Anchors

[GreenHorn]

I have a question about anchors.

What kind of anchor does everyone use?

I will be motoring my Pocket Cruiser on the Kentucky and Ohio Rivers, anchoring in small streams and such over night or for lunch breaks.

What type and weight anchor(s) would work best for this?

Thanks.

[MikeStevenson]

We've always been partial to Danforths and Bruce Anchors. West now sells small Bruce anchors under a different name. (not as small as the one I saw at a show once which was about 3" long. It was on a little chain and in a sandbox to demonstrate the ability of the design to dig in regardless of the intial orientation

[Mike Kelley]

Hey guys, Wallmart sells anchors the "chene" anchor works very well with both mt 17' runabout or the sailboat, similar in design as danforth,and small-light and hang on good with 8' of chainand about 30-50 ft of rope

about $20.00

Muke

[Kudzu]

I live and boat on the Tennessee River and assuming we have similar conditions a danforth works extremely well in all but rock bottoms. And there is not many places with a rock bottom. I carried my anchor on a CAL 21 and it worked perfectly. I went one size larger than suggested. Had it to do over I would go with the recommended size.

Reason being, hauling in a heavy anchor gets old. You tend not to want to use it. Worse you don't pull it out when you should. So buy the right size and the lightest weight model. Danforth has three models. The higher priced ones have the same holding power as the cheaper ones. But are much lighter and smaller. MAtter of fact they look to small.

In my opinion next to life jackets, the anchor is you most important safety device on board. It has saved me boat damage and embarrassment more than once!

BTW, since I sold my sailboat I use the same danforth anchor in my 21' Cris Craft Sea Skiff. With a 180 HP inboard I tried once to see how well it would hold. I can't pull it out once it sets. It has amazing holding power. I was afraid I would break the rope before the anchor would let go. By the same token I have never had any problem pulling it out of the bottom either.

[Brent]

The Ohio and lower sections of the Kentucky River have bottoms mostly of mud. Current can be three + knots. I use a 3 lb danforth anchor with 10 feet of chain. This anchor digs in really well, will break out easily, but will bring up a bunch of muck when retreived. A Bruce anchor would be great here also.

Many of Kentucky's lakes and streams have shale bottoms with steep sloping bottoms. A danforth anchor will slide down the slopes and when it does finaly set most likely the anchor flukes will get caught in the rock ledges. (If it wasn't for scuba I would have donated several anchors to Dale Hollow and Cumberland Lakes) I use a mushroom anchor here, but this anchor is really only for short term use. The only secure anchoring in these conditions is to tie on to something substantial on shore, like a tree.

[Sailor3356]

I also have a pair of Danforth at about 25 lbs. a piece, my boats a little bigger. I prefer two after dragging anchor in a Lake Eire storm. Never have been sorry since. Weekenders are lighter but can drag an anchor in a strong wind. Better to be over prepared. :roll: