Best anchor drag alarm

[goltzw]

Originally Posted by tedowens

What do folks use for anchor drag alarms? I am using the Drag Queen iOS app now. It is simple but works reliably. However, I get a message now from Apple that it needs updates and will not work after their next upgrade. I have also tried Anchor Alert and Boat Sentry, but both of them fail to actually alarm when the boat moves too far. I do have an alarm on my chart plotter, but it is in the cockpit and too far away to hear. I also have a handheld GPS, but it just gives a little 1 second beep, which wouldn't wake anyone up. Does anyone know of a good iOS anchor drag alarm?

I have used Anchor Alarm on my ipad with great success. I do not know how it compares with the ones you used, but it is nifty.

[Mekik]

I was using Android "Anchor Lite". Paid $4 and using "Anchor Pro" on my phone. Main additional feature I like is plotting of where the boat has been swinging.

[barnakiel]

I have used the inbuilt ones in Garmin handhelds most. It takes more time to set up, as I set the drag zone as well as sideband zones.

I also use depth alarm (deep/shallow) if/when the bottom is slanted.

I found these alarms and the methods bullet-proof.

Downsides:
- more time to set up (compared to apps),
- may wake you up too much when the boat wanders on a calm night.

Cheers,
b.

[chris95040]

I've used a couple drag alarms that can send a text or make a phone call when it drags. That way when we are out and about I am not constantly worrying about wind shifts etc.

I love the idea but every app I've used to do this is super buggy.

[cgrabens]

"Anchor!" for iPhone is the best I've found. My boyfriend has an android and there's an app there called "anchor pro" which is truly a great app. It shows our history, sends alerts to my phone, allows you to reset anchor with bearing so you don't have to worry about using phone and dropping anchor. Love it. Wish it was available for iPhone.

[Bruce K]

Have a look at Boathooked.com. I have used one of their prototypes for years, simple portable, accurate and easy. I have an added alarm in my cabin, to make sure i wake. Allows me to sleep much sounder.

[Blue Stocking]

Originally Posted by Don C L

The cast iron pan on the cabin top will also get your attention in a hurry when it is pulled down onto the deck over your bunk.

Careful with that cast iron frying pan ! Along with a portable radio, that's the null meter combo for " over the horizon " AM radio direction finding.

[InTheDish]

I rely on the people that I am dragging down on to wake me with their screaming and cussing.

Sometimes, if they seem nice, I will put a fender on my stern.

[Rorzech]

Is that land inside your alarm perimeter ! You could be on shore before your alarm goes off. Otherwise it looks like a good system.
The line and 3 lb weight gets my vote .

[GTom]

Any idea which android app would use the least battery? I don't fancy to keep my phone on the charger all the time.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by captmikem

I have used one for years that always works. A 3 lb fishing weight tied with a length of string, dropped just after I drop the anchor, let it pay out as you set your anchor, give it another 10 feet or so, take it below and tie it to a light cook pot setting on a counter or a cockpit seat. it allows you to swing fine, but if you drag it pulls the pot off and it crashes to the sole.

if you are in an area where you do not want to swing, drop it off the stern.

Simple and works without a battery.

M

PS, it won't work there is no app. for it.

[bkeepers]

Check out Anchor Time for iPhone & iPad. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/anch...e/id1454388591

I built it and just launched it today. After a lot of sleepless nights at anchorages last year, and lots of frustrations with the current apps available, I wanted to build an app that was simple and straight forward to use.

It is also open source in case you are a developer and want to contribute: https://github.com/sailplan/anchor-time

[peteh007]

'not much of a fan of dropping loose Lines over the side with 10ft of slack in them.. dealing with Prop Wrap can be painful... if the water's cold.

[MathiasW]

Saw this thread too late.

I have recently made a feature survey of some 50 different anchor alarm apps for iOS and Android. This table lists features like track history, more fancy security perimeters than a simple circle, alarms when battery starts to run low, or GPS signal gets lost, etc. Some free AA have more features than some paid ones, it turns out. Also, an AA that is super on Android may not be as good on iOS and vice versa.

Feedback of course welcome.

https://trimaran-san.de/anchor-alarm-apps-overview/

[sv_pelagia]

Originally Posted by MathiasW

Saw this thread too late.

I have recently made a feature survey of some 50 different anchor alarm apps for iOS and Android. This table lists features like track history, more fancy security perimeters than a simple circle, alarms when battery starts to run low, or GPS signal gets lost, etc. Some free AA have more features than some paid ones, it turns out. Also, an AA that is super on Android may not be as good on iOS and vice versa.

Feedback of course welcome.

https://trimaran-san.de/anchor-alarm-apps-overview/

Mathias,

Interesting... but which ones did you like (or dislike)?

FYI: the current paid/Register version of Android OpenCPN definitely has an Anchor Watch/Alarm feature (which is documented in the Android OpenCPN Manual App).

Perhaps you assessed the unregistered or old version?