I was curious if anyone has made an inexpensive, creative, good working anchor for their boat that they're really proud of. I'm thinking about buying a little 12' aluminum boat and if I do, what's the best way to build a great anchor for it? Coffee can, cement, nails? Or is there a better way?

Thanks!

Coffee can filled with cement, and a few links of chain to tie to embedded in the cement.

A few feet of heavy chain works just fine. especially if you fish rivers.

It's tough to beat the coffee can, or small paint pot filled with concrete. Chain won't pull out of the concrete, or an eye bolt with a large washer between a couple of nuts works well. These have been around for decades if not a century.

I used to use old window weights to slow drift on the river, I could add or remove depending on how swift the current was. This setup was a little awkward but good for its use. Coffee can is probably the way to go for just holding in one spot.

I used to use old window weights to slow drift on the river, I could add or remove depending on how swift the current was. This setup was a little awkward but good for its use. Coffee can is probably the way to go for just holding in one spot.

And here I thought I was the only one to use a window weight anchor. They're a great option if you can find them.

i just bought an anchor for like $15 at gander....it seems a lot easier than getting cement, mixing it and making your own and probably in the same price range

I use a piece of PVC pipe filled with concrete and put an eye bolt in the end to tie a rope to. This works very well for my 12' jon boat but not as good as a mushroom anchor. It just doesn't have the ability to hold onto things.

For ten or twelve bucks you can by an anchor from Academy Sports. Why bother trying to build your own?

I use a piece of PVC pipe filled with concrete and put an eye bolt in the end to tie a rope to. This works very well for my 12' jon boat but not as good as a mushroom anchor. It just doesn't have the ability to hold onto things.

I did the same thing as you but with one big difference. I used a 2' long 4" wide pvc pipe and put 2' long rebar rods 2 inches from the bottom. I drilled the holes and hammered the rebar through giving an x shaped base to grab onto stuff under water. I then filled it with concrete and sank an eye bolt with a washer on the end into the concrete. Has worked wonders, but sometimes it's a pain in the butt to get off the bottom.

Not mine, but the most unique I've seen was an 8" piece of railroad track welded to a chain link.

Ya thats not too big of a price difference. Plus a coffee can or few feet of chain arnt going to hold you in any high wind or significant current (maybe if your only talking a 12ft boat). If you throw a few feet of chain over the side in any river here in Indiana your only going to stop if you snag a giant tree.

I've seen several homemade ones work that are very good for all situations. If you take a tractor weight, put an eyelet on it, then 4 spikes (ie re-rod etc) pointing back toward you it will hold in about anything. Granted, you or someone you know needs to have the ability to weld... but it will hold better than anything you buy OTC.

@FadetoBlack's idea with the PVC sounds like it may not be too bad of a style. I'd prefer the X shape to have a little of an angle on it but thats not a bad idea really.

Standard anchors bought from the store, the Tri-Fluted River anchor seems to be the best all around one.

Concrete is $2 for an 80# bag. Free coffee can. What to do with the other 70#s of concrete was my only problem. Mushroom anchor works better if there is current or wind.

I use a small cast iron weight (like you'd put on a barbell) from Sports Authority with a piece of chain wrapped around/through it. It's enough to keep me in one spot, but not too difficult to retrieve. If it gets snagged and I need to cut the line, I'm only out $10 or so.

And here I thought I was the only one to use a window weight anchor. They're a great option if you can find them.

Same here. Those were my first anchors.