Anchor System for 14' Aluminum Boat

[fishpro]

So I purchased a second hand aluminum boat today, and am looking for suggestions for an anchor system, hopefully one that I can operate myself from the back of the boat. Does anyone have any suggestions on what and where to buy? Secondly, what would be the best way to set this up? Running along the side of the boat, along the floor (would probably need to be covered), or any other ideas?

Thanks for any suggestions you can provide!

[ddddd05]

A couple things to consider are anchoring depth and wind conditions. That will help you decide how much rope you need.

The anchor won't have to be that big for your boat. I have a 16' aluminum boat with a small anchor (I think it is 15lb) and 100' of line. I end up tying the line off of the nose with a clip also attached at the end of the line. I am not anchoring in gale for winds. I am also not anchoring more than 30' deep.

I have never anchored off the stern. It may be possible but that seems a bit dangerous to me because you would be taking waves over the back of the boat. If you anchor off the side you would be taking the waves side ways.

I have noticed that the best anchor systems have a piece of heavy chain between the rope and the anchor. This acts as a bit of a shock absorber. That would probably be over kill for an aluminum boat though.

[SamSteele]

Minn Kota makes an electric anchor Called the Deckhand that can be bow mounted but operated from wherever you mount the switch. Might be an option if you are set on anchoring without leaving the stern. I believe that there are different weights of anchors with different models.

[Pikebreath]

Drift boats run a pulley and cleat system the allows the rower in the center seat to pull up and deploy the bow mounted anchor. GOOGLE up "driftboat anchor system" and you will find several different anchor systems that you can purchase or copy and adapt to your boat..

[58thecat]

15 ish pound anchor, rope and it all stores well up front in that little area. Toss out, secure, nose faces into the wind....pull up anchor and set on the rope when done.

[Justfishin73]

After being blown off way too many fishing spots, done messing around. I use a 30 lb anchor, holds real good

[Weedy1]

Scotty Anchor Lock, one at the front, one at the back.

https://www.cabelas.ca/product/9028?productVariantId=32900&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-cTmn82s4gIVhBh9Ch0fUweTEAQYAiABEgInO_D_BwE

[spurly]

Scotty Anchor Lock, one at the front, one at the back.

https://www.cabelas.ca/product/9028?productVariantId=32900&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-cTmn82s4gIVhBh9Ch0fUweTEAQYAiABEgInO_D_BwE

This is wha I use as well, works great.

[fishpro]

Thanks for the suggestions so far everyone. To be clear, I'm aware of the pulley systems and that's what I'm hoping to set up, I'm inquiring about recommended ways to set up a pulley system that I can operate from the back of the boat while having the anchor at the front.

[Fishwhere]

I havent seen any of the pulley systems you are talking about. But i would think that either way you will have to go to the front of the boat to lift the anchor up and over into the boat. Which at that point would make me want to just use a typical style anchor all together.

[brewster29]

I am using Scotty anchor locks in flush mount brackets front and rear on my 14' aluminum boat. Simple to pull or drop the front anchor from the rear seat...just keep the front anchor rope at the back of the boat with you. A solid braided rope 3/8" works best. Hollow core ropes sometimes slip through the lock.

[TimboLefty]

I built my own, check ospreycrafts.com site built mine out of regular wood and a few coats of spar varnish, front and back anchors can be operated from stern,or a buddy in front can help. Works great

[huntsfurfish]

Scotty Anchor Lock, one at the front, one at the back.

https://www.cabelas.ca/product/9028?productVariantId=32900&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-cTmn82s4gIVhBh9Ch0fUweTEAQYAiABEgInO_D_BwE

Also have Scotty anchor locks for my small boat 12'. One for the front and one for the back.

[kinwahkly]

Here is what I use.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kx5v_tBJdow

[Ken07AOVette]

Use a piece of galvanized 3/8" chain between the anchor and the rode. The chain will hold you more than the anchor, believe it or not.

[Jfs]

Hello;
If you are fishing rivers, you should only have 1 Bow Mounted Anchor System.
Deirks makes Aluminum bits that will allow you to configure a Drift Boat type of System. 25 Pound Pyramid Anchor is standard. You can double pulley the rope outside your boat for mechanical advantage if required..Deirks has a Distributer in Alberta but I would just buy direct, except the anchor.. Too heavy to ship.. Go to Fishtales in Calgary for it..
Second Stern mounted anchor for Lake fishing is required for Proper Presentations...Glenmore Sailboats has nice rope and pulleys as well.. Have fun !

[cluneyboy]

I've got minn kota deckhands on both my boats and they are frickin awesome.

[Jfs]

Small Boat...
To be used to Drift the Bow and Fish Lakes.
Never mind that Minn Kota stuff..
You need a simple system as I described to you.
If you need further advice, just PM me.
I have outfitted 6 Boats and been Fishing the Bow forever.

[mooseknuckle]

Use a piece of galvanized 3/8" chain between the anchor and the rode. The chain will hold you more than the anchor, believe it or not.

This!! 10lb anchor and 3ft of chain and 25-30ft of rope. Use this on 12 footer. Dont recall it ever letting go, im a wimp though and dont fish in the big wind, when i do i use the big boat.

[Habfan]

Use a piece of galvanized 3/8" chain between the anchor and the rode. The chain will hold you more than the anchor, believe it or not.

The chain is used to keep the anchor at a downward angle so it digs into the bottom was my understanding ! How does the chain hold you more than the anchor ?

[lastlatvian]

Paint can filled with cement works well for my 17 foot aluminum boat. Weighs just over 20 lbs and is easy to pull up but I hand bomb it. Probably the cheapest option out there.

[nast70]

Paint can filled with cement works well for my 17 foot aluminum boat. Weighs just over 20 lbs and is easy to pull up but I hand bomb it. Probably the cheapest option out there.

And it wont come up with twice as much weight in weeds! :sHa_sarcasticlol:

[nast70]

The chain is used to keep the anchor at a downward angle so it digs into the bottom was my understanding ! How does the chain hold you more than the anchor ?

You are right, the chain just keeps the anchor down so it digs deeper. Night and day difference with a chain. My old 18' Four Winns came with a small 15lb anchor with some chain. That boat never moved with waves over 2'.
You also need way more line out than you think to hold still:
"As a general rule of thumb, your rode should be 7 to 10 times the depth of the water in which you will anchor. You will need more rode in bad weather or rough water."

[lastlatvian]

And it wont come up with twice as much weight in weeds! :sHa_sarcasticlol:

Yes sometimes anchors better in weed beds lol but eh.

[Habfan]

Paint can filled with cement works well for my 17 foot aluminum boat. Weighs just over 20 lbs and is easy to pull up but I hand bomb it. Probably the cheapest option out there.

Don’t do this ! Get a anchor that has some type of hooks on it and some weight. Anchors are required by law on a boat simply for the fact that if you have a breakdown or similar, you won’t get blown off the lake. A heavy round object won’t hold you in more than a foot of waves.

[StringTheory]

I was looking at an Anchor system for my kayak and noticed Anchor Wizard makes systems that are what you are describing, a crank with a freespool clutch for the back and an anchor keeper in the front. They look kind of expensive but also super convenient:

http://www.anchorwizard.com/

[TROLLER]

Minn Kota makes an electric anchor Called the Deckhand that can be bow mounted but operated from wherever you mount the switch. Might be an option if you are set on anchoring without leaving the stern. I believe that there are different weights of anchors with different models.

I had one. Not very reliable. Line kept wrapping around the outside of the pully and they are supposed to let line out as you move from the wind but that was off and on. Not a good product. Very disappointed considering it was a Minn Kota.

I now run 2 15 pounders one on each side by the bow. Hold my 14 ft. aluminum without an issue even when the wind shows up.

[SamSteele]

I had one. Not very reliable. Line kept wrapping around the outside of the pully and they are supposed to let line out as you move from the wind but that was off and on. Not a good product. Very disappointed considering it was a Minn Kota.



I now run 2 15 pounders one on each side by the bow. Hold my 14 ft. aluminum without an issue even when the wind shows up.



Good feedback. I’ve never used one but thought they had potential. Thanks.

[fishpro]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone, I went with the Minn Kota Deckhand which I now have mounted on the front of my boat.