What Anchor is the Best on the market?

[Workin' 4 Toys]

I just lost my anchor in about 30 feet of water (Friggin' rope!!), and we couldn't find it "Go figure" Wasn't really happy with the grab anyway. What are you using and what do you recommend. I read Fortress is an outstanding brand, but let me hear your opinions.

[Kell]

I use a Fortress FX-7, 8' of 1/4" chain and 150" of three braid 3/8" rope (I often also use the an Anchor Buddy for short term mooring). I like the FX-7 as it is very light weight, but has incredible holding power for the type of lake bottoms that are in my area, sand/mud and general muck! The FX-7 breaks down so I can stow it about anywhere, but I typically keep it assembled and stowed under the bow seat cushin. If you search the site, there was a thread with a link to a website that had nice charts for type of anchor based on boat size and bottom type. I can't seem to find the thread though.

[Tennesseeski]

Two foundation blocks tied together works for me, but I don't need to anchor much.

[Upper Michigan Prostar190]

How bout this? ;)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/guitarzan1972/biganchor2.jpg


actually, this is the anchor I use and I like it:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jhtml?id=0025035016779a&type=product&cmCat=search&returnString=hasJS=true&_D%3AhasJS=+&QueryText=anchor&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jhtml.22&Go.x=14&Go.y=9&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=anchor&noImage=0&returnPage=search-results1.jhtml

[NatesGr8]

i use one similar to upper mi's anchor. Came withe the boat, and no problems with it yet (aside from one of my idiot friends getting the rope wrapped around the prop shaft, but thats a different story).

[Footin]

I have one of these and have been very happy with it.
It seems to hold well no matter what the bottom it like.

http://www.bartswatersports.com/catalog/Boat_Accessories/Boat_Anchors/River_Anchor/index.asp

[Workin' 4 Toys]

I use a Fortress FX-7, 8' of 1/4" chain and 150" of three braid 3/8" rope (I often also use the an Anchor Buddy for short term mooring). I like the FX-7 as it is very light weight, but has incredible holding power for the type of lake bottoms that are in my area, sand/mud and general muck! The FX-7 breaks down so I can stow it about anywhere, but I typically keep it assembled and stowed under the bow seat cushin. If you search the site, there was a thread with a link to a website that had nice charts for type of anchor based on boat size and bottom type. I can't seem to find the thread though.

$150.00 dollars later, ordered the Fortress FX-7 with the matching bag. Not sure I want chain in the boat, I will get a new rope, but the chain I am not sure about. Did you say 150 inches, or 150 feet? You used the inch symbol, but I am confused either way, that seems really short or really long either way Thanks for the input, We will get another also for one of the other boats so keep the ideas coming.

[AirJunky]

The chain will make the anchor lay down on the lake bottom, making it's holding power much better. It also makes it so that when the boat tugs on the anchor, it's a gradual tug till it pulls firm...... which is a lot better on your boat & the holding power of the anchor.
The chain is key to an anchor working right.

[Workin' 4 Toys]

The chain will make the anchor lay down on the lake bottom, making it's holding power much better. It also makes it so that when the boat tugs on the anchor, it's a gradual tug till it pulls firm...... which is a lot better on your boat & the holding power of the anchor.
The chain is key to an anchor working right.
AHHH... The best explanation I could have asked for. I understand. Probably the exact reason I lost the last one. I will get some chain, perhaps some stainless 1/4" will do.

[Lake_Tippy_Skier]

make sure your chain is pvc coated so it doesn't scratch your gel coat

http://www.bartswatersports.com/catalog.asp?P=278

http://www.bartswatersports.com/images/Product/largeimage278.jpg

[AirJunky]

AHHH... The best explanation I could have asked for. I understand. Probably the exact reason I lost the last one. I will get some chain, perhaps some stainless 1/4" will do.
You got it..... stainless would work great. It's the weight of the chain making the anchor lay down that makes it work. The PVC covered stuff is nice too. I just have galvanized & am carefull when pulling it in the boat.

[rick s.]

I have a setup similar to Kell, but use a little more chain. I use the plastic coated chain, I think 3 links of it so it's 12 feet of chain. My anchor was also plastic coated, a danforth-type, but had to trim the plastic coating off the anchor flukes so it would bite into the ground. I also use a lot of anchor line when I anchor, more than my buds, but my anchor sticks when their's drag.

My recommendations - use more chain than you think you should, use more anchor line than you think you should, set the anchor carefully - just don't throw it out of the boat and tie it off.

[Lake_Tippy_Skier]

I also use a lot of anchor line when I anchor, more than my buds, but my anchor sticks when their's drag.
A good rule of thumb is to have at least 2 tiimes your boat length in rope between the boat and the anchor. This will help give you a good "angle of attack" for optimium holding power. The best achors that I have used have the flukes that dig in to the bottom.

[Workin' 4 Toys]

Well, I feel like I have been doing it wrong all my life. I have been in boating for 30 years, and done more anchoring than I care to think if. Perhaps the difference is now I finally have a boat I care about!!!! Thanks for all the great tips. I will certainly put it to good use.

[lappicc]

I have had the best success with this. It seems no matter how many weeds are wrapped around it one quick jerk and they all fall off. I would use rope only no chain.

http://www.bartswatersports.com/catalog/Boat_Accessories/Boat_Anchors/Digger_Anchor/index.asp

[Lake_Tippy_Skier]

I have had the best success with this. It seems no matter how many weeds are wrapped around it one quick jerk and they all fall off. I would use rope only no chain.

http://www.bartswatersports.com/catalog/Boat_Accessories/Boat_Anchors/Digger_Anchor/index.asp


That's the same anchor I use. Best $70 I've spent on the boat

[Cary K.]

With all of this anchor talk, does anyone else use the Ancor Buddy (http://www.anchorbuddy.com/)? I love mine.

I also found the explanation about the chain from the earlier post to be very informative. I am always in very muddy bottom lakes/reservoirs, so I have never had a problem anchoring, but always willing to try something new if it makes sense.

Not sure who makes my anchor, but it is a pretty heavy cylinder with a pointed fluke on each side. It has served my purpose well.

[Kell]

Sorry Workin', that should have been 150 feet, not inches. It is long and I have never had to use that much for anchoring. Reason I went that long, is I often use the anchor buddy for the anchor/chain, and then I use the 150' anchor line to tie the rear of the boat off on the shore on a tree or something, so the extra length comes in handy for that. I agree with AJ's chain explanation, it also forces the flukes on the anchor to dig in the muck with a horizontal force. Wish I saved that link to anchor set ups, it explained it all really well. You might try googling. Also, as for the connections of the chain to the anchor, I used one of those horseshoe shaped things with a screw that attaches both ends of the horseshoe (don't know what there called). I used the same for the connection of the chain to the anchor line. I was told not to use caribiner type connections as limbs or what ever could cause the clip to open.

[shepherd]

Sorry Workin', that should have been 150 feet, not inches. It is long and I have never had to use that much for anchoring. ...
I agree with AJ's chain explanation, it also forces the flukes on the anchor to dig in the muck with a horizontal force.

Also, as for the connections of the chain to the anchor, I used one of those horseshoe shaped things with a screw that attaches both ends of the horseshoe (don't know what there called). I used the same for the connection of the chain to the anchor line.

I've always considered anchor chain a must. The horseshoe shaped things are called shackles, and any boat store would sell them, as well as the chain. In my opinion, you can't have too much anchor line -- the more scope you have, the better.

From fortressanchors.com:
Scope is the length of anchor line relative to the distance from your boat’s deck to the sea bottom. We recommend at least 5:1 scope.

At 10:1 the holding power will double, and at less than 3:1 you will give up a significant amount of holding power and may experience problems setting the anchor.

For example, if you are in 10 feet of water and let out 100 feet of anchor line, your "scope" will be 10:1. Think about it - when you want to pull your anchor up, it's easier to pull it out when you are right above it, when your scope is 1:1.

[erkoehler]

Those with closed bows, where do you find yourself tying the anchor off too? Do you make the trek w/ anchor and chain across the bow, or do you tie off to the transom?

[Jim]

Use 12 ft of chain and a anchor buddy. Chain is the key. The heavier the better. You will never wish you had less. Especially when it gets rough.

[shepherd]

Those with closed bows, where do you find yourself tying the anchor off too? Do you make the trek w/ anchor and chain across the bow, or do you tie off to the transom?

I rarely use the anchor in my PS 190 and when I do it's relatively calm. Basically, if it's calm and you're staying on the boat, you can tie the anchor off from anywhere. I've used the transom lift rings, transom ski eye, even the ski pylon. But if I'm leaving the boat unattended, like overnight at a campground, I'll tie the anchor off from the bow eye. It's hard to get to, but it will give the best holding power by lowering the attach point of the line (which increases the scope). Most importantly, it keeps your bow facing into the wind/waves. Well worth it for the peace of mind. I'll also do this if it's rough, but I usually avoid anchoring in rough water -- it's no fun sitting out there in it anyway.

[milkmania]

impressive and kinda pricey:(
http://www.navstore.com/bulwagga_anchors.asp

watch the videos if you get the chance
http://www.noteco.com/bulwagga/multimedia/anchorbites.mpg

http://www.noteco.com/bulwagga/multimedia/anchorresets.mpg

review
http://www.harborwatch.com/news/bulwagga.htm

note:
non-collapsible design may be an issue:(

[Workin' 4 Toys]

Well, I used the fortress this weekend. It is unbelievable. Awesome. I will probably never buy a different one. And with the lifetime warranty, why would I have to (Unless the stupid *** that threw it in the water last time does it again, yes that would be me, the stupid ***) but it was great investment. Sticks everytime, first toss. And the bag I bought with it fits like a glove and even comes with the tools to store it neatly. Actually one of the best ideas I have ever seen in the anchor industry.
Aluminum, light, sticks everytime, awesome bag, MADE IN USA, it was worth every penny. Thanks everyone.

[east tx skier]

Good info in this thread. If my 12 pound river anchor ever fails me, I may have to look into something more substnatial. So far, that thing has held up in a stiff current on a sandy bottom overnight.

[milkmania]

well.....
after 12 days on the lake anchoring at least every other day with the anchor buddy, it never failed me, and I probably boosted their sales a little.

only one little snafu.
using the anchor buddy one day, I pulled to boat in to shallow water, stepped onto the platform, knocked my key ring loose (guessing the keys landed on the platform) and sped away.
spent one whole day looking for keys..............wasted that day!:rant:
had to saw the lock off of the boat trailer, go into town to make duplicate keys, lost the keyless remote and my favorite caribiner LED light ring, and lost several irreplacable keys too.:cry:

[Workin' 4 Toys]

Good info in this thread. If my 12 pound river anchor ever fails me, I may have to look into something more substnatial. So far, that thing has held up in a stiff current on a sandy bottom overnight.

4 pounds!!! FX7 is 4 pounds. When it arrives if shipped, you think it fell out of the box it came in.

[OhioProstar]

I lost my anchor over the fourth to a stump or tree branch in Cumberland....There was no backing off the set either. Had to cut the line and tie it to a rock to sink it. I went with a Chene Anchor, 8' of 1/4 chain, and 100' of 3/8 line...I think it was $70 shipped from Bass Pro. Haven't had the boat out yet to try it...but the design looks good and it is shaped from easy retreval.

[PeteS]

I use the Digger Anchor, as linked to above. It is an great piece of equipment, and have never had trouble. I highly reccomend it.