Plough Anchor--what size?

[disorderly]

I need a plough anchor..

Having never used one before I'm wondering what size to buy for a 17 foot boat ??.....just looking online they range from 10lb upward.

Are there any tips I'll need or is it simply just a matter of playing around with cable ties till I get a good balance of holding power but not so much to make it too hard to break free......

Any tips welcome...thanks.

Scott

[MarkDiver]

Hi
I'm not a guru but I do use plough anchors. For advise on size, see if this link works otherwise copy/paste into your browser:

http://www.higwoodanchors.com.au/ploughanchors.htm

You hit the nail on the head with cable ties. Many people don't know how to rig a plough anchor correctly or as designed. The other thing is to have the right length of chain (suggest boat length) and diameter as you don't want to be pulling up a ton i.e perhaps have a longer length of lighter chain.

So, shackle your chain to the back ring of the plough (behind the plough head) and cable tie your shackle pin to shackle! Many anchors come loose due to vibration and shackle pins gradually unwinding.

Then, cable tie the chain to the end of the plough shaft with ~3 medium cable ties. Ensure there is just enough slack for the plough head to rotate with tide movement. In the event of the plough being stuck, cable ties break and you can pull the plough out.

Good luck and remember to revert back to the pick on the reefs please

[finding_time]

Scott

12 or 15lb will be fine mate and about 4m of chain !

Now i dont use cable ties i just use 250lb mono looped through 2 and tied with a ungainly series of granny knots this works fine and maybe stronger than cable ties as the onlt time i break this is if the anchors i really stuck!

As far a mark divers comment re reverting back to a reef pick on the reef, i disagree. i have seen plenty of anchors at work on the reef and it's the chain that does the damage!!!!! Once your plough is on the bottom it's not moving but tha chain scrapes back and foward breaking coral, it's exactally the same with a reef pick!


Do you use3 a float to retrieve your anchor? If so you will need to splice in a swivel about a meter above your chain to stop your rope twisting when retrieving you pick.( ploughs spin on retrieval) see attached picture!

Hope that helps!

[MarkDiver]

Finding_time
Fair comment regarding the chain. I agree on that point.
I suppose it's whether the reef pick prong will straighten sooner than a plough breaking off a lump of coral plate / dragging thru soft corals as well.
Let's not start this debate again, it's well documented on ausfish if you search previous posts.
Disorderly, hope you get the concept of plough anchor use.
Good luck.

[finding_time]

Hey scott
Your old thread has all the pics you'll need!



http://www.ausfish.com.au/vforum/sho...tripped+plough

[FNQCairns]

I have the 15lb one on my shopping list, seeing as you anchor overnight and in deep water more often than me I would make the 15lb your choice too.

If my boat got the same use as yours the 20lb would be my choice, the thought of pulling it up whenever fishing shallower forces me back to the 15lb, sort of overall more user friendly, sometimes I do not use a ball and try and keep just 2 types of anchor + sometimes a spare aboard to keep weight down and space up.

Still when it comes to the crunch I might end up with the 20 and forever be done with it, there is something to be said for needing to anchor just once to nail the mark then just fish.

cheers fnq

[The-easyrider]

I have a 15lb plough anchor on my 22' boat and have had no trouble holding bottom and have had it sitting in some fast currents the only trouble I have had is with a cheap sand anchor not holding on the stern so I changed it to a 10lb plough

[FNQCairns]

I have a 15lb plough anchor on my 22' boat and have had no trouble holding bottom and have had it sitting in some fast currents the only trouble I have had is with a cheap sand anchor not holding on the stern so I changed it to a 10lb plough

What depth does it work well for you with flow?

cheers fnq

[hsv 408]

dont know whether you would be intrested but have you looked at the sarca anchor(sand and reef combination anchor),best anchor i have used to date this anchor has a built in trip release and re-set.
here is a good link to anchoring & the anchors might help?www.anchorright.com.au

[disorderly]

Thanks guys for the advise...very helpful indeed.

Do you use3 a float to retrieve your anchor?

Sure do Ian...it's my next favourite invention behind beer and vagina's .

Hey scott
Your old thread has all the pics you'll need



http://www.ausfish.com.au/vforum/sho...tripped+plough

cheers mate ...I've been a bit distracted these past few months and its only when I drifted quite a ways whilst asleep that it's become a top priority.

BTW, what size buoy am I going to need.?

I have the 15lb one on my shopping list
cheers fnq

Might go for this one also,Scott

Thanks again Mark and easyrider ...HSV..the sarca is too dear..

Scott

[hsv 408]

did you watch the video very impressive enviro & holding wise.best $180 ive spent.

[finding_time]

did you watch the video very impressive enviro & holding wise.best $180 ive spent.

Until you leave it stuck on the bottom! All anchors get stuck at some stage or another ( it's usually the chain getting wedged in a crack) isn't that right Dean! There is no way known i'm chucking $180.00 anchor ( no matter how good the marketing)over the side when there are much cheaper options available that work just as well!

Ian

[Fatenhappy]

Hey Scott .... easy as ....

Both Whitworths and Bias have good indicators for length and weight for ploughs and mansons ... (the later as your probably aware being similar but with a longer and slightly narrower neck, so might also be suitable for your job) ...

[MarkDiver]

Disorderly,
As we have lots of female fishos in our forums perhaps suggest saying "best invention since sliced bread"

In response to the previous post on anchor swivels (by Finding_Time ) used to avoid your rope winding when using the plough anchor, I found this other type of anchor swivel really great to use. Just connect between chain and anchor, no shackles required. Also, no messing around with rope splicing etc. Downside it is pricey. Can purchase from Whitworths and BCF etc..

[MarkDiver]

http://www.whitworths.com.au/main_it...AbsolutePage=1

The photo doesn't seem to work, you can use this link for the picture of the anchor swivel - I'm not suggesting rush out to whitworths, this is an example only.