How to Attach An Anchor to a Kayak

So you’re out paddling around, maybe you want to stop and snack, maybe you’re on the fish.  Whatever the reason you’re going to need an anchor if you want to stay put.  Here we’ll cover the basics of how to attach an anchor to a kayak so you can secure one to your boat and stay put when you want.

How to Attach An Anchor to a Kayak

Benefits of a Trolley

The best way to attach an anchor to a kayak is a trolley.  These simple devices make releasing and bringing in your anchor easy work, are super easy to install but the best part of a trolley is that it allows you to move your anchoring point from the stern to the bow and anywhere in between.

Typically when you drop anchor your from the rear of the boat your bow will swing down current or down wind which means you’re facing downstream.  Trolleys can switch things up for you.

With a trolley in play all you have to do is articulate the line switching the position of the anchor line from bow to stern or vice versa which gives you total control over which way you’re facing.

Some kayaks come ready to accept a trolley system, others aren’t but that doesn’t mean you can install one.  Take a look at our other pages Best Fishing Kayak for the Money and Best Fishing Kayak Under $1000 for a better understanding of fishing kayaks and what they can do.

Each trolley kit attaches a little different from others and depending on your kayak the install locations and methods may be different.  If you were attaching an anchor trolley to a Lifetime Tamarack the install would differ than if you were installing it on a FeelFree Moken.

For the most part the kit will determine the install method and instructions should be included.

Equipment

If you’re going to install a trolley on a kayak that isn’t set up already to accept one it’s actually quite easy.  There are a few steps and pieces of equipment you’ll need but the install won’t take long and it’s fairly straightforward.

First you’ll need a trolley kit.  You can, of course, go to the hardware store and dig around trying to find all the bits and pieces but for a reasonable price a total kit takes a lot of the headache out of sourcing all the materials.

Two of these kits require a riveter for installation but they’re relatively inexpensive and easy to use.  Here’s one that we like that’s really reasonably priced.

Kits We Love

The install is pretty simple with some basic hand tools and below you’ll see some of the installation videos from the kits we’ve featured.

Yak Gear

Sea-Lect Designs

YakAttack

DIY Method

Want to make your own trolley to attach to your kayak?  You’ll need some hardware but they’re all readily available and pretty reasonably priced too.

What You’ll Need

Materials

1. 50 Feet of marine rope or para-cord – Buy Here
2. Two pulleys (These pulleys come with pad eyes which help them rotate better) – Buy Here
3. One heavy duty split ring – These can be found at your local hardware store

 

Installation

Step 1 – Cut two, 3/4 – 1 inch sections of copper tubing

Step 2 – Cut two sections of rope each 1 foot long, .  Then use a lighter, then melt the ends of the rope to prevent it from fraying.

Step 3 – Take one section of your 1-foot rope and thread it through one of the pulleys.  Then take the rope and put it through the hole that your front handle attaches to. Repeat this step at the stern.

Now you should have two loops, one at the front and one at the back with 1 pulley attached to each.

 

 

 

Step 4 – Securely attach your split ring to one end of your 5-foot section of para cord.  We like the trilene knot (Video)

Step 5 – Take the end of your 5-foot that doesn’t have the split ring attached and run it through the bottom of either pulley out of the top.  Run that end to the other pulley and down.  You want the split ring below as this will be where you attach your anchor and you don’t want your anchor line crossing the other.

Attach the loose end to the split ring and make it as tight as possible, trim the excess para cord and burn to prevent fraying.

Step 6 – Celebrate!  You just made an anchor trolley for your kayak!

---

Well there you have it! 3 great kits and a DIY method that will get you sitting pretty right where you need to be. An anchor trolley kit is a little investment that will give you a lot of benefit.

What other kayak accessories are you interested in using? Let us know and we’ll get straight to reviewing and recommending some!