Fortress Anchor Tech

[Fuelishness45]

I was advised by Sea Ray that my 370EC came with a Tie down Engineering (Danforth)
35H anchor,and weighs 35lbs. I didnt get the factory one when I bought my boat, I got real ugly home made looking thing, so i'm looking to replace that with a Fortress, I called Fortress and they recommended a FX-16 , Its close to the same dimensions , just a bit smaller , but weighs 10lbs. Anybody use one of these ? I'm a river guy so mud bottom and 5-10 mph current are my conditions. I Just dont want make a $250.00 mistake. Thanks

 

[Boater420]

If it's a muddy bottom the fortress anchor will work, but I'd want the heavy 35# Danforth for it's weight. If you decide to go with the Fortress, you should be using one with adjustable flukes and a lot of chain.

Setting the anchor properly is also tricky. You should let it settle into the mud slowly under it's own weight. You can tug on the chain to help settle it faster. Once it's sunk into the mud, back down on it a little and then wait. Repeat this process a few more times, gradually increasing the RPM's when backing down.

It's not impossible, but with a 10 mph current, it's real important to get it set properly. If it was me I'd go with the Danforth.

 

[fwebster]

I have a larger boat that came with a 45# Danforth. I changed to a Fortress FX-37. The Fortress holds better, sets better and quicker and has never yet pulled loose, unlike the OEM galvanized Danforth which would occasionally work loose in gusty conditions.

Your challenge may be to get a Fortress that fits your pulpit snugly when raised all the way.

 

[Fuelishness45]

The FX-16 is just slightly smaller in terms of overall dimensions, are you suggesting I get a FX-23 ???

 

[JVM225]

We have soft, sandy, mucky bottoms around here.
I had a FX 16 that I kept as a spare on my old 300. I liked that it was light enough to carry if I wanted to back in to a beach at a cove and use it as a stern anchor in a two anchor set up.
I’ve heard nothing but good things about them, but I had a lot of confidence in the weight of the Tie Down Engineering Danforth 20h Hi Tensile anchor that was up in the bow with 15’ of chain attached. It was nice and heavy and never failed me.
Disclaimer though: We did order the same 20 H for a friend’s boat and I got the feeling that it was made in a different place because it didn’t look or feel like the quality of the older one I had. Kind of felt like they started getting them made in China or something.

 

[DanW]

The first time I used used a fortress (the one rated up to a 32 foot boat, can’t remember the model number right now; I chose the smaller one because I only use it as a stern anchor) as a stern anchor in a river with muddy bottom. There were three boats (2 390s and a 340) rafted together. All three boats had bow anchors out and two boats had stern anchors out. However, my fortress anchor held all three boats from the stern when the tide went out and the current reversed. The other stern anchor was slack the whole time. I was impressed it held all three boats and I had no trouble getting it set the first time.

Dan

 

[ttmott]

Both my 400DA and now 52DB have Delta anchors 44 and 55 pound respectively and as a second anchor for the 52DB I have a Fortress FX37. The Delta anchors perform very well however they enjoy a lot of scope to be fully effective. The only bottom the Delta has issues is with a lot of grass. Grassy bottoms are where the Fortress really shines. In general I would recommend the Delta and better yet a CQR. Most Sea Ray yachts have the pulpit designed to hold a Delta style anchor so another plus for the Delta; A Fortress will not fit well in the as manufactured bow. I like the Fortress as it is light and stores well in the lazarette. I use the Fortress as a second anchor usually off the aft of the boat in areas where tidal current changes direction.