Freeing a hung up anchor

[Theb55]

I was Hali fishing the ther day using my Danforth because it was a sandy bottom. I used the u- bolt- zap tie method so one way or another the anchor should come up. But it latched on so hard it would pull my boat under. When l left even my Scotsman was under water. I'm hoping lower tide and no wind will expose it. I lave a limited repertoire of tricks and equipment. Anyone have suggestions? I have done the usual changing angles, backtracking etc.

 

[Tailspin]

Are you using a locking one way puller or a ring style? The locking style will loose scope as you pull, as well as tide changes. Keeps sliding down and then sucks under until low slack. The ring just slides free and does not lock in, giving more options and range of motion when hung up. In short...cleat it off and give it bursts of throttle to jar it free. Could be chain wrapped around a rock too?

 

[bushwackin]

Never used the ring style, how does it hold up the anchor and chain up when they get pulled up to the scotsman?

 

[wolf]

It wedges into the anchor right at the claw, I really like it way easier than a pully system I personally really like it and less weight at that end as its right at the float.

AS for freeing it up your just going have to try and pull the opposite way it set thats one of the reason most of us went to the claw type, danforths sometimes work against itself with that long shaft I have BENT many a tines on them and shafts many a time on the blow torch re shaping it LOL LOL and find the claw type work on all bottoms, I know its an un easy feeling when it doesnt pop the only thing you can do is pull and pull and pull somethings got to go hopefully the line doesnt break.....

good luck Wolf

 

[Theb55]

Given the bottom was sand/mud I decided to put on my plough anchor. There shouldn't be anything. It was blowing nicely and got good action with my bait. Theoretically if you pull the zip ties should break Ann the anchor flip over and pull out, upside down. Didn't happen.

 

[Captain Dudds]

Theb, I'm not an anchor pro, but I had this happen once. I left my anchor and came back at dead slack. I pulled in as much rope as I could then pulled in all directions with no luck. Finally I let all the rope I had out and it popped off right away. With more rope out I think you get a sharper angle on your pull. May or may not work for you but in my case it seemed to make the difference.

 

[Theb55]

Yea, that was my thought too. I will tie the holding device with the Scotsman to end to maximize angle. I am still opting to keep Scotsman on just in case. I hope I can get enough slack to get to that little plastic sleeve with the bar w/o having to go for a swim!

 

[bardfromedson]

Just wondering what size of zip ties and how many are recommended? Going to try that set up this year.

 

[Theb55]

I started with one, moved to 2 or three depending on current. IMO the force you put on the anchor would break most off. But better 2 test, start with 1 or 2.

 

[SerengetiGuide]

I use 2 large heavy duty straps and one light strap...I found with 3 large straps it wouldn't break when I hung up once, and my boat is heavy as well (13,000lbs fully loaded). Only hung up three times, main reason two of the times was chain wrapped around rock or itself, not sure. Now when letting line out when beginning anchoring I i let it out fairly slowly and reverse at a decent rate to make sure that chain stretches out good.

As for getting er undone, no expert by any means, but I always just pulled back and forth from angle I set it and opposite to loosen it up then usually after going back and forth once it'll pop out, for me anyway.

 

[Dave S]

Yea, that was my thought too. I will tie the holding device with the Scotsman to end to maximize angle. I am still opting to keep Scotsman on just in case. I hope I can get enough slack to get to that little plastic sleeve with the bar w/o having to go for a swim!

Hope you can get that one way puller released. I don't like the idea of those things personally. I think you might want to switch to the rings once you get your gear back. If you need a hand b55, I can come out. I have a ring and large scotchman you can borrow if need too

 

[Theb55]

Thanks. Me 2. I might hold you to that. Luckily it was a high tide. Looking for a low tide and calm winds, something that is not immediately available. if I could get a ring on the underside and drop to the bottom with another line attached and reattach the Scottsman might be able to change the angle enough to get it off. I know a diver who might go after it also. Still like to know what it grabbed out there. Thanks do much.

 

[codfish]

I once got hung up in the spot you r talking about the culprit was a long cable used for towing logs the flukes of my anchor got caught around the cable. It took an hour and 15 to get it free . I was able to get the cable in to the boat and free the anchor. I was just lucky it was relatively calm and not too much current. I just kept pulling and cleating off the slack rope. Good luck hope you get your anchor back weather looks ok today.