Which is better: a self-made or purchased anchor?
You don’t have to buy an anchor; you can make it yourself for a boat or even a boat. This is more affordable, and you can build the structure exactly as needed. But a homemade device must be absolutely safe for the boat, and making it so is not as easy as it might seem. Purchased structures are produced in accordance with safety standards.
Whatever you decide, you still have to decide on the design. It can be very simple or with “bells and whistles”. Here are some drawings of the correct homemade anchors for a ship:
Option #1
Option No. 2
Option #3
Option No. 4
Option #5
Anchor for a boat in any current
Another extreme can be called a situation when a strong welded anchor on the principle of an “Admiralty” anchor or similar marine devices perfectly holds a heavy boat in any current, but when it is necessary to move, such an anchor sometimes does not allow this to be done. It can get stuck dead on the bottom of stones or the trunk of a dead driftwood tree. And then you can see how fishermen tug at the anchor caught on the bottom for quite a long time, moving on the motor downstream, then up, then left and right. And such rescue operations to remove the anchor sometimes last quite a long time.
What anchor should you choose for a boat so that this device is reliable and safe during fishing and hiking trips?
Groups of anchors: what are they, for what cases are they suitable?
To begin with, let’s divide all anchor structures into 3 groups:
- Gravitational. Their operating principle is based only on the force of gravity. These could be tied bricks, disks from sports equipment, etc., that is, everything heavy that you lowered and you fish calmly, knowing that the vessel will not carry it anywhere. But the use of such devices is not always safe for an inflatable boat, and often the available products are bulky and not convenient, although they cope well with the main function.
2. Floating products (parachute). They are used where there is no current. The parachute holds the boat well even in strong winds. These options are made from fabric or good polyethylene.
3. Clinging. Their main element is their paws, clinging to the bottom of the reservoir. The paws can be wide, thin, more or less long, of different shapes. Such anchors may have articulated joints with moving elements.
Choosing a halyard
Choosing the right halyard is very important, since there is a high risk that when choosing an anchor, the halyard will get tangled, break, or cut your hands. Some boat owners purchase inexpensive and durable halyards made of polyamide thread - but such halyards are inconvenient to choose, as they cut your hand and get tangled easily.
The best option is a flat sling or a thick cord for an anchor with a diameter of 7-10 mm. It is imperative that they are made of synthetics - this material has positive buoyancy and even if the end falls into the water, it will not sink. Both options have their own characteristics - it is more convenient to pull the sling with your hands and it does not get tangled in the bay, but in a strong current it “sings”, and the cord does not have this drawback.
Determining the mass of the anchor
The main thing you need to rely on when choosing is the weight of the boat anchor. It depends on the size of the vessel, more precisely, on its length. For example, for a boat 2 meters long you will need an anchor weighing 2 kg. If the length is 3 meters, you can make two anchors of 1.5 kg each. By the way, it is with the help of two anchors that it is possible to firmly fix the boat stretched (in the bow and stern).
If your anchor is not heavy enough, there is no need to buy or make another one. You can make it heavier, for example, using a metal chain. A meter chain with a diameter of 1 cm can increase the weight by 2 kg, even a little more. You can use this additional weight like this:
- Wrap the chain around the trend (the thick part that ends the “spindle” of the anchor) and secure it. This will increase the mass and shift its center.
- Tie the chain to the spindle like a halyard. Due to this, the “spindle” will be pressed against the underwater bottom, which has a good effect on the anchor’s grip.
Remember that for boats that are registered with GIMS, the anchor must weigh at least 5 kg.
The photo shows a useful table that will help you choose the right anchor for a PVC boat:
Anchor snagging and how to deal with it?
The main problem of the anchor is getting caught on the bottom topography: large stones, snags. Once the anchor gets caught, it is difficult to release it. Therefore, when choosing, you need to pay attention to the design of the trend - it must have an eye at the end for a buoy - in addition to a cable that is attached to the topbuoy. If the anchor gets caught on a snag or driftwood, just pull the buoy rope and release the anchor.
Another option is to pre-install a sliding pin on the spindle eye with a small breaking load so that it can be torn by hand, and attach the end of the halyard to the trend. When hooked, a strong jerk will be enough to release the anchor.
Anchor shape
Boat anchors vary in shape, but many of them still have pointed elements. Some fishermen give their crafts completely different shapes, for example, using weights or something similar. But the rounded shape leads to the fact that the anchor drags along the bottom, not fulfilling its role. Look at the photos of different types of anchors and you will understand which shapes are optimal:
Which anchor to choose depending on the fishing location?
There are a lot of anchor structures; let’s look at the most successful options for different conditions.
Cat
They are most often used by inflatable boat owners. Typically, the weight of grapple anchors is no more than 10 kg. This weighting material can be folded out like an umbrella. There may be swivel couplings for straightening, but their hinges can loosen quite quickly and collapse unnecessarily.
Most models of cat anchors are folding: the legs are pressed against the spindle, and the structure becomes very compact.
Pros of cats:
- ease of use;
- versatility;
- compactness.
But there is a significant disadvantage: poor adhesion to the rocky or muddy bottom of the reservoir. If there is a snag or something similar at the bottom, the anchor will quickly get caught and the cable may break.
Conclusion: if you prefer to fish in areas with a rocky or muddy bottom, you should avoid the cat. But for other areas, especially sandy bottoms, this is a very suitable option.
Mushroom anchor
This design is mainly used as a river anchor. Weight within 10 kg. This is the choice of those who fish on a rocky bottom. A mushroom anchor is also useful in viscous bottom areas.
Such an anchor can confidently be called strong. It is very useful in severe winds and strong currents. Interestingly, the structure cannot cling strongly to various snags, so it is extremely difficult to lose it. There are no sharp corners, which also simplifies the process of use.
Danforth
Monolithic device, no folding elements. In appearance, such an anchor looks like a plow. Many people do not like the dimensions of the structure, so owners of inflatable boats do not line up for it.
But this model is worth attention because:
- The pointed wide paws quickly go deep into the ground.
- The boat cannot capsize when using a Danforth anchor.
- It's easy to remove the anchor if it gets snagged (but you can also lose it).
This is a good option for muddy and sandy bottoms.
Criteria for choosing an anchor for an inflatable boat
To choose a good and reliable anchor for an inflatable boat, you need to know the criteria by which they should be selected. There are several such criteria:
- Compactness. Boat anchors have a folding design to take up little space during transportation. In the working position, the paws unfold and engage the ground, and in the transport position they fold and the anchor decreases in size several times;
- Reliability of fixation. A good anchor should hold the ship even in strong currents or gusty winds;
- Easy to get on and off the hooks. If this is not the case, you risk leaving the anchor on the bottom on your first voyage;
- Low weight. An anchor weighing 3 kg has a holding force of 300 kg - this is several times more than that of a track weighing 15 kg.
- Corrosion resistance. Good anchors are made of stainless alloys, gray cast iron, or coated with a special anti-corrosion compound.
Anchor rope
If you have a reliable, suitable anchor, but the rope is “so-so”, don’t expect much. It is the rope that provides the speed of release and lifting of the anchor. It should not be twisted.
What should the anchor rope be like:
- The length should be at least 3 times the depth of the reservoir where you plan to use the anchor. And in case of strong winds and currents, you need to add about 15 more meters.
- The maximum breaking force is calculated based on the anchor weight: the value must exceed the mass by tens of times!
- Polyamide ropes are considered the most durable.
- The cable should not cut into your hands, so its thickness should be at least 6 mm.
We told you everything about how to choose an anchor for a PVC boat. Tell us about your experience in the comments and don’t forget to visit our store, where they sell excellent PVC boats and useful components!
Question answer
Question: How to choose a good anchor for a PVC boat?
Name: Vladimir
Answer: The main thing to consider is the mass of the anchor. If the weight is not enough, you can make it heavier. The shape is also important, depending on the bottom of the reservoir in which you fish. Pay attention to the diameter of the anchor chain.
Question: What anchor weight is needed for a regular PVC boat to prevent it from being carried away by the current?
Name: Dmitry
Answer: Depends on the length of the boat. For example, if the boat is two meters long, a 2 kg anchor may be enough. Anchors of boats registered with GIMS must weigh from 5 kg. If the weight of your weight is not enough, you can wrap a chain around the trend or tie it to a spindle.
Question: Which anchor holds a regular PVC boat better on a pond?
Name: Kamil
Answer: It all depends on the characteristics of the boat, as well as the conditions in which you find yourself. For example, if you are fishing where the bottom is sandy, without silt and stones, you can choose a Cat anchor. If there is no current, you can limit yourself to parachute options, which help in strong winds.
Question: How many quality anchors do you need for a PVC boat?
Name: Albert
Answer: You can limit yourself to one anchor if the boat is not long. But a lot depends on the conditions in which you fish. Two anchors allow you to secure the vessel in a stretched position. For example, if the boat is three meters long, you can take two anchors of 1.5 kg each.
Question: What are the shapes and types of anchors for PVC boats?
Name: Fedor
Answer: There are quite a lot of them: Danforth, Northill, Hall, mushroom, Cat and others. Structures are also divided into gravitational, floating and clinging.
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Types of boat anchors
There are a large number of anchors for small vessels, but as practice shows, the most popular for inflatable boats are two types: the Danforth anchor and the cat anchor. They are quite compact and convenient, cost little and are therefore widespread. At the same time, they differ significantly from each other, having their own advantages and disadvantages.
Danforth anchor design
The Hall-Danforth anchor has a monolithic non-folding structure. This projects its main drawback - its large size compared to a folding grapple anchor. But at the same time, thanks to the wide pointed legs, such an anchor is able to bury itself deeply into the ground, which is very important on a muddy or sandy bottom, and therefore has a very high holding force. An anchor mass of 2 kg is enough to hold a boat weighing a hundredweight.
Anchors of this design are made of painted steel or galvanized steel. The latter option is preferable, since it is more resistant to corrosion and can resist it for three to four seasons.
Anchor cat
Unlike the Danforth design, the folding grapple anchor has a design in which the legs are pressed against the spindle in the stowed position. Thanks to this, such anchors are convenient to transport, and the grip, although less than that of the Danforth design, also provides acceptable grip on the ground. That is why they are more common, since such an anchor, together with all the equipment, takes up about half of a fishing bucket.
There are two options for grapple anchors: with a yoke design and with paws secured using a sliding clutch. The second option is more reliable and convenient to use, since in the working position the paws are fixed rigidly, and on the trend an eye is installed for attaching a cable with a buoy. An anchor with a yoke structure is subject to wear - the hinge joints that hold the legs become loose over time and collapse upon impact, which is why the anchor ceases to perform its function.
