Anchor weak links

[starvinmarvin]

I suspect that many have lost an anchor or two, if not, I'm sure you will.

Having now lost two, one to a tope the second to a fast increasing tide and a rather unforgiving rock, I've started carrying two onboard the yak and a further pair in the van... well I have to travel 30 miles to the nearest bit of sea so don't want a wasted day.

Weak links, I have used cable ties, cable ties cut half through, sandwich ties, plant ties (the bubbly plastic ones), bit of light mono, fuse wire, and twine.

So far none have been perfect, nearest has been the plant ties, but they occasionally come undone.

Thought it would be nice to see what others are using and if anyone has come across the perfect answer.

SM

[tobasco]

Starvin,

How you doing?
A bag (net) of rocks is the answer that I think that you are looking for, especially if its only to be as a spare.
Cheers
Steve

[redhotrods]

Try using some copper wire from 2.5mm electrical cable.
Loop it round once & then twist it 3-4 times. You should find that it is strong enough when anchored in strong tides but when given a good 'yank' the twists will undo & hey presto.

I've used it for my last 3 outings & it has saved my anchor twice already.

[sh]

I've always used the thicker cable ties on the boat and they work fine. They don't break out in a strong tide, buy do so if I get the anchor stuck.
I'm using the same idea on my yak, but haven't got stuck yet. It may be I'll need to go to a thinner cable tie.

Steve

[martinw]

Ive used a cable tie for my weak link, but often wondered whether it will snap if i need to, its a small one, strong enough to hold me in choppy conditions, it proved that! i think the best bet is to try it on dry land, pull hard for the snap and once you have found one that will do, buy a handful.

next job on my list that!!

[starvinmarvin]

Hey Steve,

Bag of rocks, great idea but takes up too much room on the yak.

Cable ties, have been using them, but even the smallest needs a little nick in it if you want to break out in over 20ft of water, remember the anchor line will stretch especially when stuck fast.

I'll give the wire a try, may be the answer.

SM

[martinw]

Ha Ha!! i found out on sunday that the weak link on my anchor wasnt weak enough, it was a small cable tie but it was a ninja and didnt want to snap so i had to cut it and lose my anchor and about 60ft of line

I didnt get round to checking it on dry land beforehand like i said in my last thread so it came back and bit me on the ass!!

Its difficult to get a good pull on the kayak for the weak link to go, i saw myself falling off the other side of the yak so had to ask zebra for a little support.

There must be something out there somewhere that will do the trick.

[starvinmarvin]

My point exactly.

Once you get a bit of line out and the tide is running they can be a pig, I've had water pouring over the gunwale and the line cutting into my hand; like you just had a tiny cable tie hanging on, they've always done the business in the past, but this wasn't having any of it, like yours it was a sneaky little critter.

SM

[cliffnorry]

try gardeners raffier you can still get it atB&Q, take some with you as the salt water will rot it so while it will hold for a while you may brake it puling the hook up after lifting the hook a few times, but a sharp tug will brake it, don't cost much anyway,

[karlk]

I saw in tip in boat fishing a while back that might help. It was to sacrifice your lead weight and not all your end tackle when you got caught up in a wreck etc. The tip was to attach the weight with the green plactic coated plant tie stuff from B&Q. Its like a coil of plastic coated sandwich bag ties, it works perfectly for fishing but being plastic if you get stuck in the wreck then the twisted tie simply slips apart and releases the weight, the more twists in the wire the harder it is to get it to slip, but I'm sure it would be perfect to fix the chain to the top of the anchor.If my X Factor ever arrives (4 months now!!! ) I will give it a try and let you know