Is this any use as a kedge?

[eddystone]

I have a Fortress FX16 (4.5kg) and was thinking it could be repurposed as a kedge on new (old) boat which is 13m and 8.5T. I think it’s a size smaller than ideal but looking at the design of the Fortress the question I ask myself is not will it hold but but how do I get it to release.

 

[NBs]

Hi,

I have a larger model weighing about 7.5 kg.

It comes loose easily, like other anchors, depending on the material of the bottom. You have to tie it to a rope and drive the anchor over the boat's mass, then lift it up with your hands. Sometimes it comes with a lot of mud.

 

[Iliade]

I have had great difficulty releasing my smaller Fortress when used as a lunch hook with an oversized boat. I would consider a tripping line next time I use it as such.

 

[noelex]

Fortress is the ideal kedge. In the right substrate, it has exceptional holding power, so even a small model can hold a large boat.

However, keep in mind that in the wrong substrate (hard sand or thick weed), the holding can sometimes be very poor, and the lightweight design with its large fluke area can drag very rapidly. Also, exercise some caution if there is a significant change in the direction of pull, but this is usually not a factor when used as a kedge.

If you can use a trip line on a kedge this is ideal, but if not, a trick to release a well-buried Fortress is to exploit one of its weaknesses and to generate some sideways force. Pulling the rode at an angle from the direction of set the anchor will develop a large list, and it will release with less force.

 

[eddystone]

That’s a useful tip

 

[Bobc]

I have a Fortress FX16 (4.5kg) and was thinking it could be repurposed as a kedge on new (old) boat which is 13m and 8.5T. I think it’s a size smaller than ideal but looking at the design of the Fortress the question I ask myself is not will it hold but but how do I get it to release.

Perfectly adequate.

 

[vyv_cox]

I had a Fortress FX16 as a kedge on a 35 ft boat, 6 tonnes. Used frequently it was excellent. I would be surprised if it was not perfectly acceptable in this role for a bigger boat.

As noelex says, it can be difficult to set in hard seabeds but otherwise it rarely failed when simply thrown overboard from yacht or dinghy. Ours had 5 metres of 8 mm chain with 50 metres of 16 mm Octoplait.