Need some input on how to anchor boat...

[1sicktige]

Hey all, so I'm headed to Havasu on Thursday with the fam for 4 days. We are really looking forward to being able to spend 4 straight days on our Z1! Have a question I'm sure many of you will be able to help me with. We are going to be camping out there with some Rv's and I will need to anchor my boat close to shore thought the days as we will be on and off the boat all day. I used to beach my old boat but don't want to do it with this one, did it one and picked up on some really bad scratches at the bottom. So want to do it the way I see many others do which is anchor the front, and pop the boat I to reverse and tie the back facing the shore. That way it's easy on and off for everyone and it's not anywhere near sand.

With that said what's the best way to do it? Regular anchor in the front? Sand/rock bag anchors? I've also read about some new product called a "slide anchor" or also called a "box anchor" what Are you all using? All Info/pics would be greatly appreciated hoping to go but everything tomorrow so the faster the info the better! Thanks again in advance!

[robert theisen]

I have a Box Anchor i use off the bow. I use a Shore Spike with the Danik Hook off the back. All are sold by Slide Anchor. You don't need the Stainless Steel one they are very expensive. Just get the regular galvanized one.

[whiteflash watersports]

X2 - this is exactly what I do and it works very well. Box anchor offf the front reverse put shore spike in the beach, adjust and you are all set.

[Dandy]

1sicktige...good question, I have been trying to figure this out as well. We have some relatives that are dockhogs and will make us anchor out.

For those of you using box anchors and shore spikes what size would you recommend to 1sick for his Z1?

You may also want to check out the video for anchor buddy it looks like it can be used to bring the boat back closer to shore without swimming out. Anyone use this?

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

[Coop]

I do the same as Robert and Whiteflash. The only minor difference is I use Danik Hooks at both the shore spike and the bow line, which I think makes it easier to adjust forward and back if necessary (if, for example, the water level changes or the wind causes the anchor to shift slightly).

As far as size of box anchor, I use the large. I had a smaller one before but found that it would not always hold in the Havasu wind (note that this was with a 24V - I never tried the smaller one on the RZ2).

I also tried the anchor buddy early on, but found that it allowed too much movement in the wind and/or currents, so I ditched it after the first season and haven't used it since.

Good luck, and have a great trip.

[whiteflash watersports]

I also use the danik hooks at both ends like Coop. They seem expensive but are well worth it. They make minor adjustments a breeze. I have a small box anchor and it holds very well for our 20ft RZR. I anchor with just the box anchor in the lake and it holds against Florida afternoon thunderstorms which can be pretty wicked. We also use it at a tidal sandbar near an ocean inlet and it holds there very well also. This is where the danik hooks really help us out since we are adjusting with the tide.

[Dandy]

What do ya'll tie to off the back of your boat? I am assuming the tie down/lift point "u bolts". On the rear of the boat, do you use the Danik hooks on the shore spike and the boat or do you just tie to the boat? - I am trying to figure out the best set up as I was planning to order today so the post by 1sicktige couldn't have come at a better time for me - thanks 1sick!

[robert theisen]

I use one of the pre looped bow lines through the tie down hook and attach the Danik hook to the Shore Spike. I just tie the Box Anchor to the front cleat with the anchor line.The Medium Box Anchor is what i have. It has held fine in winds up to 15 MPH.If the wind is stronger than that i don't want to be on the water.LOL

[1sicktige]

Well, looks like you all for the most part have the same set up! Thanks for all the great replies looks like it's off to the boat store!! I guess the box anchor although a bit pricy seems to be the way to go...


So how exactly do you guys do this? You throw the anchor in the front and tie it up, then pop the boat into reverse until it's however close to shore that you want it and have someone jump out with a rope tied to the back and have them put the shore spike in and then adjust it all? Seems kind of like a pain in the a**! And if there is a current at all or windy sounds like ull be all over the place before you can get it all tied down....?

@dandy: glad I was not the only one trying to figure this out! The beauty of this forum, tons of knowledgable people, very quick replies, couldn't ask for better. Feel free to ask away ok my thread if you have an related questions as well!

[The Black Widow]

We have the same box anchor/shore spike setup but another thing we do to make it easy to come and go is add a hook at the end of the shore spike line that clips to the d-ring on the back of the boat. Then continuing off that is extra line (pre measured) with a loop at the end that reaches up to the bow. When you go to take off you attach the anchor line off the bow to the loop at the end of this line and connect a fender or float to that. When you come back you can grab a hold at any spot of this line and connect the bow and stern lines.

[robert theisen]

Usually my wife is driving and i throw out the box anchor. She reverses the boat till we are at the desired depth[about 3 feet].I grab the anchor rope and tie it off. Then i grab the shore spike and the bow line and hop off the back. Loop the bow line through the transom tie down. I then have the dank hook in one hand to hold the boat. I use the other hand to start the shore spike. Then i hook the dank hook on to the shore spike and drive it in the rest of the way. I pull the bow line tied to the transom hook to remove all but a foot or two of slack. Then i hook the red marker ball to the shore spike hook on top.

[gwhite94]

I am similer to other on here,

Throw anchor over the front, (I have an 18inch rope with a ss snap clip at each end clip one around the anchor rope the other to the bow eye.
Reverse the boat to shore to desired depth. (3ft or so)
put a loop of anchor line around rear cleat. pull anchor line tight and put in shore spike.

[jimidemo]

Anchor

My danforth has a heavy duty bungee on it that allows us to pull the boat toward shore to allow everyone to exit or board in shallower water. Then when you let go it pulls the boat back out to the 3' desired depth. Came with my used boat. I really like it.

[talltigeguy]

Here is where I am going to provide a little bit of negative review on the Danik Hook. I used them for a week at Lake Powell and had problems with both of my hooks sliding. One of them was just manufactured poorly and it does not close without a bit of effort because the release lever is too long, and the metal parts come together.

The ones I have are advertised to hold 3/8" rope and larger, and 3/8" is the size of my rope. The cheap rope I bought does not always hold well in the hook. My rope is something like this: http://www.wholesalemarine.com/aamst...FQdgfgodODwA4w Danik Hook says that this should handle 3/8" rope and bigger, but I think I am going to aim for 7/16" or even 1/2" rope, although that is overkill to anchor a wakeboat. On a side note, once you tie a knot in the rope above, you will have a very hard time getting it undone, especially once it dries.

I sent an email to Danik hook on Sunday night and still have not heard back, so I find that sort of lame. I think my problem will be solved if I take a grinder to the defective end of the release lever to allow it to slip down and grab the line like it was meant to. But I really shouldn't have to worry about whether it closes or not. This was supposed to make my anchoring easier, not more worrisome. It looks like at least for the type of line above, 3/8" is a little on the small side and it seems to slip, so I will be getting some new rope also. I was thinking that the regular Home Depot double braided rope would be fine...any ideas on rope that I should get instead? Maybe 3/8" of a different rope like this will work fine: http://www.wholesalemarine.com/trac-...FcRffgod728AiA




The defective one is on top. If you fiddle and push on the release lever, then it will pop down and grab the rope like the bottom one, but my first couple of times, I did not realize it was not grabbing the rope.

[Palle Man]

Just used our box anchor and shore spike for the first time. Super happy with it held all day with 25+ mph wind and rock/shale bottom. I bought the anchor buddy anchor line. It seems to work well, but I have a feeling the elasticity will not last long. Going to order the Danik Hook next. Never had an anchor that actually held like the box anchor. Expensive, but well worth it. When you have a boat that costs almost half as much as your house, it's a "no brainer"!