What anchor is everyone using?

[tweeter1148]

I know this is probably best to death but I was wondering what anchor everyone was using for lakes and rivers?

 

[Beachbummer]

20 lbs Navy anchor. With 6ft of stainless chain.

It's not light.

It holds!!!!! And it's compact.

 

[jEt_jAk]

I am using a Fortress Guardian G-5. It's only 3lb so a bit on the light size. I used to use it with my old 16ft boat but seems to hold ok with 19 also.

A lot of guys swear by the Fortress stuff and I can say they are well built for sure. Needs a small trim to fit in anchor locker though.

I also use an anchor buddy line which probably helps with the fact it is very lightweight.

 

[SamCF]

Navy anchor. Drop it and forget it. No tricks or special setup, it just holds. Stills fits in the anchor locker.

 

[Julian]

Box anchor. Used to use a heavy navy anchor but my back didn't enjoy heaving that sucker up!

 

[zipper]

WARNING: DIRTY BOAT PIC. TO FOLLOW
My 07 AR230 came with this crappy SeaChoise anchor. It would drag and not hook all the time, causing me to be on alert whenever we were anchored around others, even with 6' of chain.

We bought the 8# danforth style galv. fluke anchor at West Marine to use at the bow and relegate the SeaChoise to stern duty. https://www.google.com/shopping/product/2760160712278759195?hl=en-VI&lsft=gclid:Cj0KCQjwqsHWBRDsARIsALPWMEOjZ71juUrtDHleFdAVVW3-iU1bKmvk-x9Fg7wKFLPYtB8TMZNQL-gaAmQ5EALw_wcB&output=search&noj=1&lsf=seller:2709845,store:4155029098807984441&q=west+marine+anchors&btnG=&oq=&prds=oid:2870612068612591919&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiF_7qh9LfaAhXuwVkKHWqQDngQ8wIISA The anchor works very well for what we ask of it and has not dragged yet, in two seasons of use. Its still not one I would feel comfortable setting and then sleeping for the night, but we do not do that with the Yamaha. I did have to modify the stock of the anchor to fit into the locker by cutting 1 3/4" off each end of the stock. Comes 18 1/2" but only 15" fit in locker. Length below plus saw kerf. I also padded the locker so it does not move around using a small piece of 1/2" thick "cow mat". Like I said above, it has not dragged yet.

I adhered the mat to the bulkhead and the anchor rests on it.

Disclaimer: just because I did it...I dont recommend modifying anchors.

 

[AlphaKap]

For people with box anchors, how are you stowing it when not in use?

 

[haknslash]

I use Yamaha "deluxe" fluke anchor and a small box anchor. I stow my box anchor in its bag and keep it in the rear storage compartment under the seat. The fluke stays in the bow in the anchor locker.

 

[ruztew]

Cheap Danforth anchor with 6ft chain. Sandy bottom, catches all the time and holds fine

 

[Shannon]

Box Anchor and store it under the passenger front seat. I have rope coming up from underneath seat flowing in to the anchor locker. I have rope tied off in anchor locker. Easy access and works great! I use the slide anchor shore spike for the rear. The boat don't budge when there in place. Good luck as you have a ton of anchor choices.

 

[swatski]

25 lbs Navy anchor. W/some 10ft of chain. No issues holding, lol.

--

 

[GTBRMC]

I mainly used a 25 lb Richter anchor. Worked just about everywhere I tried it, whatever the waterway or bottom type. Just toss it over the side, pay out some scope, no drama. Much of the time I could have used a smaller Richter... but I believe in using more than enough anchor.

I also had a 17 lb fluke-type anchor from West Marine with 20 ft of chain for more secure anchoring in heavier conditions on Lake Michigan. That one took more effort to set, but held very well in sandy bottom conditions and rougher water.

Whenever I anchored, I used my GPS "anchor drag alarm." Almost never needed it, but provided great peace of mind.

 

[Julian]

For people with box anchors, how are you stowing it when not in use?

I put mine under the starboard side bow seat....I don't bother folding it, and the rope loops out to the rope storage in the anchor locker....super simple. I keep a fluke style anchor in the anchor locker bracket as a backup anchor (or the anchor I use when I don't know what the bottom is like and don't want to lose my box anchor....like in bimini!!!)

 

[PeterB]

Danforth S 600 with 4' - 1/4" chain. Mainly chose because it fits the anchor locker.
For less scope, the richter works well. We also carry a 15# mushroom for the stern

 

[bronze_10]

Medium box anchor for my 230... Its too big but I don't drag..

 

[F.M.]

25# Richter, stored under the port side bow seat.

But I just took some measurements and I think I'm about to trim the opening of the anchor locker so it will fit in there.

 

[EmeryZ28]

I have had anchor trouble since day 1. The anchor that came with mt 17 AR195 just would never hold in the front. It often came loose in the soft gulf sand or if I was in the bay, I could rarely get it to hold initially in the mucky bottom. This winter for christmas my wife went to the dealer and got a similar style anchor for but a larger boat, so it is a big bigger and heavier. Hopefully it works better. Going out this weekend and will try it out.

anyone have a certain anchor that works well in sandy bottoms like the gulf?

 

[props2you]

Fortress FX-7 here with 10' 5/16" SS rode chain, set it and forget it! It's light and holds every time!

 

[mdchachi]

I have had anchor trouble since day 1. The anchor that came with mt 17 AR195 just would never hold in the front. It often came loose in the soft gulf sand or if I was in the bay, I could rarely get it to hold initially in the mucky bottom. This winter for christmas my wife went to the dealer and got a similar style anchor for but a larger boat, so it is a big bigger and heavier. Hopefully it works better. Going out this weekend and will try it out.

anyone have a certain anchor that works well in sandy bottoms like the gulf?

How did it work for you?
I had the same issues with the default danforth anchor. Couldn’t get it to hold no matter what I did. Even adding chain. Tried using 6-7x depth to lead as they recommended. Backing up to get it to catch.
This year I picked up a Chene and it’s like night day. It digs right in, doesn’t need a chain and only requires 2:1 lead. Also I can squeeze it into my anchor locker (also AR195).

 

[FLBulldogger]

We used this RICHTER anchor all over the waters in and around Tampa and Sarasota for our SX190, lots of time at Egmont key and the strong currents there. As a matter of fact it's the only thing that we did not let go when we sold the boat...Boat never budged on use and more importantly its easy to deploy and retract. Only draw back is it had to be stowed in the bow storage area and heavier. Had 50 ft of 1/2 inch anchor rope with 6' of anchor chain.