A good river anchor is essential for securing your boat while you fish, dock, or just want to stop in a flowing river. The challenge is choosing from the many river anchors available on the market. In this article, we list the 8 best river anchors to save you time in your search.
The 8 best river anchors for your boat are as follows:
- Fortress Marine Anchors – Fortress FX-7 4lb River Anchor – Click here to see it on Amazon – Our #1 Top Pick!
- Slide Anchor – Box River Anchor for Offshore Boat Anchoring – Click here to see it on Amazon
- Rocna Galvanized River Anchor
- M1 Mantus Stainless Steel River Anchor
- Lewmar Claw Anchor River Anchor
- Greenfield Black Richter Anchor
- Greenfield Black River Anchor
- Extreme Max BoatTector Folding/Grapnel Anchor
Read on to learn more about these river anchors and the features and specs for each.
Also, take a look at our top pick, the Fortress Marine Anchors – Fortress FX-7 4lb River Anchor, on Amazon to see its price and the great reviews.
Click here to see it on Amazon.
Or the Slide Anchor – Box River Anchor for Offshore Boat Anchoring with its compact design.
Click here to see it on Amazon.
River Anchor – Our 8 Best Picks
1. Fortress Marine Anchors – Fortress FX-7 4lb River Anchor
Our top pick for the best riverboat anchor is the Fortress Marine Anchors – Fortress FX-7 4lb River Anchor.
Click here to see it on Amazon.
This is an excellent example of an effective anchor for even the fastest flowing rivers. It is made of hardened, high-tech, rustproof, aluminum-magnesium alloy. This anchor is suitable for boats that are 16 to 27 feet. It weighs only 4 pounds, but it can replace anchors, which are 6 to 9 pounds.
The metal is precision-machined and made into an anchor with interlocking components that don’t need any welding. Thus, the result is a lighter and easy-to-handle anchor that offers tremendous holding power. Fortress anchors are sharp and can quickly penetrate river bottoms. They all come with lifetime parts replacement warranty, too.
Key Features and Benefits:
- Suitable for boats that are 16 to 27 feet long
- Weighs only 4 pounds, but it offers tremendous holding power at a fraction of its weight
- Can be easily set up and taken down for easy storage
- Obtained the highest ratings in more than 20 independent tests around the world
- Comes with a lifetime warranty on parts
2. Slide Anchor – Box River Anchor for Offshore Boat Anchoring
The second on our list of top 8 best river anchors is the Slide Anchor – Box River Anchor for Offshore Boat Anchoring.
Click here to see it on Amazon.
This anchor has a state-of-the-art offshore design that brings the system of anchoring to new heights. The Slide anchor also allows you to gain more control over your boat placements.
The Slide Anchor Box River Anchor does not require any chain. This anchor only uses a fraction of the line, making it easier to handle than other anchors of its size and weight. The innovative design of this anchor enables you to hold your boat at a 45° angle from the river bottom.
Key Features and Benefits:
- Enhanced boat placement control (this anchor can set on any kind of river bottom condition, regardless of water conditions)
- Does not require additional power from the boat
- Sets within 1 foot where it landed
- Easy to retrieve (the absence of upward facing surface area will enable the anchor to pop out quickly from the river bed)
3. Rocna Galvanized River Anchor
Among the top 8, the third-best river anchor is the Rocna Galvanized River Anchor. This anchor has a roll bar, which always ensures the right penetration angle.
Click here to see it on Amazon.
It is also equipped with setting skids that guide the fluke tip, which functions as a sharp chisel that cuts into the river bed. One-third of the anchor’s weight is at the tip of the fluke. This weight ensures that the anchor will quickly set every time it is used.
When it comes to holding power, this Rocna anchor is rock solid. Its concave fluke design offers the highest resistance. Additionally, this ingenious design provides the biggest fluke area possible. The chisel tip of this anchor will cut through and bite deep on weedy and hard river beds. It will also provide the greatest holding power on soft river floors.
Key Features and Benefits:
- A next-gen anchor with an innovative design
- Used in many types of river and sea floors
- Made of galvanized steel
- Offers instant setting with rock-solid holding power
- Resistant to tide and wind shifts
- Self-launching
4. M1 Mantus Stainless Steel River Anchor
The M1 Mantus Stainless Steel River Anchor is fourth on our list of 8 best anchors for rivers. This anchor has unmatched holding power. It is also designed to penetrate dense grassy bottoms.
Click here to see it on Amazon.
In many actual tests, Mantus anchors were able to set faster and deeper than any other anchors. That includes Danforth, CQR, Bruce, Fortress, Bulwagga, Manson Supreme, and Rocna. It is a multi-purpose anchor, so whether you are just going on a day sail, racing, or cruising, you can use the M1 Mantus.
This anchor breaks down easily for convenient storage. It is strongly built with a high-quality steel plate and does not have any cast iron parts. Also, the fluke is made of 316 stainless steel. As its manufacturer claims, the M1 Mantus anchor “digs like no other,” making it one of the best river anchors on the market.
Key Features and Benefits:
- Made of 316 stainless steel
- Strongly built
- Multi-purpose anchor
- Easy to disassemble and store
- Unmatched holding power
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
5. Lewmar Claw Anchor River Anchor
Number five on our top 8 best anchors is the Lewmar Claw Anchor River Anchor. The design of this anchor is based on anchors used to secure North Sea oil rigs.
Click here to see it on Amazon.
This anchor sets easily on many types of river beds and seabeds. It also easily stows on the bow rollers of most boats. The weight of this anchor is 12 pounds.
Key Features and Benefits:
- Used in different kinds of seabeds and river beds
- Made of high-grade steel
- Can be stowed in bow rollers of most boats
- Made in China
6. Greenfield Black Richter Anchor
Next on our list of best riverboat anchor is the Greenfield Black Richter Anchor. You can use this anchor in all kinds of weather and bottom conditions. This Richter anchor requires fewer anchor lines at sea and river bottoms, such as sand, weeds, mud, and rocks.
Click here to see it on Amazon.
Even with a 3-1 scope, it can set and take hold. That is very convenient for boaters because they can stay near their set-point. Due to their metal and coating content, the weights of this type of anchor will vary.
Key Features and Benefits:
- You can use it in all types of bottoms and weather conditions
- Can set and hold even with the use of a 3–1 scope. This feature enables fishers and boaters to stay nearer their set points
- The 18-pound model is ideal for boats with a maximum length of 24 feet
- Considerably better than conventional anchors
- Requires fewer anchor lines and performs well in sand, weeds, mud, and rock bottoms
7. Greenfield Black River Anchor
On the 7th spot of the best river boat anchors is the Greenfield Black River Anchor. This one is a tri-fluke anchor made of cast iron. It is suitable for soft and moderate bottom conditions with medium-duty use.
Click here to see it on Amazon.
The three flukes of this anchor can easily penetrate soft and moderate conditions. These flukes can hold on to rocks and irregular structures in rivers and currents. You can use this anchor as a great all-purpose anchor for lighter watercraft. If you want, you can even use it as your secondary anchor.
This river anchor is designed for watercraft measuring no more than 26 feet long. Also, the actual weight of the anchor depends on its metal and coating content.
Key Features and Benefits:
- Has a tri-fluke design that can penetrate soft river bottoms
- Designed to engage structures and rocks in rivers and currents
- Has a vinyl coating that protects the surface finish of boats
- Weighs 4.31 pounds
- Recommended scope line or the ratio of line feet to depth feet is 5:1
8. Extreme Max BoatTector Folding/Grapnel Anchor
We’re on the last river anchor system on our list, and it goes to Extreme Max BoatTector Folding/Grapnel Anchor. This one is a lightweight but sturdy river grapnel anchor that is perfect for small watercraft, such as kayaks, PWCs, canoes, inflatable boats, jon boats, and dinghies.
Click here to see it on Amazon.
It can hold well in no current or low current conditions, including weedy and rocky bottoms. Moreover, you can easily retrieve this 9-pound grapnel anchor. It also features easy storage.
Key Features and Benefits:
- Easily folds for storage
- Designed for weeds, grass, hard, and rocky bottoms
- Ideal for dinghies, canoes, PWCs, jon boats, kayaks, and inflatable boats
- Recommended for short holds in low or no current
- Weighs 9 pounds
Tips for Choosing the Best Anchor River
Choosing the right anchor for your boat and boating style may seem daunting because of many different options. But don’t be dismayed. Here are six tips that will help you make the right choice.
1. Consider the Size Your Boat
The right anchor size you need depends on the size of your boat. By size, it generally means the overall length of the boat. In general, the longer (or bigger) your boat, the larger and heavier the anchor should be. To be safe, get the largest possible anchor for the size of your boat.
2. Consider the Bottom Conditions of Places Where You Usually Anchor
The conditions of the river bottoms, where you usually fish and anchor, will considerably influence your choice. If you are not sure or are anchoring in different places with varying bottom conditions, get a multi-purpose anchor.
Such anchors will not have so many problems when anchoring in many different kinds of river beds. They can set and hold in mud, rocks, hard sand, weeds, and irregular structures.
3. What Is the Speed of the Current?
Many rivers indeed have calmer currents. But there are also some rivers with currents that move fast. So, think about the average current conditions in places where you usually anchor. The characteristics of river currents can influence your choice, too.
Naturally, an anchor that can hold a boat in a river with a swift current can also hold it in calmer currents. So, it is wiser to get a storm anchor. It will hold your boat securely, whether it is anchored in a river with a calm or fast current.
4. Consider the Rated Holding Power of the Anchor
You already know the size and weight of your boat. Now, you need to choose an anchor that can hold that size and weight. Refer to the anchor sizing tips of the river boat anchors that you are considering.
But remember, it’s not always true that the heavier the anchor, the greater is its holding power. Some anchors only weigh 5 pounds, but they can hold a load of up to 1,000 pounds.
5. Consider the Materials
Another consideration is the material construction of the anchor. If possible, get an anchor made of sturdy and durable materials and are highly resistant to corrosion.
6. Consider Its Convenience
Generally speaking, an anchor that can be easily deployed, retrieved, and stored will get the thumbs up.
Conclusion – River Anchor – Our 8 Best River Anchors for Your Boat
So, to recap, our 8 best picks for river anchors are as follows:
- Fortress Marine Anchors – Fortress FX-7 4lb River Anchor – Click here to see it on Amazon – Our #1 Top Pick!
- Slide Anchor – Box River Anchor for Offshore Boat Anchoring – Click here to see it on Amazon
- Rocna Galvanized River Anchor
- M1 Mantus Stainless Steel River Anchor
- Lewmar Claw Anchor River Anchor
- Greenfield Black Richter Anchor
- Greenfield Black River Anchor
- Extreme Max BoatTector Folding/Grapnel Anchor
Related reading:
Jon Boat to Bass Boat Conversion – 6 Steps
Jon Boat Weight Capacity (Plus Several Examples)
