Box Anchor vs. Fluke Anchor ???

[BigPapiBT]

I ordered a cheap 13 lbs Fluke Anchor Kit for our 2021 195S. It's still in the box (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07B5KJMPG). The more I read about the Box anchors, it seems like that's the way to go? https://www.amazon.com/Fold-Anchor-18x7x5-Galvanized-COMPACT/dp/B078H417QC even though it's a little more?

The seabed of our lake can be muddy when it's shallow, but otherwise sandy bottom with lots of milfoil.

Am I overthinking this or given it's still in the box, do I exchange the Fluke anchor for a box anchor?

BT

 

[motomandan]

Fortress Marine Anchors - The World's Best Anchors!
FX-7 best at holding and fits in factory holddowns if you trim 1/2" off each crossbar
Works great on my FSH 21. Also have 2 on my 28' Sailboat.

 

[Scott Huse]

We carry Fortress anchors at www.transomtime.com for this exact reason. If your interested let me know.

 

[mrcleanr6]

Yep just put an fx11 in my boat. I really like the fortress anchors. We are mostly mud bottom here with some sand. A fluke style anchor has always worked great. Thats all anyone uses here.

 

[WiskyDan]

I’ve heard good things from many on the forums about the Fortress anchor. I have the box anchor and like it - no need to worry about how much anchor chain or anchor line to play out.

I think that both are very good choices, can’t really go wrong.

 

[anmut]

Box anchors work really well - it's my go to. The one time I couldn't get it to stick was in super silty muck and high winds with the bimini up, although I was trying to setup my ballast and didn't put enough rope out to really let it hold.

Box anchor at the beach is awesome - i cut a pool noodle about 1.5' long that goes over the handle and stays there so it's visible. I also cut a pieces of stainless rod and can hang my box anchor in the anchor compartment, keeping it out of the way.

The only thing I don't like about it is having to unfold it and fold it back up - I always seem to pinch myself and sand in the spring mech can cause it to jam. Easy enough to just wash it out but still isn't as quick as a fluke.

 

[d_coyne1984]

ABSOLUTELY BOX ANCHOR! I hated my flute anchor on my Yamaha. Most of the time I ended up setting it by hand. I've never had to worry about my box anchor. Sets itself every time and you don't need hardly any lead line. I have the 19lb on my 4200lb, 21ft wake boat now and it has never broken free, even in rough conditions.

 

[Olsonn20]

I have a fluke anchor pretty much same as the one you bought that I purchased off of Yamahas site, I've had my ar195 in some pretty rough overnight chop camping last year and it never broke free. I did however have a lot of rope out (25' or so) and a sand anchor on the other end, but I'm happy with it.

 

[BigPapiBT]

Fortress Marine Anchors - The World's Best Anchors!
FX-7 best at holding and fits in factory holddowns if you trim 1/2" off each crossbar
Works great on my FSH 21. Also have 2 on my 28' Sailboat.

Thanks! I'm a bit ignorant, but isn't a Fortess anchor just a strong Fluke anchor? Same concept right?

 

[BigPapiBT]

I’ve heard good things from many on the forums about the Fortress anchor. I have the box anchor and like it - no need to worry about how much anchor chain or anchor line to play out.

I think that both are very good choices, can’t really go wrong.

Thanks! Which Box Anchor are you using? Trying to find which one will fit in the 195S anchor locker.

 

[BigPapiBT]

Box anchors work really well - it's my go to. The one time I couldn't get it to stick was in super silty muck and high winds with the bimini up, although I was trying to setup my ballast and didn't put enough rope out to really let it hold.

Box anchor at the beach is awesome - i cut a pool noodle about 1.5' long that goes over the handle and stays there so it's visible. I also cut a pieces of stainless rod and can hang my box anchor in the anchor compartment, keeping it out of the way.

The only thing I don't like about it is having to unfold it and fold it back up - I always seem to pinch myself and sand in the spring mech can cause it to jam. Easy enough to just wash it out but still isn't as quick as a fluke.

Thanks!

ABSOLUTELY BOX ANCHOR! I hated my flute anchor on my Yamaha. Most of the time I ended up setting it by hand. I've never had to worry about my box anchor. Sets itself every time and you don't need hardly any lead line. I have the 19lb on my 4200lb, 21ft wake boat now and it has never broken free, even in rough conditions.

Thanks! Did you buy this one https://www.amazon.com/Extreme-Max-3006-6652-BoatTector-Zinc-Plated/dp/B07D62VXGS ? Or do I need the more expensive Slide Anchor Box Anchor — Slide Anchor

Also, any need for a Danik Hook? Or https://www.amazon.com/Slide-Anchor-Danik-Hook-Stainless-Knotless/dp/B009M8SHCO per usual I'm probably overthinking it. Or do

 

[mrcleanr6]

Yes fortress makes a premium fluke anchor. Its alloy so lightweight and doesnt rust. It does however have an adjustment on it to change the angle. This allows it to hold better in mud one way and sand the other

 

[AZMark]

I’ve never had an issue with the standard fluke anchor in strong winds as long as I set it right and let enough line out.

 

[mrcleanr6]

Agreed. If you have it set up right a fluke should hold no problem. You should have a min of 6’ of chain. 10’ is better and your line should be 5:1 ratio or 7:1 in high winds and current. If your in 15’ of water then you need a min of 75’ of line out. This really goes for any anchor.

 

[SamN44]

A good box anchor will change your life and stop the arguments with your wife while anchoring. We have an SX190 and bought a small box anchor from: Box Anchor — Slide Anchor

No more cursing trying to set the anchor or pick the right amount of line. No Danik Hook or chain required. Just throw the thing over, give it some slack, and grab a beer. 2:1 scope instead of 5:1. It was a game changer for us last season. We use an 18lb river anchor for the rear.

 

[WiskyDan]

Thanks! Which Box Anchor are you using? Trying to find which one will fit in the 195S anchor locker.

I had a “small” box anchor (from Slide Anchor) for my SX230 but my 242LS has a higher freeboard and is heavier so I bought a “large” for this upcomIng season. I don’t fold mine and store it under the left side bow bench.

 

[PeterB]

I carry a danforth ( fluke) which I like for sand and certain conditions, but my go to in our mud bottom lake is a Richter anchor - limited scope needed and catches easily . I also carry a mushroom for anchoring in tight areas to stop our stern from swinging too much.

 

[Croker]

The anchor you got should be fine. On our 19ft boat that will hold us with 4kts ish of current on a sandy bottom no problems. Not the best idea but sometimes we deploy both anchors (one off the front and one off the back) and position the boat side in the current with no problems when we are cleaning it.
I’m sure you know this but the more line you let out the better (to some degree) the smaller the angle between your boat and the anchor will allow it to dig in deeper as you boat pulls on it.

edit: the current anchors we have are some generic galvanised anchors one with 1m of chain. Weigh no more then 4-5kg each

 

[JBehrens]

I have both, just depends on where you are boating. 1ft of chain makes a huge difference, I prefer the box anchor, just seems to work no matter what. Mostly boating on rocky lakes so a box anchor has an advantage.

 

[PastMaster32]

First time I used my box anchor on my AR195 was last 4th of July anchoring late by our absolutely packed sandbar with a ton of traffic throwing wakes... Used my old 8lb Danforth anchor in the back and by the end of the day, we had a 26 foot Ebtide, a 27 foot Formula and a 24 foot Yamaha rafted up on us all day without a problem... Only thing that sucks is cleaning the muck/weeds off when you retrieve it can be a pain in the ass...