Which anchor do you prefer? And how do you retrieve it when it gets stuck?

[rfdfirecaptain]

Ok, I?m still learning and in most cases the hard way. Your help, opinion etc. it appreciated.

In the photo are the anchors that I have. Recently, I was using the claw anchor and it got stuck. I ended up pulling the anchor roller off the pulpit of my boat. I had my chain connected to both connection points by galvanized shackle. Obviously this means that the all force is applied at the end of the arm as opposed to the lower connection point just above the claw. No matter what direction you pull from all force will always be applied at the same point? on the far end of the arm.

On the Danforth anchor you see that it is equipped with a bar and ring system. That is more forgiving on a stuck anchor as it allows for pulling at the claw from a 180 degree direction from how the anchor was originally set.

I like the claw anchor because it sets very easily, but I?m afraid to use it again without figuring out some way to have the chain ?break away? from the arm shackle so that it can be pulled from the shackle at the claw in a 180 degree direction.

Any ideas? I?ve tried plastic zipties. They don?t work. Either they aren?t strong enough, or they break when setting back on the anchor, to set the anchor.

 

[Reel Kahuna]

Re: Which anchor do you prefer?

Re: Which anchor do you prefer?

I'd recommend the "Rocking Chair" anchor system that they use in the Columbia River in Oregon that uses a ball buoy to raise the anchor up. Here's a link http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3276191502727616337

Best of luck.

 

[rfdfirecaptain]

Re: Which anchor do you prefer?

Re: Which anchor do you prefer?

Problem solved.

I don?t think I posed my question correctly because the response to this thread is weak and I KNOW a lot of others have had this same problem? an anchor held hostage at the bottom of a lake! So, I spent the last few days researching the problem of a ?stuck anchor? on the Internet. I looked for any device that would allow me to rescue my claw anchor (or any other large stiff style of anchor) if ever it gets stuck again. So far, every method I?ve found except for 1, has 2 things in common. They all require a second rode or tether line and they all require hand work setting up the anchor retrieval system.
The ONLY device I found that will allow me to retrieve my stuck anchor without a second rode or tether line and without ever leaving the helm is called the Anchor Saver. See links below to the home site and a demo video on youtube. The Anchor Saver attaches to my anchor and rode in 5 minutes or less. It requires no maintenance, occupies an area about the size of a baseball and it?s always there hooked up and ready to go. So, I never have to look for it when I need it. The best part of all? it?s cheap insurance!

http://www.anchorsaver.com/Anchor_Saver/Original_Anchor_Saver.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gmZXzmGNg0

I called the number listed on the website and I spoke to Peter, the owner / inventor. I purchased the anchor saver for $54.99, plus $11.99 for a 2 day shipping fee. Total cost was $66.98 That?s about $100 cheaper than the last anchor and rode I lost.

 

[soggy_feet]

Re: Which anchor do you prefer?

Re: Which anchor do you prefer?

Pretty cool.
I have the dansforth style, so haven't had a problem yet, and hopefully won't.

Well, one problem, I got the anchor stuck under a big flat rock, and short of sliding it horizontally back out, it wasn't coming up. Fortunately, it was in 10ft of water, and other than having to brave the sharp as razors zebra mussels, a quick skin dive got me under way.