I have this doubt in my mind for a long time (Do all the new boats come along with anchors). So, I did some research to find out, and I thought to write a blog post on that.
Not necessarily, all boats will come with an anchor. Generally, you should buy the boat anchors separately. Otherwise, you can include it in the boat price (boat + anchors + any others) as the total price. In general, you need to buy it separately.
Buying an anchor is not a small deal it is like buying a new boat. You need to do a lot of research to find or select one for your boat. So, I recommend you to buy one separately rather than along with the boat. It is fine to buy one with a boat if it satisfies your basic needs.
But from the price perspective, every time it won’t save money for you. You might only get some specific anchors at a low price along with the boat. And the prices will vary a lot if you are buying normal anchors (like a fluke, grapnel, mushroom, etc), then the overall price (boat + anchor) might be a bit less.
But, if you are thinking to go for a strong anchor (like modern, CQR, delta anchors which are a bit more expensive than normal ones), then you may end up paying extra money for your boat (boat + anchor) or sometimes, the quality might not be good as well. I would recommend you to buy them separately, Not along with the boat.
The overall price may vary a bit if you are buying an anchor along with the boat. Suppose, if you are looking for a boat at 5000 dollars range and you are thinking to buy an anchor (around 300 dollars) along with the boat, then you might end up paying 5500 dollars or even 6000 dollars as a total price ($5000 for boat + $1000 for anchor).
But, every time it may not happen like this. Still, they can do this (increasing the price) if you buying as a combined product. If you are buying their brand anchors, then be careful and check the quality of the product as well.
In this case (buying their brand anchors), be careful about the price because the overall prices for manufacturing their anchors will be less, and they will get more profit compared to selling other brand anchors. If you are buying their brand anchors, then prices should be less (generally). If they are selling it for more value, this means they are charging extra for the anchor.
As a buyer or consumer, you should consider all these things while buying an anchor along with the boat. If you are buying an anchor separately, then no need to worry about this.
If you already know the prices of the anchors or did some research on that before going to the shop, then you will get to know the prices at which they are selling the anchor.
Sometimes, they might tell, if you buy this anchor along with the boat, we will decrease the overall price. At that time, be careful and check the quality of the product properly and then decide whether it is good or bad. Anchors are essential for the boat. So, don’t buy them in a hurry along with the boat. So, check them properly while buying one for your boat.
If you are not sure, choosing an anchor for a particular bottom properly, then check my article on Choosing a perfect anchor for your boat (don’t worry, it will open in a new tab). I have mentioned all the types of anchors that work well with the respective bottoms.
Should you buy anchors separately or along with the boat?
The answer to that question is it depends. If you are thinking to buy it separately, then it is fine. Otherwise, you need to check so many things while buying an anchor along with the boat. The problems of buying the anchor along with the boat are listed below. These are not problems you should be careful and check the quality properly.
- Sometimes, you may not get an appropriate anchor.
- Sometimes, they might only give particular types of anchors for a particular type of boat, not the one you preferred.
- Sometimes, you may get a low-quality anchor along with the boat.
- Sometimes, they may try to sell their brand anchors instead or other brands.
Still, you may get a good anchor but you might have paid extra dollars for that. Generally, if you already knew the prices, then no need to worry about that much. Anchors are essential for the boat. So, don’t buy them in a hurry along with the boat. So, check them properly while buying one for your boat.
1. Sometimes, you may not get an appropriate anchor
You may not get an appropriate anchor that works well in the bottoms where you boat. Like, you may get a fluke anchor for a grass bottom or a gravel bottom. Like most of the companies will only give fluke anchors along with the boat.
But, no need to worry about this much. In general, most of the companies or brands will give appropriate anchors for your boat. But, some companies might not give an appropriate anchor for your boat. So, be careful and know the appropriate anchor that works well in the bottom where you boat prior to avoid all of that.
2. Sometimes, they might only give particular types of anchors for a particular type of boat, not the one you preferred
This is another problem with the majority of the companies. They will sell only a particular type of anchor for a particular type of boat. You may not get your preferred anchor for your boat. Buying an inappropriate anchor for a boat (bottom type) is not useful.
If you are buying an aluminum boat or fishing boat and you are thinking to buy an anchor along with the boat, then you may get only a small fluke or grapnel anchor. Again not all companies may follow this, some companies may do this. So, be careful while buying an anchor, along with the boat.
3. Sometimes, you may get a low-quality anchor along with the boat
Right now, there are many copies of the original ones in the market. For example, take a claw anchor you can get maybe 10 or 20 copies of a claw anchor. So, if you are buying an anchor for the first time, you may not know whether it is an original anchor (good quality one) or a copy of the claw anchor (low quality one).
If the copy anchor is made using a strong material, then it is fine to buy the copy anchor. Often many companies will claim that the anchor is made up of strong material. But, you may not know that unless you use them well. So, be careful while buying an anchor along with the boat.
4. Sometimes, they may try to sell their brand anchors instead of other brands
All the big companies who have their brand or anchors or any other things, they will try to recommend their products because they will get more profit. If the anchor is good, then you can buy them. Sometimes, you may not get a proper anchor for your boat.
If you are buying a big boat (above 20 or 25 feet), then you need to have a modern anchor in your boat as a primary anchor. Now, if you buy their brand anchors, you may not get the appropriate strength. What I am saying is they may focus more on their brand (anchors) rather than the appropriate one that works well for your boat.
Bottom line
In general, many boat selling companies will give you a good anchor. But, you need to know all these things that they can do this. Anchors are essential for the boat. So, don’t buy them in a hurry along with the boat.
The best way to avoid all these things is by researching about the anchor before going into the shop or buying them separately. Be careful while buying an anchor for your boat. Check the bottom type while buying an anchor for your boat.
If you are not sure, choosing an anchor for a particular bottom, then check my article on Choosing a perfect anchor for your boat (don’t worry, it will open in a new tab). I have mentioned all the types of anchors that suit particular bottoms.