How to anchor at a sandbar or Anclote Island

[craig240DA]

New boater here with a Sea Ray 240 DA and I will be doing a lot of anchoring off a sandbar and islands and would like to do it without sucking up a lot of sand into the system or damaging the boat. Any suggestions or advice?

Anybody go to Anclote Island West of Tarpon Springs FL and know the best area to anchor and how to approach? Very shallow around the whole island.

[GordMay]

With I/O Drive & 33” Draft, you won’t be landing on most beaches.
With engine off (drive raised), pole or paddle in as near as you dare, then anchor fore & aft.

[Alan Wheeler]

For protection from sand beign sucked up, you need to install a sand trap. It's a simple filter arrangement used on jet boats to stop sand from entering the engine cooling. This will go imediatly before the saltwater pump to protect the impellor as well.

[craig240DA]

Originally Posted by GordMay

With I/O Drive & 33” Draft, you won’t be landing on most beaches.
With engine off (drive raised), pole or paddle in as near as you dare, then anchor fore & aft.

Thanks, We did it! Had a great time.