LadyInBed
Well-Known Member
I've only had to kedge off once, and that was in my early days, going up from Salcombe to Kingsbridge and took a wrong turn!
Kedge anchor
- Thread starter BigJoe
- Start date
CAPTAIN FANTASTIC
Well-Known Member
Neeves:
........Vendee Globe yacht also carry 2 x Fortress (or Guardian). I think FX85 (or the G85) -
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Just a small deviation from the original post; Most people use the Fortress/Guardian as kedge anchors. The Guardian Anchor is much cheaper than the Fortress and the main differences are very small and perhaps trivial in the bigger picture. Both anchors are made from Aluminium Magnesium alloy but the Fortress is also anodised. The Fortress appears to have slightly sharper flukes but the Guardian has (I think) thicker stock. The Fortress has two adjustable angles (32 and 45 degrees) although most people leave it at 32 degrees. Not sure if the Fortress has larger fluke area, but if it does then one would select the next size up Guardian. Does it justify the considerable extra cost for the Fortress?
........Vendee Globe yacht also carry 2 x Fortress (or Guardian). I think FX85 (or the G85) -
.............
Just a small deviation from the original post; Most people use the Fortress/Guardian as kedge anchors. The Guardian Anchor is much cheaper than the Fortress and the main differences are very small and perhaps trivial in the bigger picture. Both anchors are made from Aluminium Magnesium alloy but the Fortress is also anodised. The Fortress appears to have slightly sharper flukes but the Guardian has (I think) thicker stock. The Fortress has two adjustable angles (32 and 45 degrees) although most people leave it at 32 degrees. Not sure if the Fortress has larger fluke area, but if it does then one would select the next size up Guardian. Does it justify the considerable extra cost for the Fortress?
Last edited:
Neeves
Well-Known Member
The numerical coding for Fortress and Guardian might be misleading. The G23 contain parts from the FX16 - so it, the G23, maybe smaller - if it is not smaller its weaker. I think the stock is smaller on the Guardian (as the G23 clips are from the FX16) - the shank of the Guardian is chunky. The Fortress shank is bevelled, in 2 planes, so the FX shank is thinner and more narrow at the shackle end - I think they say it is balanced - stresses are balanced (or that is the idea). The Guardian shank will only accept the clevis pin of the appropriate shackle (the shackle 'slot' is round) - not the eye. Fortress, having an oval slot, will accept the bow of the shackle. As the Captain says, Fortress are anodised, fluke are bevelled, for sharpness, and the Fortress can have the angle altered.
There are no reports that the lack of anodising result in more rapid onset of corrosion. In fact there are no reports that the Guardian is 'not good' - but then everyone calls the aluminium alloy fluke anchor a Fortress, whether it is a Fortress or Guardian - as the difference are hardly large!! Fortress has a lifetime guarantee, no questions asked, Guardian does not enjoy this largesse
We only have Fortress, not Guardian.
Jonathan
There are no reports that the lack of anodising result in more rapid onset of corrosion. In fact there are no reports that the Guardian is 'not good' - but then everyone calls the aluminium alloy fluke anchor a Fortress, whether it is a Fortress or Guardian - as the difference are hardly large!! Fortress has a lifetime guarantee, no questions asked, Guardian does not enjoy this largesse
We only have Fortress, not Guardian.
Jonathan