Boating can be a great way to spend a hot summer day. The cool water, a light breeze and relaxation on the open water. While all of that is fine and dandy there is also another part to boating that is not as simple as it seams…anchoring.
As a new boater this was something that was never really discussed as it appears to be a relatively easy concept. Hook one end of a rope to the anchor and the other end to the boat. Easy right?
Well not really. In this article I will go over a few techniques I learned along the way and review one of the best boat anchors that made this process much easier. So if your looking for an easy way to anchor your boat on a sandy bottom you came to the right place!
**See our complete list of Top Tools and Products for 2019 here**
Best Boat Anchor for Sand Bottom
A box anchor is much different from this traditional design as it is shaped like…well a box. The box anchor has four spikes on the top, four spikes on the bottom and a connection way attached to one side.
These spikes are used to “dig in” to the sand below and keep your boat from drifting away. Having spikes on the top and bottom of the anchor ensure there is no way for it to land upside-down when dropped into the water.
Best Boat Anchor for Lakes, Box Anchor Review
As a boat owner it is your responsibility to keep your boat safe when pulling up to shore. This means that while everyone is off having a good time you need to figure out a way to keep your boat from floating off.
In this review I will go over my experiences anchoring a 19.5ft Bayliner on a lake with sand/mud bottom. Typical water depth when dropping anchor can vary between 5-20ft.
How to use the box anchor to secure a boat
- Open the anchor from the folded position.
- Lock the anchor into place using the spring loaded locking bar
- Ensure your rope or chain is securly fasented to the connection rod
- Ensure the other end of the rope is securely fastened to your boat
- Drop the anchor into the water!
That’s pretty much it. Once you get the hang of opening the anchor and locking it into place all you have to do connect the other end of your rope to the boat and throw it off the side.
Just drop it in!
No matter which way the anchor lands it immediately digs in to the bottom due to the top and bottom spikes. This is especially helpful when anchoring around other boats as there is minimal drag.
When pulling anchor. Slowly pull on the rope until the boat is positioned directly above the anchor. With the anchor now directly below the boat, pull upwards on the rope to break the anchor loose from the bottom and return it to the boat.
Release the spring loaded locking bar and fold the anchor for storage.
Securing the rear (stern) of the boat to shore
If your just planning on keeping your boat from floating with the current the box anchor should do. But, if your looking to keep the ship still when around other boats you will also have to secure the stern. To do that here is a handy “Shore Spike”.
(click here for size options and pricing)
To use the shore spike, secure one of your rope to the back of the boat and the other end to the tie-off on the spike. Set the spike by pulling up on the handle and then slamming it down to drive it into the dirt. The sliding handle is handy as you don’t need to pack a hammer for a good hold.
When it’s time to leave, just reverse the process. A couple jerks on the sliding handle will easily “pop” the spike from the ground. This sliding handle is the secret to what makes setting and removing this spike a breeze.
Optional Quick Release Danik-Hook
Unless your a seasoned captain, knots can be tricky. For the weekend boater here is a super simple way to secure a rope to your tie-off.
I use it with the Slide Anchor above to set just the right amount of line. No knots required.
**See our complete list of Top Tools and Products for 2019 here**
What is the best way to anchor a boat?
That is a tough question to answer as it will depend on a few things. How large is the boat? How deep is the water? What type of bottom are you anchoring to? (sand, mud, rocks, etc)
For a lake with a sandy bottom, my money is still on the Box Anchor. Since using it, I have yet to have an issue with the anchor not setting. Drop it in and your done!
If you are new to boating or just looking for help with dropping an anchor check out some of these popular recommendations below.
Boating Safety (Safety Courses)
Boating safety courses are a great way to learn more about how to operate a boat, navigate public waterways and stay safe while doing so. Not only is taking a course a great idea to learn the proper “rules of the road” so to speak. It may be legally required in your state.
Where can I sign up for a Boating Safety course?
Courses are available all over the country or online! To find a course that works for you I have linked a few great websites below.
• Website to Find a Local Boating Safety Course in your Area: http://www.boatus.com/courseline/default.asp
• Online Boating Safety Course: https://www.boaterexam.com <- Our Recommendation
If you are unsure of the laws for your state I would highly suggest visiting the BoaterExam site above as they have a break down for all 50 states. This includes who needs to complete a boaters safety course, age restrictions, motor size restrictions, information regarding PWC (jet-skis) and much more.
Do Boats have Brakes?
No, boats and other vessels do not have traditional “brakes”.
Under normal circumstances there are no brake pedals or brake levers on a boat. Instead, you use opposite force to slow the direction of travel.
• On a motor boat this would be done by reversing the throttle control to spin the prop in the opposite direction.
• On a motor-less boat, opposite force is applied using an oar or paddle.
Dropping an anchor is one of the best ways to keep a floating object from moving but it may not be the perfect solution. Since water is fluid and ever changing, constant adjustments must be made to keep a floating object completely motionless.
However, for most applications (fishing, picture taking or just floating) a good anchor is still your best option.
Best Small Anchor for Canoes, Jet Skis, Paddle Boards & Small Boats
For small boats and kayaks a full sized anchor is not practical and most likely overkill.
Coming in at only 3.5lbs this light-weight anchor can be folded up for easy storage. Since it is so small this makes it the perfect choice for SUP (stand up paddle board) riders and kayak fishers.
Remember, Boats don’t have Parking Brakes!
Even in the calmest of waters an un-anchored boat or float will start to drift. The stronger the current, the worse this problem will be.
This anchor kit is designed for maximum portability and comes with 40ft of line, buoy ball, stainless steel carabiner and nylon storage bag.
Features:
• Galvanized to protect against rust
• Compact design, only 12″ x 3 when folded closed
My Boat Anchor Setup for Sandy Bottom Lakes
The above is an image of my very own setup.
It is made up of the galvanized box anchor connected to an Anchor Buddy expandable bungee line by Dockmate. Perfect!
I have been using this exact setup for the past three years and absolutely love it.
The Anchor Buddy bungee line is expandable from 14′ up to 50′. This makes it nice and compact for storage but gives you plenty of line to work with if needed.
Another benefit to this type of line is how it expands and contracts like a spring. It will “soak up the shock” if a wave crashes into the boat, helping to reduce the chance of your anchor pulling.
High winds or big waves, zero issues.
So far I have not had this system fail me. Not even once.
Never again will I go back to using the traditional Danforth style design for lake use. I’m sure they have their place…somewhere.
But this is just too easy, throw it off the side and your done. No more headaches or worrying.
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