A properly chosen anchor is not just a piece of metal at the end of a rope, but a guarantee of your safety and successful fishing. Many beginners make the mistake of buying the first cargo they get or focusing only on the price, forgetting about the specifics of the bottom and dimensions of the boat. Anchor system It must withstand not only the weight of the device itself, but also the load from wind and current, keeping the boat in a predetermined position.
Mistakes can cause the boat to just blow off the fishing point, or worse, the anchor will land in the ground and you lose expensive equipment. In this article, we will take a look at all the nuances, from the calculation of the mass to the features of the mounting, so that you never again wonder the question of drift.
The main parameters of the selection of the anchor device
The first and most important criterion is the weight of the anchor, and there is a generally accepted rule that the mass of the anchor should be approximately 10% of the displacement of the boat. PVC This parameter is often adjusted in a smaller direction so as not to overload the transom and the board, but not to the detriment of the reliability of retention.
The second critical factor is the type of bottom of the pond where you plan to fish. Sand, silt, pebbles or grass thickets require completely different shapes of paws and designs. There is no universal solution, so experienced boaters often have two different types of anchors in their arsenal for different conditions.
⚠️ Attention: Using an anchor too light on the current or in strong winds can lead to the demolition of the boat in shallow water or, conversely, on the fairway, which creates a real threat to life.
The fabrication material also plays a role. Steel anchors are strong and durable, but they are susceptible to corrosion unless they're coated with a quality corrosion-resistant compound. Aluminum alloys are lighter, which is important for small boats, but they're less durable when hitting rocks. Stainless steel It is considered a premium, but expensive option, requiring almost no care.
Calculation of the mass of the anchor for different types of boats
For an accurate determination of the required weight, you can use the formula, taking into account the sailing area of the boat and the strength of the wind, but for household use, indicative tables are enough. For a standard two-seater PVC boat up to 3 meters in length, an anchor weighing 1.5-2 kg is usually enough if the bottom allows it to catch.
Three- and four-seater boats with a hard bottom and higher sailing require more serious cargo - from 3 to 5 kg Metal boats ("Kazanki", "stealers") because of their inertia and weight need anchors weighing from 6 kg and above, especially if you plan to catch on the current.
For PVC boats, not only is it critical, but the absence of sharp edges at anchor is also important so as not to damage cylinders during sampling or storage.
It is important to consider the length of the anchor shaft, it should be at least 3-4 times the depth in the parking lot. If you stand at 5 meters, you need to store 20 meters of rope. cat-stopper) helps to press the anchor paws to the bottom, improving engagement, but adds extra weight, which may be a disadvantage for light boats.
Overview of popular types of anchors for small craft
There are many designs on the market, each with its own advantages, and the most common option for PVC boats is the cat anchor, a folding structure with four legs that is easy to transport and holds well on a rocky or overgrown bottom.
Another popular type is Hall anchor or modifications, which have great holding power on sand and silt, but can tow on hard clay or rocks, and their design involves the anchor being buried with its paws and the spindle falling to the bottom.
⚠️ Attention: Cat anchors can get stuck between rocks, and when used on a rocky bottom, always have a spare rope to break away.
For lovers of trophy fishing on the course, pond anchors are excellent (for example, denforth They have a wide paw and quickly burrow into the ground, providing a powerful hold, but their shape is often inconvenient to store in small bags for equipment.
The secret of reliability
Factory anchors often have a smooth surface of the paws. Applying notches or welding small pins on the paws increases traction to the ground by 30-40%.
Comparative table of specifications of anchors
To make it easier to choose, let's compare the main features of popular models in the table below, which will help you quickly navigate the variety of offers.
| Type of anchor | Optimal soil | Weight (kg) | Storage complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cat folding. | Stones, grass, silt | 1.5 - 4.0 | Low. |
| Hall anchor | Sand, clay, silt | 2.0 - 6.0 | Medium |
| Gravitational (mushroom) | Il, soft bottom | 3.0 - 10.0 | High. |
| Plugnoy (Denforth) | Sand, gravel | 1.5 - 5.0 | Medium |
As you can see from the table, for universal use in conditions of unknown bottom relief, the most common choice is a folding cat or lightweight plow models. Mushroom anchors, working through mass and suction, are effective only on soft silt and practically useless on a hard bottom.
Anchor tack and proper anchorage
The choice of rope (fala) is as important as the choice of the cargo itself. Synthetic cords (nylon, polypropylene) are convenient because they do not rot and are easily reeled, but they can cut hands when sampled under load. The chain is rarely used because of weight, but the short stretch of chain before the rope is useful for quenching jerks.
The optimal thickness of the anchor cord for PVC boats is 4-6 mm. The thinner one will cut the arms, and the thicker one will take up a lot of space and be unnecessarily rigid. The length of the falt should allow you to anchor at depths up to 10-12 meters with a margin.☑️ Checking the anchor system
Mounting anchor to the boat is necessary only for a rump-ring on the nose. Fastening for the stern is strictly prohibited, since in strong wind or current, the boat can turn the side to the wave, which will lead to a tip over. Nasal mount It ensures the safe position of the boat with its nose to the wind.
Anchoring and sampling techniques
The anchoring process must be worked out to automatism. When you go to the parking lot, you have to stop against the wind or the current. The anchor is lowered vertically until the bottom is touched, and then the boat is given a slight reverse or wait until the wind pulls up the fall, and then the anchor starts to burrow.
When you sample an anchor, you can't just pull the rope with your hands, especially if the boat is above the anchor, and that creates a dangerous roll and a risk of falling overboard, and you'd better pull the boat to the parking spot, pick a slack, and then pull up sharply but smoothly to rip the anchor off the ground.
The main rule of anchoring: never tie the end of the anchor shaft rigidly to the boat without the possibility of a quick cliff or unfastening in an emergency!
If the anchor is dead, don't jerk it, risk damaging the boat or the machine, try to pick a slack, fix the slack on the nose, and use the force of wind or motor at low speeds to create a constant tension, often the anchor "crawls" itself after a few minutes.
Care and storage of anchor equipment
After each fishing trip, especially in salt water or in silted water bodies, the anchor should be washed with fresh water. Metal parts should be dry-wiped and if necessary lubricated with silicone grease or coated with anticortis. The rope should be dried before packaging to avoid mold and unpleasant smell.
Keep the anchor separate from other things, in a special bag or bag, so that the sharp edges of the paws do not damage the equipment. Periodically check the condition of the vertebrae and rings are the places of greatest wear. anchorage This is not only an aesthetic defect, but also a signal of a decrease in the strength of the metal.
Can I use homemade anchors made of concrete or pancakes?
You can use it, but with caution. Concrete anchors are cheap but fragile and can break into stones. Dumbbell pancakes have little holding power and are only suitable for complete calm on a soft bottom. For serious fishing, it is better to buy a specialized product.
What if the anchor is stuck between the stones?
If you have a second rope, tie it to the anchor spindle and pull it backwards. If you don't have a second rope, try to change the angle of tension by swaming around the parking spot in a circle, and at the very least you'll have to dive or accept the loss.
Do I need an anchor for an inflatable boat on a small river?
Yes, even on a small river, winds can rise or currents can increase due to the operation of the locks upstream, the absence of an anchor can lead to the demolition of the boat on obstacles, the minimum weight of the anchor for calm water is 1.5 kg.
Which anchor is best for sleeping on a boat?
For the night, maximum reliability is required. It is better to use two anchors, abandoned at an angle (in the nose and in the stern, or two bow fans) to exclude turning the boat and rocking.
Why isn't the anchor holding the boat?
There may be three reasons: an anchor is too light for conditions, the type of anchor for a given soil is wrong (for example, a cat on hard clay), or a fall is not sufficiently etched (a small angle of attack of the legs), increase the length of the rope or change place.