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FORTRESS ANCHORS
Pivoting Aluminum Fluke Anchors
Lightweight, fast-setting and reliable, this anchor gets fan mail
Fortress anchors let you choose between two shank angles to provide outstanding holding power in two common seabed types-a 32° angle for sand, or a 45° angle for soft mud. Precisely machined interlocking components made from high tensile aluminum-magnesium alloy have no welds to weaken the metal. The alloy is extremely strong, corrosion-resistant, nonmagnetic and light. Fortress anchors disassemble for storage, are easier to handle and lighter on the bow than steel anchors.
- Style: Pivoting aluminum fluke
- Material: High tensile aluminum-magnesium alloy
- Application: Sand and mud
- Pros: Changeable shank/fluke angle for extremely high holding power in hard sand and soft mud. Lightweight and strong. Disassembles for storage.
- Cons: Relatively expensive. Limited holding in grass, rocks or clay
- Warranty: Lifetime parts replacement
Product Specs
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REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 19 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
94%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Holds boat securely (15)
- Easy to use (12)
- Reliable (11)
- Safe (9)
Cons
- Pricey / poor value (3)
Best Uses
- Small boats (11)
- Open water (8)
- Large boats (6)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Advanced (9), Casual/ recreational (5)
Reviewed by 19 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-10
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Pros
- Easy To Install
- Easy To Use
- Holds Boat Securely
- Perfect For My Bw
- Reliable
- Safe
Cons
Best Uses
- Open Water
- Small Boats
Comments about Pivoting Aluminum Fluke Anchors:
Easy to store and deploy
Pros
- Holds Boat Securely
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Open Water
Comments about Pivoting Aluminum Fluke Anchors:
Was skeptical as to what made this anchor so great (compared to other Danforth anchors). Picked one up used for [$] and was pleasantly surprised at how well it works. This thing really sticks! I have a 24' pontoon that I take out to the Gulf of Mexico. One of the channels (Boca Grande Pass) has quite the current. It is about 48' deep and when the tide is going in or out it can be raging. Dropped this anchor down and it set immediately and stuck. Held solidly in that current. I then tried the Danforth that came with the boat and it would not set.I had also beached the boat on the shore in that same channel. I tied the bow off to a tree stump on the shore and set the FX-11 off of the stern on the starboard side (current was running from starboard to port) and again, it set and held on the first try. Had to do some work to get the anchor up (thought I may have to leave it there but it finally came up).Well, last weekend I took a friend out on the boat to the same location. Anchor set and held just fine. When we decided to move to another location he UNTIED THE ANCHOR before we pulled it in (he didn't bother to tell me this until he was a the bitter end of 100' of rope) and it's now at the bottom of Boca Grande Pass.I went to West Marine today and bought a new FX-11. It's definitely worth the money in my opinion.
Pros
- Easy to disassemble
- Easy To Use
- Holds Boat Securely
- Reliable
- Won't rust
Cons
- Pricey
Best Uses
- Large Boats
- Open Water
- Sandy Bottom
- Small Boats
Comments about Pivoting Aluminum Fluke Anchors:
Even though the FX series by Fortress are a bit on the pricey side, I'll still give it 5 stars.
I purchased the FX-7 as a bow anchor for my Sea Hunt BX22 with T-Top. I make sure to feed the proper amount of rode and it always holds like a steel bear trap. I sure don't fear breezy days anymore.
I've yet to drop this anchor and not have it stick. I did put the "mud palm" extensions on which lifts the angle and allows the anchor to grab much easier. I highly recommend putting them on first thing.
Some argue its too light but I prefer it since I only have to contend with the weight of my chain and not the weight of a steel anchor as well. Its easy to assemble and very well crafted. The only thing that could top it off is if it were made of polished billet alluminum.
What I also like is this anchor can be easily disassembled and stored in the optional canvas pouch. Makes it nice for storage if you have limited anchor storage room.
I liked the quality and capabilities so much I picked up the smaller Gardian G-5 to use as a Stern anchor.
Get one, if you use it properly, it should last you a long time.
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Holds Boat Securely
Cons
Best Uses
- Large Boats
- Small Boats
Comments about Pivoting Aluminum Fluke Anchors:
After using heavy steel anchors for years, I finally broke down, spent the $$ and bought a Fortress. Once this anchor hits bottom, it digs in amazingly fast and it holds like a concrete mooring!
Also, retrieving it is a breeze and a back saver. My only regret is not buying one sooner.
Pros
Cons
- Poor Design
Best Uses
Comments about Pivoting Aluminum Fluke Anchors:
The anchor is beautiful to look at and handle, but more than half the time i drop the anchor to a sandy bottom, the flukes get stuck directly in line with the shank. Sand, rocks, clam shell peices get wedged in between and prevent free swing of the flukes. Tried 3 drops the other day when trying to anchor up on a nice hole for fishing...all 3 drops failed. When i pulled the anchor up, flukes were wedged straight in line with the shank, with debris inbetween.
Pros
- Holds Boat Securely
Cons
- Pricey poor value
Best Uses
- Open Water
Comments about Pivoting Aluminum Fluke Anchors:
Great second anchor, light and fairly easy to store.
Pros
- Compact
- Easy To Install
- Easy To Use
- Holds Boat Securely
- Reliable
- Safe
Cons
- Expensive
Best Uses
- Open Water
- Small Boats
Comments about Pivoting Aluminum Fluke Anchors:
Quick delivery to Northern Canada,sale price was good!
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Holds Boat Securely
- Reliable
- Safe
Cons
- Poor Design
Best Uses
- Small Boats
Comments about Pivoting Aluminum Fluke Anchors:
Compact, easy to carry
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Holds Boat Securely
- Reliable
- Safe
Cons
Best Uses
- Small Boats
Comments about Pivoting Aluminum Fluke Anchors:
This time a small anchor for a small boat, but I have used a large Fortress on a large boat and they Work!
Pros
- Holds Boat Securely
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Pivoting Aluminum Fluke Anchors:
FX23 is a great anchor, but be prepared to have a hard time getting it out, particularly in mud. I had to finally winch it out. I do not have a windlass, but suspect the windlass could not get it out either.
I am going to get another Fortress, a 10 lb so that I can use that in lighter conditions. Otherwise I am afraid someday I will be leaving my FX23 on the bottom.
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