Anchor Type and Setting Technique

[DesertHunter]

I have found that while I love my Tritoon, with all freeboard wind is a big factor when anchored. I am looking for some advice on a 2nd anchor for the bow and a good technique to set it.

It is a 22' Tritoon that I should have named "Wind Catcher"

Any thoughts are welcome.

 

[craigmack]

Re: Anchor Type and Setting Technique

I've used two danforth style anchors, one off the bow and the other off the stern. This holds the boat and is needed if you have others close by. The method I use is to drop the bow anchor first and get it set while reversing. Once that's done I'll continue to reverse but let out bow line until I've gone far enough back to drop the stern anchor in a good place. Then drive forward until that anchor sets. Obviously this takes some helpers to manage the lines but that's not a problem when you have a toon

 

[craigmack]

Re: Anchor Type and Setting Technique

Not to hijack the thread but does anyone use a box anchor?

 

[The Rooster]

Re: Anchor Type and Setting Technique

Not to hijack the thread but does anyone use a box anchor?

Craig, last year we finally bought into the hype and bought a box anchor. So far so good. Probably over did it, but got the large one, I believe 24#. Seems to be working as advertised so far. For whatever reason, our large fluke style anchors would sometimes break free and set us adrift no matter how hard I backed down and set them. Something about the muddy/silty/clay bottoms we have around here in combination w/ a 25' barge & double bimini tops I guess. Typical scenario for us was to be anchored out on a submerged sandbar, away from the barge socializing w/ other nearby boaters, when she breaks loose. Then all I hear were the yells from all the watercraft my barge was drifting into !!! Again, so far the box anchor has not let us down. Good luck !!!

 

[Old Screwball]

Re: Anchor Type and Setting Technique

Nearly all of our 'tooning' is done on the Colorado River, so we have a current to contend with. I have 2 Danforth anchors I carry on board. Usually set both fore or aft. Drop them overboard, tie off the rope and let the current set the anchors. I've set fore and aft to keep the rear from swinging. You will get used to it, and good at it, just need some practice.

Good Luck, and have fun!

 

[Malibu Rudder]

Re: Anchor Type and Setting Technique

Excellent technique Craigmack! Right on the money...I would do the same.

 

[emilsr]

Re: Anchor Type and Setting Technique

Not to hijack the thread but does anyone use a box anchor?

I do, and it works great. Originally I bought it as a secondary anchor, but it gets used as a primary more and more. Easy to set and hasn't failed to hold. I've got a small, but if I had it to do over again I'd have probably gone with extra small.

The only downside is it's heavy.

 

[Nightfisher-]

Re: Anchor Type and Setting Technique

Drop them overboard, tie off the rope and let the current set the anchors. I've set fore and aft to keep the rear from swinging.

Take a regular bucket, remove the wire handle and replace with rope, tie about 8-10ft of rope to the middle of that, then drill about 6-8 1 inch holes in the bottom of the bucket. Next time your anchored from the bow in current and the wind keeps blowing you around, tie off the end of the bucket rope to a rear cleat and throw it overboard. The current will grab the bucket and pull on the stern, greatly reducing sway from the wind. It's a pretty common trick here amongst catfishermen where it's desired to keep the boat as still as possible. Just don't forget to pull it back in or you will either loose a bucket, a cleat, or worst case wrap the rope in your prop. I ripped off an entire corner casting and cleat once when I forgot to pull my rear anchor.