Attaching / Using an Anchor

[Turin]

Re: Attaching / Using an Anchor

I expect it's just colorful description in this post but I have seen people who actually throw their anchors overboard. I'm mystified by this practice as it seems dangerous to me. I prefer to LOWER my anchor into the water and down to the bottom. What if that line is wrapped around something it's not supposed to be? Uncontrolled deployment of the anchor and line is asking for trouble IMHO.

been there done seen it and I can tell you my dad didnnt have funny nights for a long time.



..it landed on my mum's head.

 

[happy_flyer]

Re: Attaching / Using an Anchor

THere is a chance I would be over-nighting once in a while - so are you guys saying a Danforth style is not appropriate ? It's on an inland lake, ( big,, 90 miles long ), mostly sand but occasionally mud. The lake does have some current as there is outflow into an arm which eventually narrows to dams...

 

[External Combustion]

Re: Attaching / Using an Anchor

happy_flyer:

I use Danforth anchors on my 30 footer for lunch hook, the main and the storm anchor. I know it will eventually happen, but I have not drug one yet. I will frequently use two anchors and upon occasions all three when I have to keep the boat in one spot.

I use mushroom anchors for lunch hooks and Danforths for the main on my other boats which are under 20 ft.

Most of my sailing is on inland lakes and rivers with sandy soil, shale or clay bottoms and little bottom growth.

One time I wished I had used a mushroom or navy type anchor. The main Danforth had hung up on a submerged tree. It took over thirty minutes to retrieve it.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Attaching / Using an Anchor

One time I wished I had used a mushroom or navy type anchor. The main Danforth had hung up on a submerged tree. It took over thirty minutes to retrieve it.

Been there - had to go free diving in 51* water to get an anchor one time. BRRRRR!!!!!

 

[Nandy]

Re: Attaching / Using an Anchor

THere is a chance I would be over-nighting once in a while - so are you guys saying a Danforth style is not appropriate ? It's on an inland lake, ( big,, 90 miles long ), mostly sand but occasionally mud. The lake does have some current as there is outflow into an arm which eventually narrows to dams...

For an overnight I would take 2 anchors and leave my gps with the anchor drift alarm on or tie the bow to a tree in the shore and tie the danforth in the stern.

 

[MrBigStuff]

Re: Attaching / Using an Anchor

Thats me. Depending on what type of fishing I'm doing it will be necessary to anchor from the bow and the stern. I'll anchor from the stern by dropping anchor and pulling forward a bit to set, then i'll heave the other off the bow as far as I can throw it and after it hits bottom slowly pull the slack, sometimes it takes a couple throws to get it set, but once it does the boat will stay put without wallowing left and right as it would with just one anchor.

When I have to set two anchors, I use this approach; I lower my front anchor, deploy line and then reverse to set it. Then I let out enough slack to position for rear anchor. Reverse boat to rear anchor position. Lower rear anchor, pull forward to set and tie off. Then go to front, pull in front anchor slack and tie off. I now have two set anchors without having to repeatedly throw an anchor and hope it works. This works for me and eliminates having to throw an anchor. To each his own...

 

[Boatist]

Re: Attaching / Using an Anchor

Check the Fortress FX 7. It not a cheap anchor but I belive the best. It is a 4 lb Aluminum anchor. The flutes are sharpened to make them dig in quick and deep. The shank is also tapered to alow it to also go deep in mud and sand. The Flutes and be set at two different angles for soft mud or sand or hard bottoms. It comes with or you can order free some extra flaps to help in really soft mud. It disigned for boats up to 27 feet.

The FX 11 is for even bigger boats.

I had five different anchors I have tried and now I only use the Fortress FX-7.
My old 8 pound Danforth weighs twice as much and reaches the bottom a little quicker but on hard bottoms sometimes drags quite a distance before it digs in and the wife can not pull it in form any depth. The 4 lb FX-7 she can pull in with no effort.

Goggle it and read the test repots form the US Coast Guard, the US Navy and all the boating mag that tested anchors.

Read the detailed description here on I boat. It is not a cheap anchor but to me worth every penny. Only negitive I will tell you is if you add no chain and pull up to your spot and put the motor in reverse and throw it over it may never reach bottom but instead just troll in front of the boat like a fishing lure.

Instead You should come up on your spot and put the boat in reverse to stop the boat and get a little stern way then take motor out of gear and lower the anchor to the bottom. At that point put the boat back in reverse and pay out what ever scope your are going to use. Tie it off and set lightly with motor. You will find in digs in faster than any anchor you have ever used, at least I did. Place that were hard to anchor in are now Very Easy.

Check out the details here on IBoats on the link below.

http://www.iboats.com/FORTRESS_ANCH...2837097--list_time.1196497109--view_id.355523

 

[PhatboyC]

Re: Attaching / Using an Anchor

I did some research a couple of months ago and end up buying this one. Hope it performs as good as it looks. Very light too.