Second anchor

[Mjeinstein]

I own a classic 63 ft hatteras. First anchor is a heavy plow. Works fine. Want to add a 2nd anchor for possible issues. First anchor is all chain. Is 2nd anchor required to be same size or can it be smaller?

[Cotemar]

My vote would be to go for a Fortress FX85 or a Guardian G85
They are light weight, great storm anchors that can be launched from a dinghy.

[UNCIVILIZED]

It's nice to have your 2nd anchor have similar holding power to that of your primary/1st anchor. Though it's recommended that it be of another type, so that it's good in bottoms that the 1st one doesn't excel in. Thus a Danforth type is often suggested in addition to a Plow, with Fortress anchors being common. Particularly for their holding power, & light weight. Along with their being easy to disassemble.

It also doesn't hurt to have another anchor in addition to those, especially if the first two are large enough so that handling them in the dinghy may be difficult. In case you need to load one into the dinghy & drop it while the mother ship is fixed in position, or aground, etc. And your non-primary anchors needn't be on all chain rodes.

You might consider something like a Rocna, or Mantus too. As they hold even better than do plows. With Mantus's being able to be taken apart. Ditto on Spade anchors.

[Mjeinstein]

I own a fortress 65. Would us that I expect. Ideas on a rail mount other than a deck mount I have?

[Suijin]

Originally Posted by Mjeinstein

I own a fortress 65. Would us that I expect. Ideas on a rail mount other than a deck mount I have?

I have a Windline rail bracket for my fortress anchor which is mounted on the stern rail. The bracket can be configured a number of different ways depending on how you want to mount the anchor, and is adjustable for different sizes. Only downside is you need to remove one of the mud palms.

[uncle stinkybob]

Originally Posted by Suijin

I have a Windline rail bracket for my fortress anchor which is mounted on the stern rail. The bracket can be configured a number of different ways depending on how you want to mount the anchor, and is adjustable for different sizes. Only downside is you need to remove one of the mud palms.

They do make an adapter for the mud palm for around 20$.

[Spade Anchor]

Originally Posted by Mjeinstein

I own a classic 63 ft hatteras. First anchor is a heavy plow. Works fine. Want to add a 2nd anchor for possible issues. First anchor is all chain. Is 2nd anchor required to be same size or can it be smaller?

I will just put this right here.....

[Fortress]

Originally Posted by Mjeinstein

I own a classic 63 ft hatteras. First anchor is a heavy plow. Works fine. Want to add a 2nd anchor for possible issues. First anchor is all chain. Is 2nd anchor required to be same size or can it be smaller?

Mjeinstein,

The late founder of our company owned a 1981 77-ft Hatteras on which he crossed the Atlantic a few times and he completed a circumnavigation in his early 70s.

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He had our largest model, the 69 lb (32 kg) FX-125 model on his bow and a back up 21 lb (10 kg) FX-37.

Regarding your question, I think it depends on your intended use of the 2nd anchor.

Generally speaking, if the intent is to use this anchor on the stern to keep the boat from swinging, then Fortress owners will typically use a size or two smaller than what our chart recommends (ex: FX-37), and if the 2nd anchor will be used as a back up storm anchor, then going up a size or two larger is advisable (ex: FX-85 or FX-125).

Safe anchoring,
Brian