What kind of anchor/size?

[MIDNIGHT777]

I an looking to get an anchor for the new boat. It is a 17 1/2 foot Alumacraft Dominator with a 140 4 stroke. Just wondering how big of an anchor I need and what design do you guys suggest. I had the mushroom shaped one with my old boat and found it did not hold very well even with a alot of rope out.

Thanks, Matt

[Northlander]

Either a river anchor or a Richter anchor in the 25# area will do ya good. Make sure you have plenty of rope and a 3-5' section of chain dont hurt.

[bigb56303]

what ever you decide make sure you get 2 so you can keep the boat from swingin and plenty of rope you you can get a good hold

[FRESHWATER PETIE]

Check out the Pro-anchors! There kinda like a river anchor and kinda like a richtor anchor, but better. They are about $60 to $70 ,but they work very well on bigger boats like yours. look at them on pro-anchor.com you might have to google search pro-anchor. by guide masters

[eyepatrol]

With my previous boat I used digger anchors...probably similar to river anchors, but then I've never used or seen a river anchor. Next year when we get a boat, I'm getting two 18# Richtor anchors for whatever 18'-6" boat we decide to purchase. I think the Richtor's will do a nice job.

[danfall]

I'd go with a river anchor at least 20#. It isn't much fun handling, but nothing else conventional will hold well, anything round on the bottom will roll and roll regardless of weight it seems. Mine river anchor is 25# and I hate picking it up. There are some alternatives I do not have experience with... I tend to put the trolling motor out more nowadays and bop around a bit. Of course, in windy weather, this is sometimes tough.

For the back, I actually use a mushroom to keep the stern from swinging. I go a little lighter, and keep the anchor sitting in the stern scupper, which is out of the way. If you are really fussy about the boat moving, you could use two mushrooms. I think mine is 15#, and I'm comfortable with the single spot.

[Gadgetman]

depends on where you are trying to anchor but I would just get a water spike and be done with it. If you really need the boat to stay in place cant beat it. Not really heavy, comes apart for storage if necessary and when coupled with some chain will never let you down. I have 4 or 5 other anchors but this is the one I know I can depend on

[musky hunter]

Northlander is right on. I purchased a Richter anchor for my 17-1/5' Somkercraft last year. Before that I had fabricated an anchor similar to the Richter but I lost it due to knot failure on Millacs in a 25 mph wind. 25# might seem like a lot, but when the wind is strong or the current high that is what it takes to keep the boat fixed. Also, many times a second anchor is required to stabilize position in a cross wind, and in case you happen to lose the primary anchor.

[Borch]

In most cases a 20# navy anchor with 150 ft of anchor line will hold you. I use a 3' section of chain to connect the rope to the anchor. The chain helps with wear and tear on your rope and help the anchor hold in wavy conditions. Generally more rope is the solution to anchors holding. Many folks have trouble handling bigger anchors even with a lift of some type.

If you don't want to swing you'll need and additional anchor and rope. We've used a water spike for our sceond anchor and put both anchors out front with them being 50+ feet apart to triangulate the boat. Really cuts down on the sway and doesn't get in the way of your fishing lines.

[mahannah]

Regardless of which type of anchor you purchase, make sure you use an anchor chain of at least 4ft. The chain provides several functions. First it protects the rope when anchored in rocks. Second, it allows the rope to pull at an angle that will really dig it in. Third, it acts as a shock adsorber when the boat is riding in large waves to keep the anchor from pulling loose.

Also, your anchor rope needs to be at least 3x as long as the depth you plan to anchor in. Some recommend up to a 5x factor.