I need some type of Shore spike to help anchor my boat. I was curious if anyone has made there own or came across a less expensive option then the ones sold online or in store. It seems as a pretty basic project, just looking for some ideas. One of the guys at Boaters World told me to look in to a heavy duty Dog yard spike as an option?

Almost anything will work as long as it's sturdy. I use 24" rebar stakes for rocky shoreline. I use an 18" HD orange plastic tree stake for sandy shores, both i got at Home Depot and they've worked great for a few years now.

I was thinking the same think about the rebar stake from home depot. I thought about welding some handles to help push it down and pull it up easier. Most of the shoreline we encounter is rocky based.

I use a dog yard spike, it's actually a cork screw. It's cheap and works great.

David, do you happen to know what brand/model or weight limit is is rated at?

I used a two foot piece of 1/2 inch round stainless rod that I welded a clip to. Used it for years and it worked well, it was just a bit clunky compaired to the Sandspike version that I now use. <BR> <BR><a href="http://www.sandspike.com" target="_blank">www.sandspike.com</a> <BR> <BR>JT

JT, I like the idea of the sandspike, and looked at them. $50 I think is a little over priced in my opinion. I will only need a shore spike a handful of times each year. Most of the areas I would use them are rocky shoreline and not sure how well it would hold up, looks better suited for sandy areas.

second the pooch spike. it has worked well with small rocks, dirt and sand.

Nope I have no idea about brand or rating, if it even has one. I got it in a closeout bin at the pet store. I do know that it holds in the sand very well and I've never had a problem. Mine is very similar to this picture. <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/561279.jpg" alt="Upload">

I use a dog-stake. Mine is just a stake with dart-like fins on it for in-ground traction, it was $7 or something like that. Patrick, if you have a bungee or "anchor buddy", weight limit really doesn't matter. Mine will pull out of the sand if I leave it there for a long time... but it works great for several hours, which is as long as we stay parked on the beach.

I wouldn't use rebar because you're going to have to deal with rust whenever you put it in the boat. Plus, having that sharp end exposed on a beach where people are most likely playing is a major safety hazard. We had to take a guy to the hospital and have his foot sewn back together cuz we were playing football on the beach and he stepped on a stake for the canopy. <BR> <BR>I use the sand spike because it's easy, small and stays clean. The dog stake looks like a great idea for everything, but the loosest sand. Very clever.

Cal, I do have the "Anchor Buddy" and would be using it with an anchor. I plan to use a the shore spike to secure the boat overnight on camping trips or when parking in a cove. Thanks for the feedback on the weight limit issue as I had the feeling the anchor buddy would help with taking the weight off the shore spike.

I use a fence post (green with the while on top) and a big hammer to knock it into the ground. I cut the end off so it's just a straight piece of metal about 3 feet long. It's worked for about 10 years now with no problems.

I picked up an 18" piece of 1/2" solid steel round rod, cut an angle on one end to drive it into the ground. For storage and to deal with rust, I got a chunk of 3/4" PVC pipe with threads on one end, glued a slip cap on the other end and use a screw on cap on the threaded side...instant protective case and no worries about the interior.

Shawn, good idea. Do you use a hammer to knock it into the ground?

Patrick, its Matt. I use that same dog stake for my boat and it works well. Its short and holds very well. I only use it at Ray Roberts though since it has a sandy shoreline. I drop the anchor in the bow section and tie up the rear with that dog stake.

Yup, either a hammer, anchor, or get creative with a large rock. <BR> <BR>You can also slip the cover back over the rod that is sticking out of the ground if safety is a concern.

you can find lots of thing to use at lowes and home depot in the gardening sections

There are these at ace <a href="http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1295647&amp;cp=&amp;fbx=0&amp; fbn=Taxonomy%7CHardware&amp;f=Taxonomy%2FACE%2F256 8451&amp;fbc=1&amp;fr=StorePrice%2FACE%2F00000000% 2F00002500&amp;kw=dog&amp;parentPage=search&amp;se archId=24964957763" target="_blank">http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1295647&amp;cp=&amp;fbx=0&amp; fbn=Taxonomy%7CHardware&amp;f=Taxonomy%2FACE%2F256 8451&amp;fbc=1&amp;fr=StorePrice%2FACE%2F00000000% 2F00002500&amp;kw=dog&amp;parentPage=search&amp;se archId=24964957763</a> theyare like 3.99 and in the sam,e section by the rope and chain there is a more heavy duty version and it is like 7.99 that is what I have and it works GREAT.

Matt, I think the dog stake seems to be the easiest and cheapest with not much work involved. I am thinking ahead to a few Broken Bow trips we may plan and also some other weekend camping trips. I wouldn't have much use for it on Lewi or at the River most likely. <BR> <BR>Rick awesome find. I will stop by Ace this weekend for sure, thanks!! <BR> <BR>(Message edited by pfort on March 25, 2008)

We took an old auger and cut it into two foot section and welded a 7/8" nut on the end and found a t-handle and welded a socket on the end. We screw the auger in as far out as we can and use the elastic shoreline thing to pull the boats in. Works really well. If we're in rock then we use cinder blocks for anchors.

I use the shore spike. Good luck getting one of those cheesy dog screw things into the shore where I boat. They do work great if you have a fairly sandy beach aria to use it on. An anchor buddy is a must, espessially for leaving the boat in overnight.

I have a dog stake and with a breeze blowing, it does not quite hold if the sand is soft. <BR> <BR><a href="http://www.slideanchor.com/spike.asp" target="_blank">http://www.slideanchor.com/spike.asp</a>