How to anchor a rail on a steep shoreline?

Norcalz71 · Ollie Joined: 21 Mar 2005 Posts: 88 City: Benicia/SLO

Hey guys, new here but not to the sport. I am thinking about building a floatable, low rainbow for our big lake trip this summer. I built an in ground one last year, but the clay/dirt/sand/redwood etc shoreline was insanely difficult to pound 4x4's into, even with the ends turned to a point. I think a floatable might be easier and more versatile, but my question is how to anchor it. For another familiar with Bullards Bar in NorCal, the shores are fairly steep, probably anywhere from 25-45 or 50 degrees near where we set up camp. How do i go about anchoring my rail safely on this steep shore? Another thing is the lake is drained about 6"-1' every night, so while we had a good locaion for the in ground rail, it was hard to install and was out of the water after only 1-2 days. Thanks

SleuCrew · Posted: Mar 21, 2005 3:06 am Post subject:

I use a solid line with a sand anchor on one end, and a anchor buddy on the other end... its a mushroom anchor with a bungee cord.

Drop the solid line and pull it tight with the boat holding the anchor buddy, drag it till its tight and setup how you want it "make sure the anchor on the solid line hooks up really good" then just drop the buddy... works great if you cant pound stuff in the ground.

The river here is tidal so we can only put stuff in the ground for a day.. then have to pull it out and start over again the next day.

""MAKE SURE YOUR EYELETS ON THE SILDER ARE SOLID OR YOU COULD KILL YOURSELF IF THE EYELET PULLS OUT"

Norcalz71 · Ollie Joined: 21 Mar 2005 Posts: 88 City: Benicia/SLO

right on, so do i want the anchor buddy on the shore side or the open lake side? imagine open lake? We all use anchor buddies for mooring at the lake when we are there for a week or so, guess ill need another.

SleuCrew · Posted: Mar 21, 2005 5:22 am Post subject:

i always anchor parallel to the shore.

Norcalz71 · Ollie Joined: 21 Mar 2005 Posts: 88 City: Benicia/SLO

ok, so how many point would you say would suffice? i know 2 is cool for the boat, but no one is hitting the boat at 20mph. I havent dealt with floaters at all, just an idea right now, but if it works that'd be sweet.

SleuCrew · Posted: Mar 21, 2005 8:03 pm Post subject:

Well the last thing i built was a 35ft rainbow, and it use two anchors on each end parallel with the rail, the ropes sit deep enough if you use the proper length so that you dont run them over when riding up to the rail... here is a quick 2sec sketch... this should answer your questions.

Really you just need to keep it anchored parallel with the direction you are sliding, there will be little side to side play if you set the anchors properly.

Norcalz71 · Ollie Joined: 21 Mar 2005 Posts: 88 City: Benicia/SLO

very good description, definitely think that could work well since i wouldnt have 1 side trailing into deep water with the other in the shallows, but rather both in medium depth. Now i just gotta figure out how to get something big enough to slide up to the lake.....

SleuCrew · Posted: Mar 21, 2005 8:20 pm Post subject:

Have fun... take pics or video

Wear a helmet, they are actually really cool... and much better than impaling your head into a solid object.

Norcalz71 · Ollie Joined: 21 Mar 2005 Posts: 88 City: Benicia/SLO

haha no worries, i got a sick lookin bright yellow protec last season, i just go out in my life vest and float if we dont have marker buoys....

Kavanagh · Posted: Jun 15, 2005 9:20 pm Post subject:

SleuCrew, thats a really perddy picture