Are you wondering how you can stay in one place while on the water in your kayak? Or maybe how you can prevent your kayak from floating away during the night while you sleep? There’s one specific part of kayaking gear that’s often forgotten about – a kayak anchor. So, how do you find the best kayak anchor?
You’ve come to the right place. Here at The Adventure Junkies, we’ll help you find exactly what you need. In this article, we’ll discuss the benefits of kayak anchors and tell you about how to use them. All this is followed by a detailed overview of the ten best kayak anchors on the market.
For more of our top kayaking gear recommendations, check out the Best Kayaking Dry Bags.
Quick Answer - The Best Kayak Anchors
- Seattle Sports
- Extreme Max 3006.6548 BoatTector
- Airhead Folding Grapnel
- Airhead AHSUP-A015 SUP
- Advanced Elements
- Extreme Max 3006.6545 BoatTector
- Yak Gear Grapnel
- Deep Water Folding Grapnel
Comparison Table - Best Kayak Anchor
For the best experience turn your device horizontally| Name | Weight | Accessories | Price | Rating | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle Sports | 1.5 lbs | Yes | $$$ | 4.1 | Read Review |
| Extreme Max 3006.6548 BoatTector | 3.5 lbs | Yes | $$ | 4.6 | Read Review |
| Airhead Folding Grapnel | 3.3 lbs | Yes | $$ | 4.5 | Read Review |
| Airhead AHSUP-A015 SUP | 1.5 lbs | Yes | $$ | 4.6 | Read Review |
| Advanced Elements | 3.0 lbs | Yes | $$$ | 4.4 | Read Review |
| Extreme Max 3006.6545 BoatTector | 3.5 lbs | None | $ | 4.5 | Read Review |
| Yak Gear Grapnel | 3.3 lbs | None | $ | 4.6 | Read Review |
| Deep Water Folding Grapnel | 1.5 lbs | None | $ | 4.3 | Read Review |
| Name | Weight | Accessories | Price | Rating | Review |
Reviews - The Best Kayak Anchor
Seattle Sports
Specs
- Accessories: Yes
- Weight: 1.5 lbs
Features
- Two carabiners
- Storage bag
- 50-foot braided polypropylene rope
- Ring
BEST FOR: FISHING OR JUST RELAXING IN CALM WEATHER, USE IN DEEPER WATER
PROS: Long rope for use in deeper water
CONS: Not heavy enough to hold heavier kayaks or hold onto less-structured bottoms
Extreme Max 3006.6548 BoatTector
Specs
- Accessories: Yes
- Weight: 3.5 lbs
Features
- Steel snap hook
- Marker buoy
- 25-foot hollow braid polythene rope
- Storage bag
BEST FOR: USE IN CORAL OR ROCKY CONDITIONS
PROS: Four-shank grapnel anchor for ideal grip in rocky conditions, UV-resistant marker buoy, comes with protective storage bag, heavy anchor for even better grip, cheap
CONS: Rope is shorter than some other anchor kits
Airhead Folding Grapnel
Specs
- Accessories: Yes
- Weight: 3.3 lbs
Features
- Nylon storage bag,
- 25-foot marine-grade rope
- Snap hook
- Inline buoy
BEST FOR: FISHING IN EVERY ENVIRONMENT
PROS: Folding anchor with four flukes, can be used in all conditions, padded storage bag, heavy for improved grip, affordable, folds for easy storage
CONS: Shorter rope than some other anchor kits
Airhead AHSUP-A015 SUP
Specs
- Accessories: Yes
- Weight: 1.5 lbs
Features
- Stainless steel spring hook
- 15-foot rope
- Storage bag
BEST FOR: TEMPORARY ANCHORING IN CALM WATER
PROS: Padded nylon storage bag, bright yellow anchor rope, just heavy enough to keep you in one place for a while, perfect for relaxing
CONS: Short rope, not suitable for long-term anchoring or windy weather
Advanced Elements
Specs
- Accessories: Yes
- Weight: 3.0 lbs
Features
- Nylon storage bag
- 25-foot marine-grade rope
- Snap hook
- Inline buoy
BEST FOR: FISHING IN EVERY ENVIRONMENT
PROS: Folding anchor with four flukes, can be used in all conditions, padded storage bag, heavy for improved grip, affordable, folds for easy storage
CONS: Shorter rope than some other anchor kits
Extreme Max 3006.6545 BoatTector
Specs
- Accessories: None
- Weight: 3.5 lbs
BEST FOR: USE IN STRUCTURED BOTTOMS, SUCH AS CORAL, ROCKS, GRASS AND WEEDS
PROS: Designed for use in structured bottoms, can be used for kayaks, canoes, dinghies and inflatable boats, cheap, folds for easy storage
CONS: Doesn’t come with any accessories, less suitable for sandy and muddy bottoms
Yak Gear Grapnel
Specs
- Accessories: None
- Weight: 3.3 lbs
BEST FOR: SLOW-MOVING WATER LIKE LAKES AND CALM RIVERS
PROS: Cheap, galvanized steel, heavy for easy and solid anchoring, foldable for easy storage
CONS: No accessories
Deep Water Folding Grapnel
Specs
- Accessories: None
- Weight: 1.5 lbs
BEST FOR: SMALL AND LIGHTWEIGHT KAYAKS AND BOATS
PROS: Cheap, folds for convenient storage
CONS: Lightweight and suitable for lightweight kayaks only, no accessories
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST KAYAK ANCHORS
ANCHOR TYPE
MUSHROOM ANCHOR
These anchors are usually pretty heavy, as they rely on their weight for anchoring support. Therefore, they’re not suited for use in kayaks.
GRAPPLING HOOK ANCHOR
This type almost always consists of four hooks that may or may not fold for easy storage. These anchors provide by far the best grip, as they can hold onto rocks, coral, plants, and even mud and sand. It’s also incredibly easy to use. This kind of anchor simply lies on the bottom and, when dragged, grabs whatever comes in its way.
Grappling hook anchors, also known as grapnel anchors, are the most common kayak anchors. It’s recommended that you buy one of those, which is why all anchors featured in this article are this type.
SCOPE
Paddling.com explains the importance of scope. This is something you should consider when buying an anchor kit that includes a rope. Scope is the ratio of the length of rope between your kayak and the anchor to the depth of the water. A ratio of 7:1 is considered ideal. This means that for every foot of depth, you’ll require seven feet of rope.
WEIGHT
Most kayak anchors weigh either 1.5 lb. or between 3.0 and 3.5 lb. A 1.5-lb anchor is useful if you’re kayaking on calm water, in nice weather and with a lightweight kayak, such a an inflatable kayak. In those conditions, you won’t need much weight to anchor you down.
If, however, you’re kayaking in rougher water and weather and/or you’re carrying more gear, you’ll want an anchor that weighs 3.0 lb. or more. This extra weight offers extra anchoring power. Anchors that are heavier than 3.5 lb. aren’t considered to be ideal for kayaking, simply because they weigh too much.
ACCESSORIES
We’ve already discussed the ideal length of rope, depending on the water’s depth, above. Other accessories always included in anchor kits are (padded) storage bags and some kind of buoy or float. If it’s the first time you’re buying a kayak anchor, it’s absolutely worth going for an anchor kit. This will include everything you need to get started.
Those kits often also contain clips or rings, with which you can attach your anchor to your kayak. When anchoring your kayak, it’s essential that you place the anchor at either the bow or stern. Kayaks are designed to line up with the water’s current. Placing the anchor at the bow or stern allows the boat to find its proper position relative to the current. Livestrong.com has a clear step-by-step guide on how to anchor your kayak.
Of course, if you’ve somehow lost your anchor or need to replace it for whatever reason, you won’t need to spend money on new accessories. The anchors featured in this article offer both options.
TROLLEY
This extra piece of equipment allows you to switch from anchoring from the bow to the stern (and vice versa). It enables you to change the anchoring point of your kayak while staying seated in the cockpit. This super-useful device runs along the length of the kayak and has a rigging with a ring, through which you run your kayak rope. The ring is movable, allowing you change the placement of your anchor.
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