As you all know, I'm a newbie to boating and we have lost 3 Fluke anchors already. Tried everything to retrieve them, but couldn't. Before I spend any more precious beer, bait and fuel money on another anchor I figured I'd seek some advice.

Brooksie, just curious but how did you loose so many anchors? I've had mine get caught on a rock a few times but usually if I run the boat around to the other side and kinda jiggle it, it comes loose. If the anchor is slipping you might not have a large enough anchor for your boat.

"lou"

Put your name, phone # and marina you are located at. Chances are they will eventually come up with some lobster gear and you will be contacted. Get an anchor ball.

They get caught and can't be freed, we try running the boat to the other side and in every direction and just can't get it loose. It's not every time we drop it but I've had the boat about a month and had it out about ten times and lost 3 of them. The worst part is 2 of the anchors were lost at the beginning of trips so we were forced to drift while fishing. It's starting to get expensive. What type of anchors do you guys use?

Brooksie how much chain do you use ?

I use a Fluke with about 4 1/2 feet of chain :eek:
20ft. boat

7 years with the same set up
(I know I will loose it now :D )

also look to see how the lobster pots are running that may help stay off them.

1st - came w/boat but I believe about 4 ft

2nd - 6ft

3rd - none

Team Rock On is right get an anchor ball and attach it to the crown of the anchor. Don't know how many endless searches anchor balls save me in the Army. "We were right here when we lost it" after you chew up about 3 sets of divers searching for it.

Wht did the Army anchor their divers ??? ;)

Tie a peice of light line to the head of your anchor. Have enough for the depth you are in and put a ball on it.
Anchor and fish.
When you get ready to go, if the anchor is stuck, go pick up the rubbor ball and pull your anchor out backwards.

Or, if you are constantly anchoring in rocky ground change to a Grapple Style anchor. I always carried a collapsable Grapple anchor in the Sea Craft and Mako. They will set up fast in a rock pile.
Good Luck

Chet - I noticed you meantion a previous Seacraft & Mako. If you don't mind, tell me about the Seacraft you had. Size, how good of a hull in those waters, that sort of thing....


Thanks,


John



btw - do you want to get together sometime and talk web stuff?

Brooksie,
A good method to raise an anchor is the "Norwegian lift"
to do this you need a tuna bouy and a good sized shackle, attach the shackle to the tuna buoy and anchor line, then start to back off. The bouy will run down the anchor line towards anchor and while this is happening the anchor is being pulled to the surface.

I don't care for the backing of approach since it soaks my boat, so I tie off the anchor line to my stern cleat and just drive off.
Here's a site with a picture of the general idea.
scroll down and look for ANCHOR LIFT.
http://www.blueoceantackle.com/buoys.htm

good luck.

Another thought is to spend a bit more and get a release anchor.
These have a large band (almost a loop) of metal with a sliding ring instead of the regular solid bar with the shackle hole at one end.
If these get stuck, when you drive around the other side, the ring slides up to the flukes and you can pull it out in the other direction.
I have one still, never lost it!, but it doesn't work on my windlass, so its home.
I think I got it through cabelas or bass pro's offshore angler catalog.

Thanks for all the input.:btu:

Still haven't got a new anchor, been using a cinder block :eek: it works mint!

Originally posted by Brooksie
been using a cinder block :eek: it works mint!

Don't let any member see that, you just may never live it down.:p

I'm going to start marketing them, would you like to purchase one?

How Much ?????

What sizes do you offer?;)

Give me a few times out in my boat - I'll probably buy one from ya !! I know the technique - but its a whole new ball game when you actually gotta DO IT !! ;)

If you use the tuna ball lift method... don't put any chain on the rode...

Usually fish Quick's Hole that way and have never lost a single anchor yet (Although I did a good job bending up a Fortress a few months ago muwahhahaha)

And skip blowing the money on the *premade* kit, its really a ripoff, all you need is a decent sized shackle that your rode will run through cleanly and the ball and you're good to go...

Cheers
Ted