best shallow water anchor

(chaser) · (chaser) **Join Date: Sep 2006** 06-20-2008, 7:32 AM

Read the thread on the box anchor but dang, that thing is expensive. I only really use an anchor for one week out of the year when we camp. I anchor in about 3-4 feet of water with sandy bottom over night. Looking for a good holding anchor. Last year I had a huge block of concrete I thought would absolutely hold the boat, but the wind kicked up and the boat dragged it across the bottom. Should I use rubber bungies on the anchor line too?

(burban89) · (burban89) **Join Date: Nov 2006** 06-20-2008, 7:42 AM

Man i swear the box anchor and anchor buddy are the 2 best things I have bought when it comes down to anchoring, tieing up, etc. I go camping for 10-13days each year and last year the box anchor held my boat in a pretty decent storm while my brother and brother-in-laws boats both kept coming loose. I say get the box anchor and look into the anchor buddy also.

(mike3500) · (mike3500) **Join Date: Jun 2008** 06-23-2008, 8:05 AM

Get the box. We went with the traditional $40 anchor, and had to re-anchor whenever it got windy. With the box, we now watch everyone else re-anchor, while we drink beer.

(tj_in_kc) · (tj_in_kc) **Join Date: Jan 2008** 06-23-2008, 8:46 AM

chaser. if you really anchor that infrequently and you have a sandy bottom i think you could just get 2 river anchors.

i have heard the box anchors are incredible, but they are certainly expensive.

i have 2 river anchors (20lbs each). I tie 1 off the bow and 1 off the stern and have had no problems with drifting in my 21ft boat.

bungie lines or the anchor buddy system are for tieing 1 end to shore and the other to the boat. those are also expensive. if you are doing that it is worth it. if you are just anchoring in the middle of a cove you don't need those.

(Message edited by tj_in_kc on June 23, 2008)

(kvoman) · (kvoman) **Join Date: Aug 2006** 06-23-2008, 10:48 AM

Look into the Richter anchor. I felt the same about the box anchor cost and came across the Richter. Awesome holding power and no chains needed either cost 1/3 less than the box anchor. Holds 2 boats in windy conditions w/o any problems.

Definitely get the anchor buddy no matter which anchor you get.

(rooter) · (rooter) **Join Date: Oct 2006** 06-23-2008, 4:37 PM

Bingo Raymond Foster...I have the same combo on my 22ft and it works like a charm.

(uofamox) · (uofamox) **Join Date: Feb 2007** 06-23-2008, 4:44 PM

Box anchor for me. I tie up every Sunday and i tried different type/sizes of anchors. Now i have the box anchor and I dont worry about it. Now i have more time to worry about all the other crazy stuff that goes on or around my boat.

(littletna) · (littletna) **Join Date: Jan 2008** 06-23-2008, 6:41 PM

I've been boating for a long time and I've never found anything as good as a BOX ANCHOR. We get some strong winds here in Colorado and the boat never moves.

(boarder_x) · (boarder_x) **Join Date: Mar 2006** 06-23-2008, 6:49 PM

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/251323/377%20710%20808/0/Anchors/Primary%20Search/mode%20matchallpartial/30/0?N=377%20710%20808&Ne=0&Ntt=Anchors&Ntx=mode%20ma tchallpartial&page=CategoryDisplayLevel1&isLTokenU RL=true&storeNum=88&subdeptNum=450&classNum=450

For those times when the water is only a few feet deep. There are MANY variations on this anchor. It is AWESOME! You can dive down, and drive it in. use it on the beach....

(davidhep23) · (davidhep23) **Join Date: Feb 2007** 06-23-2008, 7:33 PM

I got my box anchor on Friday last week, and had the chance to use it this weekend. All I can say is WOW! I threw it out to hold the boat a few feet from the dock I was tied to. The next morning it hadn't moved an inch. We were in about 7 feet of water. It was well worth the money.

(canecorso) · (canecorso) **Join Date: Aug 2007** 06-23-2008, 7:45 PM

Box anchor is the best-cough up and never look back thats what we did.
It works awesome when were close to the beach and everyone is off the boat we never have to worry about it moving when the wind picks up. The anchor always digs it self in with just throwing it out...

(bob) · (bob) **Join Date: Feb 2001** 06-24-2008, 10:58 PM

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/42724/377%20710%20815%201823/712/Anchors/Primary%20Search/mode%20matchallpartial/0/0?N=377%20710%20815%201823&Ne=712&Ntt=Anchors&Ntx= mode%20matchallpartial&page=CategoryDisplayLevel1& isLTokenURL=true&storeNum=88&subdeptNum=381&classN um=381#

The 4 lb one would work fine for your size boat and they are way lighter and smaller then the regular steel fluke anchors $70 versus the $140 for a box and I dont see anyone around florida, all sand bottom, using a box. The only thing is if you get on a different bottom, rocks, where a box might hold the fluke may not.

(tj_in_kc) · (tj_in_kc) **Join Date: Jan 2008** 06-25-2008, 6:16 AM

chaser i think you are getting good advice. however since it's not their money everyone will encourage you to get the box anchor. the most expensive thing.

i think with how shallow of water you are in there are cheaper solutions. fluke or river anchors will work fine. save your money, you don't need the bungie or anchor buddy unless you are also tieing to shore.