If you are a canoe enthusiast or enjoy paddling occasionally, various accessories can make canoeing more pleasurable and efficient. Some of these gadgets assist you in achieving your objective without breaking a sweat. The canoe anchor is one such device.
There will be numerous situations when you’ll need to anchor your kayak. One of these would be when you want to go fishing. You may perhaps also choose to go for a swim or rest in your boat while enjoying the evening wind.
All of this necessitates that your canoe is well-secured and still crafted. Boat anchors come in various types and brands, and your canoe will also require an anchor.
The State of the Seabed
Any waterway’s bottom could be mud, sand, rock, or coral. An anchor may operate well in some bottom conditions but not in others, depending on its design and size. A claw anchor, for example, can provide adequate anchoring on grassy bottoms but is not suitable for large ships.
Length of Rope
To avoid getting tipped by the side, the rope length should be such that your boat can be far away from it. The rope’s optimal length is between 7 and 10 times the depth of the river. Note that a 15-pound anchor can secure a vessel of up to 30 feet.
Types of Anchors
Plow Anchor: It’s essentially a metal wedge on a shank. It is the most common and one of the most durable types of canoe anchors. Its form and hefty construction make it excellent for rocky and muddy streams.
If your canoe didn’t come along with one, this is one of the anchors.
Anchors with claws (Bruce)
Except for the number of plows, these anchors are pretty identical to plow anchors in construction. The shank of a claw anchor is covered in claws.
For stony and uneven bottoms, the claws are ideal. Claws can make canoes heavier, so it’s not suitable for smaller canoes.
Mushrooms Anchors
Mushroom anchors have the finest grip on soft dirt bottoms because of their form. Although they are meant for light-duty use, they also work well with sand bottoms. They’re perfect for inflatable canoes because they don’t have any sharp edges that could harm the canoeist.
The majority of these anchors have drain holes to make it easier to retract them back into the boat. Please ensure you don’t get one that doesn’t have a drain hole.
Care and Maintenance
A canoe anchor may be susceptible to rust, corrosion, dents, and other issues over time.
The following are some of the most critical things to undertake to achieve top performance and full benefits:
- Pay close attention to the manufacturer’s guidelines for the anchor’s intended use. Most are only suitable for use in freshwater. To prevent oxidation and damage, saltwater anchors have a particular coating or treatment.
- The anchor should be washed frequently. Clean it as much as possible after each usage and let it dry completely. Brush with tap water and light soap. Keep an eye out for the edges. When rinsing the anchor, avoid using saltwater. Keep the anchor in a storage bag.
- It will be protected from dirt, dust, and other factors that can cause premature wear. A padded storage bag is usually included with most products.
- Apart from the anchor, make sure the anchor rope is clean as well. Do not use bleach to clean the anchor, even if the rope is discolored. Abrasives should be avoided since they can impair the structural integrity of the fibers. Dry the rope and store it with the anchor in a storage bag.
Finally, use metal polish or wax to preserve the anchor’s appearance at least once a year. Some are even designed with a protective coating in mind.