The (re)search for the perfect PWC anchor(s) has begun. (Feel free to skip right to the questions at the bottom.)
As some of y'all might remember, I conducted extensive research a few years ago and discovered 4 best boating anchors without question: Mantus (for quickest set/reset), Fortress (overall strength), Digger (ease of use/no chain), Box (I didn't love this one, but many people have, so I put it on the list).
A few years later, and many, many tests, and I still swear by the Mantus. I've got two 8' on my 20' pontoon and they set and hold every. Single. Time.
Ok, on to PWC anchors: I bought a galvanized folding grapple thinking "how much difference will it make holding a fairly small machine at a sandbar (other than emergencies, the single only place I'll be anchoring)?" Boy, was I off here!
"Anchored" on the east side of Ragged last week and the thing is crap. With the lightest of wind/wave action—like, almost non-existent, it slipped.
Now, I'm not entirely done with it—I've got a small section of chain to try out with it today—but I had the rope essentially flat to the ground and it was still pulling.
In the meantime, I bought two umbrella sand anchors to try out—each $7.50 at Walmart—and they work perfectly...in shallow water. While at West Alton the other day—see my rescued anchor post on iBoat Winni Facebook—I realized that cold water, wind/wave action, or depth might cause an issue with setting the umbrella anchor (since it needs to be screwed almost entirely into the ground to work.
I think I need one of two things: either a tall(er) screw-in design or one I can toss in. I'm starting to lean towards the latter as, while out the other day, I noticed a couple on a broken down jetski paddling toward shore in a hazard area and wondered if there might be a situation where I'd want to throw an emergency anchor out rather than get dashed upon the rocks.
SO, two questions:
1. Thoughts on the "need" for a "throw"/"emergency" type anchor vs. just a sandbar one? I've only 11 hours on my ski and have no idea what I should be prepared for.
2. Recommendations for an anchor? Any styles/ideas I'm missing?
Final note: As always, cost matters here—both because I'm selectively cheap AND because remote learning has extended the amount of lake time and I need to budget carefully.
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