Changing anchors

elreyos

New Member
May 5, 2007
179
Lake Mead
Boat Info
2002 510DA
Engines
3196 CAT
I'm thinking about changing out my plow anchor to a Fortress. I know it requires changing the chute. Has anyone done this? I would appreciate any opinions, thoughts, cautions.

Thanks
 
I'm thinking about changing out my plow anchor to a Fortress. I know it requires changing the chute. Has anyone done this? I would appreciate any opinions, thoughts, cautions.

Thanks

I went from a Fortress to a Delta Fast Set Plough and like the plough much better ... :huh:
 
I've had Danforth, Fortress and now a Delta. Our anchorages are either sand, mud or gravel. The Fortress was not good in any of those conditions. The Danforth was ok but could be tough to set. The Delta is superb in these conditions. Free drop it until it hits the bottom; back down to adjust scope; secure rode to cleat; back down and it is set. It seldom takes us more than a minute to be fully dug in. If you have lots of weeds where you anchor, the Fortress may not set at all unless you use lots of chain.
 
I changed from a Delta to a Fortress. The Delta (on a 380DA) would come loose in almost any amount of seas. Our bottom here is almost always sand. Under about 2 feet, it was generally OK. After that, it would come loose, and I'd drift.

The Fortress was great - it always held. I was anchored in 6 foot seas a couple of times, and it held fine. It met it's match one dayy when I ended up over rocky bottom in 4-6 footers. One of the flukes bent.

Oops.. back on topic - I didn't change the chute, and no one told me I needed to. That said, my anchor poked out a little if I wasn't careful. I would just go out on the bow, turn it the way that it sat the easiest, then tighten it up with the foot controls. I didn't notice it then, but now I think about, it probably didn't look yacht-worthy, but I never thought twice about it either.
 
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I've had Danforth, Fortress and now a Delta. Our anchorages are either sand, mud or gravel. The Fortress was not good in any of those conditions. The Danforth was ok but could be tough to set. The Delta is superb in these conditions. Free drop it until it hits the bottom; back down to adjust scope; secure rode to cleat; back down and it is set. It seldom takes us more than a minute to be fully dug in. If you have lots of weeds where you anchor, the Fortress may not set at all unless you use lots of chain.
I can absolutely second this! Exactly my experience. If your Delta FS comes lose too often in certain conditions, go one size up and I am positive you will not experience a dragging anchor any longer
 
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Well now, my experience has been in sand and mud/clay on Mead and Powell with a Fortress. It always seemed to set quickly and hold. I haven't had the same experience with the plow. Also the Fortress is lighter, putting less load on the windlass and the boat. Is there a big difference between the Delta Fast Set and the standard plow the Sea Ray's come equipped with?

Thanks for all the input.
 
Well now, my experience has been in sand and mud/clay on Mead and Powell with a Fortress. It always seemed to set quickly and hold. I haven't had the same experience with the plow. Also the Fortress is lighter, putting less load on the windlass and the boat. Is there a big difference between the Delta Fast Set and the standard plow the Sea Ray's come equipped with?

Thanks for all the input.

Not really. The original anchors on most Sea Rays is a Kodiak and it's design is simila to the Deta. the Delta has a bigger plough and more weight in the plough tip. The Kodiak has a more arched and taller shank or back, the Delta's shank or back is straighter. In my experience the Delta sets noticeably better and faster than the Kodiak.
 
Size is the key to a good anchor. Don't go with the recommended size; go with the biggest size your boat can handle. Delta's work in any conditions we've run into in Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. This can be gravel, mud, clay, sand, even if conditions are a little rocky as long as there is a gravel/sand mixture. The Delta also works well in weeds. There is a place in Oyster Bay on Lake Charleviox that we now enjoy because of the Delta. It has a weedy bottom. I could never get a Danforth or Fortress to set there even with chain.
 
I also have experience with both-plow and Fortress. I keep both on the boat. On my chute I keep a High-Polished Delta S.S. Plow, It looks so much nicer than those galvenized versions that the factory sends. I have always taken off those stock anchors and replaced it with stainless steel. It is the little things that I notice, and it really looks better IMHO. The Fortress gets put togeather as a back up anchor for stern or side sets in larger raft ups. The key to any anchor is the ground tackle-lots of chain!
 
So far it sounds like the Delta may be the way to go. Given Alex D's explaination of the diffences between the Delta and the Kodiak I think uderstand why I don't have good luck with the plow. I think it's the angle of attack. The kodiak doesn't dig in. Petep I also carry a big fortress as a back up. I've always wanted one those big shiny Delta anchors. Now I've got good reason to buy one.
 
I'm a real fan of the "Plow Type" anchors i.e. Plow, Delta, Bruce types. These will do very well in every condition except hard pack sand and there a danforth or fortress will work best.

In any situation, lots of chain 50' or more makes sleeping much more comfortable.

I use a stock delta from SR on 300 ft of all chain rode. when it goes down it sets within 50 feet. Hell I've been held tight with just a pile of chain down there! :grin:

The stainless Deltas really look great too!

In a 51 footer on Lake Mead, I'd suggest a one up size on the anchor and an all chain rode .. go stainless chain what the hell it looks cool too!

You can buy chain on the web at a much better prices than the local chandler ... I can help if you need it.
 

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