Anchor suggestions?

[martyscher]

My new 16.5 aluminum boat has a 10# "traditional" fluke type anchor (with slip ring)and no chain.<br /><br />The bottom of the lakes I fish are nearly all boulder rock.<br /><br />This anchor will hold the boat, even in mild wind, only if it is wedged in rock.<br /><br />It would be nice to have an anchor that holds. I realize that it is more difficult to hold on a rocky bottom.<br /><br />Any ideas?

 

[Hooty]

Re: Anchor suggestions?

Yo marty,<br />I guess the traditional anchor you're using is a Danforth and it's probably the best all-around anchor ever devised.<br /><br />You might try a grapnel but be sure and use a trip line with it.<br /><br />g'luck & c/6<br /><br />Hooty

 

[Capn Mike]

Re: Anchor suggestions?

Chain does much to the effectiveness of any anchor. Add at least 3 times the length of the anchor itself. I presume your anchor is not a small copy of the navy anchor...if it is, bronze it and use it as a doorstop, and get a Danforth type. Rock is difficult to anchor in, but at least one can pull it out easier if it's stuck.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Anchor suggestions?

Dont forget to use plenty of line I forget the<br />ratio But its something pretty severe like 3 to 1<br /> or 5 to 1 Spike

 

[suzukidave]

Re: Anchor suggestions?

I'm with Capn Mike, chain and plenty of it will help set your anchor because it will lay down on the bottom and ensure the anchor is pulled on the right angle. A rule I adhere to is the same length of chain as length of boat (plus lots of rode to set 4:1 minimum scope). If you can't get a Danforth to set because of rocks then you could try a Bruce of QPR anchor but it'll cost you. I'd try the chain first

 

[ERR446]

Re: Anchor suggestions?

I fish on the ST Lawrence River which has a granite-rocky bottom. I had trouble selecting an anchor until noticing that fishing guides on the River use a 40 pound truncated pyrmid of lead for anchoring. I use this on a 21 foot deep vee dual console IB boat. with good results and a lot less snags.

 

[EGalvTex]

Re: Anchor suggestions?

I'd agree with ERR on this.<br />The best anchor on a solid bottom is a HEAVY weight. The wimpy anchors sold at sporting goods stores are garbage unless used in soft sand or mud. Even around Galveston (soft bottoms) I use a much more heavy duty anchor than most, simply because I hate farting around with re-setting them.

 

[ERR446]

Re: Anchor suggestions?

Unfortunately it is difficult these days finding a foundry that will cast a block of lead for you because of environmental law restrictions. I collected a bucket full of automobile tire balancing weights but the foundry insisted on using their own lead.

 

[KW1720]

Re: Anchor suggestions?

I've found that a 15# navy anchor with 6-8 feet if 1/4" chain works best for me on most bottoms. It is heavy enough that you don't have to put out a whole lot of line unless the current is really strong. I use this on my 16 ft aluminum and on my 17 ft fiberglass center console.

 

[Ross J]

Re: Anchor suggestions?

Grab yourself two 6' lengths of Number 8 fencing wire, bend them in half and poke the bent ends into a 12" length of 2" wide galvanised pipe till you have a little of the bent section poking through the other end. Then bend the pointed ends out like on a grapnel anchor and hey presto you have a cheap rock bottom anchor. But the best part is that if it gets hung up on a rock you just pull very hard and the prongs just bend out of the way. I'm onto my 15th year with a set of these! Don't forget some chain though!<br />Ross

 

[crab bait]

Re: Anchor suggestions?

ROSS where do you attach the chain/rode/rope ??. to the bent ends stickin' outta the pipe ??

 

[Ross J]

Re: Anchor suggestions?

Yes crab bait, the bent in half ends that are now sticking a few inches out of one end of the pipe. The other end has all the pointy bits which you bend into a grapnel shape. You may want to shape the part you tie the rope/chain to so it doesn't slip back out of the tube. It works great.<br />What I failed to add was that this is so cheap to make that in an emergency it'll hold a strangers boat in most situations when you don't think you'll get the anchor back - Hey some people out there are dishonest - <br />Ross

 

[crab bait]

Re: Anchor suggestions?

sounds like a good anchor & a good idea..