ANCHORS! 3 separate water craft, many questions

[USA_boater]

18.4' runabout came with a 15lb navy style anchor that has worked GREAT so far on a mud bottom lake. It also came with a 15lb mushroom anchor which I assume was the previous owner's stern anchor when he wanted to drop TWO anchors.

1.) is this an acceptable setup for most situations? I will sometimes be in a rocky lake but I do not plan to anchor in heavy wind but the wind in oklahoma can pickup at any time

2.) is there ever a situation where I'd need TWO claw anchors (such as the navy anchor) or is it best not to use two for fear of getting hung up?

3.) I have a 2-man plastic bass boat that I am trying to figure a good anchor situation for. I have one 8lb and one 15lb mushroom for it but I've never used them. Will those two be sufficient or should I get a "claw" style anchor for it too and essentially have the same setup as my bigger boat and ditch the 8lb mushroom?

4.) I have a JetSki that for 15yrs I've used a sand anchor bag filled with maybe 30lbs of rocks to anchor. This holds in ANY conditions in shallow water but I am tired of using a bulky rock bag (same rocks each time) to haul in my vehicle and then can't take with me on the ski. I am looking for a better solution; I bought a 3.5lb folding grapnel anchor kit that should easily stow away in the ski without causing any damage. Being so light, can I expect that to "really" replace the rock bag? OR would a8 or 10lb mushroom anchor be a better option for MOST situation knowing that in heavy wind the ski would probably still drift with no claw or the weight of the rock bag?

I am looking for "the better mousetrap" for all 3 of these watercraft and I do not want to share anchors..I want dedicated setup that works for each and then stick with it. Lend me your experience and educated opinions.

 

[Chris1956]

I like the fluke anchors. You can get the kind that pull out backwards, if they get stuck in rocks. See what is recommended on the Danthford web site for the big boat, likely 10-12#. A small 2 1/2 pound fluke anchor will work for the small boat.

I like the folding prong-type anchors for the waverunner.

 

[JimS123]

IMHO, a Danforth (fluke) is the only acceptable anchor for any type boat. Just get the proper size for the specific boat. A 12# for an 18' runabout, about a 6# for a plastic boat.

Navy anchors are a second best choice, but then they need to be quite a bit heavier. Even then, they won't hold in all situations.

We used mushroom anchors when we rented 14' tin fishing boats many years ago. They now hang on the wall with other junk. I wouldn't personally use one for anything, not even a second stern anchor.

For a stern anchor I use a SS corkscrew (like used for dogs) and it works fine. If its too cold or too deep I have a second very small Danforth that I can heave out over the transom.

I find the folding claw anchors about worthless for my Waverunner. I stomp on it kick it and push on it and it just won't hold where we do our jetskiing. The only reason I have it is because its the only thing that fits in the 'ski.

 

[USA_boater]

I do like the point about the fluke being lighter per hold capacity; but when I read the reviews on them online on various places they are sold, lotta people bashing them. Since the navy anchor worked so well for me so far, I am going to use that style until I find I "need" a fluke. The navy anchor is heavier but takes up less space than a fluke. I sort of like a little weight to my anchors which is why I am nervous to try the grapnel for the jetski. I am tempted to get a smaller fluke or even a 10lb navy anchor for the ski...the rocks work SOOOO well though but just bulky...the rock bag is convenient to have onboard as a backup, but like I said I keep it full...maybe I'll get a navy or fluke for the ski as the PRIMARY and keep the grapnel stowed away as a backup or just try it for the small boat.

SO many choices and limited funds and storage to justify buying it all and then not using it all.

 

[USA_boater]

Okay I got the 10lb navy anchor that I will use as the primary for the small boat and for the ski when the anchor will be set once near shore with no worry of being stolen. The 3.5lb grapnel anchor will stay in the ski as the backup for when using the 10lb isn't an option.

I will probably use the 15lb mushroom as the second anchor for the small and large boat and then if I find that doesn't work for the larger boat stern, then use the 10lb navy instead. I also have a 10lb mushroom that "might" have been fine (came with small boat) but I figured I could use it as a door stop for my home shop since I now have a 15lb available.

I bought a second 15lb mushroom (the one that came with big boat was dirty and had some rust) but for 25 bux, I think the existing 15lb needs to prove itself before I decide if I need a second (My intention was to have one for small and one for big boats so I didn't have to play musical anchors each time I went out LOL).

I figure the mushroom suck except in real calm water so I'm glad I have at least one dedicated navy-style anchor for each boat and can share with the jetski to get rid of the 30lbs or rocks. BUT, I will save the anchor bag and keep it onboard the jetski as a second option if the grapnel isn't working and I'm out somewhere needing an anchor with more weight in shallow water.

Thanks for the opinions guys

 

[Scott Danforth]

I only recommend Danforth anchors

 

[USA_boater]

Lol!

 

[jetboater]

For my two Waverunners, I’m using a 2.2 lb nylon Cooper anchor—-they are lightweight and hold extremely well and don't scratch anything in the front storage compartment. I did add a couple feet of chain to each one as their website recommends.

https://cooperanchors.com/

one might be a good option for your 2 man bass boat as well.

On my pontoon and Chris craft I use different anchors.

 

[USA_boater]

Thanks for the recommendation...I tried out the 3.3lb coated grapnel that came in a padded case for the PWC this past weekend. The 25ft rope was way too long for where I was, but the padded case and light anchor did store well in the PWC, but I heard it bouncing so I stowed it in my friend's boat anyway just to be safe...I think it would work as a backup anchor but I decided that whenever I can use the 15lb mushroom for mooring it, I will. I did ditch the rocks and stow the bag in the PWC as a option if I ever was somewhere and needed to anchor with rocks temporarily...the difficult thing with boats I am seeing is that one size doesn't fit all...situations and conditions dictate what works best in any given situation.