Are you headed out onto the ocean or the lake for a fun day on the water? Boating is a great pastime, and it’s plenty of fun whether you decide on going out on the ocean or just floating down the river doing some fishing. However, the water is constantly moving in rivers, lakes, estuaries, and the sea. If you find a great fishing spot, you could drift away on the current could drift you away from land, leaving you lost at sea.
An anchor for your boat ensures that you stay in position, ensuring that you don’t drift away with the current. There are several different types of anchors available for various boat models and budgets. Whether you’re planning on sailing in freshwater or saltwater, there’s an anchor to suit your vessel in this review.
We’ll unpack the top models for your boat and give you some suggestions on choosing the right model with our buyer’s guide. Are you ready? Let’s dive in.
Contents
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall Boat Anchor – Fortress Marine Anchor FX-7
- Best Premium Boat Anchor – Slide Anchor – Box Anchor
- Best Budget Boat Anchor – Airhead Complete Grapnel Anchor
Boat Anchor Reviews
Now that you know our top choices for the best boat anchor let’s unpack them in detail. We’ll also take a look at a few other models to suit your needs out on the water. Don’t forget to stick around and check out our buyer’s guide for more tips about choosing the right anchor for your boat.
Best Overall Boat Anchor – Fortress Marine Anchor FX-7
We chose this model from Fortress Marine Anchors as the winner of the best boat anchor in this review. This model is suitable for use on 16 to 27-foot boats, giving you enough anchoring power in rough water conditions at sea. All Fortress anchors come with precision machining for a smooth edge finish that won’t damage your boat.
- Ship to United States Only
- The Fortress Anchor Advantage: A hardened High-Tech, rustproof aluminum-magnesium alloy anchor
- Easily disassembled for storage
- Increased holding power in soft bottoms
You get design and construction from a rust-proof aluminum-magnesium alloy, providing exceptional strength and corrosion resistance against saltwater. The result is a lightweight anchor with superior holding capability in all conditions, from rock to sand bottoms.
This anchor offers easy assembly and disassembly, making for compact storage when not at sea. With over 1-million anchors sold, it’s one of the most popular industry brands available. The FX-7 comes with a lifetime warranty on your purchase, and it’s the brand trusted by the US Navy and Coast Guard; if it’s good enough for them, then it’s good enough for you.
What We Liked
- The most-trusted brand used by the US Navy and Coast Guard.
- Hybrid aluminum/magnesium alloy.
- Lightweight.
- Precision machined finish for smooth edges.
- Exceptional strength and holding power.
- Lifetime warranty.
Best Premium Boat Anchor – Danik Slide Anchor – Box Anchor
This offshore box anchor is the ideal model for deep-sea fishing vessels. It’s available in three sizes to suit any sea-faring vessel. This model gives you excellent placement in all water conditions, setting to the bottom without the need for mechanical intervention from your boat.
The anchor will set within 1-foot from its landing for excellent traction on sand and rock bottoms. You get easy retrieval, just set the boat over the anchor and pull it up. This model folds up flat for easy, compact storage on your boat. Release the stabilizing arm and fold it up, then pack it away in the ventilated storage bag.
- The ORIGINAL Box Anchor by Slide Anchor/ Large Box Anchor 25lbs/ Hot Dip Galvanized/Boats to 35ft/ Storage bag included
This box anchor features design and construction with stainless steel for durability, strength, exceptional holding power, and corrosion resistance. This model doesn’t require a chain and needs a shorter line length than most other anchor models in this review. It’s a solid choice for spending time out on deep water.
What We Liked
- Three size options for all sea-faring vessels.
- Stainless steel design.
- It folds flat for storage.
- Ventilated storage bag included.
- It requires no chain.
- Easy to retrieve.
Best Budget Boat Anchor – Airhead Complete Grapnel Anchor
If you’re looking for the most affordable boat anchor for your budget, this model from Airhead is a great choice. It’s the ideal anchor for dinghies and small inflatables, featuring a lightweight design. The grapnel design makes it easy to throw overboard, and the four flukes will catch on sand and rock bottoms.
This model suits sailboats, personal watercraft, dinghies, inflatable boats, canoes, and floating tubes, making it one of the most versatile small watercraft anchors available. The lightweight design features design and construction with red powder-coated steel with stainless steel components for excellent corrosion resistance out on saltwater.
- 3 1/3 pound 4 fluke folding anchor will hold in mud, sand, gravel and rock
- Designed for boats, sailboats, personal watercraft, inflatable boats, canoes, and float tubes
- Fits under most boat seats, in PWC storage compartments, or in PWC storage canisters
- 25 foot long marine grade rope
- Durable nylon storage case is padded for added protection
The compact design of the Airhead anchor makes it easy to stow away on a PWC, and you get a dedicated, ventilated bag for secure storage. You get a 25-foot marine rope included with your purchase, and the flukes fold up for compact under-seat storage on fishing boats and PWCs. The red powder coating makes it easy to identify underwater, and you get simple retrieval without the anchor gripping on crevices or rocks.
What We Liked
- An affordable anchor for smaller watercraft.
- No chain needed, and 25-foot marine rope included.
- Folding design for compact storage.
- Nylon bag included.
- Stainless steel fittings.
- Red powder-coated finish.
Lewmar Galvanized Delta Anchor
If you’re looking for a high-quality offshore anchor, we recommend going with the Lewmar Galvanized Delta Anchor. This model features a self-launching design with easy retrieval, and it suits large ocean-going vessels up to 27-feet in length.
You get a galvanized steel design and construction, allowing for superior corrosion resistance in saltwater. The unique shank profile and the ballasted tip are ideal for self-launching, and the low center of gravity on this anchor makes it suitable for self-righting.
- Manufactured from high grade manganese steel
- Self launching
- Lloyd's Register Type Approval
- Kindly refer last Image for Specification details
You get exceptional holding power with Lloyd’s Register General Approval for use in lifeboats at sea. This model also comes in a tempered stainless steel design, but the price tag is steeper than the galvanized model.
All Delta anchors come with a lifetime warranty against breakage and a clean finish with secure welding on the joints.
What We Liked
- Lloyd’s Register Type Approval.
- Self-launching design.
- Galvanized steel material for corrosion resistance.
- Stainless steel models are available.
- Smooth machined finish.
Lewmar Claw Anchor
This Lewmar Claw Anchor is a great model for use on life rafts and smaller ocean-going vessels. It’s ideal for use on boats with a 13 to 16-foot length, and you get a durable, unbreakable claw design for excellent holding power.
This model grips on coral, rock, and sand, and the galvanized steel construction comes with a lifetime warranty against breakage. Offshore oil rigs use this model for lifeboats in the North Sea, and the galvanized finish provides excellent corrosion resistance against saltwater.
- ROCK SOLID - To deliver reliability on the open water, this claw anchor is built from high-strength steel. Not only that, but the steel is one-piece, high-tensile and heat-treated for exceptional strength and a rock-solid hold
- MARINE-RESISTANT - Marine environments can be some of the most rigorous, and as such, we’ve made this anchor to last, applying a galvanized finish that stands up to moisture, weather and more
- QUICK-SETTING - This Lewmar anchor offers a sophisticated solution for your vessel with its bruce-style claw. The claw sets quickly in a variety of seabeds and resets as needed after veering
- EASY STORAGE - This claw anchor can be used with a variety of bow roller styles to make dropping, weighing and storing easy
- ANY BOAT - Choose from a range of sizes and weights of our Lewmar claw anchor to find the right fit for your boat style and length
The only drawback to this anchor is the rough finish, and it might damage the side of your boat if it comes in contact with the paint. However, if you’re looking for a durable and reliable anchor you can trust at sea, this model is an excellent choice for your boat.
What We Liked
- Galvanized steel for corrosion resistance.
- One-piece design for strength.
- High-quality design for excellent anchoring.
- Lifetime warranty against breakage.
- Not suitable for boats over 16-feet long.
Shoreline Marine #7 Slip Ring Anchor
Those sailors looking for a reliable, compact anchor they can trust should go for the Shoreline Marine #7 Slip Ring Anchor. This model features design and construction with galvanized steel for excellent corrosion resistance at sea. It’s a good choice for boats under 16-feet in length, and you get dual 5/16″ drop forged shackles for superior holding power on sand, rock, and coral.
- ANCHORING & DOCKING: Get the Shoreline Marine #7 Slip Ring Anchor Kit that has everything you need to safely dock your boat. It should be in every boat owner's kit to safely park your boat, kayak, or canoe.
- VERSATILE USE: This anchoring kit is well-suited for use in mud, sand, or gravel bottoms. This kit comes with a strong metal chain attachment for extra security. This set is durable enough to withstand rocks and other underwater hazards.
- DURABLE CONSTRUCTION: Thanks to a slip ring shank, this docking accessory ensures easy retrieval when dealing with stuck anchors. With an excellent weight to power holding ratio, this durable and high-quality anchor kit is a convenient and portable anchor kit.
- KIT INCLUDES: This compact boating kit includes two 5/16-inch drop forged shackles to latch onto a variety of different surfaces, a 3/8-inch x 50' twisted nylon rope with thimble to connect to the boat, and a strong metal chain attachment for extra security.
- CALCUTTA OUTDOORS: A leading manufacturer of consumer products for the outdoor sports and recreation market providing performance-driven products, including fishing rods, tackle, coolers, drinkware, outdoor apparel, paddle sports, and marine accessories.
This model also includes a chain and a 3/8 “x50′ twisted nylon marine rope included with your purchase. It’s a great model for river fishing, holding your boat firm against the current. The folding design allows for compact storage on your boat, and the clean design ensures that it won’t snag or damage the boat when retrieving it from the water.
We would like to see a storage bag included, and the price of the anchor is steep compared to the grapnel models in this review. However, it’s a great anchor for smaller fishing boats, and you get an easy setup and disassembly.
What We Liked
- Galvanized steel for corrosion resistance.
- High-quality design for excellent anchoring.
- Chain and marine rope included.
- Folding flukes for compact storage.
- Drop forged shackles for secure anchoring and holding power.
Best Marine Kayak Anchor
This grapnel-style anchor is a great choice for smaller boats under 16-feet. The galvanized steel design and construction make it corrosion resistant, and it’s suitable for use in saltwater locations. The grapnel flukes on the anchor offer secure anchoring to sand, rock, and coral bottoms, with easy retrieval.
This model comes with a 40foot marine rope, and you get a nylon storage bag to keep it out of the way. It’s the ideal model for under-seat storage, with a compact folding design suitable for storing on PWCs and under the seats in bowriders and bay boats.
- Versatility: Perfect for a kayak, paddleboard, canoe or jet ski
- Galvanized Iron: Protection in both saltwater and freshwater
- 40ft Rope: Longer rope allows for increased horizontal drag
- Shackle: Attach rope or chain to either end of your anchor
- Storage Bag: Keeps components organized & prevents scratches
You get a buoy ball, and stainless steel carabiner clip included, and a lightweight design that’s easy to throw overboard. This model is ideal for smaller watercraft, and it comes at an affordable price for your budget.
What We Liked
- Affordable.
- Corrosion-resistant galvanized steel.
- Nylon storage bag.
- Folding design for compact storage.
- 40-foot marine rope included.
- Suitable for kayaks and PWCs.
- Buoy ball and stainless steel carabiner included.
M1 Mantus Anchor Galvanized
Those anglers and divers looking for the strongest, most durable anchor in this review will enjoy the M1 Mantus. This anchor features design and construction with galvanized steel for excellent corrosion resistance against salt water. You get the best setting power in its class, suitable for use on rock, coral, and sand bottoms.
- BEST SETTING POWER
- EASY TO STORE
- BUILT STRONG
- LIFE TIME WARRANTY
This anchor comes with high-quality plat construction and no cast parts for superior strength. The shank boot and shank feature welding from top to bottom of the anchor. You get optimal anchor penetration thanks to the precision-machined sharp-headed nose on this model. The roll bar and shank feature welding to the fluke for excellent strength in rough waters.
This anchor comes with superior finishing and welding, offering you a lifetime warranty against breakage. It’s one of the most durable and rugged designs in this review, but it comes with a heavy price tag. There is also no chain or rope included with this model and no storage bag.
What We Liked
- A galvanized steel design for corrosion resistance.
- Lightweight self-launching design.
- Superior holding power.
- Steel plate design with no cast parts.
- Precision-machined sharp-head nose for optimal penetrating power.
- Lifetime warranty.
Other Best Selling Options
- Penetrates deep in a variety of seafloor compositions
- Slip ring shank makes it simple to retrieve stuck anchor
- Recommended for boats 20-24 feet in length
- Fluke Length: 9-7/8 inch
- Stock Width: 14-9/16 inch
- Impressive holding power in a variety of bottom compositions
- One piece design with large eyelet and includes a galvanized anchor shackle
- Cast iron construction
- Durable black vinyl coating
- Weight: 20 pounds
- Wide flukes are suitable for a variety of seafloor compositions
- Excellent weight to holding power ratio
- Recommended for boats 25-30 feet in length
- Fluke Length: 14-1/16 inch
- Stock Width: 24-7/16 inch
Boat Anchor Buyer’s Guide
If you own a boat, you’re eventually going to need to buy an anchor for the vessel. Larger boats may come with an anchor included in your purchase, while smaller boats may not feature it as standard equipment.
If you’re going fishing on the river, the gentle current will slowly push you downstream. If you want to hang out in the same spot for fishing, then you’re going to need to drop anchor to prevent the drift. It’s the same for sea-going vessels. If you arrive at a diving or fishing sport, you don’t want the current to drift you away from the diving sport or fishing venue.
An anchor prevents the boat from moving with the current, keeping you in the same spot. There are various styles and designs of anchors suitable for use with all types of vessels. Whether you have a small dinghy or inflatable, or a 40-foot cruiser, an anchor is an essential piece of equipment to help you enjoy your time out on the water.
This buyer’s guide gives you everything you need to know about choosing the right anchor for your vessel.
The Different Types Of Boat Anchors
There are several anchor designs, with each of them serving a different purpose for conditions and boat lengths. Let’s unpack the different types to give you a better feel for the right anchor for your boat.
Wing Anchor
A delta wing anchor is a heavy-duty model featuring a single triangular-shaped blade. This anchor also has a sharp end for better penetration and holding power. They are common models for sea-going vessels, and they often feature a self-launching design, meaning you don’t need to throw them overboard.
Mushroom Anchor
The mushroom anchor gets its name from its shape – it looks like a mushroom. You’ll drop this anchor head-first into the water, providing your boat with stable anchoring in all water conditions—the bigger and heavier the anchor, the better the holding power for your boat. Mushroom anchors are a great choice for long-term mooring, and they offer you easy deployment.
Claw Anchor
The claw anchor also features an obvious claw design and shape that’s easy to recognize. These models feature sharp claws that grip the coral or rocks on the bottom. They settle easily into the bottom, and they are fast and easy to set up, with plenty of holding power.
Fluke Anchor
The fluke anchor, otherwise known as the cruising or crown anchor, is a popular design. These models feature a compact design, with flukes maintaining a strong holding capacity in soft bottoms like sand and mud. They are easy to set up, but they lack holding power on rocky bottoms.
Grapnel Anchor
The grapnel anchor is a small and compact design typically suitable for smaller dinghies and inflatable and PWCs. These models have a folding design, and they often come with ropes, no chains, and ventilated bags for easy under-seat storage on your boat.
Plow Anchors
The plow anchor is similar in shape to the delta model. They resemble the form of a farming plow, and they are suitable for rocky bottoms. These models offer exceptional holding power, but they lack compact features, making them challenging to store on smaller vessels.
Choosing the Right Anchor Size and Weight
When selecting your anchor, it’s important to consider the weight and size of the model you’re looking at. For instance, choosing a delta model with an 8-lb weight is unsuitable for inflatable, PWC, or dinghy. They do better with larger boats over 13-feet in length, providing more holding power at sea.
The bigger and heavier the anchor, the more weight it can hold, but the more space it takes up on the boat. Bigger doesn’t always mean better.
If you have a smaller boat, look for models like grapnel anchors that offer you closure of the flukes to the anchor’s body and compact storage on board. It’s also important to note that the more robust anchor designs require use with a chain, which adds more weight to your boat.
Boat Anchor Gear
When selecting your anchor design, you’ll also need to consider the accessories like shackles, chains, and ropes.
Braided Nylon Anchor Rope
Anchors utilize either a chain and rope setup for larger boats or a simple marine rope setup for smaller models. We recommend going with a minimum of ½-inch rope for any boat over 18-feet in length. Look for nautical ropes featuring design and construction with a triple strand or a double-braided nylon material.
Nylon sinks, and it also stretches to accommodate the natural movement of the water and your boat. It’s a versatile and strong material that’s weather-resistant, and it won’t degrade with exposure to saltwater.
The anchor fid features a cone-shape that comes to a point, allowing the weaving of the anchor rope through other sections of hollow cord. Unless you’re splicing the rope, we recommend that you choose a double-braided marine rope for your anchor.
When choosing the right rope length, it’s a good idea to measure three feet of rope for every 1-foot of depth. So, if you are out at a location where the bottom is 100-foot deep, you’ll need a 300-foot marine rope for your anchor.
If you’re anchoring overnight in harsh weather conditions, then this ratio will extend to 7:1, meaning you’ll need a 700-foot marine rope for a 100-foot bottom depth. Most captains utilize a ratio of 400-feet of water depth with a 600-foot rope and 75-foot chain. The best move is to use a longer chain to let the anchor pull horizontally across the ocean floor.
Anchor Chain
The chain for your anchor needs to be longer than 15-feet. The chain serves a dual purpose for the anchor. First, it prevents the anchor rope from lying on the sea bed where it might catch on a sharp coral and sever the rope.
Secondly, the chain serves the purpose of pulling the anchor horizontally, preventing the anchor from dislodging from the bottom. The general rule for choosing your chain length is to have one foot of chain for every foot of boat length.
So a 25-foot boat would need a 25-foot chain for your anchor. Another popular rule is to choose one foot of chain per 6-feet of anchor marine rope. So, each 100-feet of marine rope will require at least 17-feet of anchor chain for the best results.
This setup is suitable for rough ocean conditions and the long-term mooring of your vessel. The chain weight is also important if you have a small diameter chain. Your anchor chain should feature design and construction with galvanized steel to prevent corrosion and rust in seawater. Make sure you rinse the chain and anchor after each use. While the galvanized options are durable, they will start to rust if you don’t rinse them after use.
Anchor Windlass
The windlass makes retrieving the anchor easy. Without a windlass, it could take two people the retrieve the anchor from the water.
When setting up your windlass, the electrical wires must run to the boat’s batteries. It requires secure mounting to prevent dislodgment and accidents on the water when retrieving the anchor.
Anchor Buoy With Anchor Ball Ring
The anchor ring puller features an 11-inch or 15-inch buoy, allowing you to float between 30 to 60-pounds from the buoy. You have various color options for your buoy. Still, we recommend going with a hi-viz orange or yellow color to allow for easy identification in misty weather offshore or on the lake.
If you are out fishing in water depths deeper than 350-feet, we recommend using a buoy line anchor setup for the best results with retrieving your anchor and monitoring it while fishing. A size A-3 anchor ball is close to a 15-inch buoy size, and the anchor ring comes in two sizes to suit your needs.
- The 1/4 inch stainless steel ring is for anchors weighing up to 20-lbs.
- The 5/16 inch stainless steel ring is for anchors weighing up to 80-lbs.
Anchor buoys are sold separately to your anchor and marine rope or chain, and they come in a range of sizes to suit your needs and water conditions. The most common type of anchor buoy is the polyform A-series. They are available in the following sizes to suit your anchor’s requirements.
- A-0 – 11.5 inches.
- A-1 – 15 inches.
- A-2 – 19.5 inches.
- A-3 – 17 x 13 inches.
- A-4 – 20.5 x 27 inches.
- A-5 – 27 x 36 inches.
These buoys are available in various colors, with orange, red, black, blue, white, and yellow available to suit your requirements. If you’re anchoring in water deeper than 350-feet, we recommend using an anchor buoy with an anchor ring, especially if you’re not using an anchor windlass.
You’ll set it up by weaving the anchor line and carabiner clip through both of the loops at either end of the ring. It’s best to ensure you do this on shore before heading out to sea to reduce the chances of things going wrong out on the water.
Make sure you secure the anchor line to the front of the boat using a cleat with the anchor line outside of the boat’s railings. It’s critical that you don’t tie the anchor rope to the back or middle of the boat, as this could present a capsize risk in rough water conditions.
Drive your boat forward and slightly to the one side of the marine rope, ensuring you don’t run over the rope with the motor propellers. The anchor buoy slides down the line until it’s vertical with your anchor. The natural forces pull straight up the anchor, freeing it from the bottom.
After the anchor frees itself from the bottom, check that the anchor slides up the line to the anchor ring. Stop the boat and pull your anchor up to the boat by hand.
Boat Anchor FAQs
Q: What is the best style of anchor for my boat?
A: The type of anchor required for your boat depends on where you intend on taking your boat and the boat model. Other factors to consider are your mooring times and the type of bottom. Larger boats with cross-over functions for fresh and saltwater use may require two anchor types onboard the vessel for optional anchoring in all conditions. Each anchor comes with different uses and specifications to suit your boat and your needs out on the water.
Q: What kind of bottom conditions are suitable for anchors?
A: The bottom conditions between lakes, rivers, and the ocean are very different. As a result, you need the right anchor design for the best holding capacity and strength in each bottom condition. Grapnel anchors feature spikes sticking out to the sides, and they grip rocks and solid objects under the water. Fluke-style anchors can dig into mud and sand for optimal holding power, while a claw or plow anchor is effective at digging into sandy or mud bottoms or latching onto coral at sea.
Q: What is the best size anchor for my boat?
A: Most anchor manufacturers recommend you stick to 1/8-inch of rope per 9-foot of length for your boat. Using a small diameter rope helps save space on smaller boats, but we don’t recommend that you go under a 3/8-inch diameter for your marine rope. Inflatables and kayaks will get the best results from a 1/8-inch marine rope. A 3/8-inch diameter marine rope is suitable for those boats measuring under 18-feet in length. Use a ½-inch rope for boats measuring 19 to 25-feet, a 5/8-inch rope for boats measuring 26 to 45-feet, and a ¾-inch rope for boats 46 to 54- feet.
Q: What length of a marine chain do I need for my anchor?
A: You have three guidelines for selecting the right chain or rope length for your anchor. The first rule of thumb is that the anchor chain or rope should be no less than 15-feet in length, regardless of the boat size or the design. The second rule is that the anchor chain or rope should feature at least one foot of length for every foot of boat length. Finally, the third rule is for the anchor to have at least one foot of chain per six feet of anchor rope. So, you’ll need around 1000-feet of marine rope for every 17-feet of anchor chain.
Boat Anchors – The Verdict
By now, you should have a good idea of the right type of anchor to suit your boat. However, we understand that choosing the right anchor from the models in this review can seem overwhelming. If that’s the case, then why not go with one of our top models?
- Best Overall Boat Anchor – Fortress Marine Anchor FX-7
- Best Premium Boat Anchor – Slide Anchor – Box Anchor
- Best Budget Boat Anchor – Airhead Complete Grapnel Anchor
