[C320-list] Fortress anchor

Fri Mar 31 17:42:49 PST 2006

A testimony for the Delta follows (apologies to those who read this shortly
after Hurricane Ivan).
    Hurricane Ivan made landfall just to the east of Pensacola as a Category
3 hurricane with sustained winds of 130 mph ( Ivan had been a Category 5
earlier but weakened as it neared shore). I took my boat out of her slip at
a marina just off Pensacola Bay because I thought it was too exposed. I took
her up the most protected bayou available and set two anchors in about 8 ft.
of water near high tide. I set a Delta FS 35 lb. anchor with 63 ft. of 5/16
PC-chain and 150 ft. of 5/8" line as my primary storm anchor. I was unable
to use all 150 ft of rode because of other boats. I probably had 120 ft.
out.  I used my largest Danforth with about 20-30 feet of chain as a second
anchor. I set them at about a 30 deg angle, not the recommended 45 deg
angle, because in the past I've always caught one of the lines on my wing
keel when the wind shifts as the storm passes, if I use the 45 deg angle. I
secured the anchor lines directly to the bow cleats without using the bow
roller (the cleats are not offset on the Catalilna). I used commercially
available chafing gear that fits over the lines and tied a boat cushion
between the cleat and the bow roller to protect the line when the boats did
some extreme swings. I  also tied the lines to the base of the mast in case
the bow cleats gave way (they did not). All canvas was removed. I left the
main furled inside the mast, but used heavy line to secure the clew to the
mast. Also, in addition to locking the main "unfurling" line, I tied it off
to the winch. I did not have time to remove the mast or boom, but I tied the
boom to both stern cleats, to minimize motion.
    My boat was still where I anchored it after Ivan passed. Only 3 of the
30-40 boats anchored in the bayou were still there after the storm. Neither
line was caught on the wing keel. When I was able to get aboard, the bilge
was dry and the batteries were almost fully charged. The interior was dry,
although the things I did not have time to remove were tossed around,
including a heavy tool box. I think I took some water in the port locker,
but not much. Things were damp in there. There was some chafe of the lines,
near the cleat, but it was not severe. I had to remove a lot of
seaweed/debris from around the cleat and anchor line to check the chafe.
       The Navy airstation, about 2-3 miles west of where I anchored
recorded 120 mph ground level winds that destroyed their wind instrument
near landfall. The airport, several miles east of where I anchored recorded
110 mph ground level winds that destroyed their wind instruments two hours
before landfall. I'm not sure about storm surge, but some of the floating
docks near where I was anchored floated off the tall pilings. I estimate
that would only happen with a 12-15 ft surge.
    My boat survived with no damage, but my marina was destroyed, as were
most of the other marinas in the area.
            David Sparks
            En Passant, C320 # 933
p.s. I now use the Delta as my primary anchor, with a shorter chain and 1/2"
nylon line and have been very pleased with it.

On 3/31/06, Rod Boer <rod.boer1 at verizon.net> wrote:
>
> Scott,
>
> I have the same issue with the Fortress.  It doesn't seem to set well on
> the
> Chesapeake.  I use it as a second anchor.  My primary anchor is a Delta
> but
> if I had to do it over again I would get a Bruce.  I often anchor with
> boats
> that have a Bruce and regardless what the data indicates, they seem to set
>
> easily and stay put.
>
> Rod Boer
> Odyssey, 688
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Scott Thompson" <sthompson at toad.net>
> To: "C320-List" < C320-List at catalina320.com>
> Sent: Thursday, March 30, 2006 12:02 PM
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Fortress anchor
>
>
> >I would not use a Fortress.  I bought one a few years ago and am very
> > disappointed.  I have two issues with it:  (1)  Does not fit the bow
> > roller well; (2)  Does not set well in the bottoms I typically encounter
> > in the Chesapeake Bay (sand/mud, with some shell or grass occasionally).
>
> >  I think the latter is because it is very light.  I've switched back to
> > my Danforth clone.
> >
> > Scott Thompson
> > Surprise, 653
> >
> > Lachance, Michael B (ISD, IT) wrote:
> >> I need to upgrade ground tackle. What is the proper size Fortress
> anchor
> >> for a Catalina 320?
> >> Mike LaChance
> >> Seychell, #141
> >>
> >>
> >>
> *************************************************************************
> >> This communication, including attachments, is
> >> for the exclusive use of addressee and may contain proprietary,
> >> confidential and/or privileged information.  If you are not the
> intended
> >> recipient, any use, copying, disclosure, dissemination or distribution
> is
> >> strictly prohibited.  If you are not the intended recipient, please
> >> notify
> >> the sender immediately by return e-mail, delete this communication and
> >> destroy all copies.
> >>
> *************************************************************************
> >>
> >>
> >> !!- _______________________________________
> >> !!- C320-List at catalina320.com mailing list
> >> !!- Archives Here: http://www.catalina320.com/list/archives
> >> !!- Change Subscription Here: http://www.catalina320.com/list/change
> >> !!- Subscribe Here: http://www.catalina320.com/list/join
> >
> >
> > !!- _______________________________________
> > !!- C320-List at catalina320.com mailing list
> > !!- Archives Here: http://www.catalina320.com/list/archives
> > !!- Change Subscription Here: http://www.catalina320.com/list/change
> > !!- Subscribe Here: http://www.catalina320.com/list/join
>
>
> !!- _______________________________________
> !!- C320-List at catalina320.com mailing list
> !!- Archives Here: http://www.catalina320.com/list/archives
> !!- Change Subscription Here: http://www.catalina320.com/list/change
> !!- Subscribe Here: http://www.catalina320.com/list/join
>


--
David Sparks
dlsparks at gmail.com
www.dbsparks.com