08-09-2005, 12:56 PM
Hey Ric,
There are several manufactures of river anchors. I can't remember the names off hand, but mine is a cylindrical one with spikes sticking out and weighs about 12 # - it's the kind used often by float boats. You don't need a long rode with an anchor chain for rivers - actually I would recommend strongly to not have a chain attached - just the opposite of an anchor rode used for either still water lakes or in the ocean. The reason should be obvious - moving river water with rocky bottoms would eat your anchor and rode every time you used it.
The best way(and cheapest) to practice anchoring without loosing your expensive anchors is this: Get yourself a brick(at first use a small brick, then, after you have the idea down, go to a larger cement/concrete block) and tie some cheapo rope(anchor line is more expensive) to it. BTW - go ahead and expect to loose some bricks, anchors and rope while you practice. Very IMPORTANT - Carry a serrated knife with you and have it readily and immediately accessible(so you can do an emergency cut off of the rope if needed). Dont bring a lot of expensive gear on your test drive ! Go down your river to an eddie that looks like you would fish it. Toss the brick and see what happens - NEVER, NEVER, NEVER toss it over the beam or quarter side of your boat - ALWAYS off the bow or stern while oriented to the current ! Also, use your PFD while doing any experimentation, practice or any time you are on moving or big(anything that could be deeper than you are tall or moves faster than you can swim upside down) waters.
Again good luck on your exploits and let us know how it goes.
P.S. Hey there TD ! Thanks for helping with the link ! I knew it was somewhere out there.
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There are several manufactures of river anchors. I can't remember the names off hand, but mine is a cylindrical one with spikes sticking out and weighs about 12 # - it's the kind used often by float boats. You don't need a long rode with an anchor chain for rivers - actually I would recommend strongly to not have a chain attached - just the opposite of an anchor rode used for either still water lakes or in the ocean. The reason should be obvious - moving river water with rocky bottoms would eat your anchor and rode every time you used it.
The best way(and cheapest) to practice anchoring without loosing your expensive anchors is this: Get yourself a brick(at first use a small brick, then, after you have the idea down, go to a larger cement/concrete block) and tie some cheapo rope(anchor line is more expensive) to it. BTW - go ahead and expect to loose some bricks, anchors and rope while you practice. Very IMPORTANT - Carry a serrated knife with you and have it readily and immediately accessible(so you can do an emergency cut off of the rope if needed). Dont bring a lot of expensive gear on your test drive ! Go down your river to an eddie that looks like you would fish it. Toss the brick and see what happens - NEVER, NEVER, NEVER toss it over the beam or quarter side of your boat - ALWAYS off the bow or stern while oriented to the current ! Also, use your PFD while doing any experimentation, practice or any time you are on moving or big(anything that could be deeper than you are tall or moves faster than you can swim upside down) waters.
Again good luck on your exploits and let us know how it goes.
P.S. Hey there TD ! Thanks for helping with the link ! I knew it was somewhere out there.
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