Trouble fitting Fortress FX-7 in 2020 242SE?

[Drexx3]

I just got my 2020 242SE a couple of weeks ago. The anchor I chose for it was the Fortress FX-7. I had the same anchor on my previous boat (Hurricane 2400 OB) and loved it. Researched posts here and didn't see any complaints about the FX-7 fitting in the anchor locker (short of trimming off a small amount from the crossbar) so I figured I'd be OK. Got it, trimmed off about 3/4" and it fits, but not quite... I didn't think to take any pictures but it doesn't hang from the two supports because the shank is too long, maybe by an inch or so, and I can't safely close the anchor locker door.

I can make it fit if I were to cut off the bottom of the anchor where the chain currently attaches and then drill a new hole for the shackle to attach. Any trouble in doing so? I do recall a post where someone mentioned something similar but I thought it was a different boat.

 

[Marvin willis]

I think most ppl put the anchor in under a seat. I don’t know of an anchor that will hold the boat that fits in that hole. My anchor locker holds spring floats.

 

[BBottoms]

I've got an FX7 in my 2015 AR240 anchor locker. Should be the same size as yours. I had to move the hangers that the crossbar sits on about an inch up by redrilling the holes. I also replaced the rubber bumpers on the bottom of the locker door with some epdm weatherstripping to hold it in place. I've got pictures somewhere. I'll post them if I can dig them up.

 

[GTBRMC]

Strongly suggest you search this site on anchor locker padding / protection if you plan to keep your anchor there. Plenty of cases of significant external gelcoat damage from anchor bouncing around inside the locker on these boats.

 

[Pro Build]

I just got my 2020 242SE a couple of weeks ago. The anchor I chose for it was the Fortress FX-7. I had the same anchor on my previous boat (Hurricane 2400 OB) and loved it. Researched posts here and didn't see any complaints about the FX-7 fitting in the anchor locker (short of trimming off a small amount from the crossbar) so I figured I'd be OK. Got it, trimmed off about 3/4" and it fits, but not quite... I didn't think to take any pictures but it doesn't hang from the two supports because the shank is too long, maybe by an inch or so, and I can't safely close the anchor locker door.

I can make it fit if I were to cut off the bottom of the anchor where the chain currently attaches and then drill a new hole for the shackle to attach. Any trouble in doing so? I do recall a post where someone mentioned something similar but I thought it was a different boat.

I shortened the shank and put a new hole/slot in it and it fits perfect and works flawlessly.

 

[Drexx3]

I've got an FX7 in my 2015 AR240 anchor locker. Should be the same size as yours. I had to move the hangers that the crossbar sits on about an inch up by redrilling the holes. I also replaced the rubber bumpers on the bottom of the locker door with some epdm weatherstripping to hold it in place. I've got pictures somewhere. I'll post them if I can dig them up.

Awesome thanks. Was thinking about doing this or shortening the shank as @Pro Build did.

 

[Troch1]

I've got an FX7 in my 2015 AR240 anchor locker. Should be the same size as yours. I had to move the hangers that the crossbar sits on about an inch up by redrilling the holes. I also replaced the rubber bumpers on the bottom of the locker door with some epdm weatherstripping to hold it in place. I've got pictures somewhere. I'll post them if I can dig them up.

Wouldn’t work in my ‘18 242. The Fx7 is simply too long. I removed the rubber bumpers completely and the hatch still would not close. The shank needs to shortened, probably by 1/2-3/4”.

 

[BBottoms]

Found pics from when I moved my anchor hangers up for the FX7 if it helps anyone. The shank on my FX7 clears the hull with about 1/2" to spare and will hit the divider before it swings forward far enough to hit the inside of the hull. You can see from the pics about how far I moved them. I moved it both up and back to line it up with the brace on the anchor locker as it was poorly aligned from the factory. Replaced the rubber bumpers with short sections of EPDM weather striping you can see in the picture. Everything has been in place for 2 years, including a trip to the Gulf, without issue.

 

[mattster]

I just got my 2020 242SE a couple of weeks ago. The anchor I chose for it was the Fortress FX-7. I had the same anchor on my previous boat (Hurricane 2400 OB) and loved it. Researched posts here and didn't see any complaints about the FX-7 fitting in the anchor locker (short of trimming off a small amount from the crossbar) so I figured I'd be OK. Got it, trimmed off about 3/4" and it fits, but not quite... I didn't think to take any pictures but it doesn't hang from the two supports because the shank is too long, maybe by an inch or so, and I can't safely close the anchor locker door.

I can make it fit if I were to cut off the bottom of the anchor where the chain currently attaches and then drill a new hole for the shackle to attach. Any trouble in doing so? I do recall a post where someone mentioned something similar but I thought it was a different boat.

 

[mattster]

I’m about to do that very thing with my 2012 242!