How To Retrieve a Stuck Boat Anchor, Crooked PilotHouse Boat 

Worried about littering the icen when you lose your anchor (that will eventually rust away) but you're happy to drop plastic (non-perishable) zip ties all over the ocean floor!

I use 2 short chains and swivel in the middle instead of 1 long chain.

I have been using that method for 35 years. But not with a zip tie to litter the reef. I use a cotton shoe lace.

Great way to pollute the ocean with more plastic. Great concept, but not a great way to execute.

Worse advice I have ever seen. Attaching a stainless swivel like that to an anchor without a shackle is profoundly dangerous. Don't do it.

Sorry, but that's the worst advice I ever heard. Seems this skipper was never before anchoring in real conditions. If you attache your anchor this way, you risk to loose your entire boat instead of maybe the anchor only.

When you rig the anchor like that it will side load your swivel. The swivel was never designed to be pulled sideways and will possibly get damaged. When rigging for the reef use a regular shackle, and save your swivel for when the chain is rigged to the anchor's shank.

Interesting strategy - I've never heard of that. Only concern is that you're relying on the zip tie to hold your boat. If the zip tie breaks unexpectedly you could pop your anchor and your boat could end up on the rocks. Another option is to rig a separate trip line/buoy to the eye at the front of the anchor.

This is an absolutely stupid idea. The guy doesn’t want to loose his anchor but when the zip tie prematurely fails your anchor trips, your boat drags anchor and you loose you boat on the reef. That hole is NOT for what he is claiming, the hole is to attach a floating line and float to show anchor location and you pull this second line if the anchor is hung up. Your anchor chain should ONLY be secured to the designed hole at the end of the anchor stock. I do this for a living professionally. DONT follow this mans advice.

Hello Captain sitting here trying to figure out what size anchor 14 or 22 is the one you used ??? what size chain 1/4 or 5/16 you used ? I am buying on amazon but NEED your ANSWER

Thank you for the information you always do a great job on explaining everything you do with all your projects

The correct way is attaching a length of chain, lets say 2 ft with a shackle to the front hole, then ziptie it to the tip hole, then attach the swivel to the end of that 2 ft of chain, that way swivel will work all the time and no risk of side loading the swivel

Been using that system for a couple of years now and it works beautifully! I got tired of losing anchors LOL

Good video! I nearly lost an anchor before learning about this method. What pound zip ties do you use compared to the anchor? i.e. for a 40lb anchor you would use... for a 70lb anchor you would use?

I have tried this and for me, it is very difficult when retrieving the anchor since as it comes over the roller on the pulpit, it will break the zip tie or jam since the anchor shank is not smooth with the chain and there is too much separation there. The only way to get around this is to manually pull up over the roller. I guess for the type of anchoring you do in a harbor in shallow water without waves, it is not an issue, but when anchoring out at sea in 3' or better seas, it is hard and dangerous to stand out on the end of the pulpit and try to manage the anchor. I finally gave up the zip tie method. However, I guess once I lose my anchor and the anchor ball retrieval does not work to get it back, then I might have to go back to the zip tie method and try to work with it.

Saludo si puedes usa dos zip ties uno para el ancla y el otro para sujetar el zip ties que se partiría para que no lo dejes en fondo del mar y ayudas al ambiente marino, solo un concejo Gracias!!! Me gustan sus videos...

yo tengo ese mismo ancla con 30 pies de cadena de stainless steel buen ancla se entierra rapido.....

One big problem with this set up which I do with a wreck anchor is the rode is made up of chain. If your chain is hung up too in the rocks you will not be able to break the zip tie. If you are going to be in a rocky area use a wreck anchor without a chain rode or have a rope rode dedicated this type set up.

How about using a second swivel so no need to switch when anchoring on the beach?

What I'm wondering is would it be better the way you show, or a separate like on the back? Would gain the benefit of seeing where the anchor is. Also being able to pull yourself down if you need to check how it's set. A draw back is if you don't have enough line the tide could lift the anchor out.

Always have mask and fins on board and can go under and release (40 feet or less if you are good free diver) and water is warm

Why don't you put a rope to the front? Isn't that what the hole was for in the first place?

Capitan. Thank you for that great tip. Place order today through your Amazon link. Thanks brother. Be safe God bless.

👍Thank you so much. 🙏💝

Yes that is how you rig a break away anchor but you didn't explain that certain zip ties are to week plus your swivel becomes useless when done like this swivel needs to be on other side of zip tie

Great info...... I always break my anchor free by hand and then use windless to retrieve. thanks for sharing!

Happy Easter and thank you for all of the work you do to educate us boat owners. I have learned alot. My confidence has improved. Thank you .

Saludos capitan , quiero una recomendación tu ya ,mi boats es de 215 mako con cabina y quiero ponerle un motor en el anchor pero no se cuanto de lo puedo poner ,me he fijado el que tu tienes pero no se de cuantas libras o como es el asunto , saludos grasias por la molestia.

Capitán saludos, donde compraste esa ancla ? Me fije que dice life time guarantee y Los que you estoy miranda no son lifetime, gracias.

💯 as always was looking for a good anchor and how to set it u to not lose it

Great information. I did not know about the swivel. Thanks for the information.

Is that anchor bent better have a long drawn out fight with delta

How many feet of chain do you have 10,15, or 20?

Great video. Sorry, you probably get this question a lot... what is the make and model of your boat. It looks superb!

Do you attach the chain back to the other hole when bringing up to seat anchor into it’s hold?

great info on this and the comments below, i will be changing my setup

Or you could change to a reef anchor to anchor on a reef, and not add to the plastic that’s destroying the oceans

Cool tip, thank you for sharing!

Bob Lee does anchor ! Excellent

Someone should make a reusable breaker for this where you can set the strength.

Thank you for your great video. You suggest 75lb tension force zip tie. Do you think it will be enough?

Thanks for the great tip.

cool i did the same

Excellent video - as always

Wow never thought of that

Cuantos kilo es tu ancla

Q paso con el mantor anchor??

Buena Idea.

Damn thats smart. And I dont even own a boat!

That’s. One damm crooked pilot house

300. Dollar swivel

And that is the way how the plastic junk comes to the oceans!