What Type Of Anchor Do I Need?

[TheChad]

Hey All,

I have a 17' Lowe Fish & Ski Aluminum Deep Vee Boat.

Currently I have your every day Wal-Mart Fluke/Slip Ring Type anchor.

I have had soo much trouble ever getting this anchor to stick in the lake, that I just don't ever use it.

Most of the time I fish in 20' or less of water, Usually its a mud bottom, but I'd like to get an anchor that will hold in most conditions (mud, sand, gravel, rock, etc).

I know the mushroom are basically useless, if a bird in africa sneezes the boat will just drag the anchor along.

It does get windy here in Illinois, so I need an anchor that will hold pretty well. Though I don't want it to burry itself 3' below the mud (Like my Fluke type anchor did)

I may be asking for too much, I don't know. I know there are many type of anchors, I just don't know much about them, and would prefer not to have to buy 10 of them to find the right one.

I have been looking at the Grappling Anchors, Which look like they may be a great all around anchor, But was hoping to get some input from the experts!

Thanks for the help,

-TheChad

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: What Type Of Anchor Do I Need?

how much rope are you using in 20 feet of water. a proper anchor situation is 7 ft to 1 ft of depth. it you don't want to use that much get 4 feet of chain and attach to the anchor, then the rope.

 

[TheChad]

Re: What Type Of Anchor Do I Need?

I have 50' Of rope.

What does teh 4' of chain do?

Any suggestion for type of anchor?

Thanks,

-TheChad

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: What Type Of Anchor Do I Need?

Check out This Thread. Lots of good info there.

 

[TheChad]

Re: What Type Of Anchor Do I Need?

It looks like most are using the fluke type anchors..

Anyone have experience with Grappling Anchors?

I don't want to carry 300' of rope, and i want something that is easy to set, and retrieve. I don't want to have to drag the anchor around the lake to set it.

Also I am looking at the Minn Kota DeckHand 40, with the Minn Kota Crab Claw Anchor. Does anyone have experience with thease?

Thanks,

-TheChad

 

[steelespike]

Re: What Type Of Anchor Do I Need?

Length of rope is critical adding the chain helps to dampen the tug from the boat. 50 ft of rope isn't much in 20 ft of water.A true Danforth anchor is one of the best.
Be sure it is a Danforth and not just Danforth style.
I would say a minimum 100 ft of rope For 20 ft.Especially with it being windy and as stated 7 to 1 is the rule of thumb.If you think about it if you use enough rope the achor will be less likely to bury itself because it won't drag as much.

 

[arthat]

Re: What Type Of Anchor Do I Need?

I agree that 50' of line does not allow for enough scope for a water depth of 20'. Also the use of 4' of 1/4" or 3/16" chain will dramatically increase the setting of an anchor. I would purchase the chain, and shackles and install them onto your current anchor with at least 100' of line and see how well your anchor sets. To learn more on anchor types, line (rope) and chain, check out where I go for supplies and advice. www.boatus.com, on the left side of page click online store, then click on anchor/docking. There are many styles there. To speak with a live person and ask questions, 800-937-2628.

Hope this helps


Art

 

[roscoe]

Re: What Type Of Anchor Do I Need?

The Chad, have a similar boat. I used to have a Danforth/Navy style anchor, it worked well.
When I lost it in the Milwaukee harbor, I struggled with several anchors, none of which worked well.

I finally picked up a 16# river anchor.

It will tip on its side and dig in much better than a regular mushroom.

In rough water or on the river, I just drop it in, leave out an extra 10-15' of line, then give it a tug to make sure it is tipped and digging in.

In calm water or light winds, I just drop it to the bottom, + 3' of line, and tie it off.

In rough water, when I want to hold position better, I also drop a 10# mushroom off the stern to stop the boat from swinging back and forth.

 

[QC]

Re: What Type Of Anchor Do I Need?

I use a decent Danforth style, but I have over 15' of chain and I prefer the boat's length. A lot here will argue chain up and down, but the fact is that I need to use less than even 3/1 scope in many of the coves I anchor in. The wind swirls in these coves, they are tight and the water is deep. I've done 360's at anchor more times than I can count. If I went 5/1 I'd be in the rocks or cliff wall almost every time I anchor. Not a big deal if everyone is paying attention, but I anchor to kick back, not to keep stressing . . .

I don't think chain has been explained real well here. I agree with steelespike that chain dampens the pull, but it also helps keep the force pulling along the bottom, not up. When a short scope is required, that's a must. Also, chain can make even those slip ring anchors work . . .

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: What Type Of Anchor Do I Need?

Like everyone has said: Get some chain. It will make all the difference in the world in getting set, and your danforth will not likely bury itself beyond retreival.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: What Type Of Anchor Do I Need?

I use 5 ft. of chain with the same anchor that roscoe has,it holds my boat just fine in mud or rock bottom.
The chain really helps.

 

[xtraham]

Re: What Type Of Anchor Do I Need?

chain adds weight to the anchor shank that keeps it low and helps the anchor set much better,
chain also lessons the needed scope because of the added weight.
without chain you run the risk of losing the anchor because there is nothing to protect the anchor line from scrubbing,and chafing into against the bottom, obstructions, rocks, wrecks, etc.....

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: What Type Of Anchor Do I Need?

I use the hall type. Mine lays flat on the floor when not in use and won't bang or cut up bare feet. It's pretty conventional but I've never had any issues with it slipping from many different bottoms and I am not using a chain. Although, I really like the idea of the chain. It certainly would make it hold better if it were an issue.

http://www.infovisual.info/05/075_en.html

 

[MrBigStuff]

Re: What Type Of Anchor Do I Need?

I have a similar boat used in similar conditions. I've been using a Navy style anchor that is heavily coated with a poly or vinyl covering that is red in color. I think I bought them at FleetFarm when I lived in WI. The flukes are more cone shaped than flat. They work great! I think I bought the 15lb version. I have two but use only one most of the time. On lakes, I have found you don't need that much scope to stay put with this anchor and I don't use a chain since most of my anchoring is mud or gravel. They stay put even with wakeboarders coming by frequently and rocking the boat pretty severly. Haven't lost one in decades of use (knock on wood) and I don't want that length of chain possibly scratching my boat as it is deployed or retrieved. YMMV.