Anchor question help etc...

rwilson

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Good evening all, I am considering binning my Bruce anchor and buying a Fortress anchor. Do any forumites have any experience with said product?

Btw, my boat is a 32ft sports boat and current ground tackle, as specified by the previous owner, is a 10kg Bruce with 6mm chain running though a Quick windlass with 6mm gypsy.

Thanks Richard
 
Although the Fortress has high holding power, particularly for its weight it is not a very good general purpose bower anchor. Its downsides are that it does not reset well and does not self stow on most bow rollers. Plus it is expensive. Where it is considered good is as a kedge anchor where its light weight is useful and the pull is in a straight line. Very popular in the tideless med for this purpose.

There are always huge debates about anchors, particularly since the introduction of the newer rollover bar type, but arguably the Delta (genuine one, not a copy) is hard to beat as a good all round anchor. 10kg would be the right size.
 
I would go with a Delta too. On my last 2 boats, I have replaced the standard issue Bruce anchors with Deltas and I am much happier. I found that the Bruce is less capable of getting a bite in a weedy seabed or a hard one whereas the Delta always seems to set itself. I also increased the size of the chain to the maximum that the windlass can handle; obviously the gypsy had to be changed too.
If you're planning to anchor for extended periods, especially overnight as we do, improving the standard fit anchor + chain is money well spent
 
Delta was on my list as well. Deleted User, I have the same issue with the Bruce, failing to bite. Tranona, I take note about storage on the bow roller, that could be an issue.

Thanks guys, I'll do some more research.
 
Delta was on my list as well. Deleted User, I have the same issue with the Bruce, failing to bite. Tranona, I take note about storage on the bow roller, that could be an issue.

Thanks guys, I'll do some more research.
Whatever anchor you choose, you should check that dimensionally it fits your bow roller, particularly that the tip of the anchor doesn't hit the hull under the bow roller when it is being stowed. The best way is to borrow the anchor you plan to buy and offer it up to the bow roller. Another potential problem area is the hoop on top of the bow roller (if fitted) as shanks of different anchors vary in depth. I had to modify the hoop on my current boat to stow the Delta although, admittedly, I was going up in size as well
 
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