Anchor Box
 

I think its a bad idea to keep any weight in the forward anchor box. It would be handy for rope only. Why risk beating a hole in the boat? 382's don't have a box. I just store a fortress in the side compartment..no problem

I would agree Fossil, but the fortress only weighs about 10lbs so i wouldn't think it would be bad especially if i rig up a way to latch it in with straps.

If you are thinking a Fortress FX16, that's a BIG anchor and I doubt there would be any way to make it fit, even with trimming. I know the FX11 won't fit in my 292 anchor locker. Sounds like the only ones that fit are the small box anchor that zx14 uses or the one piece galvanized Fortress (don't know the size) that 292 talked about early in the thread.

Anchors
 

I don't remember the size of Fortress I have, but it is rated for 38' 10,000 lbs. With 20' of chain it holds !!. It no way would fit in a 353 locker. I had a 42' vega trawler for 20 years. I commercial fished broadbill swordfish with a harpoon on the west coast. The MOST important by far, thing on your boat is your anchor period. If it is marginal, some day, you will be screwed. I would think especially in rivers. On my commerical boat I've had steering failure, clogged fuel filters, water pump failures close to breakwaters and inshore. The first thing is to hook to the bottom. No Hookie No Happy. When doing a overnight, No Hookie No Sleepie. Thats my 2cents

Fossil I completely understand, that is why I keep asking on here, just want to make the right decision. When it comes to the size of anchor, if you go by length guides, isn't the anchor going to be somewhat overkill for an offshore since they technically have the same sizes in Cruisers that weigh alot more?

I have a new to me 02 292 w/ anchor locker. I have yet to take a look to see which type of anchor to use or where I am going to store it, I was leaning toward a danforth or fortress fluke anchor. More then likely the ends need to be modified in order to fit, but to keep it from banging around the anchor locker and ruining it, I was thinking on lining the bottom with a piece or rubber or foam. In order to keep the anchor in place, I was thinking of installing a pair of clipper holding clips to keep it from bouncing around. Something like in the link I provided.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Clipper-Holding-...742.m153.l1262

Splitdecision271, if those work please let us know. I was thinking about using some PVC or like someone else said in another thread, a cheap soft side cooler to keep it in. I am still trying to figure this one out, it will help when the Shrink comes off. Will an FX-11(The 7lb one) fortress hold a 353?? I am just thinking a 35' offshore is different than a 35' Sea Ray or Formula Cruiser can you down size with an offshore???

I have been in a couple bad storms with 40+mph winds and a 2-3 mph river current and my FX-11 held a sand bottom no problem. We always try and have at least 6 to 1 scope. It is a really nice anchor and ideal for a sand bottom. You can adjust the fluke angle from 32° to 45° for a soft or mud bottom. I keep mine at 32°. My gut says it can hold a 353 99.9% of the time, but I would have a larger anchor tucked away just in case. 292 is spec'd 7000 lbs and the 353 is 9500 lbs.

I purchased the FX-11, what wouldn't fit in the locker? If I cut down the crossbar a little will it fit or is it the length of the main bar is too long?

Sorry, but I'm not really sure. I just remember holding the FX-11 over the open locker on my 292 and saying to myself "Well that ain't gonna work...":D Never did any measuring and not sure if your 353 locker is larger than mine.