[Marsh]

I use a slip-ring anchor, something similar to this:

Anchor

A friend of mine swears by the box anchor, but it ain't cheap. ($100+) Check out http://www.slideanchor.com for more information.

[mikeyt]

I'd use my mother-in-law if my wife would let me.....

[woodward33]

I use a box style made by Slide Anchors;

Slide Anchor

I use the "small" size on my 302Z and even with a full boat and the big ass waves we get on Lake Michigan I'm able to hold bottom.

This thing is not cheap, but it will hold like nothing else out there. Plus, you don't need a chain lead. To let you know how much I like it; there was an incident last Sunday and mine is now sitting at the bottom of the lake (don't ask) However, as of Tuesday I already went and purchased another. Best part is how if folds up and fits into really tight spaces when not in use. Worst part is that it can be a bear to pull up, and it does bring up a lot of mud with it, but its well worth it IMHO. Nothing ruins a good day on the water than constantly having to re-anchor.

Good luck!

[rajjneef]

And Woodward33 makes my point of why the "digger" anchor I spoke of and use is superior. While there are certainly good anchors that will hold you. The uniqueness of how the "digger's" flutes release so as to not end up on the bottom, but also not pulling up mud and junk. No chain needed with the "digger" as well.

[woodward33]

While I can see how you might deduce that the anchor stuck so well that the rope somehow broke or I had to cut it, that's not at all how it ended up on the bottom. But thanks for playing. The holding ability of the box slide had absolutely nothing to do with how I lost my anchor.

I've used it for years in all types of bottoms -- and while you sometimes have to put a little umph on it to dislodge it, I've always been able to retrieve it without a problem.

I lost my anchor because somebody on board threw it overboard without it being attached to a rope. True story.

[rajjneef]

That sux and i'd be a little upset. But actually I was making a blanket statement on why anchors end up on the bottom. Whether it be getting entangled in trees, etc, it does happen. The box anchors hold well as I have used them on other vessels but having had a hand on both i'll still keep mine for my boating conditions of a fresh water lake with all sorts of bottom conditions. If that box anchor gets down into stumps and trees it has a good possibility of staying down there just like danforths and the like do.