Another anchor, Lewmar LFX

Q

Quandary

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Read about this on Storrar Marines 'Top tips'
Apparently Lewmar have brought out an alloy kedge, very similar to the American Fortress, similar shape and weight but a good deal cheaper to buy. Anyone want to comment on it.
Be good if we could do that for a few posts before the expected diversions.
 
Here they are at Jimmy Green. I've been obsessing about anchors for a few weeks & just ordered a 9kg Knox, have to wait a bit but might get one of these as a kedge/soft mud anchor. Actually looking at the prices they're similar to Fortress size for size so not sure why anyone would buy one...
 
Basically no-one knows anything about them. They are a Fortress clone and how Lewmar have addressed the disassembly/assembly - is unknown. Precisely what alloys they use is unknown. Unless you are desperate and you want to support Lewmar (and they are significantly cheaper) I'd wait. If LFX have a more simple assembly compared to Fortress (which are bit fiddly if you need to do it at 2am in the rain) then that would be a good selling point.

Having said that Lewmar ought to know what they are doing. They have been released with a minimal of fanfare - maybe there will be 'offers' at boat shows.

I am surprised at the people who are willing to stick their necks out and buy a newly released anchor that has not been tested (both Vulcan and Mantus come to mind). Holding capacity is the only quantitative data point and to buy an untested anchor seems madness as hold is strongly suspected to determine resistance to yawing, hobby horsing etc. and thus ... dragging. Waiting for a bit of feedback from the intrepid allows some testing of strength and performance - don't rush unless you have to.

It took years for the faults on Mantus to become obvious - I feel sorry for those who were sucked in with the hype. If Mantus is not a sufficiently good example then..... Having said that I read that Vulcan works adequately as does, in fact, Mantus - the latter is as good as similarly weighted Delta - and many used Delta for years with success - its just a Rocna and Spade are twice as good.

There have been a surprising number of people here on YBW who bought a Fortress off eBay. Sarabande found a FX 23 (I think it was the 23) a few weeks ago. Zoidberg has taken advantage of eBay or Gumtree. If you can buy in America Fortress are much cheaper - and the small ones can fit in luggage. Fortress recently changed hands - I am sure Lewmar are going to be a difficult competitor to deal with - maybe prices will slip.

Its winter in Europe - not many need an anchor NOW! - wait and see what develops over the next few months.

And - whilst on the topic - Lewmar's new steel models should, surely, be near release (they have been shown twice now at METS). The last I heard was they would be released with Classification Society approval - be patient if you are in the market.

Jonathan
 
CAPTAIN FANTASTIC said:
...and Kobra ;)
Click to expand...

I was not trying to start an argument - but the list of 'good anchors is now quite long,, there is one for everyone. One of them will fit your bow roller, might fit your wallet - if chosen correctly for the seabed will hold tenaciously

None of them is perfect but to be more complete

Kobra (which I do like, I have one, bought in Preston Marina (I think), we brought it home in our suitcase), Excel, Supreme, Rocna, Ultra, Spade, Knox, Fortress - I've probably missed some (its late here). You can find fault with any of them - but where they work - they work exceptionally well (and if you search the internet (or YBW) you will find their downsides.) - and I find it difficult to see that an 'untested' anchor can have such wonderful attributes you would want to buy one without hold data being available. After all the brou ha ha some many years ago about 'my anchor has more hold than yours etc' the absence of hold data makes me twitchy.

Feel free to add any missing models.

And each to their own.

So, Captain, I hope I might have redeemed myself. :)

Jonathan
 
Neeves said:
but the list of 'good anchors is now quite long,, there is one for everyone. One of them will fit your bow roller, might fit your wallet - if chosen correctly for the seabed will hold tenaciously
So, Captain, I hope I might have redeemed myself. :)

Jonathan
Click to expand...
Well said; ...always nice to read your anchor posts :)
 
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