Anybody crazy about their anchor?

[mickjetblue]

I just lost my river anchor. The knot was loose, and I watched it slip into
the river as I held on to the rope. My fault for not checking the knot and not
having the end of the rope secured.

I don't see much about anchors, and was wondering if there was some type
that might be better for all around use. Anyone?

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: Anybody crazy about their anchor?

I've got a mushroom anchor that's next to worthless. It's what the previous owner had, I just haven't got around to replacing it yet.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Anybody crazy about their anchor?

i prefer Flute, with a section of chain. they don't have to be big and heavy.

 

[ED21]

Re: Anybody crazy about their anchor?

I've used dansforth type anchors for years & like them.
They are light. They hold well in sand & mud especially if their is a length of chain. I never used them on rock. They clean easily, but you may have to pull off any grass.

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: Anybody crazy about their anchor?

Sorry for the fuzzy picture, but this is the only one I'd consider as a river anchor.

Used all the time in the fast flowing Fraser River in Vancouver. Here it's just called a Fraser River Anchor. In Washington, it's a Columbia River Anchor.

Heavy sucker. But works great.

Here's how you rig it. A length of chain (I've got about 20') is attached to the anchor at the bottom of the post. The chain is run up to the top of the post where you zip-tie it on. Most times bringing it in you just lift it up. But if it's stuck under a log or rock, you drive over it until you break the zip-ties and pull the anchor up upside down.

Lost my Danforth in the lake not long ago so I'm just using this for now. Probably grab another Danforth as this thing is complete overkill for the lakes, but is a must for rivers.

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: Anybody crazy about their anchor?

The chain is one of the important parts of the anchor. The chains weight helps hold the anchor at the correct angle in relation to the bottom of the waterway. One more tidbit always anchor off the bow. This helps your boat cope with the tide/river flow and the wind.

OK i know to much information on a simple subject.:redface:

 

[mrdancer]

Re: Anybody crazy about their anchor?

I like the WaterSpike anchor (search for it on Cabelas website). It is lightweight, easy to carry/store, and holds well in sand/mud. But then, I usually only anchor to shore (a 4'x1' T welded out of rebar works well for this also).

In my experience, the mushroom anchors work about like sea anchors - they don't hold anything, they just slow your drift.

 

[triumphrick]

Re: Anybody crazy about their anchor?

I too use a danforth anchor and after adding some new anchor rope and omitting thechain was surprised at how it would not hold. Made it back up with the chain and a whole new anchor. Also remember the 4 to 1 rule. For 30' depth, you will need at least 120' of line.

 

[Olde Pharte]

Re: Anybody crazy about their anchor?

I too use a danforth w/chain.

I did add vinyl rode length markers. I lower the rode until it hits bottom, look at the depth, and then go the 3:1 or 4:1 depending upon wave action to ensure that it stays set.

 

[amynbill]

Re: Anybody crazy about their anchor?

8 lb danforth with 2 runs of chain for 3', then a single run of chain for another 4' (7' total length) and it works perfect for our lake and river. Some places have good flow- especially down from the dam at the top of the river, and it locks right up.

Saw someone else with this set up and I can definitely tell the difference with the extra 3' of chain side by side. Weighs the anchor down in seconds.

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: Anybody crazy about their anchor?

we use one #13 super hooker 4' 3/8 chain and 300' 1/2" rode and two #7 fortress's with 4' 3/8 chain and 150' 1/2 rode
we beach 90% of the time so this is the reason for the fortress's. they are a lot easyer to carry out and use for ground pins
the hooker sinks and sets quicker but i tested both on powell this spring in 30mph wind with gustes up to 65 mph and they held the same. this was in sand and then mud, and a combination of both.
after reading amynbill's post i think i'll try the dule chain rig on the fortress. unless i need the rode leinght on the hooker i use a fortress and this might help them set quicker.
i will add when we have set on a grassey or weedy bottom the hooker sets and holds when i couldnt get fortress to set. i have gotten both stuck on rocks and had to mess around to get them back but havent lost one yet. knock on wood. i think the heavy chain and rode for this size anchors help there

 

[bekosh]

Re: Anybody crazy about their anchor?

I have a box anchor. http://www.slideanchor.com/box.asp
Iboats has the baby size. http://tinyurl.com/3qxlk3

Holds great. I've used it in sand, mud & weeds with no problems. It folds up, so it fits into my anchor locker better than the danforth I had before.

On the down side, it's expensive compared to a regular danforth. The small was about $150 including shipping.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Anybody crazy about their anchor?

Wife and I love our Fortress FX-7. It is a 4 pound flute type anchor and will hold a boat up to 27 feet.
It is Aluminum so will not rust and it digs in faster and deeper than any anchor I have ever had.
I also carry a 8 pound Danforth and it works ok but diggs in slower and some times draggs before it diggs in.
It is also so heavy wife can not pull it even with gloves most of the time.

Fortress is not a Cheap Anchor but I think is the best.
Has out performed other anchors in many test be Navy and Coast Guard.
They sell them here at IBoats.

Check out the Anchor tests.

http://www.fortressanchors.com/