How to Make a Cheap, Inexpensive Anchor for a Kayak

kayak fishing image by Mitchell Knapton from Fotolia.com

If you want to fish in one spot, stop and watch wildlife or just take a relaxing a break from paddling, a kayak anchor is a necessity. Fortunately, any fairly heavy object attached to a rope will keep your kayak from drifting in all but the worst weather conditions. Save money by recycling simple household materials to build your own anchor rather than buying a new one.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Milk jug
Rocks
Sand
Glue
Anchor line
Waterproof tape

Step 1

Find a one-gallon milk jug or similar plastic container. It should be in good shape, with no holes.

Step 2

Open the top and fill the jug with rocks. Add sand to fill in the spaces between the rocks.

Step 3

Place epoxy or some other waterproof glue on the threads of the cap and screw it on.

Step 4

Tie an anchor line around the handle of the jug. Use a durable knot such as a bow-line, reinforced with a couple of half hitches. For a more secure knot, reinforce it with waterproof tape.

Tips & Warnings

An anchor adds a lot of weight to your kayak. For a more lightweight solution, leave the jug empty and the top unglued. When you want to anchor your kayak, gather rocks and sand from the shore and place them in the jug. Then, when you are done, dump out the rocks and sand and take the lightweight anchor with you.

Article Written By Isaiah David

Isaiah David is a freelance writer and musician living in Portland, Ore. He has over five years experience as a professional writer and has been published on various online outlets. He holds a degree in creative writing from the University of Michigan.

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