Box Anchor - thoughts and questions

[jameskeller76]

Decided to see what all the hype was about and was tired of my fluke popping loose. We seem to be stuck in a very windy pattern in central Texas making anchoring this spring especially difficult.

Went out Sat, super windy, even in the coves. Attached the box anchor and let out probably 3:1. It just skipped across the bottom. Let out more, same problem. Finally after dragging it for awhile it got a bite. It held for about 10 minutes before a huge gust of wind broke us free.

I know the claim is you don't need chain but I was willing to try anything. Added a 10 foot section and dropped it again with 3:1 and it stuck and held the rest of the time.

So wasn't exactly what I expected but this is the same area the weekend before I could not get my fluke to hold even with 16Ft of chain and 7:1 scope.

So what is your experience and do you use chain?

Looking forward to trying it again when we aren't in 18mph winds.

 

[jawsf16]

I use a chain because I have had it slip too. After chain, no issues and it is my go to anchor.

 

[Bill D]

I have not used any chain with our box anchor. It has always set well and pulls up a ton of mud/sand when retrieving. I always try to let out plenty of rode at first to make sure it hits the bottom. Then I will pull some in to get the boat in the position I want. It may have just been the uber-windy conditions combined with a hardish lake bottom?

 

[Mtschelling]

I use a chain and the anchor buddy most of the time. I'll swap out the anchor buddy quick if I am in a spot where the scope I want can't be handled by the stretch to 50 ft of the anchor buddy.

 

[tdonoughue]

Never used a chain with mine; very, very rarely (like once, maybe twice) had it migrate on me at all. Let out more scope those times and there was no issue.

Two questions: what type of bottom do you have (I have used mine mainly on mud/silt bottom)? And what size box?

 

[jdonalds]

One thing we can agree on is a fluke anchor, standard anchor of the past, is one of the worst holding in most conditions. I've been boating for 50 years and gave up on fluke type anchors long ago. They are fantastic in certain bottom conditions like soft sand though.

I use a chain when needed. From what I read most people follow the rule and use chain on their Box Anchor. Most are also very happy with their Box.

I use a 25# Richter, no chain, and an Anchor Buddy. I've never had it slip. The only problem is it is a bit of a beast to haul up, and keep it away from the boat so it doesn't damage anything. I'm thinking of buying a smaller Richter to see if that would work. The Box has the advantage of being lighter (I think) but they are more expensive than the Richter.

 

[MattFX4]

One thing we can agree on is a fluke anchor, standard anchor of the past, is one of the worst holding in most conditions. I've been boating for 50 years and gave up on fluke type anchors long ago. They are fantastic in certain bottom conditions like soft sand though.

I use a chain when needed. From what I read most people follow the rule and use chain on their Box Anchor. Most are also very happy with their Box.

I use a 25# Richter, no chain, and an Anchor Buddy. I've never had it slip. The only problem is it is a bit of a beast to haul up, and keep it away from the boat so it doesn't damage anything. I'm thinking of buying a smaller Richter to see if that would work. The Box has the advantage of being lighter (I think) but they are more expensive than the Richter.

I really think it depends on your particular lake bed. I have had great success with the fluke anchor that came with my boat from Yamaha. The lake I boat on in GA is clay/mud bottom. There has been times the fluke dug so deep I could barely pull it up. When I finally got it up it was covered in thick mud.

 

[jdonalds]

I really think it depends on your particular lake bed. I have had great success with the fluke anchor that came with my boat from Yamaha. The lake I boat on in GA is clay/mud bottom. There has been times the fluke dug so deep I could barely pull it up. When I finally got it up it was covered in thick mud.

I totally agree. The fluke can work quite well with certain bottom conditions. But modern anchors can do that and more. Many of them also are designed to be easy to free as well which would help in those situations where the abhor digs in deep.

 

[Matt Phillips]

My box sets in sand and mud every time without fail. I use a little more than 2:1 scope. If there are any swells, I will play out a little more scope.

 

[SCP1]

Decided to see what all the hype was about and was tired of my fluke popping loose. We seem to be stuck in a very windy pattern in central Texas making anchoring this spring especially difficult.

Went out Sat, super windy, even in the coves. Attached the box anchor and let out probably 3:1. It just skipped across the bottom. Let out more, same problem. Finally after dragging it for awhile it got a bite. It held for about 10 minutes before a huge gust of wind broke us free.

I know the claim is you don't need chain but I was willing to try anything. Added a 10 foot section and dropped it again with 3:1 and it stuck and held the rest of the time.

So wasn't exactly what I expected but this is the same area the weekend before I could not get my fluke to hold even with 16Ft of chain and 7:1 scope.

So what is your experience and do you use chain?

Looking forward to trying it again when we aren't in 18mph winds.

What size do you have?

 

[jameskeller76]

What size do you have?

Small

Never used a chain with mine; very, very rarely (like once, maybe twice) had it migrate on me at all. Let out more scope those times and there was no issue.

Two questions: what type of bottom do you have (I have used mine mainly on mud/silt bottom)? And what size box?

Its a mix of mud and rock bottom. Size small.

 

[Ilmmct]

@jameskeller76 Small Box Anchor as well for my 242 ... set and forget. Detailed thread on this subject here:

https://jetboaters.net/threads/how-to-diy-custom-fit-box-anchor.3797/page-3#post-221839

I removed my bow ladder (which I've never used) so that I could fit the box anchor without having to collapse it. I used a fluke with a chain for a few years in the tidal/sandy areas I boat and found the Box Anchor provided me just a tad less "anchor management".

 

[tdonoughue]

Well, that is the same size anchor I have, so that can't be it. But I don't have a very rocky bottom by me, so I am betting that is why you didn't have much luck with it.

 

[eticket]

My small box anchor is very reliable in mud and weeds for my 21 footer. I have no experience with it in rocks. I don't use chain with it, and typically let out 2:1 scope.