[Rhodes22-list] An Interesting Experiment With A Fortress FX-7

[Rob Lowe]

Rodger,
Any thoughts on the FX-7 vs. the FX-11 (which Mark has)?  What depth water
do use usually anchoring in?  Thanks - rob

Rob Lowe
S/V Getaway

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Roger Pihlaja" <cen09402 at centurytel.net>
To: "The Rhodes 22 mail list" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2004 11:33 AM
Subject: [Rhodes22-list] An Interesting Experiment With A Fortress FX-7


> Mary Lou & Doug,
>
> The primary anchor on board Dynamic Equilibrium is a Fortress FX-7.  As
you
> may be aware, the Fortress anchor is made from machined aluminum alloy,
not
> cast or forged steel as most other anchors are.  The machining process
tends
> to give the Fortress anchor much more square & therefore sharper ("sharp"
in
> the sense of a square ice skate blade) edges.  You may also be aware that
> the flukes of a Fortress anchor can be set at two different angles.  The
> "standard" angle is 37 deg and the other angle is 45 deg.  The Fortress
> literature recommends the 45 deg fluke angle for increased holding power
in
> very soft mud bottoms & it works very well for that purpose.  However, by
> accident last year, I found that the 45 deg angle also gave the Fortress
> anchor a greatly increased ability to hook on rocks and penetrate weedy
> bottoms.  I called the NAV-X Corporation, told them of my observations, &
> they were very excited.  They said no one had ever tried the 45 deg fluke
> angle for these types of bottoms.   They were going to conduct their own
> tests.
>
> Anyway, I have found that the Fortress anchor with the flukes at the 45
deg
> angle & set on a very long scope of say > 10:1 will penetrate a sea weed
bed
> &/or tends to get hooked on a partially submerged rock very effectively.
It
> helps to "power set" the anchor by backing down at full reverse throttle
for
> several seconds.  I use 22 feet of 1/4" chain & 3/8" three strand nylon
> anchor rode.  Note, if you use the Fortress anchor (or any Danforth-style
> anchor) with the flukes set at the standard 37 deg angle; then, the anchor
> behaves more like a "mowing machine".  The flukes will simply shear off
> weeds & become entangled in them until the anchor resembles a ball of
grass
> bouncing along the bottom.
>
> This is pretty exciting stuff because there aren't that many anchors out
> there that work reasonably well in weeds or rocks.
>
> Roger Pihlaja
> S/V Dynamic Equilibrium
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Mary Lou Troy" <mltroy at verizon.net>
> To: "The Rhodes 22 mail list" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> Sent: Monday, May 24, 2004 8:30 AM
> Subject: RE: [Rhodes22-list] Ground Tackle
>
>
> > Doug,
> > One of the keys to getting a Danforth to set correctly is making sure
that
> > it lands properly on the bottom. I have heard tales (no personal
> > experience) of Fortresses sailing over the bottom while they are being
set
> > - something about the area of the flukes to weight ratio.
> >
> > We keep our Danforth in a mesh bag in the lazarrette rather than on the
> > bow. The rode is carefully flaked in followed by the chain and then the
> > anchor so all is ready to go on a moments notice. We use the v-berth for
> > storage and store the second anchor forward in its own bag. We decided
> > shortly after we got the boat that we didn't like the idea of storing
the
> > rode in the tray in the v-berth. Didn't like the idea of introducing all
> > that excess moisture (and muddy smell) to the interior. When we hauled
> > anchor last weekend after the storm, not only was the anchor loaded with
> > mud but the chain was extremely muddy for about half its length. We were
> > able to get most of the mud off the anchor by dunking but the bag kept
the
> > muddy chain contained until we could get back to the dock and a hose.
> We've
> > been considering some sort of washdown set-up.
> >
> > As we've been mulling over our second anchor situation, we've considered
a
> > Bruce - lots of holding power for the size and it looks like we could
stow
> > one in the mesh bag but they aren't as good in mud as the Danforth so no
> > decision yet. I'd like to hear from other Chesapeake Rhodies about their
> > anchoring experiences. Uh...Don? Are we getting together this weekend?
> >
> > Mary Lou
> > 1991 Rhodes 22 Fretless
> > Swan Creek, MD / Ft. Washington, PA
> >
> >
> >
> > At 06:50 AM 5/24/2004 -0400, you wrote:
> > >Thanks for the data, Mary Lou.  15' of chain seemed about right, so
your
> > >experience with 14' is reassuring.
> > >
> > >I was thinking of upgrading the anchor and keeping Stan's.  I am
looking
> at
> > >the Fortress line of adjustable Danforth-type anchors, but need to do
> more
> > >research.  With a new "slightly used" boat coming in, I have to address
> > >other needs first.
> > >
> > >Fair winds!
> > >
> > >--Doug
> > >
> > >
> > >-----Original Message-----
> > >From: rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org
> > >[mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org] On Behalf Of Mary Lou Troy
> > >Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2004 4:00 PM
> > >To: The Rhodes 22 mail list--
> > >Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Ground Tackle
> > >
> > >Doug,
> > >I think your 3/8 in rode and 1/4 in. chain are sufficient. We've
anchored
> > >for years with a 9 lb Danforth and only 6 ft. of chain. The only time
it
> > >didn't hold was with a 5 Rhodes raftup but that wasn't intended to be
> > >overnight.
> > >
> > >That said, we've always thought we didn't have enough chain so we just
> > >swapped it out a couple of weeks ago for 14 ft. of chain and
immediately
> > >had it tested last weekend. We were anchored up in Swan Creek overnight
> > >with the Danforth well set with a 7:1 scope. There was a t-storm
> > >overnight  - with winds said to be 30 knots/gusts higher (by others in
> the
> > >anchorage with wind instruments). The winds were from a different
> direction
> > >than the windds when we set the anchor (maybe 90 to 120 degrees
> different).
> > >We had the pop top enclosure and the bimini up and sailed all over the
> > >place but the anchor held just fine. We had the outboard started as a
> > >precaution because there were quite a few very large boats boats and
> > >raftups nearby but we didn't need it. It was wild for 35 minutes or so
> and
> > >just very windy for another 15.
> > >
> > >I do think the 9 lb Danforth is a little light but we've had such good
> luck
> > >with it and and I am so familiar with how it sets that I am reluctant
to
> > >change. We have the 13 lb. Danforth that came with the boat as a
back-up.
> > >It also has 3/8 in. rode and 16 ft. of 1/4 inch chain. There are a lot
of
> > >people who don't like Danforths but in the Chesapeake mud ours always
> sets
> > >and has held through wind and current shifts. We keep talking about a
> > >second anchor of another type but just haven't figured out the storage
> > >logistics.
> > >
> > >Mary Lou
> > >1991 R22 Fretless
> > >Swan Creek, MD / Ft. Washington, PA
> > >
> > >
> > >__________________________________________________
> > >Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
> >
> >
> > __________________________________________________
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> >
>
>
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