If you use an anchor don't use this clamp

[Scottintexas]

Yes, despite having heard the stories a few years ago of members losing their anchor to one of these I thought it wouldn't happen to me.

If you use one of these do yourself a favor and change it,

 

[Bennie]

OUCH! What happened?

 

[Bruce]

I have lost an anchor or two to the same clamp!!

 

[Scottintexas]

I pulled my beautiful custom made box anchor up and was swishing it back and forth to get the mud off it and didn't notice the spring was loose on the latch and had opened.

 

[LyonsAR210]

I only use the clamp in my anchor locker...I use a "u" bolt to attach the end of the rope to my box anchor...haven't had any problems with that set up (knock on wood).

 

[BlackandTan]

I thought I put a "u" bolt on mine too, but this looks familiar. I better check this weekend.

 

[Wayloncle]

I thought I was going to have to cut my box anchor off this weekend, anchored in probably 100' of water and when I went to pull it up it was stuck on something. I spent about 5 minutes pulling as hard as I could and wrapping it on the cleat to keep pressure on it hoping whatever it was would break loose. It finally started to come up but whatever it was stuck to was coming with it. It took me a while but I got it up to the surface, a big tree root ball and probably 12' of the tree was attached to the anchor. I tied it off and finally got the tree unhooked......my back and shoulders are still sore from that impromptu workout!

 

[jawsf16]

@Wayloncle
Canyon Lake has some really deep and treed spots for sure. Be careful chucking in that box anchor. It may not come up. The problem is that backing it out like it is designed does not work in a thick of trees or in a crevice. My dad sacrificed a handful of anchors there.

 

[RiverRat]

I lost an anchor at the end of last season with that same clip. Anchor heldo all day no problem. I told my wife to go ahead and pull up the front anchor, and after a few minutes she turned around and showed me the empty clasp and asked what was holding the boat in place all day. I wasn't too bummed since I only use coated river anchors, and had that one for at least 10 years.

 

[0627Devildog]

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-marine--stainless-steel-carabiners--P002_060_002_002?pCode=115972

I use the 1000lb rated units for each end of my anchor rope. . . .

 

[Devildog]

Sorry to hear. I've heard that this could happen.

Here is the knot that I tied directly to the arm of my box anchor. Or chain for other types anchors. Super tight and snug.

 

[KXCam22]

Locking mountaineering carabiner is great. A steel rescue one is even better. Cam.

 

[Wayloncle]

@Wayloncle
Canyon Lake has some really deep and treed spots for sure. Be careful chucking in that box anchor. It may not come up. The problem is that backing it out like it is designed does not work in a thick of trees or in a crevice. My dad sacrificed a handful of anchors there.

I need to start using my old anchor, this was the third time it has happened at the lake and definitely the worst.

 

[DieselCamel]

I use one of these

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00E...or+swivel&dpPl=1&dpID=41dJgG06LqL&ref=plSrch#

 

[ncnmra]

Bowline has never failed me, I used it for almost everything, and it is relatively easy to undo if need be. Makes a fixed size loop which won't expand or shrink. If you are going to know only one knot this should be it, as you can use it for many applications.

I have my rope directly tied to my anchor, and I use a stainless steel eye hook on the bow eye. like this:

I also use some 3/8" poly rope which floats and has a bit of stretch. Works great in combination with my digger anchor. I've read that for better security, you can use two carabiners which are back to back.

 

[M@__]

I feel luck to boat in rocky conditions. I just use a cheap mushroom type anchor and rarely even let out more than 4:1 slack. It still gets stuck regularly, so I can't imagine what a quality anchor would do.

Let's please have a moment of silence for all the anchors taking the long swim.

 

[captras]

Anchors Away

 

[Zeus2013]

I lost an achor because of that hook also. I threw the anchor out and forgot to tie off the end and down she went.....oh wait...never mind. True story though.

 

[bumpy]

The spring in many of these hooks/carabiners is the weak point; they can and will corrode and fail long before the structural steel or aluminum that gives the holding device strength. An anchor shackle or stainless steel quick link can help avoid this kind of anchor loss, IMHO.

 

[ncnmra]

The spring in many of these hooks/carabiners is the weak point; they can and will corrode and fail long before the structural steel or aluminum that gives the holding device strength. An anchor shackle or stainless steel quick link can help avoid this kind of anchor loss, IMHO.

Agreed completely, in which case I decided that a bowline right at the anchor is the best solution. Why add additional points of failure? Those shackles are king of a PITA to remove if need be, especially after a few seasons.

EDIT: I understand that some anchors require a chain. In my case, the digger anchor works well without, so a direct line to anchor works well in my case.