glassdave

iTrader: (1)

I have a decent galv steel anchor that is nearly identical in size and shape to my big Fortress and it will not hold nearly as well. I also think the hard anodizing makes them easier to clean. Mine gets pretty mucked up and a couple extra drops back in the water cleans it right up.

JRider

iTrader: (1)

My X girlfriend would work better

Knot 4 Me

Appropriately-sized FX with a good length of chain and plenty of scope should hold you tight in mud. Works for me. I had a box anchor for exactly 2 days. Biggest POS anchor I've ever owned/used.

fordf350

Digger anchors

Ing

Box Anchor all the way and doesn't require any chain. A general rule of thumb for the scope while anchoring on a calm day 5/1, windy day 7/1 and storm weather 10+/1. In other words using a calm day as an example. For every foot of water depth, let out five feet of anchor rode. Example: 10' depth = 50' anchor rode.

mspdoc

I agree with ford 350. google "Digger Anchors", get the 15 pound anchor.

Scooter

Does she weigh more then 200lbs to keep the boat on place?

blefever

Ing got it right. Rule of thumb is 7-1 scope, but if just anchoring for the day and staying on the boat you can get away with less, if you drag the anchor, you're there to reset it.

The whole idea is to have enough rode out that when the boat pulls on the rode it is pulling parallel to the bottom so the anchor will continue to dig in. That is why you also have chain on the anchor then the rode. The weight of the chain helps to keep the rode on the bottom pulling parallel to the bottom. Take your anchor out on a beach and lay it in the sand. Then start pulling on the rode. Pull with the rode flat on the ground and watch how the anchor will dig right in to the sand. Now stand up and pull so the rode and chain come off the ground, and start pulling back like your a boat. The anchor will pop right out. Sand is the best bottom to hold in, mud and grass next, rock is tough to get a hold of. Any brand of fluke type anchor is good as long as used right.

A box anchor is good, and doesn't need chain because they have the short heavy bar before the rode that acts as chain, and the box design digs in pretty well in most bottom types. You can also get away with less rode but more is always better. Do the same beach test to see how the box works.

The problem is when in a really cool, but small cove, putting out 7-1 scope may have you swinging into others who only put out 4 or 5-1 and are hopping for the best.

If you plan to overnight on the hook, you will sleep much better knowing that you set the anchor properly and it won't drag. If you're just in a cove for the day, you may want to just put out what ever you can so as to not swing into others and reset if you have to.