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Shopping for a new anchor for the boat - we currently have a 35lb mushroom anchor. It fits well in the anchor locker, but other than that I pretty much hate it. It's heavy, it doesn't hold well, and just overall sucks. BBP suggested a box anchor - https://www.slideanchor.com/boxanchor

I trust BBP, but he also boats in a lake that is 2 feet deep so really he could just stand up and hold the boat in place.

Our lake is a mix of shale and mud bottom, most of the coves we are in seem to be mud. I would like something that would fit in the front anchor locker - the box anchor looks like it folds in half but may still be too long to fit.

What do you guys suggest?

I used the box anchor on my last boat with no chain and it works great. As it was a pain to break down I left open and it’s still fit. It would hold in sandy mud at a 3-1 scope in wind. 2-1 if calm.
Now they do bring up some river bottom so the trick as they are heavy to rinse is to re- tie it off under the water a couple feet and back up from your spot 20 feet... presto clean anchor!

Hi Nauti,

We picked this one up a while back https://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-mar ... P014063861. It's not a full box (half box?), but it holds well on a soft bottom. We used it yesterday for the third time and it held firm for over three hours. It's a bit heavy at 24 lbs, more so because we have it on a chain (which I believe helps it hold, although they say you can use it without one), but I'd imagine it would probably feel pretty similar to a 35 lb mushroom when retrieving. Once it's up, we have to swish it to remove mud, take off the bolt and fold it flat, then it fits perfectly in our anchor locker (it's 21 1/2" long when collapsed). One of the things that I like about this one is that it just pops up when you have pulled it in to the point that you're right over top of it, so there is no need to hunt around to figure out how to get it loose. We sometimes had to do that with our Danforth, at which point it occasionally came up with a root lodged in it. It doesn't look to me like it's very likely that this one would snag like that (fingers crossed).

G

cmattj wrote: Tue May 28, 2019 7:41 am Now they do bring up some river bottom so the trick as they are heavy to rinse is to re- tie it off under the water a couple feet and back up from your spot 20 feet... presto clean anchor!

That's a great tip!

Thanks,
G

Good discussion here:viewtopic.php?f=44&t=477. I use the Richter anchor, holds real well in both mud and rock.

I've got a digger anchor. Works great on soft bottoms. And the flutes can rotate down so all the bottom stuff falls off.

I love my digger anchor. Only time I ever have issues is on really windy days. I only have the 8lb version as well.

I have the large box anchor for our 232. I originally bought the small but exchanged it at the Slide Anchor store for the large. Ryan at Slide Anchor really suggested using the large since we go to Lake Powell and plan to leave the boat anchored overnight. Previously, we have only had Jet Ski's and a fishing boat that we just beached, but won't do that with the Cobalt.

We have only used the box anchor twice and it held great in mild wind but is heavy bringing up and overall awkward. It is currently in the anchor locker, but I think I will put it under the front cushion as it is a pain to lift and fit into the anchor locker.

Thanks for the tip cmattj for cleaning it by backing up! Will try that Friday.

cmattj wrote: Tue May 28, 2019 7:41 am I used the box anchor on my last boat with no chain and it works great. As it was a pain to break down I left open and it’s still fit. It would hold in sandy mud at a 3-1 scope in wind. 2-1 if calm.
Now they do bring up some river bottom so the trick as they are heavy to rinse is to re- tie it off under the water a couple feet and back up from your spot 20 feet... presto clean anchor!

Everything he said! I was going to add the rinse comment, but darned if he didn't beat me to it. It is a large anchor when assembled and no joke to pull up. However, it holds fast with little concern of drifting. How far are you guys from Louisville? I could loan you mine for a weekend.

2ridgebacks wrote: Wed May 29, 2019 9:38 am

cmattj wrote: Tue May 28, 2019 7:41 am I used the box anchor on my last boat with no chain and it works great. As it was a pain to break down I left open and it’s still fit. It would hold in sandy mud at a 3-1 scope in wind. 2-1 if calm.
Now they do bring up some river bottom so the trick as they are heavy to rinse is to re- tie it off under the water a couple feet and back up from your spot 20 feet... presto clean anchor!

Everything he said! I was going to add the rinse comment, but darned if he didn't beat me to it. It is a large anchor when assembled and no joke to pull up. However, it holds fast with little concern of drifting. How far are you guys from Louisville? I could loan you mine for a weekend.

We live in Shelbyville, about 25min East of Louisville off 64. Katie and I both work in Louisville though so we may just take you up on that offer.

I use the Fortress FX-11 fluke anchor for sand and mud. It only weighs 7lbs and holds like a monster for my 25'. Easy to bring up and easy to clean off. It is expensive though and made out of aluminum so no rust. However most of you are freshwater so that isn't a concern.

I had both a fluke and mushroom anchor on my last boat. This boat came with a Box Anchor and I have to say, I'm a fan! That thing has locked us down in both sand and rocks. The rocks being the most recent. When I pulled it up, the whole bottom edge was filled with rocks that it pulled up from the floor of the lake!

I think these are awesome and would totally buy one and recommend it fully!!!

cmattj wrote: Tue May 28, 2019 7:41 am Now they do bring up some river bottom so the trick as they are heavy to rinse is to re- tie it off under the water a couple feet and back up from your spot 20 feet... presto clean anchor!

I tried your trick this evening, and it worked like a charm! This is MUCH easier than the swish-and-repeat routine that I was using!!

Thanks again,
G

Photo_G wrote: Sat Jun 01, 2019 10:08 pm

cmattj wrote: Tue May 28, 2019 7:41 am Now they do bring up some river bottom so the trick as they are heavy to rinse is to re- tie it off under the water a couple feet and back up from your spot 20 feet... presto clean anchor!

I tried your trick this evening, and it worked like a charm! This is MUCH easier than the swish-and-repeat routine that I was using!!

Thanks again,
G

You bet!. I do the same with my windlass as well.

Islander208 wrote: Tue May 28, 2019 10:33 am Good discussion here:viewtopic.php?f=44&t=477. I use the Richter anchor, holds real well in both mud and rock.Screenshot_20190528-100729_Gallery.jpg

This, you will not regret it.