Dependable anchor systems?

[Backwater Eddy]

What recommendations do WC readers have for a dependable anchor deploying and retrieval systems?

Do any work best in current situations were multiple anchor placements (front, side or rear) may be needed?

I have stuck with cleats and have hesitated in mounting permanent systems due to the fact I often change positions to meet conditions, but a quick hassle free front deploying system would be handy.

Any suggestions from personal experience would be helpful.

Thank's

Backwater Eddy...><,"Go Piggy",>

[KP]

I did a lot of looking into anchor systems a few months ago. Too much line at my feet and a hassle to deploy front anchor. Everyone I talked to that had an anchor system took it off because it was too much of a hassle. I keep my line wound around cleats now and works great and flexible.

[Abe]

Use the cleats and store the anchor rope in a 5 gallon bucket and put the anchor right on top.

[Pitts]

LAST EDITED ON Jun-12-01 AT 06:28AM (CST)[p]Eddie I have a 25 lb Richtor and it fits pretty good in a milk crate with the 100' of 1/2" rope under it. The bucket is good if your anchor fits but cut some holes in the bottom or when it rains your rope will be sitting in water and will eventually mildew.
I bungee the crate in the corner in front of the windsheild and I also store other things in this box like bug spray, hook outs, pliers, dock rope it never holds water and stays put in rough water.
I would really like to see Panther Marine come up with an anchor retrieve and stow that would handle heavy rope and anchors of all shapes. They have the engineers to do it right and I bet they could make it look good also.
Oh I almost forgot my fatherinlaw has a pontoon with a anchormate and it is ok but the rope can get off the spool and it only accepts the mushroom or fluke anchor with no chain. They really do not hold very well.
The anchormate would probably work good for your second anchor in the back to keep the boat from whipping back and forth but is definately not for the main anchor because of it's limitations.


Hope this helps

Pitts

[Bob G2]

BE, for the bow of the boat, I have a heavy duty aluminum bow anchor roller that has a clam cleat built into it. This is the type found on West Coast river sleds and drift boats. It is easy to deploy and retrieve, the roller gives you some mechanical advantage, and the clam cleat makes it super easy to lock and unlock the anchor rope. I have never had the rope slip out once it is locked in the clam cleat. I have this on my jon boat that I use primarily for rivers and use a 36 pound heavy (6 inch link)
chain for an anchor. I had the anchor mate system, but I feel the hardware is flimsy and lightweight and with the winch system, is actually more work than just handpulling the anchor line.

I don't know the name of the manufacturer of the bow roller, as I keep the jon boat at my sister's place, but I can get it if you are interested. I purchased mine at River Master boats, Lee Bienz is the guy to talk to there. He is in Wellston, MI.

Happy anchoring!

[Backwater Eddy]

I have used one like you have described and they do work well on rivers. I would be interested to know the manufactures name if possable.

Like the earlier posts I have been useing the pail method and like it's flexibility and a pail will keep mud in check as well.

The big hassle is trying to get set in fast water, like warp #9 fast water. By yourself it is a fire drill that can rip you right out of the rig if the bow gets sucked sideways and off you go down stream. I tie a bumper buoy on the end of the anchor rope just in case it gets away from me, that way I can retrieve it on the next pass. When setting up under fast flowing dams a good front mount system is a very handy tool. Most off the shelf systems can get ripped right off the front, seen it happen twice in Canada under Lockport Dam.

Thank's for the feedback!

Backwater Eddy

[Bob G2]

I'll go over and check to see what brand name it is. You can take the clam cleat off the anchor roller and set it anywhere in the boat, meaning, if you have a tiller, just put the clam cleat on the back seat so that when you want to let it go, it is right there. Also, I know that RiverMaster has heavy duty, no BS rollers so that you can have the rope run along the gunnel and out of the way. The stuff they have for jet sleds and drift boats from the west coast is mostly pretty heavy duty stuff as the rivers out there are real heavy duty. Most of this stuff is made to take 3/8" to 1/2" rope, which is easier to pull up anyways when doing it manually.

If you want to take a look at something fancier, check out
www.qualitymarinecraft.com and scope the Winchmaster. Looks pretty neat, eh? But I see that quality marine is in Livonia and I know River Master is up state in Wellston, MI.

When fishing the rivers the way you do, what type of anchor do you like to use and how many pounds?

[John]

I have a Powerwinch 24'model available from Cabelas. Has 100'of 800# test line. Can handle river anchor to 40# and retreives line at 80'/min. Just hit the switch and the anchor self stores. Installed on 22' pontoon with 18'river anchor and holds good in Saginaw Bay.

[John]

Correction to Powerwinch post 18# river anchor,have no idea what a 18 footer would weigh.

[Backwater Eddy]

Depending on the particular river, and the flow, I may use several weights and styles of anchors on a trip. They may range from a fluted plate style, a Cattracker grapple, or others ranging up to a 30 lb. river anchor. On some trips we rig with a few disposable home made anchors tossed in for areas that are known to eat anchors no matter what style you try to use.

We make a anchor for use in high risk areas fashioned from a 6 or 8" diameter PVC tube that is drilled to accommodate a few strategically positioned sections of horse shoe shaped debar with a debar loop to make the rope line connection. A bag of quick-Crete binds the system into place all at a low cost and effective in most bottoms. We find it pays to carry several anchors, just in case.

I will check out the site you mentioned and see what the system looks like.

Thank's for the tip!

Backwater Eddy

[Bob G2]

BE, the manufacturer of the bow roller that I have is Dierkes.
I have a v-jon, which has a bow deck, but the gunnel "lips" it all the way around. So what I did was to mount this bow roller
on top of a 2X6 piece then thru bolted it to the bow deck. This way it sits up a little proud, but I am still able to get my boat cover on. I use a piece of pipe insulation over the bow roller to keep it from ripping the bow cover.

Anyways, here is the last telephone number I had to River Master Boats in Wellston, MI. It is (231)848-4597. Ask to talk to Lee Bienz. He is kind of an interesting guy. Started out as a river guide on the Manistee River and then started making boats. He now specializes in making aluminum welded drift boats and jet sleds. He's got alot of good information and alot of river rat knowledge. You'll probably enjoy it.

Good fishin and hope that water comes down a bunch for you.

[Bob G2]

Bump this for BE. BUMp,BuMP,bUMP

[Backwater Eddy]

Ah...that was rebar not debar by the way. Not sure what happened there, must have been my spell checker...ya-ya that's it!

:)

Backwater Eddy...>