Box anchor or Fortress???????
 

I need to buy an anchor and have heard people talking about the box anchor. I've used a Fortress and like the light weight, but hear that the "box" is better.

What weight Box or Fortress should I buy?

Any thoughts?

Tied to a 2001 Powerquest 280 Silencer. 4800lbs. Use the boat mainly in the St. Johns River.

Thanks

I previously used river anchors, cleated & fluted/Danforth types. I recently moved up from a 5500# boat to a 9000# boat...decided to try the "box" . My boat is 31 ft and I bought the next lowest sized (medium) BOX anchor than what was recommended as I am not using it in fast rivers or the ocean, just big lakes. I found that in relatively mild waters, it will hold with about 15% of the anchor rode required for a Danforth. The only disadvantage is weight & balance.....it does also pick up a bunch of mud!! But, it works and that is what is important. If you ever anchor up with others, this is what you need.:)

I have a box anchor and love it. Sets really quickly (and always on the first try). Folds up nicely as well. Doesn't need any chain or much scope either.

My boat is around 9000# so I went for the large one.

There have been some good discussions on this. Try this link.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forum/sh...ght=box+anchor

I have used the Fortress in sandy/mud conditions and was unable to get it to hold properly even with 4 feet of chain and 4 to 1 scope. I would certainly try a box anchor before the Fortress.

I had my box anchor "fail" on me, I was anchored in a channel and a freighter went buy, The current swung the boat arround and the box anchor turned up on it's side and then just drug through the sand sideways. Lucky I was on the boat and jumped off and pushed it out to deeper water before it was beached.

I find the anchor is heavy and a knee banger, Not real sold yet on it's superiority.

On the other hand, it the WIND had changed 180 degress a Danforth would have come loose also!! Almost nothing is totally fool proof. I wouldn't leave a boat anchored and totally unattended either!!:eek:

I've heard good things about both.
The box anchor is large and heavy, though. It seems a pain to pull up the side/bow of the boat and awkward to handle.

I have a fortress #11 and it is great. It sets the first time, every time and never a problem. I trust it for all day long anchoring.

My wife handles the anchoring duty ;) (usually a couple of times each weekend) and said she prefers the box anchor over the danforth. She'll either drop it over the side and walk the rope to the bow or drop the anchor right from the bow. Either way she said its fine.

This is the first (full) season we've had it and don't have any complaints.

The thing with the box is it did not re-set it self if a danforth or what ever it is called traveled much across the bottom it would of re hooked soon, this just scooted across the sand on it's side. (surprised me)

I have the medium box it is heavy enough, let alone with sand in it. That's the other problem I have is when you pick it up the tines make like scoops and dunking it up and down does not clean it easy, I have to swoosh it from sie to side.

I am complaining too much I think.... I hate having to mess with the damn thing for any reason. It would be nice If I had an anchor locker too. .....Hey that's a good reason to buy the 42' fountain I seen at the boat show..... :D

Raypanic,

Your definitely right about the sand. It can be a mess when its hauled up.

Get the small box anchor. You will not be disappointed. I have the medium box anchor, for my 26' Sonic. I do not need that much for my boat alone, but I have held as many as 4 similar boats securely when rafted, with my box as the main bow anchor.

I have a brand new, never used small box anchor with bag, I will sell if you are interested.

RBNT,

how much are you asking? is the small one sufficient for my size boat?

I was going to use on a 6500 lb boat. From what I read, it looks like the small should be plenty big enough. I would like $100 for it including shipping. I think I have $135 in it.

Here is info from their web site. www.slideanchor.com

SMALL - Offshore / sport 18 to 30 feet Cabin Cruiser to 24 feet.

LARGE - Offshore / sport to 40 feet Cabin Cruiser to 32 feet

X-LG - House boats Cruisers longer than 32 feet


rbtnt

I have a box anchor, not sure of size, maybe the medium. It weighs 37 pounds I think. Awesome holding on my 4000# boat. I used it for 2 years and it never broke loose once. Mostly used in sand, but used it a few times in lake (mud bottom). I bought a Fortress this year only because weight of box was somewhat of a hassle to deal with. The Fortress has been great so far, no complaints..I am thinking about selling the box, not because of its performance, because of weight versus Fortress is better to deal with. I think my box was about $145 by the time I paid shipping? I had very good luck with the box, drop it and forget it. No chain on the box is nice. Only time it was hard to clean off for me was when used in mud bottom.

Box Anchor the only way to go! Haad mine since last year rivers lakes sand , it works on everything!
Rocket

Has anyone seen or have tried a Hydro Bubble Anchor?

I saw one recently at a boat show and it looked like it was very trick, well made, easy to use and worked well in the demonstrations.

There is a picture of one at www.anchorconcepts.com

I'm curious how well the box anchor works in the ocean compared to a Fortress with 5:1 or 6:1 scope and a decent amount of chain?

The small one weighs 20lbs.