Lewmar's LFX, or Lewmar's Fortress clone

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Neeves

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Lewmar's timing of the introduction of their aluminium fluke anchor, the LFX, or Fortress clone has been exquisite. Covid 19 has closed down every bot show since they released the anchor.

Has anyone seen one - does its appear in UK chandlers, has anyone thought to buy one - and even have they used it??

I have not gone out of my way to look but I have not seen one, nor seen an advert for one.

Jonathan
 
Neeves said:
Lewmar's timing of the introduction of their aluminium fluke anchor, the LFX, or Fortress clone has been exquisite. Covid 19 has closed down every bot show since they released the anchor.

Has anyone seen one - does its appear in UK chandlers, has anyone thought to buy one - and even have they used it??

I have not gone out of my way to look but I have not seen one, nor seen an advert for one.

Jonathan
Click to expand...

And I bet you have never seen a Fortress and LFX in the same room....
 
To Lucy and Zoidberg - thank you both for the link.

I checked the links and the prices from Jimmy Green for the Lewmar and Fortress models.

The product range does not overlap neatly

Lewmar's LFX10, 4.5kg costs stg 254 and costs US$200 @ West Marine in the US
Fortress FX16 4.7kg costs stg269 and costs US$220 @WM

Lewmars LFX15 6.8kg costs stg404 and costs US$300 @WM
Lewmars LFX21 9.5kg costs stg598 and costs US$480 @WM
Fortress FX23 7.1kg costs stg429 and costs US$330 @WM

Fortress is made in America, the extrusion are produced in America, Fortress finish/machine the extrusion in Florida and the anodising (of the Fortress (Guardian are cheaper and not anodised) is subcontracted to a Florida processor.

Lewmar's - I guess (one should never guess) are made in China.

Fortress, the Guardian is a cheaper version of Fortress and though the 'numbers' FX16 and G16 are the same - the Guardian is smaller than the Fortress (so not really comparable). The Guardian does not have a tapered shank, nor are the flukes bevelled and the fluke angle is fixed @32 degrees.. An alternative for an aluminium fluke anchor is Manson's Racer, which is a 'sort of' welded version of Fortress/Guardian but enjoys blue anodising (I don't know anyone who has actually used one).

I'm a luddite - if I were in the market and I perceived they would perform the same task I'd buy the proven Fortress, with its enviable 'no questions asked' replacement policy.

But I am now not entirely surprised that the LFX has not made waves. But a boat show discount, remember boat shows?, might tempt me.

Even better I'd keep a watch on eBay for a bargain there or when Covid restrictions ease - I'd find someone willing to bring a Fortress back from America.


Now I may be wrong about where Lewmar has their LFX made - but is not the whole idea of manufacturing offshore, China in particular, that costs are lower?

Jonathan
 
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