Anchor Weight

[Bryand82487]

I'm looking to buy 2 anchors for my 2000 SAN. I use it at lakes and mainly on the Tennessee River. I can never get it to stay in one spot when we beach and am constantly having to mess with it through out the day to the point where I can't really enjoy myself because I'm dealing with the boat taking on waves and current etc. What weight anchors would you all recommend one for the front and one for the back for me to use so that I can anchor the boat about 10 ft out and no that it will not move. I don't have tons of storage space so they can't be to big.

[reeder]

anchors

I had the same issue as you.

take a look at these anchors:
http://www.wholesalemarine.com/pc/T-...le+Anchor.html

I have 2 #13's (galvanized) for my 210 SAN with 6 feet of galvanized chain as a lead then my rope. These things set almost immediatley and the chain is a must. Once these are set, you are good to go. Still needs to be checked on from time to time especially if there are alot of surfers in the area throwing large rollers, but even at that, I have had great success with these. I got mine at Acadamy for $30 a piece and the chain I bought at Lowes for like $2.00 per foot, I think it was 5/8 chain....I can confrim the size anchor and size chain when I get home, but wanted to make a suggestion.

Good luck!

[reeder]

For got to mention I use one in the front and the same set up in the back.
Also, was on the Brazos River here in Texas this past weekend and there was a very strong current, and just one did the trick this past weekend.

[Bryand82487]

Thanks! I'll check into those. What does the chain do differently than using all rope?

[reeder]

the chain weights down the shank of the anchor so the flukes stick into the lake or river bottom much sooner. otherwise it takes longer to set without the chain. you will be amazed at the difference to set.

there is one caveat, if you are in water with a very rocky bottom.....it might take longer to set and it will be very hard to unset it.....i have bent and lost a few of them that way as well.....but I am rarely in a lake with a rock bottom.

also, if you look at different marine website at an anchor combo, they usually come with chain for that reason as well.

make sense?

[DanielC]

The bigger the anchor, the more likely it will hold.
I have a 15 pound anchor, like to ones in the link, and I also have about 7 feet of chain before the rope. I use this with a 1997 Ski Nautique.
Most people do not a long enough anchor line. (rope) recommended is a 7 to 1 length of rope to the depth. That means in 10 feet of water, you need at least 70 feet of line.
Anchor with the bow out to the incoming waves, or facing the current.

I have also used an "Anchor Buddy" with the anchor. It is a stretchable line that goes from about 15 feet, to about 50 feet. I put the anchor buddy between the bow of the boat, and the anchor, out in the water, and then run a line into shore. The Anchor Buddy pulls the boat away from shore, and keeps the boat in deep enough water to avoid damage, and allows the boat to be pushed around a little, and not break the anchor loose. When you want to use the boat, you pull the boat in with the shore line, and connect the shore line to the anchor line, instead of the boat. If there is a lot of boat traffic, get a float, and tie about five feet of line to it, and a small weight to the connection of the shore line, and the anchor line, and then the weight sinks the anchor line, and there is a float marking where the anchor line, so most people do not run over it

[reeder]

I second the Anchor Buddy as well!

[bubba]

One suggestion on the Anchor Buddy. We tie another rope to the achor and use it to pull up the achor instead of pulling it up via the Anchor Buddy. We have found the Anchor Buddy seems to last longer

[AirTool]

I third the chain.

Chain is a must.

[cedarcreek216]

I think it's more important to understand what kind of bed you'll be anchoring into and let that determine the style of anchor you buy. The anchor mentioned about is not the best choice for all water bottoms. It does happen to be the most versitile, so if you frequent different lakes or rivers often probably your best choice.

[intrlaz]

Anchor Weight

I love my box anchor. It's so easy my wife can set it. Just drop it and your done.

[Bama 2473]

I use the same anchor on the tennesse river. I have no problems scottboro thru decatur, you might have problems thu the shoals though.

[Bryand82487]

The bottom is normally sand or mud so I think the anchor suggested should do the trick.

[Justin1933]

Go with a box anchor....Nothing is better than it...Always holds, folds flat.

You won't find a better anchor.

[Hogdog]

Anchor Weight

On my 206 I use a 15 lb fluke style for overnight boat camping and it's handled some pretty strong wind and swells well. I can finally sleep comfortably without waking up every 30 minutes thinking i will find it beached sideways. Last used it on Colorado river a mile south of Hoover dam. That current was screaming. Granted I put in a second anchor there just in case and got out of the main current in a side cove.

The chain is more than 50% of the anchor effectiveness. Get 8ft of the heaviest zinc chain you can find at home depot. It protects the anchor from getting yanked abruptly because of it's weight flat on the bottom while the rope to the boat is at an angle.

Best way to set the anchor i have found is to slowly reverse after 5:1 or 7:1 length to depth is put out and the line is taught. If you can drag the anchor at ~800 rpm reverse it's a sign that it probably won't hold in the chop or wind. You can use a gps to see if you are dragging if you have one. Once you know it's set you don't need to worry about it one bit. Drive over it 50 feet past, get the line taught, and jerk it hard to unset it.

For day anchoring I have a smaller grapple style folding anchor that we use but it drags pretty easy. It's just so small it's easy to bring on day trips.

I have never tried the anchor buddy but I'm sold from this post. The worst part of boat camping is swimming out for the morning set at 7am and then driving to the ski spot all wet!