Women and sailing

[Serin]

I'd encourage you to have another think about the Fortress anchor range.....
The only slight caveat is that I keep feeling I have disturbed a deep and fondly-held prejudice.

Edit: I notice that Skip Novak - he of Antarctic voyages and Yachting World videos fame - uses a 2-part whip/halyard to manipulate his MONSTER CQR over the rail and around the foredeck. So also did seamen in the 'age of sail'.

Thanks, Oldbilbo. I'm interested in your experience of the Fortress. My thoughts about it are not "fondly held" so much as influenced by some very mixed reports from different users, including some questioning both the capacity to hold during the swing and also the effectiveness of the mud palms. As an east coaster I am usually anchoring in good, honest east coast mud, although I do need an anchor that works with other bottoms as well. Could you, perhaps, comment on these specific points from your experience?

I'm with Skip Novak - I do tend to use exactly that system, although I can lift the anchor without and sometimes do (having a care for my poor old back) But I like to know I can get it over the side pronto if I need to, so the simplest system suits me best.