Best Anchor?

[captainjack]

What is the best anchor u have found? Captain jack is ready for an upgrade ours holds 50% of the time weight size etc what do I need to look for?

[ezweigbaum]

I really like the Box Anchor from www.slideanchor.com

Eric

[captainjack]

K also should add I want it to work in a river with up to a 7. Mph current with as minimal of a mess as possible.

[texaspontoon]

Lots of talk on this subject on this forum if you do a search. If you are talking mud, then I believe the best anchor is the box stye, but I think they are pretty pricey. Some of the top anchors go for $300-$500.

After reading several articles, the best one for the money for me was the delta plow anchor (less than $100 at west marine). What I like about my plow anchor is that I do not need chain. Chain is a pain in the posterior padding on a pontoon boat because it will leave rust stains on your floor (carpet or vinyl). So 150' of rope is all I need to anchor in the current in about 20-40' of water. Get the 15lbs or higher (upsize it one size from what is says will hold your boat).

Would that work for you?

[GregF]

The galvanizing on hot dipped chain will last as long as the coating on the anchor but if you are a purist, they sell $tainle$$ chain, shackles etc.

[robster]

I really like our Fortress anchor,it's not too heavy and is made to last,plus the dang thing works!

http://www.wholesalemarine.com/p/FOR-G- ... TAodsBSG7g

[Ron Burgundy]

We have sand and grass bottoms. I have a fluke style anchor that I am not happy with. I probably just need a bigger one because everyone here uses this style. It's broken loose twice. Once my boat almost drifted off to sea leaving me stranded on a deserted island. The other time it broke loose, and almost drifted into a bowrider anchored nearby. The upside is that it keeps me in shape because of all the sprinting and the pushing/pulling of a 20' pontoon boat by hand.

[Bamaman]

Recipe for Anchor

1. You go to Home Depot, and purchase one of those orange 5 gallon buckets for $2.79.

2. Buy a 6" eye bolt, 1 big washer and a nut. Put washer on eye bolt, and install nut near bottom of threads.

3. Purchase one bag of Saccrete. Dump concrete mix into the orange bucket, and add water per instructions on bag--stirring well.

4. Stick the long eye bolt into the wet concrete mixture, and let it dry for 24 hours.

5. Attach ski rope to eye bolt.

It's cheap, and it works.

[Flanker]

Recipe for Anchor

1. You go to Home Depot, and purchase one of those orange 5 gallon buckets for $2.79.

2. Buy a 6" eye bolt, 1 big washer and a nut. Put washer on eye bolt, and install nut near bottom of threads.

3. Purchase one bag of Saccrete. Dump concrete mix into the orange bucket, and add water per instructions on bag--stirring well.

4. Stick the long eye bolt into the wet concrete mixture, and let it dry for 24 hours.

5. Attach ski rope to eye bolt.

It's cheap, and it works.

Won't work in current

[GregF]

(re; a bucket full of concrete)

Won't work in current

I agree, a big rock was the original anchor but sailors quickly learned that if they could get something that would dig into the bottom they get a lot more holding power with a lot less weight.
"The best anchor" really depends on what you expect it to grab a hold of. I am going back with a big Danforth like the one I have.
I have seriously thought of something like a power pole but I am not buying one at the price they want for one. I will be building something myself. Ron might be able to use something like that too since it sounds like most of his "anchoring" is actually hooking up at the beach.
I run up on the sand myself but he is protecting his bottom paint. I may just go "old school" and get a regular pole. I have been looking for one floating but no joy so far.

[captainjack]

I want find 1 anchor for to applications. Mud/sand 2nd shale rock. For rivers an lakes or is this not possible? I ruined one of the digger anchors in the rock situations. Also what size do u guys use the ones they recommend in the charts? That's what I have been buying but they pull free often in wind or current? Any good storage ideas seams like under a seat there are really hard on stuff.

[Dragboatdad]

I really like our Fortress anchor,it's not too heavy and is made to last,plus the dang thing works!

http://www.wholesalemarine.com/p/FOR-G- ... TAodsBSG7g

I have one of these too. It's light weight and with some galvanized chain and enough rope it has never failed me.

[Ron Burgundy]

(re; a bucket full of concrete)

Won't work in current

I agree, a big rock was the original anchor but sailors quickly learned that if they could get something that would dig into the bottom they get a lot more holding power with a lot less weight.
"The best anchor" really depends on what you expect it to grab a hold of. I am going back with a big Danforth like the one I have.
I have seriously thought of something like a power pole but I am not buying one at the price they want for one. I will be building something myself. Ron might be able to use something like that too since it sounds like most of his "anchoring" is actually hooking up at the beach.
I run up on the sand myself but he is protecting his bottom paint. I may just go "old school" and get a regular pole. I have been looking for one floating but no joy so far.

I like the idea of the power pole, but like you said they are too expensive. Been thinking about getting a 'shore spike' since most of my anchoring is on the beach. Sometimes if it's real windy I'll set an anchor when fishing, but usually I just drift. Last time I was fishing in wind the anchor just dragged on the bottom anyway. I pulled it up so I didn't disturb any turtle grass.

[Bamby]

I like the idea of the power pole, but like you said they are too expensive. Been thinking about getting a 'shore spike' since most of my anchoring is on the beach. Sometimes if it's real windy I'll set an anchor when fishing, but usually I just drift. Last time I was fishing in wind the anchor just dragged on the bottom anyway. I pulled it up so I didn't disturb any turtle grass.

I found a redneck solution that may actually work for your situation, and maybe Greg's too....
http://brotherhood-of-catfishermen.com/ ... 1037517260

[GregF]

That is basically what flats fishermen have been doing for at least a century. They use their pole. If you notice a commercially made poling pole is pointed in one end with a spreader on the other. You just put a small bight on a cleat and drop the pole through it.

I have a pole I found floating made out of 1.5 sch 40 PVC with caps on the ends but it is really not stiff enough. Schedule 80 RNC would probably be better but those fiberglass or graphite poles are still the best.