We have a 200 Sea Ray Sundeck (deckboat/bowrider). I have a fluke
anchor. We are new to boating.

My question is whether or not a "land anchor" is useful or will the
fluke anchor work just as well for setting the anchor right on the
beach?

I have found two types of beach anchors 1) Ironwood Pacific Land
Anchor for around $40. This is a helix design and is 22" long (see
http://www.ironwoodpacific.com/products/landanchor.asp) and 2) "beach
spike" length ?. This is more of a straight spike design, so you just
drive it straight down. (sold by www.skilimited.com).

I assume a land anchor is a little bit easier to use? But then again,
if a fluke anchor works just fine when in the water, wouldn't a fluke
anchor be just fine when on dry land? I am a bit concerned about
having too much gear on the boat. I also only have one anchor, so
maybe having a land anchor as a backup would be a good idea?

On 26 May 2004 10:24:14 -0700, (Laura) wrote:

We have a 200 Sea Ray Sundeck (deckboat/bowrider). I have a fluke
anchor. We are new to boating.

My question is whether or not a "land anchor" is useful or will the
fluke anchor work just as well for setting the anchor right on the
beach?

I have found two types of beach anchors 1) Ironwood Pacific Land
Anchor for around $40. This is a helix design and is 22" long (see
http://www.ironwoodpacific.com/products/landanchor.asp) and 2) "beach
spike" length ?. This is more of a straight spike design, so you just
drive it straight down. (sold by www.skilimited.com).

I assume a land anchor is a little bit easier to use? But then again,
if a fluke anchor works just fine when in the water, wouldn't a fluke
anchor be just fine when on dry land? I am a bit concerned about
having too much gear on the boat. I also only have one anchor, so
maybe having a land anchor as a backup would be a good idea?

I carry a Danforth on the bow for water anchoring, and a very small Danforth for
beach anchoring. When at a beach, I'm usually using both anchors, one off the
bow, the other off the stern.

Works great!


John H

On the 'Poco Loco' out of Deale, MD
on the beautiful Chesapeake Bay!

Laura wrote:
We have a 200 Sea Ray Sundeck (deckboat/bowrider). I have a fluke
anchor. We are new to boating.

My question is whether or not a "land anchor" is useful or will the
fluke anchor work just as well for setting the anchor right on the
beach?

The only thing a land anchor is useful for is to keep the boat swinging
while anchored near a beach...if you only set one anchor off the bow in
the sand on the beach, wind and wave can push your boat sideways--and
even all the way around. Same is true if you want to keep your stern
toward the beach...you put down an anchor off the bow...then run another
off the stern to the beach. So if you plan to anchor off beaches, you
need at least two anchors...'cuz if the wind is blowing one direction
and the tide or wave action is pushing the boat the other direction,
you'll need two on the beach, each set at about a 45 degree angle off
each side of the stern.

Btw...since you're new to boating, I suggest you take a CG Aux or US
Power Squadron boating safety course. Not only will you learn the "rules
of the road" and how to keep you, your boat and your crew safe on the
water, but also other very important things...like how to set an anchor
and how much rode (anchor line) to put out in various conditions.

--
Peggie
----------
Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987
Author "Get Rid of Boat Odors - A Guide To Marine Sanitation Systems and
Other Sources of Aggravation and Odor"
http://69.20.93.241/store/customer/p...40&cat=&page=1

My boat was on land all winter and it didn't move an inch even
without an anchor

Doug
s/v Callista

"John H" wrote in message
news
On 26 May 2004 10:24:14 -0700, (Laura) wrote:

We have a 200 Sea Ray Sundeck (deckboat/bowrider). I have a fluke
anchor. We are new to boating.

My question is whether or not a "land anchor" is useful or will the
fluke anchor work just as well for setting the anchor right on the
beach?

I have found two types of beach anchors 1) Ironwood Pacific Land
Anchor for around $40. This is a helix design and is 22" long (see
http://www.ironwoodpacific.com/products/landanchor.asp) and 2) "beach
spike" length ?. This is more of a straight spike design, so you just
drive it straight down. (sold by www.skilimited.com).

I assume a land anchor is a little bit easier to use? But then again,
if a fluke anchor works just fine when in the water, wouldn't a fluke
anchor be just fine when on dry land? I am a bit concerned about
having too much gear on the boat. I also only have one anchor, so
maybe having a land anchor as a backup would be a good idea?

I carry a Danforth on the bow for water anchoring, and a very small
Danforth for
beach anchoring. When at a beach, I'm usually using both anchors, one off
the
bow, the other off the stern.

Works great!


John H

On the 'Poco Loco' out of Deale, MD
on the beautiful Chesapeake Bay!

Laura wrote:


My question is whether or not a "land anchor" is useful or will the
fluke anchor work just as well for setting the anchor right on the
beach?


Another anchor that could be used in the water sounds more practical. If
this will be just for the day, and you will be around the boat if
anything goes wrong (such as the wind changing and blowing your boat
onto the shore) then go for a smaller anchor.

If you plan on leaving your boat for some time, then a heavier anchor is
needed. Consider where else you will (might) be anchoring and consider
your total anchoring needs.

And read Peggie Hall's reply, too.

Tom
of the Swee****er Sea

Laura wrote:
We have a 200 Sea Ray Sundeck (deckboat/bowrider). I have a fluke
anchor. We are new to boating.

My question is whether or not a "land anchor" is useful or will the
fluke anchor work just as well for setting the anchor right on the
beach?

I'm not familiar with the "land anchor" you mentioned but I suspect many
folks would classify something like this as a "novelty" item and not give it
much further thought. Depending on exactly what you want to do, where you
want to do it, and how often and for how long, you will probably be happier
in the long term using another fluke (or "Danforth-style" or "patent" style)
anchor.

Look at it this way: you can always put down your second Danforth on the
beach, but that "land anchor" won't do you much good when you need a second
"water" anchor.

--
Good luck and good sailing.
s/v Kerry Deare of Barnegat
http://kerrydeare.home.comcast.net/