water spike questions

Just bought a water spike for my boat. I’m going to put 4′ of chain on before the rope.
What weight/size chain should I get?
What’s the best connection from anchor to chain and from chain to rope?
Thanks

I hate…er…dislike Gander Mountian, but they have a 4 foot rubber coated chain there for about $25. Saves on the side of the boat.

I use clevises. Do Not get the D rings with the springs. I know too many people that have parted with their anchors because of them.

One thing you might want to consider for your anchoring system is a Drop and Stay. Vandy turned Dean on to them a few years ago when Vandy was the only guy that stayed put in the winds of Lake Pepin. I just tried one for the first time and the theory makes sense…and they work.

If you have a chance to get down to Everts, ask Dean about his Demo model. They are a great tool for anchoring.

i’m pretty sure i went with 5/8″ galvanized chain on mine. I opted to save the money on the coated chain, and am just careful around the side of the boat. i know, a cheap

like brian said, make sure to use a threaded clevis, which i also put lock-tite on. and then i use an “Anchor Hitch”, or Uni knot to attach the rope, and also wrap the knot in duct tape to protect it from catching on anything on the bottom.

i’ve yet to lose an anchor doing this.

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Uni knot to attach the rope, and also wrap the knot in duct tape to protect it from catching on anything on the bottom.

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Thanks for the help guys!!
I’ll talk to Dean about the drop and stay Brian.

Drop and Stay video

Video Link<

I just ordered one.The drop and stay deuce.

Doug

Make sure you give us a report on how it works!

Will do. We are heading to Cass Lake later this month.
Doug

Um ya, that is such a simple yet great idea I have to have one. Ol Red will put her to the test.

Certainly should have enough wave on Red to give it a work out!

Don’t forget that Dean carries them at Evert’s and even has a demo model available you can try out.

The more I use the Deuce the more amazed I am. It has been a bit windy this spring here and we have not had one time that the Deuce with one anchor could not hold the 619 sideways.

If anyone has any questions on the products let me know, I am here to help!

Rich, for some reason I thought you were an old phart…unless your video was taken 30 years ago, you’re still a young squirt!

Since I flathead fish I’m seldom in much wind (except my own) and never have a wake problem…but I’ll still be using the deuce because it’s just easier to take off the one side…then hook up again for the next anchor. It’s really just become part of my anchor rope.

35 and counting! This is not the first time I got that so don’t feel bad. I have been fishing my entire life and tournament fishing since 2001. That video was taken back in 2007 when we first started.

Did you get a chance to look at our world headquarters?

With wireless net!!

Between the world headquarters and the “drop a deuce”, we thought some would get a good laugh!

Same topic…different question. Just bought my first Water Spike and it seems as though the split ring they provide to hold the pin in place (to keep the two parts together) is awfully thin. In theory, there really shouldn’t be any force on that ring if you’re pulling straight up. But…pull at an angle and I’d sure hate to see it shear off an only come up with one part of the anchor. Thinking about replacing the ring with a cotter pin. Experiences or thoughts?

Also, I already had a four foot section of 5/8″ chain at home, so I just bought a spray can of rubberized coating for about $6.

Thanks,

Jim

><(((>

I guess I would have to look at mine to see where the ring is. Can’t help on that one but I’m sure someone with help out.

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Also, I already had a four foot section of 5/8″ chain at home, so I just bought a spray can of rubberized coating for about $6.

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Might want to get a couple cans right away. I did that with my anchor and not only wasn’t it as thick of coating and the commercial ones (I bought a spike knock off at Walmart at one time) but it was off in no time.

I didn’t use spray, I bought the coating that requires dipping. It’s marketed for dipping tool handles in.

If it works for you, please do let me know. Less noise in the boat, more so the floor means less spooked fish for me.

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Same topic…different question. Just bought my first Water Spike and it seems as though the split ring they provide to hold the pin in place (to keep the two parts together) is awfully thin. In theory, there really shouldn’t be any force on that ring if you’re pulling straight up. But…pull at an angle and I’d sure hate to see it shear off an only come up with one part of the anchor. Thinking about replacing the ring with a cotter pin. Experiences or thoughts?

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i also thought the same thing, so i picked up stainless hitch pin at the hardware store. yes, it could be pulled off, but i switched to that more for storage. i always stow my anchor in one of the front compartments, and it fits better if i take it apart, and that pin is a lot quicker to use then a split ring.

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Same topic…different question. Just bought my first Water Spike and it seems as though the split ring they provide to hold the pin in place (to keep the two parts together) is awfully thin. In theory, there really shouldn’t be any force on that ring if you’re pulling straight up. But…pull at an angle and I’d sure hate to see it shear off an only come up with one part of the anchor. Thinking about replacing the ring with a cotter pin. Experiences or thoughts?

Also, I already had a four foot section of 5/8″ chain at home, so I just bought a spray can of rubberized coating for about $6.

Thanks,

Jim

><(((>

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10+ years of ridiculously hard use… no issues here.

I couldn’t find stainless chain at Fleet Farm and Gander had -0- anchor chain. Any places in the south metro I can get some stainless steel chain?
I’m adding the drop n stay to my list for Deans.

McMaster Carr has it from $6.00-$20 per foot.

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I’m adding the drop n stay to my list for Deans.

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You’re on the Dean’s List?

Brian – thanks for the heads up. I’ll have to see how that spray goes…and hope I don’t end up spending the same amount as if I’d of just bought a coated chain the first place

Perch – X2. That’s the same style of pin I bought…if not to address the strength issue (doesn’t sound like that’s a problem…thanks James), because I can quickly break it down for more convenient storage. If I didn’t chew my nails, maybe it wouldn’t be so tough to get the split ring on and off

><(((>

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I’m adding the drop n stay to my list for Deans.

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You’re on the Dean’s List?

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I think the list I’m on starts with an “S” not a D Brian.

Not having much luck. I called Olsen chain and cable. Nothing stainless in stock but the 1/2″ stainless was $30 a foot.

I think I’ll look at coated or just get galvanized and replace it when needed.

this will be my 3rd season with this anchor and the galvanized chain has not rusted/corroded/etc at all. just save some money, and get that.

Perch

Thanks, galvanized helps the budget too.