Box Anchors- Chain or No Chain?
 

Decided to give Slide Anchors' box anchor a try so I just bought the large size which is supposed to be good for 30-40 Foot boats. My question is- do you use a chain with the box anchors? Don't see how the chain would help with this design and the anchor is heavy enough on its own.

Has anyone had good luck with the box anchors and did you use a chain??

Thanks in advance,
Rick

Box Anchors work great. You don't need chain, and can get away with less scope. At a day anchorage they work great with no chain as long as you do have enough scope.

If you were to add chain it would help not hurt. It helps to keep the pull on the anchor more parallel to the bottom which is your holding power.

If your staying overnight on the anchor you want all the holding power you can get. At least I sleep a lot better knowing the anchor is not dragging.

We have had the box anchor for over 10 years, there is no need for chain. It is designed to work using the drag bar that is built into it. It is where the rope attaches. They work great!

No chain.

As said, no chain.

Box anchor is a square scoop with a couple fingers. It does not dig down like a Danforth.
The short, 2-3 scope leaves little benifit for a chain cantenary effect (and most Box anchor users would not deploy sufficient chain regardless)
A short chain section, 5' ish, may reduce line chafing from bottom debris.

Many people's idea of deploying an anchor is giving the whole mess a toss, play out a little extra line and open a drink.
Given the extra weight of a Box, the throw does not carry very far thus the tackle has less space to spread out.
I suspect, the chain will fall at a similar rate to the anchor, potentially ending up on the bottom in a pile creating a greater chance the anchor will snag in the chain. The company figures there is less to be gained than lost by recomending a chain.

i have a short 3' chain on mine then rope works great.

How do you guys like your box anchors? Been thinking about one, especially if they are easier to store. My anchor is in the very front of the cabin and is a PITA to get at in short order but really the only place to keep it besides laying on the floor. Thought maybe the box anchor could go under a bolster or under a gunnel.

The small could not hold my 5k, 24' ski boat in a 15mph wind in a relatively sheltered lake cove.
The Large does a nice job as a day anchor for myself and maybe 2 equal sized boats.
Pros-
Folds compact
easy to deploy
short 2-3 scope (nice for party rafting)
Cons-
heavier than comparably holding danforth
premium cost

best performance in mud, clay or sand bottom

Does not lock down like a well set danforth but does not break free and skip either.
OK as a day anchor or overnight if you KNOW it will not be windy.
I still carry a larger danforth as my backup for windy conditions or something goes wrong and you want to lock down and not get blown into shore.

No chain love love love it!!! Let's just say all my boating buddys have them now too!!!
Skydog