Dinghy Ground Tackle & Anchor

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Jammer

I have been using a Fortress Guardian G-7 (4 pounds) with about 6 feet of 3/16" stainless chain and 100 feet of 8 plait nylon rope...

I used a Fortress Fx-7, with 6 - 20 Ft [varied over the years] of 1/4" S/S chain [couldn't find 3/8"], and 3/8" three strand nylon.
Worked well on both 10 Ft inflatable, and 13 Ft. Whaler.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by GordMay

I used a Fortress Fx-7, with 6 - 20 Ft [varied over the years] of 1/4" S/S chain [couldn't find 3/8"], and 3/8" three strand nylon.
Worked well on both 10 Ft inflatable, and 13 Ft. Whaler.

PS: The 13' Boston Whaler weighed about 350 Lbs, and carried a 35 HP OMC engine, at about another 150#, so about 500 Lbs “dry” weight.

[Tetepare]

We use a 10lb mushroom I've had since I was a kid. The weight alone holds the dink in place; it digs well into sand and mud, and hooks on rocks. Never had any problem.

It probably cost me $2 at a garage sale, I don't remember. In any event, I don't care if the wave picks up while we're off somewhere, or what type of bottom it is, it will never "break free" or drag. Peace of mind. I'd assume these are regularly available inexpensively at used fishing stuff stores.

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by Tetepare

We use a 10lb mushroom I've had since I was a kid. The weight alone holds the dink in place; it digs well into sand and mud, and hooks on rocks. Never had any problem.

It probably cost me $2 at a garage sale, I don't remember. In any event, I don't care if the wave picks up while we're off somewhere, or what type of bottom it is, it will never "break free" or drag. Peace of mind. I'd assume these are regularly available inexpensively at used fishing stuff stores.

I used to have several of those (though they were more than 10 pounds I think -- probably closer to 20) and have taken them all to the scrapyard. I scuba dive in freshwater lakes where fishing is popular and am always finding cheap anchors. The thing I learned about the mushroom is that the ultimate holding strength is actually very poor compared to the much lighter Fortress. With a lightweight 14' aluminum boat the mushrooms would drag in wind and current. And, of course, they're heavy.

[GordMay]

At one time [on Lake Superior], I successfully used a 20 or 25 Lbs [lead] elevator drop-test weight*, which never faced a really difficult challenge. When I switched to the Fortress, on the dink, it become my primary anchor sentinel weight.

* Looked like a loaf of bread, with an inverted 'U' handle on top.

[Nicholson58]

I’ve been using a Danforth knock off 2.5# galvanized with no chain on our 10 foot RIB. It’s used only as a stern anchor at the dinghy dock or while visiting the beach od snorkeling. It became mostly rusty last season so we are going stainless to avoid stains.

The first pop was this BRUCE knock off from Marine Parts Depot. 5 kg, 8#. Marine Part Depot The Depot has many anchor options and also other SS boat bits.

Beautiful and affordable. Admiral decided it was too big/bulky. It’s now my small boat portable mooring on a northern lake. It’s great in sand and soft bottom.

The next try is the 2.5# Mantus SS Quick Connect. It’s in our luggage for Trinidad. Not yet tried but it should be good. BTW, we saw a stack Of these at the chandlers in Rodney Bay, St Lucia.

[Jim Cate]

The main serious anchoring situation for our dinghies has been whilst diving or snorkeling, and a lot of that has been in coral waters. Our practice has been about 30 feet of 3/16" cheap chain and a considerable length of 1/4 inch double braid. The anchor is a crappy 3 kg Danforth knock-off which isn't a great anchor, but w hen diving it can be hand set, and it sets well enough off beaches, etc for that usage. When in urban environments that chain is used to lock the dink to a tree.

Upon returning from a dive I have found the chain engaged with sharp coral or rocks, and was glad that we didn't depend solely upon rope rode.

Jim

[Bowdrie]

I've kinda wanted one of these, but once you finished polishing it, it would be too nice to use.
https://www.mauriprosailing.com/us/p...S-522-6LL.html

[Pegu Club]

We use a small Mantus anchor (we got at a blow out price from Defender four ish years ago), with about ten feet of chain, and twenty or so feet of rode, works well for us in the Bahamas, easy enough to add more rode as needed,

Fair winds,

[Funkydrum]

Our 2.5# Mantus has been on our tender for a couple of months now and we're thrilled. Whether using it snorkling, beaching or as stern anchor at the dinghy dock, it sets easy, is light enough and the Admiral can manage it. The kit comes with a anchor bag, 50' of double braid and rubber cover for the wicked-sharp tip.

Originally Posted by Nicholson58

The next try is the 2.5# Mantus SS Quick Connect. It’s in our luggage for Trinidad. Not yet tried but it should be good. BTW, we saw a stack Of these at the chandlers in Rodney Bay, St Lucia.

[team karst]

Originally Posted by GordMay

I used a Fortress Fx-7, with 6 - 20 Ft [varied over the years] of 1/4" S/S chain [couldn't find 3/8"], and 3/8" three strand nylon.
Worked well on both 10 Ft inflatable, and 13 Ft. Whaler.

3/8 chain on a 3 meter dink? Holy chain weight batman [emoji15] was there a windlass?

[wingssail]

6lb Bruce knock off, 10 ft chain of some sort. We tied it to the 30ft polypropylene painter.

[Mal Reynolds]

Cleaned up the shed today. Sigh.