I had my fortress pull out after a 60 degree windshift caused the boat to pull from another direction. The anchor would not reset while the boat dragged. I assume it was "floating" due to it's light weight. Even after I started the engine to slow the rate of drift it still wouldn't reset. Is this a common problem with the fortress ? I don't fault the anchor for pulling out due to the extreme windshift.. but I've had similer situations with a CQR and Bruce in similer bottoms and they just seem to stay put. Comments ?
- Status
That's the difference
in anchors. Flukes just don't take kindly to resets. If the wind and/or current are going to shift (your choice as to how you know - weather or tide or both), a fluke isn't the right choice. That's why we need to have two different types of anchors for not only different bottom conditions but different "topside" conditions as well. Stu
in anchors. Flukes just don't take kindly to resets. If the wind and/or current are going to shift (your choice as to how you know - weather or tide or both), a fluke isn't the right choice. That's why we need to have two different types of anchors for not only different bottom conditions but different "topside" conditions as well. Stu
Rich, it is not a common problem with a Fortress. Awhile back Practical Sailor did some re-setting tests and as I remember, Fortress had the best results. I think that the key here is to power set your anchor to ensure that it is well buried and on its way to China. The deeper into the bottom the anchor is, then the more difficult it will be to pull the anchor out. Fortress anchors are precision-machined to be very sharp, so by design they should dig deeper and be less likely to pull out from a wind shift. Please take a look at my response to the "Lightweight Anchor Set" subject for more details on how to properly power set an anchor.
How much chain and scope?
Would it improve the holding power to increase the amount of chain on your rode? Did you have a proper scope to the rode, about 7:1?
Would it improve the holding power to increase the amount of chain on your rode? Did you have a proper scope to the rode, about 7:1?
Fluke anchors may not reset
You may set a fluke anchor perfectly in the seabed, and if your load stays in the same direction as during anchoring it will work perfect, assuming proper rode. If the wind (or current) change through the night, which it often does, you could risk the anchor to be pulled out backwards. As the anchor has movable parts, you risk that mud or sand prevent the flukes to flap over and thus prevent it from re-entering into the seabed. You will drag the anchor with the flukes pointing up into free water. This happened to me once, and I have never used fluke anchors since.
You may set a fluke anchor perfectly in the seabed, and if your load stays in the same direction as during anchoring it will work perfect, assuming proper rode. If the wind (or current) change through the night, which it often does, you could risk the anchor to be pulled out backwards. As the anchor has movable parts, you risk that mud or sand prevent the flukes to flap over and thus prevent it from re-entering into the seabed. You will drag the anchor with the flukes pointing up into free water. This happened to me once, and I have never used fluke anchors since.
- Status