Anchor dilemma

[Yachtingsouthwest]

Another anchor post

I have now got a 4kg Vulcan as a primary leaving me with a Delta and fortress anchor as spares weight and space are an issue so reluctant to carry all 3. Which is best as a bower replacement/kedge? For SW England.

 

[vyv_cox]

Fortress without doubt. Pretty much the ideal kedge anchor.

 

[Neeves]

Fortress, what size Fortress have you got.

I'm guessing - you bought the Vulcan because you did not think the Delta was good enough (did not set reliably, you were concerned about the hold etc or all of these)

- so why carry it?

Jonathan

 

[Yachtingsouthwest]

Fortress, what size Fortress have you got.

I'm guessing - you bought the Vulcan because you did not think the Delta was good enough (did not set reliably, you were concerned about the hold etc or all of these)

- so why carry it?

Jonathan

Its the FX-7 very light 1. 8kg and sometimes will skate in the tide if not used with enough chain. My reasoning for using the delta as a kedge/spare is that I have heard the Fortress won't reset very well with a change in direction if used to replace the vulcan. For the second anchor I was planning to use 2m of chain for chafe protection

 

[vyv_cox]

Its the FX-7 very light 1. 8kg and sometimes will skate in the tide if not used with enough chain. My reasoning for using the delta as a kedge/spare is that I have heard the Fortress won't reset very well with a change in direction if used to replace the vulcan. For the second anchor I was planning to use 2m of chain for chafe protection

A kedge is not normally expected to reset as its use does not involve a direction change. A spare is a different matter. I carry my old Delta as a spare, with a Rocna as a bower and Fortress as a kedge.

 

[Yachtingsouthwest]

A kedge is not normally expected to reset as its use does not involve a direction change. A spare is a different matter. I carry my old Delta as a spare, with a Rocna as a bower and Fortress as a kedge.

I would need the 1 anchor to do both roles as a kedge and spare if the bower was lost.

 

[noelex]

As you point out, the Fortress anchor does not cope very well with a change in direction of pull, which together with a less than stellar performance in weed and hard substrates makes it not ideal as a replacement primary anchor.

However, its light weight and very high holding ability (providing the substrate is suitable) makes it an excellent kedge.

Ideally, on a cruising boat you would carry both a spare main anchor together with a Fortress as the kedge, but I think especially for cruising around the SW of the UK and given the storage restrictions a Fortress and a single main anchor is a reasonable compromise.

 

[vyv_cox]

I would need the 1 anchor to do both roles as a kedge and spare if the bower was lost.

Realistically, what are the chances of losing the bower? It has happened once to me, a long time ago when we knew a lot less about shackles and swivels than we do now. If your choice is between Fortress and Delta I would definitely choose Fortress and use the best shackle you can buy on both anchors.

 

[Iliade]

...and buy an Alderney ring

 

[Wansworth]

Old car engine got lotsofbite?

 

[Yachtingsouthwest]

As you point out, the Fortress anchor does not cope very well with a change in direction of pull, which together with a less than stellar performance in weed and hard substrates makes it not ideal as a replacement primary anchor.

However, its light weight and very high holding ability (providing the substrate is suitable) makes it an excellent kedge.

Ideally, on a cruising boat you would carry both a spare main anchor together with a Fortress as the kedge, but I think especially for cruising around the SW of the UK a Fortress and a single main anchor is a reasonable compromise.

I think it will be the fortress then, hopefully 2m of chain will be enough with plenty of scope. For reference the boat is 21ft and about 700kg in full cruising use

 

[Yachtingsouthwest]

Realistically, what are the chances of losing the bower? It has happened once to me, a long time ago when we knew a lot less about shackles and swivels than we do now. If your choice is between Fortress and Delta I would definitely choose Fortress and use the best shackle you can buy on both anchors.

Hopefully fairly slim unless it gets fouled and is not retrievable. I was hoping to use the delta without any chain but if I use the fortress I think I will need to have at least 2m to weight it down.

 

[Neeves]

I'd agree with Vyv. Like Vyv we have lost our anchor and all the rode, once, later retrieved. It does happen, its worth factoring in but it really does not happen very often (and you will have the Fortress, assembled, at hand). We do use our Fortress as a primary, when we need a 'V' or fork, but its a bit bigger than yours. We use 15m of 6mm chain, so your idea of using some chain is a good one. But don't use 8mm or 10mm go for a bit longer length of chain and use 6mm.

Keep your eyes open for good deals on eBay, many in the UK on this forum have bought perfectly good anchors that way. People buy anchors and realise they are far too big and then want shut of the original. You may find a cheap Spade (others have bought them from eBay) or Rocna, Supreme, Kobra etc.

Jonathan

 

[Yachtingsouthwest]

I'd agree with Vyv. Like Vyv we have lost our anchor and all the rode, once, later retrieved. It does happen, its worth factoring in but it really does not happen very often (and you will have the Fortress, assembled, at hand). We do use our Fortress as a primary, when we need a 'V' or fork, but its a bit bigger than yours. We use 15m of 6mm chain, so your idea of using some chain is a good one. But don't use 8mm or 10mm go for a bit longer length of chain and use 6mm.

Keep your eyes open for good deals on eBay, many in the UK on this forum have bought perfectly good anchors that way. People buy anchors and realise they are far too big and then want shut of the original. You may find a cheap Spade (others have bought them from eBay) or Rocna, Supreme, Kobra etc.

Jonathan

Thanks Jonathan

So the plan is I have the 4kg Vulcan on 10m 6mm chain and 40m octoplait.

The Fortress FX7 2 or 4m of chain and 30m of warp.

Will keep the delta in the garage

 

[Neeves]

Thanks Jonathan

So the plan is I have the 4kg Vulcan on 10m 6mm chain and 40m octoplait.

The Fortress FX7 2 or 4m of chain and 30m of warp.

Will keep the delta in the garage

You are most welcome.

You maybe pushed for places to store but if possible keep the Fortress assembled - if you need it in a hurry you don't need to assemble it. Use Duralac on the stainless bolts (and nuts) unsurprisingly they will corrode with the aluminium, and then be difficult, should you want to disassemble. If you must dismantle then Zoidberg uses ring bolts and ring nuts, replacing those supplied by Fortress as they are easier, or quicker to use to assemble - you simple need a screw driver, or metal rod to tighten up (rather than a spanner).

For the size of shackle you need, to fit 6mm chain, use CMPs Titan Black pin shackles (should be easily available from a chandler selling Rocna, Vulcan, or Titan chain.. Take chain and anchor with you when you buy to make sure they fit. They are the best small shackles available - but I do not recommend them (I strongly prefer Crosby) for shackles 3/8th" and bigger (for 8mm chain and bigger). Crosby do not make small 'good' shackles. Remember to mouse the shackles or use Loctite (or both).

Enjoy!

Jonathan