your delta, that is def a game changer. This boat has all chain, last one had 15-20’, never an issue holding with a delta between the 2
I’ve got about 150’ of 3/8 bbb. It seems like the delta has a tough time in the weeds/mud where we are. Maybe it’s just my luck.
 
We always had trouble with weeds and grassy bottoms until we bought the Tiara which came with a delta anchor and 25 feet of chain. Our Sea Rays used fortress anchors which did not set well in grass. It took multiple attempts to get a set and my wife hated anchoring. Now it could be that the chain is the reason for the difference, but the delta is incredibly easy to set. We pull into the anchorage, hit the free drop switch, and back down to deploy the proper amount of scope, cleat the line and back some more to set the anchor. It literally takes two to three minutes. When we retrieve the anchor it is buried in two feet of mud and sand and needs to be hosed off including the chain. Probably the chain accounts for much of the difference but I believe Tiara knows some things about anchors.
 
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From my experience the Danforth works very well (maybe too well) in mud but the Delta style tends to reset itself more consistently on a 180 swing. I've actually bent two Danforth style anchor shanks simply because it refused to reset.

If you experience wide swings and have a mud or sand bottom, a Delta with a good swivel is hard to beat. (emphasis on the good swivel). The pulpits on our boats are designed for a plow style anchor so you are more likely to get a decent nest with the Delta.
 
You have to size the Vulcan based on the weight of your boat. I had a 9 on a 270 Sundancer which held like a beast but I think you'll need a 12 because your boat is probably close to 12000 lbs loaded. We anchor in muddy bottom and grassy bottom it works great in both applications for me.
 

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