Fortress Anchor

[Adrian @ JB Solutions]

Any one use these? Was wasting time at West Marine and found this. I love how light weight it felt, came pretty close to buying it but figured I would do some research first. Would help my fiance a lot when she is helping with an anchor. Based on their guide, the anchor my size boat is only 4lbs!

 

[jcyamaharider]

I have the fortress FX-7. It is a BEAST!!! Best setting anchor I have ever used.

 

[RadioWaves]

I used a big one on our houseboat back in the day, it was the only anchor I trusted to hold all night long. Plus it weighed about 1/4 of a steel. When I sold the houseboat I let everything go with it except the Fortress, it is in my shop now waiting on the next big boat

 

[props2you]

Agree with @jcyamaharider Switched to the FX-7 last year and will not look back. My wife mans the anchor and it's a huge difference for her (cough, cough , minus the 15ft of 3/8" stainless steel rode I have on it LOL). It's a breeze to throw and sets first time every time for me. I say that with a caveat for set up... My previous anchors were your standard, run of the mill fluke anchor with 8ft rode, they worked, just not great. Not really having a need, caring or interested in understanding or knowing the differences in anchors until there were a few situations prior to the FX-7 that really got me thinking of a new anchor, thus the research began. I went down a LONG rabbit hole researching anchors (who knew there was SOOOOO much info about anchors and the sum of all their parts)

Long story short, be sure and have the appropriate set up for your boat, including rode length as that's what does most of the work to actually keep your anchor in place. Back to the anchor, I did have to trim about 1/4" off the stock for the FX-7 to fit in my 242 bow anchor locker, depth was fine, anchor stock width was a bit too wide. Another thing to consider is your lake and lake bed; rocky, sandy, mud, weeds, it all makes a difference on what anchor to use/get. I'm predominantly in sand/mud/weeds, so the FX-7 works best.

If you poke around here there are debates etc. about anchors, styles, shapes, sizes etc. Do your research and get the best for your situation and location.

In all my research, I did find West Marine to be the cheapest on the FX-7 for $100, and it's been worth every penny!

Anchors Away!!

 

[Adrian @ JB Solutions]

I do my boating in pretty much sand exclusively, this is still fine?

 

[jcyamaharider]

Yep

 

[PEARCE]

I've purchased a FX-16 for stern anchor duties on our Sea Ray. I wanted lightweight and strong and that it is. I had the largest Shore Spike available for our previous cruiser and it was a beast to handle and it didn't hold well when I was stern to the wind. This Fortress is lighter and shouldn't have a problem holding my boat and a couple of others when we tie up at the beach. Can't wait for summer!!

 

[DieselCamel]

If your in fine sand I think there are better options. ie: mantus might be a few pounds heavier. But it as about the bottom condition where your at.

 

[Jgorm]

That's a bs test. They should test one by one with distance to hook, then Max force.

 

[DieselCamel]

There are plenty of videos that test one by one.
This is a test a another jet boater did.

 

[DieselCamel]

But there are other things to consider as well like where do you store it.

 

[Hector]

I have a couple of fluke style anchors that didn’t exactly work all the time including the Yamaha coated one.

I went to the box anchor and never worry about not setting and it fits in my anchor locker.
It is a little heavy and you have to snap it together but I got used to it, did I say no chain required!

I have heard good things about the fortress and I almost bought it. Ultimately it’s whatever works for where you anchor.

 

[bumpy]

We bought an F-11 as a second anchor with our 24' pocket cruiser; it was excellent. I still use it as a stern anchor with our Yamaha on sandbars in Lake Winnipesaukee, NH; it is very reliable. The weight and design make it a solid choice.

 

[Bluewater272]

Just picked up a Fortress FX-7. Put it to the test this weekend and it worked wonderfully, I've never had such a perfect GPS track at anchor - just a nice solid arc as we swayed with the wind. Needed to trim about 1/2" off the stock bar so that it would fit in the anchor locker, and the wife is quite appreciative of the lighter anchor, especially after she tweaked her wrist last year finagling the old steel one. I'd have loved to try a box/mantus anchor, but really couldn't be bothered with storing somewhere else or having to do something other than lift it up and drop it in.

30% off right now at Overtons (Code: WATER30), so you can snag one for about 80 bucks.

 

[AJack]

Overtons' must've sold out, no longer listed on their site.

Just picked up a Fortress FX-7. Put it to the test this weekend and it worked wonderfully, I've never had such a perfect GPS track at anchor - just a nice solid arc as we swayed with the wind. Needed to trim about 1/2" off the stock bar so that it would fit in the anchor locker, and the wife is quite appreciative of the lighter anchor, especially after she tweaked her wrist last year finagling the old steel one. I'd have loved to try a box/mantus anchor, but really couldn't be bothered with storing somewhere else or having to do something other than lift it up and drop it in.

30% off right now at Overtons (Code: WATER30), so you can snag one for about 80 bucks.

 

[Dixie Highway]

I love the FX-7, light weight, won’t rust, holds well in strong wind. Didn’t have to trim it, fits right in the cradle on my 210 FSH.

 

[redthumper9]

I'll never use anything other than Fortress again. Been rocking the FX7 with stainless chain for a couple of years now. We boat on the coast with wind, current and tides. Never an issue.

 

[MGoMike]

How much chain are you guys using for your Fortress FX-7? I saw one person went with 15’. Is that the general consensus or do others go with less?

 

[vanmurray]

@Shookie can vouch for me, but we had both 242’s on one Fx7. 6’ 1/4” chain in the current and wind at the coast in NC. Bottom conditions are important but you can adjust the Fortress. Get a stainless chain and you have a rust free setup. I have two, one for front and rear and keep the spare in their storage bag (they break down easy). In my opinion best anchor on the market.

Fortress SFX-7 Stowaway Bag f/FX-7 Amazon.com : Fortress SFX-7 Stowaway Bag f/FX-7 : Handheld And Pda Products And Accessories : Sports & Outdoors

 

[waternutt]

How much chain are you guys using for your Fortress FX-7? I saw one person went with 15’. Is that the general consensus or do others go with less?

I have 10’ on mine and even that might be overkill for my conditions, but I have never had issues with it holding. Great anchor.