When we bought this boat a few years ago it came with a very heavy plow like anchor. I would like to replace it with a light weight fluke anchor. What weight anchor would you recommend for a 16 foot angler? Thanks.
If you check anchor manufacturer's websites they will make a recommendation. I tend to go one size larger than their recommendation. Most anchors I see up here in the PNW are either "Bruce" or plow like a Delta, Manson, etc. don't see too many fluke style.
When we bought this boat a few years ago it came with a very heavy plow like anchor. I would like to replace it with a light weight fluke anchor. What weight anchor would you recommend for a 16 foot angler? Thanks.
Marty,
I assume your primary use for an anchor is a lunch hook or a brief trip to shore. E.g. I don't recall you talking much about overnighters on the boat and I have a feeling that if you did overnighters it was mostly at a dock. Is that correct? If so, a 5lb Danforth deep set fluke would likely be plenty (and 8.5 lb would be overkill). I assume you're looking for a small anchor just for the ease of pulling it by hand. Correct?
Why do you want a Fluke as opposed to a smaller Bruce or Delta anchor? One issue with the fluke anchors is that you may need slightly longer anchor mount to keep the flukes from hitting the hull when the anchor is up. I found the Bruce style to be a better fit with the stock anchor mount on the boat and the Bruce works well in most conditions around here.
The anchor I have is probably about 12 lbs. You're right about the way I would use it. We do practically all of our boating in Lake Washington/Lake Union and I use the anchor just for lunch or rest stops in Andrews Bay or along the shore. I thought about a fluke anchor a because that's what I always had on previous boats. Per your suggestions, I think I'll go with a 4.4 lb. Lewmar claw anchor for about $25. Thanks for the advice.
We used that size Lewmar claw on our 17ft boat with about 15ft of 1/4in chain and it has worked very well even overnight in protected anchorages. You will be fine in the 16.