A ghost is stealing my anchors...

[ryno1234]

Ok guys, I'm sure there is an explanation for this, but I have lost 2 of the exact same type of anchor both times I've used them... It has me in disbelief as both times I pulled up my rope with nothing attached to the other end of it.

I've attached pictures of both the anchor and the rope with the snap hook on the end. The snap hook is constantly under tension as they all are. All brand new equipment.

I'm using this at the lake in a cove with no waves or chopiness. No wind both times I've used it. The bottom of the lake is smooth with very few rocks.

When I toss the anchor, I literally just swing it out away from the boat and let it sink. I'm throwing it off the back of the boat while the front of the boat is set with my other anchor.

Somehow the snap hook is coming off of the anchor. It seems impossible short of the anchor getting snagged on something, but again, there's not much on the bottom of the lake and for it to happen twice in a row, there's just got to be something I'm missing...

Side note - the anchor was still attached for some time and then at some point just no longer...

 

[jhande]

I would take the snap ring out of the equation.

 

[alldodge]

Snap hook and anchor do not go together. Takes very little to press in on the snap and release the anchor. If you don't want to store the anchor where the rode is, then just use the screw pin shackle

 

[ryno1234]

I certainly will remove the snap hook, but the curiosity in me is piqued for sure... I'd love to know *how* it is happening.

 

[jimmbo]

Don't forget to have 6 or 7 feet of a Heavy Chain between the Rope and Anchor, and as mentioned, deep six any quick connect in the line.

 

[alldodge]

Might be something as simple as a small stick, rock, some grass or weeds in the mud. As its dragged along its pressed open just enough so when the rode starts to come up it slips off. No way of knowing without watching

I lost an anchor with similar type hook a whole bunch of years ago. It was my spare I only used every once in a while. Got ready to put it over the side and one finger rested slightly against it. As I go to toss it over the side, anchor came right off and over the side it went with me holding the rode

 

[froggy1150]

I do industrial climbing as part of my profession and wear fall protection. Our snap hooks have locks on the gates. I would never climb with a regular snap hook. You can twist a snap hook to apply pressure on the gate and it will open right up. I bet same thing is happening to you.

 

[Scott Danforth]

NEVER use a snap hook on an anchor. It will always come off the anchor

there was even a video on an anchor site showing how a slight bit of slack allows the hook to drop a bit, then as you pull up, the snap comes undone.

 

[tpenfield]

As stated the snap hook is very easy for ghosts (or other circumstances) to release. Use a shackle instead, it is much harder for ghosts to unfasten, particularly if they are not wearing their tool belt.

 

[BWR1953]

It's not a ghost. It's this guy!

 

[dingbat]

From personal experience....... you may want to tie wrap the clevis pin before you loose it and your anchor.

 

[Drcoffee]

You can try one of these steel snap hook with a screw gate to keep it closed. I use the D ring and zip tie the screw once tightened down.

 

[jimmbo]

You can try one of these steel snap hook with a screw gate to keep it closed.

A few hours in Salt Water and it will be Closed forever. Even Fresh Water should gum it up as well

 

[DeepCMark58A]

A few hours in Salt Water and it will be Closed forever. Even Fresh Water should gum it up as well

Have one of those for the tow rope for the last 2 years without any corrosion or issues with exposure.

 

[jimmbo]

Have one of those for the tow rope for the last 2 years without any corrosion or issues with exposure.

So how many hours did it stay underwater, in Seawater?

 

[DeepCMark58A]

So how many hours did it stay underwater, in Seawater?

Don't live on saltwater.

 

[airshot]

In my younger days I thought those snap hooks were the answer as well, until I realized I kept loosing anchors!! Stoped using snap hooks and never lost another anchor!!

 

[rick carpenter]

If you have a chain on your stern anchor it serves to lay the anchor over and let the flukes dig in, so your spring-loaded snap hooks will already be down in whatever covers the bottom. I have a chain on my bow anchor but not on the stern anchor. Whenever we twin anchor on sandy-muddy shallows I jump out and set the stern anchor myself.

Only use shackles, though. Some people safety-wire the pins but I haven't.

 

[909]

Do ghosts steal wives too.

A second or third doesn't sound too bad.

 

[Drcoffee]

Do ghosts steal wives too.

A second or third doesn't sound too bad.

you are suppose to learn from your mistakes, not look to repeat them. Just rent the cow. There is No need to buy it.