Free anchor! With a catch...

8gv · 06-18-2025, 10:29 PM

I will give a lucky forum member my Fortress FX7 aluminum anchor with 4' of SS chain FOR FREE but...

it will need to be located and recovered from the bottom of Lake Winnisquam.

The back story:

A couple of weeks ago I took my 17' center console boat out on the lake to do a shakedown run before starting my saltwater fishing season.

I invited a friend to join me and promised we would get a few casts in.

At the far north end of the lake we approached the inlet with caution hoping not to hit any uncharted rocks.

We were in about 8' of water when a stiff breeze blew up and that had me reaching for the anchor to deploy.

My friend was slow to get out of the way of the anchor locker so in the interest of gelcoat preservation, I grabbed the spare anchor and sent it over the side.

Well... the 100' of anchor line with a bull snap on the end was not attached to the spare anchor as I sometimes use it to add to my primary anchor line.

I hit the MOB button on my GPS to mark the spot.

I figured I would soon get back there with a mask and snorkel and recover the anchor but with rainy days and obligations that did not happen until today.

Today I found that there are now many tall weeds and the water is post rainstorm turbid.

Since the spare had an heir and I really don't care I think it's fair that I should share the where in case you care to go there.

Where is the anchor?

N 43°36.229'
W071°31.919'

You will find it in about 7'-8' of water in the far north end of Winnisquam.

The coordinates should get you close and I would start there and search in a 50' arc to the west.

The wind was blowing us to the east and my MOB button pushing may have been slightly delayed.

So go find it and post up a picture so I can have closure on what i hope to be my only dumb ass boating move of the year!

Descant · 06-19-2025, 10:53 AM

Or, bring a Sharpie, sign the anchor, post a picture, and throw it back for the next guy.

8gv · 06-19-2025, 11:04 AM

That is a great idea!

Since the only peril presented by the current challenge is strangulation by weeds, I propose relocating the anchor to shark or alligator infested waters.

TheTimeTraveler · 06-19-2025, 08:34 PM

Maybe a metal detector could be the answer, lol.

8gv · 06-19-2025, 10:16 PM

I suspect a diver might have a metal detector that can handle water immersion.

After multiple rain storms and all the weed growth, seeing is doubtful.

A very bright underwater flashlight and the courage to swim in the dark might yield enough of a glint to find it.

But... one could just get lucky swimming a grid pattern wearing a mask.

06-18-2025, 10:29 PM	#1
8gv Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,107 Thanks: 64 Thanked 747 Times in 481 Posts	Free anchor! With a catch... I will give a lucky forum member my Fortress FX7 aluminum anchor with 4' of SS chain FOR FREE but... it will need to be located and recovered from the bottom of Lake Winnisquam. The back story: A couple of weeks ago I took my 17' center console boat out on the lake to do a shakedown run before starting my saltwater fishing season. I invited a friend to join me and promised we would get a few casts in. At the far north end of the lake we approached the inlet with caution hoping not to hit any uncharted rocks. We were in about 8' of water when a stiff breeze blew up and that had me reaching for the anchor to deploy. My friend was slow to get out of the way of the anchor locker so in the interest of gelcoat preservation, I grabbed the spare anchor and sent it over the side. Well... the 100' of anchor line with a bull snap on the end was not attached to the spare anchor as I sometimes use it to add to my primary anchor line. I hit the MOB button on my GPS to mark the spot. I figured I would soon get back there with a mask and snorkel and recover the anchor but with rainy days and obligations that did not happen until today. Today I found that there are now many tall weeds and the water is post rainstorm turbid. Since the spare had an heir and I really don't care I think it's fair that I should share the where in case you care to go there. Where is the anchor? N 43°36.229' W071°31.919' You will find it in about 7'-8' of water in the far north end of Winnisquam. The coordinates should get you close and I would start there and search in a 50' arc to the west. The wind was blowing us to the east and my MOB button pushing may have been slightly delayed. So go find it and post up a picture so I can have closure on what i hope to be my only dumb ass boating move of the year!

06-19-2025, 10:53 AM	#2
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,378 Thanks: 1,353 Thanked 1,628 Times in 1,060 Posts	Geo-cache? Or, bring a Sharpie, sign the anchor, post a picture, and throw it back for the next guy.

06-19-2025, 11:04 AM	#3
8gv Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,107 Thanks: 64 Thanked 747 Times in 481 Posts	That is a great idea! Since the only peril presented by the current challenge is strangulation by weeds, I propose relocating the anchor to shark or alligator infested waters.

06-19-2025, 08:34 PM	#4
TheTimeTraveler Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 887 Thanks: 278 Thanked 288 Times in 178 Posts	Maybe a metal detector could be the answer, lol.

06-19-2025, 10:16 PM	#5
8gv Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,107 Thanks: 64 Thanked 747 Times in 481 Posts	I suspect a diver might have a metal detector that can handle water immersion. After multiple rain storms and all the weed growth, seeing is doubtful. A very bright underwater flashlight and the courage to swim in the dark might yield enough of a glint to find it. But... one could just get lucky swimming a grid pattern wearing a mask.