How To Choose The Right Anchor For Your Fishing or Sport Boat

How to Choose the Best Anchor and Ground Tackle for your Boat

 If you own a boat, you need an anchor and ground tackle (line and chain). Here's how to choose the right anchoring gear, when you go into the boating supply store. 

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How to Choose the Right Anchor for Your Boat
Posted by  Justin Hoffman January 12, 2013

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What Type of Boat Anchor Should I Buy?
Although this question may seem basic, there are many variables that come into play when purchasing your first anchor. Environmental conditions (such as weather and lake structure), the size of your craft and the weight of the anchor itself are all significant parts of the puzzle. Perhaps it's best to look first at how an anchor actually works.

Anchors "attach" to the bottom structure of a body of water in order to hold a boat securely. This is done in one of two ways. Firstly, the anchor can penetrate the bottom surface, creating a suction through the penetration and the weight of the material above the anchor itself, in turn creating resistance. Secondly, when dealing with hard, rocky bottoms, the anchor actually snags in order to create hold.

Out of the many roles that anchors serve, the most prevalent are securing the boat while fishing, keeping boats out of the surf or rocks or allowing the occupants to enjoy a relaxing meal on board without drifting away. (For larger craft, they are also necessary for spending the night while out on the water.) ...

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I/O Vs. Outboard

Choosing whether to purchase a boat with an I/O (Inboard/Outboard) motor or an Outboard motor is a matter of personal preference and application.

Most personal fishing boats are equipped with an Outboard motor because the motor is easier to maintain and replace, when needed, and the motor can be lifted completely out of the water when fishing by shore or in shallow water.

Most Family Bowriders / Ski-Boats are equipped with an I/O with the outdrive positioned beneath the swim platform offering easier access back on to the boat when skiing/wakeboarding/tubing or swimming.

In general terms, I/O's are best suited for family "fun" boats. The weight of the motor is inside the hull offering a smoother quieter ride. I/O's are similar to automobile engines and can be larger than Outboard motors offering more torque and horsepower for watersports than would be available with an outboard.

Outboard's are best suited for "fishing" boats. Not only are they easier to maintain/replace, the fully integrated seal around the motor and lower unit protects the whole unit from the elements where the inboard is constantly exposed to water in the bilge.

To learn more about the difference between Inboards, I/O's and Outboards please see the following article in "Lake Boss" written by Nathan B. Link: http://thelakeboss.com/?p=233


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