What Anchor to use?

[kevfran99]

What do you guys use? I was thinking one of the box anchors. I'm usually in a muddy bottom lake.

[Hollywood]

RE: What Anchor to use?

How hard is the mud? These anchors should be able to settle in to the bottom, so better in soft mud, muck or silt. They're pretty safe on ski boats and your toes. For hard mud, don't know what to use no experience there.

[kevfran99]

RE: What Anchor to use?

softer mud......I have two of the ones on the bottom right and they don't work worth a flip!

[DanielC]

RE: What Anchor to use?

I "over anchor" I use a Danforth anchor, about two sizes heaver than what is recommended for my Ski Nautique. Put about ten feet of heavy chain between the rope, and the anchor. You should have 7 times the depth for your rope length.

[mndanielsncsu]

RE: What Anchor to use?

I used to have a standard mushroom style anchor and always had issues with drifting. I posted a similar thread on here or CCFan and got a bunch of recommendations for the box anchor so I went with it. I couldn't be happier... I have had absolutely no problems with drifting.

[rugdr]

RE: What Anchor to use?

I purchased a box anchor last year and haven't looked back. The first day I used it, the winds were about 15 to 20 mph and we decided to anchor about 10 ft. off shore with some friends. While they played and fought with their mushroom anchors and claws, I sat on shore and sipped my favorite beverage and smiled. The box anchor is easy to set...just drop it and ease in any direction to let it grab and your done. The way it is configured it basically digs itself in the mud (hard or soft). It was a big initial investment, but I will never have to buy another one again.

[HS]

RE: What Anchor to use?

Danforth makes a good anchor and they publish chart to help you select what size to use. I have read good things about the box anchors, too.

A lot depends on where you are, the current or wave action you are exposed to, soft or hard lake / river bottom, and if you need an overnight hold or if you plan to make a lunch stop (and will be nearby to watch the boat).

DanielC is right about using enough line (“scope”). Too little scope works against how an anchor is designed to hold once it is set, and without enough scope, you won't get it to set. The flukes on a Danforth are designed to dig in and bury when tugged horizontally. Tug vertically to release. The weight of the chain Daniel mentioned promotes the horizontal forces so if the boat is bouncing around, with enough scope the chain is flat on the bottom.

The one Kevfran mentioned (and shown on the right in Hollywood’s post) I think is referred to as a river anchor which can easily sink into deeper silts. I use a 12# one of those for lunch stops at “The Dune” on an anchor buddy in combination with a stern shore tie and a Sand Spike. I haven’t tried using that anchor out in any deep water so I can’t comment on its holding power, but I am pretty sure it would just skip along the bottom in the river current. Along shore though it serves the purpose and it is very compact.

One day when the wind was up and we were at a spot on the river which is more exposed to current and waves than our regular spot, the wave action caused the sand spike to pull out, so I am going to the medium sized spike instead of the small one I used last season.

[kevfran99]

RE: What Anchor to use?

Sounds like I should just pony up for the box anchor! Thanks Guys!

[east tx skier]

I've used the tri-fluted coated anchor pictured above for years with an anchor buddy line and had zero problems with drift. I can't remember if it's 12 or 18 lbs, but it works like a charm.

[SkiTower]

I "over anchor" I use a Danforth anchor, about two sizes heaver than what is recommended for my Ski Nautique. Put about ten feet of heavy chain between the rope, and the anchor. You should have 7 times the depth for your rope length.

Spoken like a true sailor. I have the same setup on my boat (at the recommendation of a true sailor). Unfortunately I get tired of getting it out for just hanging out.

[SkiTower]

Unfortunately I get tired of getting it out for just hanging out.

which of course translates to no current and not leaving the boat. With a current or leaving the boat unattended, Danforth.

[Mikeski]

The key to a fork anchor is the chain. You need 6-10' of heavy chain depending on the depth of the water (angle of the anchor line). You also need to use adequate line length so the forks don't lift when there is tension on the line.

I use a heavy cast iron fork anchor, it works in almost all lakebeds.

[AirTool]

Where do you guys store the anchor in your boat?

[HS]

Under the bow cushion with the anchor buddy.

[mndanielsncsu]

The box anchor comes with a bag to store it in, so I just slide all of that under the walkway to the bow since there's not much else I can fit under there.