The answer to: “What shallow water boat anchor should I use?”, “What is the best shallow water anchoring system?”, and “How do I anchor my boat in shallow water?” DIY Shallow Water Anchor Parts and Kits
There are a great many commercially-made shallow water boat anchors out there, but as you know, they tend to be pretty pricey. Why not make your own with Max-Gain Systems fiberglass and save a ton of money?
Parts to Build Your Dream Anchor System
Chad Ferguson, of the very informative Catfish Edge, has created a great shallow water boat anchor using Max-Gain Systems fiberglass. He has created a complete DIY Shallow Water Anchor guide where he goes into great detail about his search to make a durable, strong, and inexpensive shallow water anchor. Chad has also produced a video (see below) in which he uses his new shallow water anchor and explains the process in detail. His design can be utilized using any size of fiberglass allowing users the ability to anchor larger (or smaller) boats.
Max-Gain Systems fiberglass is the most cost efficient method to anchor your boat. Fiberglass is saltwater corrosion proof, keeps you steady in the water with wind and waves, and gives you, by far, the lightest and most cost efficient way to anchor your boat.
Introduction
How to decide parts before building
Choosing components & how to build
How to use your new anchor
Best Shallow Water Anchor Use Practices
In mild, constant current and calm winds, a single anchor near the bow will hold your boat steady in a fixed direction into the current. For faster currents or windy locations, we recommend TWO shallow water anchors. Two will hold twice as well as one in faster currents, and if places bow and stern (the farther they are apart the better they can work) two anchors will hold your boat in a constant direction even if wind direction is constantly changing. A real plus to keep multiple lines from tangling.
Most Requested Layouts
Click the layout of your choice for the parts list to create one complete unit.
Shallow Water Anchor Assembly Guide & Video
Download the PDF!
DIY Shallow Water Anchor Kits
Additional Parts
Have a different layout in mind? See below for all of the parts, sold individually, to extend, repair, replace, or build any layout you can dream
Fiberglass Solid Rod
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Hardware and Accessories
4-IN-1 Paddles (Paddle ONLY)
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1 EMERGENCY PADDLE - Meet your coast guard requirement to have a paddle on board and have additional capability!
2 LURE RETREIVER - Save those hung lures with the integrated lure retreiver!
3 DECOY RETREIVER - Save room in your boat with the integrated decoy retreiver!
4 PUSH POLE - Use as a push pole for pushing off the bottom for added stealth or use to push off, or away from, obstacles.
PADDLE ONLY - To be assembled on a tube or rod with an outer diameter of 0.75 inch OR 1 inch
$29.95
Stainless Couplers, Stainless Tips, T-Grips, and Clips
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Stainless Steel Coupler Parts for Fiberglass Round Solid Rod and Tube
*For all information about dimensions, make selections below for the size you are interested in*
Pay close attention to the ID and OD listed below once you make a size selection. Precise measurements are list on the products after making the size selection. Select your Rod / Tube diameter and which gender you need. If you want a mating set, be sure to add both one male and one female. Gender Select the gender of the coupling ID (Nom) Select the diameter of the tube or rod you are trying to couple
Stainless steel hard soils tips that accept Round Solid Rods for Shallow Water Anchors Pay close attention to the ID and OD listed below once you make a size selection. Precise measurements are list on the products after making the size selection. ID (Nom): select the nominal size of tube or rod the stainless steel tip fits on the end of.
T-Grips that accept Fiberglass Round Solid Rods for Shallow Water Anchors
Snap Spring clips for Fiberglass Round Solid Rods and Round Hollow Tubes are sold by the piece, not in packs of two. If you are ordering these for PVC tubes: PVC is measured in "ID" and not "OD". Please verify the Outer Diameter of the tube before ordering. Clip Size: Choose the Outer Diameter of the Round Tube or Rod the clip needs to fit ***Prices Vary by Clip size***
Customer Mounting Methods
“The Ring Method”
Russ Point of Texas, shared with us a great mounting solution that is durable and safe on the anchors.
A small loop of water resistant rope and a stainless ring (widely and cheaply available from marine dealers and hardware stores) attached to a cleat. This is a very cheap and effective way to keep your boat attached to your anchor. Russ says that he has one of these ring mounts installed on each corner of his boat, and one on each side at mid-ship. There is always a mount handy, in a perfect position for any anchoring need. Properly sized rings will also easily accommodate the larger tube diameters of our extension kits!
“Ring Method Reloaded”
David of Kentucky said:
“Received order today and only took 31 minutes to complete two of the 14’ poles. Look forward to using them in the near future. I installed a simple SS ring and a dock bumper on the boat cleat to make a simple attachment when used as a shallow water pole anchor. Rod will not wear out rope nor mark the boat. See attached photo. Thanks for your company service and quick response to my order.”
“Bee Ready Rod Holder”
As shown in the videos at the top of this page, Chad Ferguson of Learn to Catch Catfish, shows these in use as his Shallow Water Anchor attachment point.