Anchor

[jason176]

Just got back from K-mart, was looking at their boating merchandise and realized something about my anchoring plan. I was going to use a fluke anchor but after seeing them in person I don't think I want to use them, the one required for my boat is HUGE, actually they didn't have one rated for my boat it was a step down and that was huge. I looked at the dimensions in the iboats store so I had a general idea of their size but it actually hit me in the store. So I was planning on purchasing a 15lb navy anchor instead, since I wanted to be able to put everything in a 5 gallon bucket the navy anchor would work out perfect. I know that I could read the manufacturer reccomendations and such but I figured I would ask. Does anybody use this type of anchor and if so how did it work for you? The river I am in is sandy with some rocks (mostly small) is there any reason why I shouldn't try using it?

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: Anchor

How big is your boat/motor? What is the approximate weight of your rig with everything in it? The Navy Anchor is not for heavy-duty anchoring. You are probably not going to find an anchor setup that will fit nicely into a 5 gallon bucket. For a sandy bottom, a fluke or danforth will probably be your best bet.

 

[jason176]

Re: Anchor

Yeah that was why I was asking, I think you are right but I figured I should ask everybodys opinions. I apologize for not posting boat info: 24' pontoon with a 60hp 4stroke, I figure arond 2500lb. So just out of curiousity how does everybody store these huge fluke anchors, I guess I could store them in one of the seats, just didn't want to.

 

[QC]

Re: Anchor

Pretty cool. I bought my first anchor at K-mart . . . 1984 it was a Navy. Frankly it worked really well on a variety of bottoms, but . . . that was a 17 ft. low pro ski boat.<br /><br />Your Pontoon has a lot of windage. Probably tougher to anchor than much bigger v hulls. I wouldn't fart around. I'd use 20 ft. of chain and heavy line (saw your other thread ). You want to be confident if you have to drop that thing in an emergency i.e. no power, high winds . . .

 

[Boatist]

Re: Anchor

A 4 pound Fortress FX7 will hold a 27 foot boat and work much better than a 15 pound navy anchor. I do not belive the frotress will fit in a 5 gallon bucket, but if you store it with shank down and let the flutes hang over the edge of the bucket it would not be too bad.<br /><br />I store both my anchors a 4 pound aluminum Fortress FX7 and a 8 pound steel danforth in a floor anchor locker.

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: Anchor

With that boat, in a river with a current, the navy anchor may actually drag you downstream. A fluke or danforth is definitely the way to go. There are a variety of anchor holders available that will allow you to store it in a ready position at the bow of the boat. I have a windlass with an anchor holder on my boat. When I'm out and planning to move to different spots, that's where the anchor rides. If I'm going to just one spot, or I'm going to beach it, the anchors are in an anchor locker built into the floor. On a 'toon, you may not have such a locker, but the anchor holder might be a great solution for storing it on the outside of the boat. web page

 

[imported_Curmudgeon]

Re: Anchor

I'd use 20 ft. of chain and heavy line ... <br /><br />The navy anchor should work fine. It'll dig in mud, sand, and small gravel/rocks, but be sure to use some chain (3/4' or so) and plenty of rope (the shank angle isn't as great as other styles). It's a pontoon boat in a current, not like you're securing a yacht for a hurricane!<br /><br />I used a navy on a 20' in everything from a tidal river to 60' ocean deep (no, I didn't anchor in a blow, but did in 3-5 kt currents). Like any anchor, proper scope and procedures are critical.