www.iFourWinns.com

Any 260 ownwers out there have a Fortress anchor? I was planning on getting one but not sure it will fit in the anchor locker. According to the Fortress site the width of the "stock" length on the FX- 7 is 19 inches which should fit without difficulty, but the "shank" is 24 inches in length and that seems like the maximum length that I could fit, and even that is at an angle. I don't have any dimensions on the fluke width and I am not even sure those will fit. Any other Horizon owners use a Fortress? I know it can be dissassembled but I would prefer not to have to do that just in case I needed to deploy an anchor rapidly.

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2008 Horizon 260 VP 8.1 Gi

The anchor opening is pretty good size on the H240/260. You could probably fit the longer shenk of the fortress - but it'll be a pain to put it in the storage/pull it out.

Honestly - that is really something you'll want to wait and see when you have the boat in the driveway.

Hopefully Flying Sushi will chime in -- he has a newer 260 so probably knows first hand.

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

If you end up looking at any other anchors, I highly recommend the Chene. It's fugly and cheap, but it holds like crazy, always releases, and fits in that locker.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

I don't care what it looks like as long as it is effective and fits so that may be the ultimate choice. I wanted the Fortress only because I liked the idea of a lightweight anchor. Do you know how much your chene weighs?

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2008 Horizon 260 VP 8.1 Gi

Damn, that Chene is one inexpensive anchor!

http://www.amazon.com/Chene-Anchor-boats-26-30/dp/B0000BYASM

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

I've never picked up a Fortress so I can't compare them, but the Chene is very light compared to the other anchors I've tried that were effective at holding. I wouldn't recommend it for ocean use, but for inland lakes it's been great for us. We boat in both mud bottoms and rock/log bottoms where I've nearly had to cut other anchors loose, and never had a problem in either. They're also available in lots of places including Cabela's.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

I'm not sure of the size of my anchor but its a typical danforth style. And its kind of a tight fit getting that shank down in there once the rope and chain pile up. I have to sometimes get down there and move stuff around. I wouldn't want anything any longer.

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Former owner of:
1996 Four Winns Horizon 200 5.8L VP
2006 Four Winns Horizon 260 8.1L VP
2007 Sea Ray 290 Sundancer

Current boat
2004 Sea Ray 290 Sun Sport Twin 350 Mags

They are ugly, but they hold! Get enough chain and it will hold just about anywhere.

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2001 Horizon 260 - 7.4 Volvo GSI DP

I don't even have a chain on the Chene (you were just trying to get me to say that, weren't you?), and I don't use any scope per se. I've got a couple of West Marine lines with spliced-in stainless thimbles and a stainless snap. One line is 75', the other is 200'. I let the Chene hit bottom, pay out a couple of armlengths so it can lay flat, and fuggetaboutit. KS lakes are puddles at around 25-30' max, while Table Rock (southern MO) is easily 200' in many areas.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

I have a Danforth #13 anchor which has a 24 “ shank and a18-¼” of stock in my H260. I also have 4’ of chain and 100’ of line which fit ok in the anchor box. However, If I rush to pull the line and stuff into the box the anchor shank will not go down smoothly… I added a set of anchor retainer bumper (black plastic) on front of stock bumper which is right at center of the hole. This made my anchor sit little better. I would take a picture and post but as you all aware that my boat is in deep winter storage so we have to wait for another month and a half…. It is almost there.

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08 H260 VP 8.1Gi DP.....Previous
2013 Crownline E6 Merc 8.2MAG BIIIX, DTS/SC

So basically you added another set of the "clips" that the anchor rests in forward of the standard location. right? That then allows the shank to fit in at an angle.

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2008 Horizon 260 VP 8.1 Gi

You are correct. My anchor seems want to sit little more forward than center (better shank angle)

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08 H260 VP 8.1Gi DP.....Previous
2013 Crownline E6 Merc 8.2MAG BIIIX, DTS/SC

I use a FX-7 w/4' of chain and 300' of rode on my 220SS and it fits in my bow anchor locker with only a slight rub on the shank if put in straight. Just a slightly angle it when dropping it in and it goes in just fine. The FX-7 is a very good anchor for soft to fairly rocky bottoms, it holds great!

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Mike
Smithville, MO
08' Hayabusa, 2011 Subaru Outback, 03' Infiniti G-35 S.C.