Box Anchor - opinions wanted

[collind]

I've heard some good things about the Box Anchor (by Slide Anchor) and I'm interested in buying one for my 2007 Sea Ray 185 Sport. They have a few sizes and I'm torn between the Extra-small(baby) for boats up-to 18ft or the small for boats 18ft to 30ft. My boat is 19ft LOA and i really think the extra-small would suit my needs.

Any thoughts on the Box anchor in general or what size I should get?

My goals:
-Easier to store than a danforth anchor I use today. Supposed to fold flat.
-no chain (again easier to store)
-Shorter scope (2-1 is what i'm hearing)

I only plan to use it in sandy bottom conditions in relatively protected waters.

[atx111]

I've had one for the last couple of years and really like it. When anchoring close to a sand beach, I use it in conjuction with their shore spike and have never had to worry about my boat moving at all. I have the small one for my Cobalt 230, I'm sure the extra small would work fine for you if you're in protected water.

It holds really well in anything. It does fold nice and flat and stows in the bag that comes with it. It really will reset itself by just flipping over if the wind shifts. It really does make for easy anchoring, you just more or less set it and forget it.

It is a little pricey for an anchor. I almost lost it once when I was at a lake that I wasn't all that familiar with the bottom conditions. I think I got hung up on a tree or something, hard to tell since I was in 100' of water. Finally got it freed up after 30 min. So, for that reason, I always take a cheap anchor with me when I go to unfamiliar lakes so I wont feel so bad if I have to cut an anchor. Another drawback that I've experienced is that since it does fold up, it takes just a minute or two to get it ready. There's a spring loaded pin that can be just a little tricky to get in its hole. Also, there are lots of points on it, and I make sure to lay a couple of towels under it while I'm unfolding it so I don't poke a hole in a seat or something.

[collind]

Thanks, I pulled the trigger and ordered one this morning.

I've had one for the last couple of years and really like it. When anchoring close to a sand beach, I use it in conjuction with their shore spike and have never had to worry about my boat moving at all. I have the small one for my Cobalt 230, I'm sure the extra small would work fine for you if you're in protected water.

It holds really well in anything. It does fold nice and flat and stows in the bag that comes with it. It really will reset itself by just flipping over if the wind shifts. It really does make for easy anchoring, you just more or less set it and forget it.

It is a little pricey for an anchor. I almost lost it once when I was at a lake that I wasn't all that familiar with the bottom conditions. I think I got hung up on a tree or something, hard to tell since I was in 100' of water. Finally got it freed up after 30 min. So, for that reason, I always take a cheap anchor with me when I go to unfamiliar lakes so I wont feel so bad if I have to cut an anchor. Another drawback that I've experienced is that since it does fold up, it takes just a minute or two to get it ready. There's a spring loaded pin that can be just a little tricky to get in its hole. Also, there are lots of points on it, and I make sure to lay a couple of towels under it while I'm unfolding it so I don't poke a hole in a seat or something.

[rallyart]

You are going to be very happy. I have a small size on my 21' I think the extra small will be fine on yours unless you want to overnight on anchor and might get a storm. They are very fast to set out and easy to stow. Mine goes under a bow side seat with it's nylon line wrapped around it and in the bag. For a short stop when we go cliff diving or at a beach it is by far the best I've used.

[atx111]

Good! Glad you got one! I just wanted to mention the cons, but the pros far outweigh them. Get the shore spike too if you ever anchor close to a beach. All of my friends us those screw down dog spikes and are constantly having to reset them. Not with the shore spike!