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Stern Anchor for Caribbean and Bahamas

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by MCCARTR1, Mar 11, 2026 at 10:31 AM.

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  1. MCCARTR1, Mar 11, 2026 at 10:31 AM
    #1
    MCCARTR1

    MCCARTR1 New Member

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    Hi,
    We’re taking possession of our new boat, a Fleming 55, and will be cruising the Caribbean, Turks and Caicos, and the Bahamas. I have a question for those of you who regularly navigate these waters: do you find a stern anchor (Fortress-type) useful? I understand that a stern anchor can help keep the boat aligned with the swell in certain conditions—assuming proper anchoring etiquette and adequate distance from other boats. However, we do have stabilizers at rest to help manage the swell, so I’m wondering whether it’s really necessary to set up for stern anchoring.
    Thank you for your thoughts and experience.
  2. Capt Ralph, Mar 11, 2026 at 11:01 AM
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    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    We have a pair of collapsible FX85s on our boat. Coils of 1 & 1.25 inch of rode. Lengths of plastic coated chain.
    A couple of wrenches (3/4"?) are stored with them for easy and quick assembly.
    Sharpie marker instructions on the anchor parts also.

    There was a storm about 15 years ago when we used one of them with our big Bruce. Really helped the ride.
    Another couple of times; We wanted our bow on a sand bar and the stern held off with a kedge.
    For the most part, dust collectors.

    But, when in doubt, always carry a spare anchor anyway.

    Hope this helps
    jesid123 likes this.
  3. ychtcptn, Mar 12, 2026 at 11:11 AM
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    ychtcptn

    ychtcptn Senior Member

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    If you get a fortress, research how to retrieve. They can set to where you can not pull them out of the bottom.

    Use and anchor ring and float retrieval method.

    Oh yeah, a good idea to have aboard no matter what.
  4. MCCARTR1, Mar 12, 2026 at 11:25 AM
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    MCCARTR1

    MCCARTR1 New Member

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  5. MCCARTR1, Mar 12, 2026 at 11:27 AM
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    MCCARTR1

    MCCARTR1 New Member

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    Thanks for the tip on difficulty retrieving. FYI the boat has two Ultra anchors on the bow with their own rollers and chain. So I do have redundancy having second anchor as my spare.
  6. Capt Ralph, Mar 12, 2026 at 5:52 PM
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    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    So, your going to handle that anchor and chain from the bow locker and deploy it from the stern.
    Wish I was young and strong enough for this.
  7. MCCARTR1, Mar 12, 2026 at 5:58 PM
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    MCCARTR1

    MCCARTR1 New Member

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    Not really that young and surely couldn't do that :)
    Would just not have a stern anchor option as from what I have gathered through a few sites, it's not really used very often in Bahamas or Caribbean. More useful in Pacific Northwest
  8. Capt Ralph, Mar 12, 2026 at 6:22 PM
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    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    This is funny. Purchasing a Flemming and somebody talked you out of a emergency kedge on board.
    I bet somebody talked you out of a drogue or sea anchor also.
    Well, good luck and hopefully very smooth seas.
    rolling.gif
  9. Silver Lining, Mar 12, 2026 at 7:02 PM
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    Silver Lining

    Silver Lining Member

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    I dont think we have ever used a stern anchor in the Bahamas to keep from swinging. But having a deployable anchor that does not rely on power i consider essential. And dropping a very heavy Ultra anchor in an emergency may be very difficult. I would suggest you carry a quickly deployable FX55 or 85 for emergency
  10. Pascal, Mar 12, 2026 at 7:32 PM
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    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    I never use a stern anchor, never in 20 years anchoring for weeks every year in the Exumas. Just not worth the trouble. If the wind picks up during the night you may end up dragging both anchors beam to the wind.

    if you have even just 15 kts of wind and need to point the bow into surge, I doubt a fortress will do the job anyway. Windage will be a lot higher than your bow.

    Windlasses allow an anchor to be released by loosening the clutch. The problem is how to raise anchor without a windlass. I ve done it on my 53 with a 66 pounder, it’s not fun. That’s my worry on the 110 I run… if we loose hydraulics neither windlasses will work. I d hate to leave that nice SS 400 pounder I bought from Sam’s on the bottom :)
  11. Capt Ralph, Mar 12, 2026 at 8:12 PM
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    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    I'm sure you never put your bow on a bar either.
    AND when the day goes sideways, a kedge will help keeping your stern in maybe a lil deeper water till the tide comes back up and wind shifts a better direction.
    It's a boy-scout thing; When in aqua space, these tools may be valuable,,,,, If on board..

    We have always tried to explore and do silly (stupid) things on our 58. A kedge when used has help to keep the casualties down.
    Last edited: Mar 12, 2026 at 8:27 PM