How to make a handy bag for a fortress anchor

Wil Bailey designed and made his own handy anchor bag

One of the features of the popular Fortress anchor range is that they can be disassembled for stowage, and made ready for use again in a few minutes – provided you can find all the pieces, bolts and tools for the job.

The answer is, of course, a dedicated stowage pouch which keeps everything together and will fit conveniently into a locker.

Mine is made from a cheap rubber-backed acrylic hall carpet runner (£5 for two), some plastic balls for button fasteners and some light cord for the blanket-stitched edges.

Fully assembled anchors are unwieldy objects to stow anywhere except the bow of the boat

The Fortress anchor divides up neatly into several components, all of which will fit into a single, easily stowable bag.

I also changed the anchor’s supplied securing locknuts/bolts for ringnuts/threaded rod, so the anchor can be assembled by hand without having to resort to tools. A couple of cheap nylon cable ties allows the assembly to be moused if wanted.

Securing the parts of the anchor together with bolts requires the use of a spanner. Ringnuts can be finger-tightened, however

Replacing the nuts and bolts with ringnuts that can be tightened without the use of tools

There’s plenty of room to keep spares in the bottom of the bag, together with a light trip-line.