Dinghy Anchor

[T. Traddles]

I have an 8 lb mushroom type anchor and was thinking it might be suitable for a 12 ft dinghy that I am near completing. If not, would someone recommend a suitable type and weight? Thanks

[Thorne]

Could you be less specific? <---- JOKE!!!

Seriously, it all depends on where you'll be anchoring, in what conditions, on what sort of bottom. The easy answer is to ask other boaters in those waters, as they'll have the direct experience.

I wouldn't use a mushroom anchor for anything other than a lunch hook, and would keep a sharp eye on the boat anyway. They often get used in rivers where it would be difficult if not impossible to row back upstream to free the flukes on a standard anchor.

I use a folding grapnel anchor for quick-n-dirty anchoring and beach anchors, but use various marine-flea-market Fortress-type anchors for more vital jobs like anchoring off a lee shore. They all are oversize for my boat and have at least a boat's length of chain and plenty of line.

http://content.westmarine.com/images/catalog/full/4501797.jpg http://www.go2marine.com/go2_structure/2/2/0/0/22004F-p.jpg

I recently picked up a standard size Anchor Buddy system and will try it out next weekend. Hope it will be easier and less likely to twist/jam than a standard beach trolley anchoring system.

[paul oman]

my wife sinks like a rock.....

[Peter Eikenberry]

I use a mushroom, and for fishing and just dinking around it is fine. However, if you planning to leave the dink anchored out all the time then you need something better such as a danforth or plow.

[T. Traddles]

Thanks to all who replied. Paul, does your wife read posts on the forum?

[paul oman]

thank goodness, no! I may be a right wing not case in the eyes of many forum members, but I'm not that stupid (no second opinions, thank you)!

[yesiam]

....nothing wrong with a right-wing-nut-case....

[Bobcat]

A lot depends on how you're anchoring and the reason. As a boy I used a flower pot full of concrete as an anchor. Used it to hold an 8 foot pram for fishing. Used it to hold the pram when beached and the painter wouldn't reach a log. It worked, but only because of what I used it for.

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

Each anchor design has a certain kind of bottom material in mind. Mushroom anchors are for still water, with mud bottoms... They sink down into the mud, and the material over top of the anchor helps them work. I use a small grapnel like the one shown in Thorne's post.... good general daytime use, and cheap to buy.