Anchor size for boat.......

[JSGOLD]

I have a 16' Starcraft deep V with 55 and 5.5 motors that we use for locally small lakes with mud bottoms for the most part (so far). it came with a 20-25lb anchor that has three small arms that are wide and a heavy round base(not sure the type) and it holds the boat OK but we have found that the type of fishing we do we prefer to have BOTH ends of the boat anchored to keep from spinning around in the winds, even mild ones....what we have been using as of late was 12lb cement block someone made into an anchor for a 12' boat and they gave it to us for added anchoring until we get a better one. it works ok unless the winds pick up and then it slides on the bottom.....Would a 15lb "wedge" type anchor (not sure what else to call it) do a decent job? These are used in rivers around here and again for the most part our lakes are mud bottom. We will sometimes go to a rock bottom lake but rarely......Looks like this would dig into the bottom a bit like the main one...

 

[DBreskin]

Re: Anchor size for boat.......

The first anchor you describe is probably what's commonly called a river anchor. It's similar to a mushroom anchor but it has cutouts to create the flukes (what you call arms).

If you're going to buy a second anchor I recommend a danforth-style anchor. It's probably what you're calling a wedge anchor. It has good holding power in most bottoms and is relatively light compared to the river anchor.

You can find anchors and recommendations for anchors here on iBoats. You can also google "danforth anchor" and "river anchor" to learn more.

Make sure the boat end of the anchor rode (rope) is tied to your boat so you don't accidentally lose it over the side.

 

[Jeepster04]

Re: Anchor size for boat.......

Im amazed you need a 20-25lb anchor for a 16ft boat. We have a 8lb slip-ring fluke anchor for a 18ft run-a-bout and it holds great. Never had it move in mild winds at our lake.

Just to make sure, you dont plan on anchoring off the back on a river do you?

You can look at all sorts of anchor at west marine. They have some pretty good articles and such also.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...Most Popular|0&pageSize=10&sType=SimpleSearch

 

[JSGOLD]

Re: Anchor size for boat.......

The anchor came with the boat....the fellow I bought it from used it in the Ohio River, so I assume it took a heavy anchor there....it is overkill where we fish but since I have it.....The problem is we need a second anchor for our main spot, a 280 acre lake with average depth of 11' , maximum 22'. Mud bottom, man made, stumps, and trees.. Nice fishing though and close to home, plus two other similar lakes all within 35 miles of us, same types of conditions. We will use it on larger lakes, 2000-2500 acres eventually, some will have rock, some mud. I have NO intentions of using in rivers for a while if ever....we have way too much barge traffic on the main river (Kanawha) and access too difficult for the others. Plus I just don't like fishing in rivers. We prefer to have the boat stationary so we have been using a make shift anchor for a while but it slides on the bottom and if we get wind we will move too much. I am looking at the anchor suggested to me and will either get that or possibly another similar anchor that will "dig in" to the muddy bottom.