Going broke trying to find the right anchor. Need help!

T

Todd H

Active member
Ok, I've tried the traditional Danforth w/ chain, Navy w/ chain, Slip ring w/ chain and numerous variations. In Lk. St. Clair clay/mud all need someone in the water to hold down w/ their feet to set properly.

Before I spend more money on trial and error, has anyone used a Lewmar or Anchorlift Pro-Claw or the Pro-Plow? They seem like they would work better in the clay/mud, but I want someone's opinion that has used one. This would be used for the layout and the tender while setting deeks.

Thanks in advance for any advise.

Best Regards,

Todd
 
Todd,

Are you using enough scope on your anchor rope? A 7 to 1 ratio is what is recommended for maximun holding. Usually one can get by with much less than that under most conditions. Might be letting out a bit more rope would solve the problem.
 


todd look up west marine, go to anchors & look up lawmar starting at $9.00. I use them on the hudson river which is tide to hold my 18ft lund & my 21ft triton I have no problem . Our bottom is also muddy/sandy. I don't use a chain either.You will be satisfied.Joe
 
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Dave, Yes - Using the 7:1 ratio.

Joe, That's the anchor I'm asking about! It looks great, I just wanted someone's opinion that has used it before I purchase it. I have never seen one for $9.00 though. They are pretty expensive at the marine supply by me (might be the fact that they're stainless steel!) I think the galvanized will be fine.

Thanks guys,

Todd
 
Hay Todd, The $9.00 one is a 2lb anchor. We use a 6lb on the back of the boat & 11lb which I think is around $45.00 on the front.The only bottom you have to worry about is one with alot of big boulders where it can slip in between or alot of submerged logs & stumps
 
Man they look like tne NUTS for the river here... just gotta get myself to spend 85$
on a new anchor when I have been loosing 1 a year to being an Idiot at times.
 
Hi Todd,
Are you using a big enough anchor? We use nothing but TRUE Dansforth anchors and as big as possible with a good length of chain for our Tenders (22' Starcraft & 21' WarEagle) & Layout boats (Whistler and Kid Brother) and they all hold very well. Never had a problem.
Stop over.
Lou
 
Thanks again for you assistance Joe. I just ordered two (2) pound Lewmars for the layout and a (9) pound Rocna for the tender.

Regards,

Todd
 
Get a Rocna. They set better than any.
If a danforth is your choice go at least one or two sizes bigger than you think. They set well in the bigger product.
Chain is a big help, and again go for weight. Tinny little chain is not going to get the thing stuck to the bottom in big water.

The CQR is a copy of the original and they have issues with the set at times.
 
The anchor for your layout should be the same anchor you use for your tender. Don't down size your layout anchor just because the layout is a small boat. You absolutely need your layout anchor to be able to hold your tender when the wind picks up or you will be dragging your anchor all over the lake when you are switching out guys.

For anchor type, check with other guys in your area and see what they use and what system works the best. Nothing like local knowledge in this case.
 
The anchor for your layout should be the same anchor you use for your tender. Don't down size your layout anchor just because the layout is a small boat. You absolutely need your layout anchor to be able to hold your tender when the wind picks up or you will be dragging your anchor all over the lake when you are switching out guys.

For anchor type, check with other guys in your area and see what they use and what system works the best. Nothing like local knowledge in this case.
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That is great advice from Pete.

The thing I'll add is that I haven't heard is about the actual setting of the anchor. Far too many duck hunters drop their anchor overboard and expect it magically to engage the bottom, an anchor needs to be set either by drifting on it or powering it into the bottom. If you want it set in a particular place, then set it under power. Let out the 5-7-10 times depth in length required for scope and slowly drag the anchor under power with the rode on the cleat. Once set you can usually go with much less scope, like only 2 or 3 times the depth.
 
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Todd you must not be using enough scope. Unless the bottom you're trying to anchor on is sheet of granite or your achor is fouled when you try to set it a danforth with chain will hold. . The chain just adds weight and is there for chaffing on rocks. Most of the big head boats don't use chain when anchoring a 100' boat. Try leting the anchor down slowly making sure the anchor is on the bottom and the chain isnt layig on top of it then back the boat off paying out you line and set the anchor. If you do it right, that danforth will bury it self in the mud so deep, the next thread you start you'll be wanting to how to get it back.
 
Guys,

Thanks for the recomendations, but my original question has been answered. I've been anchoring boats for 30+ years. I am using enough scope and have talked to other hunters in the area. This particular spot that we layout hunt is problemsome. I know that anchor technology has come a long way in the past 5 to 10 years and I was curious to see if anyone had tried the newer plow or wedge styles.

Here's the anchor I just purchased: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhjdlKwTdv8

Thanks again,

Todd
 
The anchor for your layout should be the same anchor you use for your tender.

The anchor on my layout boat is actually bigger than the one I use on the tender. You definitely don't want your layout boat anchor letting go. The guy in the layout boat is helpless in such a situation. Plus if the layout boat is surrounded by decoys, it makes a big mess when the layout boat pulls the anchor line through the spread.
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Dave, I think it's nothing more than preference and maybe percentage of hookup.

Thats what I gather.

Todd
 
I anchor many times during the day and after pulling anchor by hand I try to use as little scope as possible (when the boat is not being left alone). Look at the bruce style anchors they dig into sand and mud well and lots of the correct size chain.
 
Dave,
there is tons of stuff inc. video of it RE the Rocna on the web.
That is the guy who designed it, not a copy.
If you cant make a danforth stick then the Rocna is the anchor to try.
Bob
 
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