Here you see the anchor raised to the surface - not as normally by the anchor rode pulling on the shank, but by the AnchorRescue tether chain attached to the crown. The anchor flukes were pulled backwards away from whatever they were snagged on.
(In normal use, once the anchor has been pulled free, you would then continue to raise the anchor as usual by the anchor rode. For this photo we raised the anchor to the surface using the tether so that the crown would reach the surface first.)
Test Results
In our tests the AnchorRescue worked exactly as advertised – it does the job beautifully.
With its simple mechanism, it’s difficult to imagine how it might not work – perhaps if seaweed or some contorted debris on the bottom fouled the slider or retriever. That might happen but seems very unlikely, since the initial attempt to free the anchor would likely raise the end of the shank well above the bottom before you use the retriever.
Available for different chain sizes, the AnchorRescue is well worth its current price, starting at $179 – compared to the cost of a new anchor if you snag hopelessly. Especially for those who anchor in popular harbors where tons of manmade debris such as old engine blocks and heavy mooring chain lurk on the bottom, this device provides peace of mind as well as a solution you can install and then forget about until you need it.
The Downside
Depending on your boat and equipment, it may take a little creativity to make the installation work with your anchor and bow roller. But the tether and slider have enough wiggle room for flexible installations.
For boats with an anchor rode of combined chain and line, note that the retriever will not fit over the shackle where the line connects to the bottom chain. That means you need at least as much bottom chain as the water depth where you anchor, or you will not be able to use the retriever. Some commercial combination rodes have as little as 15 feet of chain – but serious sailors with a boat large enough for cruising will likely have much more chain.
To Buy or for More Information
Contact Boxer Marine for more information. Their web site includes a nifty animation showing how the retriever comes down to connect to the slider and back the anchor out.
Disclosure: A review sample was provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.
