www.iFourWinns.com

We have a 298 Vista, we do not use the Windlass (motor needs repair). What kind of anchor is best for a fresh water lake with many trees and rocks on the bottom? Just lost our danforth style anchor to the lake last weekend when it would not dislodge.

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Current: 2000 298 Four Winns Vista
Previous: 1999 Maxum 2300
1994 Four Winns Horizon

Don't overlook the Chene anchor. Cheap, light, and in my experience they work exactly as they claim. I use mine on mud bottoms as well as rocks & logs. I use no chain and very little scope. It's never failed to hold and never been a problem to retrieve. It's no work of art but it's great to throw in a locker and forget about.

http://www.cheneanchor.com/

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

We use the 10kg (22 lb)Bruce Style I show below on our 298 and we swear by it, always has provided very reliable holding in a large variety of bottom conditions we see in Georgian Bay. I think any anchor style can get jammed between rocks and logs, it just happens unfortunately if your a bit unlucky. I've seen our boating friends get wedged badly a few times but with a bit of perserverance and manuvering the boat from a few different angles they got it out.

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2004 Four Winns 298 Vista
"Last Minute"

One option would be to use the Bruce/claw style like Alan pointed out, but attach an anchor marker ball or even just a floating piece of rope with a loop to the "eye" in the back of the anchor. If it gets stuck attach the retrieve line to a cleat and pull the opposite direction it was set.

Alan I'm glad you posted that because I was planning on sending you a PM asking what kind of anchor you used up there. We are returning to the North Channel soon and I'm trying to figure out which primary and secondary anchor's I should bring. Looks like I'll run the Manson Supreme as primary and the Claw as secondary. Could not get my Fortress to bite up there at all, and my plow style anchor just plowed it's way right out of the soft mud!!

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Our Boating Blog: http://ben-dana.blogspot.com/

2005 268 Vista "Sea Pickle II"
1979 AMF Alcort Puffer
Previous:
2003 FW190 Horizon
1973 Startcraft 18ft "Sea Pickle"

I also use the Chene anchor, no chain and little scope. Love it. I bought the biggest one they make. Works perfect every time

[quote="Bliss36

Alan I'm glad you posted that because I was planning on sending you a PM asking what kind of anchor you used up there. We are returning to the North Channel soon and I'm trying to figure out which primary and secondary anchor's I should bring. Looks like I'll run the Manson Supreme as primary and the Claw as secondary. Could not get my Fortress to bite up there at all, and my plow style anchor just plowed it's way right out of the soft mud!![/quote]

What I like about the Bruce is it sets very easy, for me it's always been on the 1st try. The way it's claw is slightly angled makes it bite in well, and any additional pressure just drives it down further into the bottom. We often have to use the boat to pop it back out as we would burn out the windlass otherwise I'm sure!

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2004 Four Winns 298 Vista
"Last Minute"

I use a Monson Supreme -- sets quickly -- and strongly
It does have the slider on top to aide in removing from places when it is "hung" up

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DaleG -- West Palm Beach FL
2003 240Horizon -- 5.7Gi -Duoprop

The Box anchor from these guys seems to be extremely popular on my lake.
http://www.slideanchor.com/

I Also recently found this guy:
http://hourglassanchors.com/

It's a "Box style" anchor. Should work just as well as the other and he makes it in an aluminum version.

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2009 SL242 496 mag
1985 24' Riviera Cruiser