First time out with new boat, already lost my anchor. Did I do something wrong?

[CaptainYARRR]

I just bought my first boat and got out on the water this weekend on Lake Travis in Austin which has a rocky bottom. We found a nice spot and decided to anchor. I tossed out my anchor (this type http://www.iboats.com/Slip_Ring_Anchor/dm/*******.473703934--**********.109132121--view_id.56240) and we held very stable. Everyone else in the cove were coming loose.

When it came time to leave the anchor wouldn't come up. We spent 45 minutes or so circling around it ranking on it from different angles with different amounts of rope. No luck. In frustration I let it go.

So did I need to try something else? Was I just unlucky? Should I try a different kind? Will a mushroom hold on a very rocky bottom?

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: First time out with new boat, already lost my anchor. Did I do something wrong?

Did you have any chain attached at the anchor?

That might have saved it....

 

[LongLine]

Re: First time out with new boat, already lost my anchor. Did I do something wrong?

That type of anchor is designed for mud or sandy bottom as it'll really dig in especially with a length of chain in front of it. You'd be better off with a mushroom.

Tom B.
(LongLine)

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: First time out with new boat, already lost my anchor. Did I do something wrong?

Everyone just raves about those anchors, personally I hate them, if your not getting hung up on debri or pulling up 5lbs of stinky muck and you'll sooner or later you'll gash something in the boat upholstery or your leg. Thats just my opinion and my peticular carft and habits. I use a navy style anchor on my 20' bow rider, don't use chain nor do I pay out 3 times the depth, It all depends on what your doing, now somebody with tell me I'm an idiot and to go take a safety course.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: First time out with new boat, already lost my anchor. Did I do something wrong?

i disagree, that is one of the best all round anchor. when they get hung like that, you need a lot of line, swing 108 from the anchor point, then shift into reverse and pull. the ring is suppose to slip down and pull the anchor from the base. yes, sometimes they do get permantly stuck. then if in decent water you dive for it.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: First time out with new boat, already lost my anchor. Did I do something wrong?

Sometimes they just get hung up, and you can't get them up. I have had good luck with this anchor: http://www.iboats.com/Chene_Anchor/dm/*******.688605465--**********.781215136--view_id.351503

I use a few feet of chain with it. To get it to release, I let the line go slack and maneuver 180 deg around then tighten up the rope. Also use at least 3-4 to one anchor line length to depth ratio. So use at least 60-80 feet of line in 20 feet of water. Never try to pull the anchor up by using motor power with the anchor tied to the stern. You can try to get it out by tying to the bow and (carefully) using reverse.

 

[capt sam]

Re: First time out with new boat, already lost my anchor. Did I do something wrong?

what they said ^^^^. I've only had one anchor hang up bad enough I had to dive for it but it was in the Keys so visibility was good. I rig my anchors at the head now and tie wrap them down the shank so I can pull them easier if they hang up, similiar to a slip ring but more effective.

 

[FishyFish]

Re: First time out with new boat, already lost my anchor. Did I do something wrong?

But most importantly! You did the right thing, you let it go!, You are here looking for tips, and we aren't reading a sad story about ya, thats a good thing. Now go buy another one.

Fish

 

[BLDFW]

Re: First time out with new boat, already lost my anchor. Did I do something wrong?

Live and learn. It's amazing what they'll get hung up on. I tussled with one on a buddy's houseboat one day. Hand over hand I pulled and pulled...lo and behold, I pulled up a three inch fiberoptic cable. What the heck it was doing there who knows. Now we steer clear of that spot!

I like that idea of a secondary ring with a rope but 9 times out of 10 they'd get fouled. Painful as it is, after a valiant effort, it's best to just let it go.

 

[CaptainYARRR]

Re: First time out with new boat, already lost my anchor. Did I do something wrong?

Sounds like I just had a bad run of luck. I bought another one and have been having much better luck. Although it sounds like I may need some more rope since I am anchoring in rather deep water where I probably only have 20 feet left or so.

 

[BLDFW]

Re: First time out with new boat, already lost my anchor. Did I do something wrong?

One other thing, make sure you use a chain. The first year I had my boat I kept having dragging anchor problems until I added a 4' chain to it. What a pain in the boot. The chain keeps the center grip down allowing the tines to dig in. Not had that problem since!

 

[Sikiguya]

Re: First time out with new boat, already lost my anchor. Did I do something wrong?

You did the smart thing. Don't risk your life over a $30 item. If you look at the past news articles, that is how those NFL players capsized their boat in the Gulf of Mexico...over a stupid anchor. If they would have just cut the line and came in, they would have been fine. Instead.....well, just google it and read the Coast Guard release..

 

[CaptainYARRR]

Re: First time out with new boat, already lost my anchor. Did I do something wrong?

You guys won't believe this, but today my GF was pulling up anchor in roughly the same spot and she said there was something caught on the anchor chain. She kept pulling and up came an anchor just like the one we lost. It is much older and obviously nasty from the lake bottom, but now we have another anchor! Just need a chain and rope.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: First time out with new boat, already lost my anchor. Did I do something wrong?

You guys won't believe this, but today my GF was pulling up anchor in roughly the same spot and she said there was something caught on the anchor chain. She kept pulling and up came an anchor just like the one we lost. It is much older and obviously nasty from the lake bottom, but now we have another anchor! Just need a chain and rope.

Funny how stuff works out.
I lost the anchor my 1st time out with the Wellcraft at one of the islands on Texoma. went and bought 2 more just like it- great anchors and cheap.- never had another issue until 2 days ago I threw the spare over the transom to keep the boat from swinging back & forth. when I went to leave I forgot about it. there was enough slack that the rope wrapped around the prop hub but it was not bad- it stalled the motor and came unwould easy enough. could have been really$$$ - I was lucky!:redface:

Corgrats on your new boat - have fun and be safe

 

[top notch marine]

Re: First time out with new boat, already lost my anchor. Did I do something wrong?

For small boats a "trip" line is a good idea. A 3/16" nylon line attached to the head and run up the main line back to the boat...

Please visit and join the only online social waterway for boaters... www.boatspace.org

 

[MikDee]

Re: First time out with new boat, already lost my anchor. Did I do something wrong?

You guys won't believe this, but today my GF was pulling up anchor in roughly the same spot and she said there was something caught on the anchor chain. She kept pulling and up came an anchor just like the one we lost. It is much older and obviously nasty from the lake bottom, but now we have another anchor! Just need a chain and rope.

I had the same thing happen to me many years ago in the Great South Bay, L.I. I had 2 equally good anchors then at that time