Water Spike

Good Morning All! I recently purchased a water spike anchor, after posting a question on what anchor you guys use to hold in current/windy days. My question is why do you add a length of chain to the anchor? Is it to help in retrieving it? I have not had any problems getting it back so far, but don’t want any either Thank you.

I added a couple of feet of chain to mine thinking that the rope would chafe and wear through from rubbing against rocks. Plus the extra weight couldn’t hurt. I like mine, holds real well on the river.

Rootski

3 feet of plastic coated chain followed by at least 100′ of good anchor rope and you’ll be good to go.

The chain adds weight and helps the spike dig in faster and helps hold the rope angle down a bit, depending on how much wind is pushing the boat. The more rope out, the less steep the angle and hence the better the anchor will hold.

The chain does two things:

1) It protects the rope from fryaing if anchored in rock

2) It helps the anchor stay put in waves because it keeps the points dug in. Without the chain, when your boat bounces in waves, it can pull out. With a chain, the bouncing upsets the chain and not the anchor.

That being said, I know of people who use the spike without a chain and it works fine for them. I have a chain on mine and it adds some weight, but I feel more secure that my anchor will stay put.

Well, we all seem to agree on this

Have a great day boys….

Rootski

Thanks Guys! I appreciate your taking the time to answer.

I run mine without the chain. If you are going to do this make sure to wrap the 1st few feet of anchor rope in duct tape to keep the rope from getting frayed.

I don’t anchor often, but I have good hold running this way.