Jet ski anchor systems are usually pretty simple to use, and generally inexpensive. That being said, not every jet ski anchor is equal. Some PWC anchor systems are designed for specific environments. If you try using a jet ski sand anchor in deep water, you’re going to run into some problems.
This article is going to walk through the different types of PWC anchor systems as well as provide our recommendation of what we think the best jet ski anchor is.
Best jet ski anchors
The best jet ski anchors are sand anchors, screw anchor systems, fluke systems, and mushroom style anchors.
Best Jet Ski Sand Anchor
A very common and easy to use PWC anchor system is a sand anchor. It works by filling up a durable jet ski anchor bag full of sand and rocks, then tying it off to the jet ski. This is ideal for shallow waters with a lot of sand.
Although the quality of jet ski anchor bags have greatly improved over time, sharp rocks should still be avoided. If possible, try using only sand and mud to prolong the life of the bag. Most people can get several seasons out of an anchor bag depending on its usage.
Jet Logic A-1 PWC Sand Anchor
The Jet Logic A-1 is a great PWC anchor for shallow waters. It’s made from a durable tri-laminate anchor bag capable of holding up to 35 pounds of sand and rocks. A buoy is attached to the 6 feet of rope to mark the anchors location. On the end of the rope is an oversized finish-friendly acetyl snap hook to help with tying off.
Although the anchor bag is very durable, try to avoid using sharp rocks as they can cause damage over time. Also, try not to overstuff the anchor bag, as that will make it more difficult to clench shut.
Overall this is a really affordable PWC anchor choice, and a lot of people end up buying more than one simply because they’re so inexpensive.
Screw Jet Ski Anchor System
Another popular jet ski anchor type is a screw anchor. Screw anchors work by screwing a large piece of metal into the sand or mud and attaching it to a PWC with a rope.
This is a good type of anchor for a jet ski that stays in sandy or muddy areas. Using this type of jet ski anchor in a rocky environment may nor work as well because the metal screw may not be able to grip the rocks.
SandShark Jet Ski Screw Anchor System
If you’re looking for a PWC anchor that will keep your impeller out of the sand, the SandShark jet ski screw anchor system is a great choice.
This polished stainless steel screw anchor can easily dig into sand or compacted mud, and works best in 2-3 feet of water. The total length of it is 18 inches, giving it plenty of room to burrow into the sand. At its base is a heavy duty auger which makes the digging process much easier. This anchor system comes with a padded bag that reduces noise, and prevents damage to other items when being stored.
The anchoring process is pretty simple with the SandShark. A removable handlebar is threaded through a loop at the top, allowing better leverage when twisting it into the sand. Once it’s in place, the handlebar is taken out. The loop where the handlebar was is then free to be used as the tie off point connecting the anchor to the jet ski.
The only major problem with the SandShark is it doesn’t come with anchor rope. However, some pretty good quality anchor rope can be bought separately for relatively cheap.
Fluke Jet Ski Anchor System
By far the best jet ski anchor in terms of versatility is a fluke anchor. Fluke anchors are typically what people picture when they think of any kind of anchor. They’re a lot like the classic anchors that ships use, except they have flukes that fold up when being stored.
What makes them so popular as a jet ski anchor is their ability to handle sand, mud, or rocks. People enjoy having one anchor that can handle multiple types of environments.
Airhead Folding Jet Ski Anchor System
Although it’s designed for anything from a sailboat to a floating tube, the Airhead folding anchor works great as a PWC anchor. This 3 1/3 pound 4-fluke folding anchor has no problem holding in mud, sand, and gravel. The anchor has a 25-foot long marine-grade rope with an in-line buoy attached to it. A heavy-duty stainless steel snap hook is on the end of the rope for easy tying off.
Other than it’s versatility, what makes this the best jet ski anchor is its compact design. The folding flukes allow it to be stowed in almost any PWC storage compartment. It comes with a durable nylon anchor bag thats padded for added protection and to dampen noise when it’s stowed.
For someone looking for the best jet ski anchor system to use in a variety of conditions, the Airhead folding anchor is their best bet.
Related: Essential Jet Ski Accessories
Mushroom Style Jet Ski Anchor
Mushroom style anchors can come in tons of different shapes and sizes. That being said, they all share a few similar qualities. Typically, they all have a cylindrical head that resembles a mushroom. Of course this can vary, but generally that’s the case. They’re usually made out of a heavy metal, and sometimes have spikes or flukes as well.
The way mushroom anchors work is a combination of weight and leverage. The mushroom shaped head does a great job at gripping almost any surface type, and the weight allows it to set easily.
Extreme Max River Anchor
The Extreme Max river anchor is perhaps the most simple anchor out there. It’s made from solid vinyl-coated medal, and has no moving parts. This model comes in a 12 pound, 18 pound, and 30 pound version. It’s recommended to get the heaviest version, just to be sure it holds on choppy days.
At the base of the anchor are 3 flukes with teeth etched in them, providing a substantial amount of grip. It takes just seconds to set, and has no problem holding a pwc in place for hours.
If there’s one bad thing to say about this anchor, it’s that it grips too well. Although this isn’t always the case, some people might find it takes some real effort to pull back up. Putting that fact aside, this is without a doubt one of the best jet ski anchor options.
What qualifies the best jet ski anchor?
Deciding whether one anchor is better than another is somewhat subjective, and it’s difficult to say for sure which one is the best. However, there are certain things that can set the better options apart.
Some of the things to look out for are:
Price:
One of the most important things to be concerned with is the price. Often times people are okay with a below average product if they know they paid very little for it. On the other hand, if someone pays a substantial amount, then they typically want a high quality product. Jet ski anchors have a wide price range, but most decent options can be bought for less than $100.
Durability:
Aside from the price, the next thing people should look for is durability. A jet ski anchor needs to be tough enough to last for more than just one or two seasons. Good anchors typically have some sort of coating, and have very few (if any) moving parts. The more simple the anchor, the better.
Ease of use:
The last thing to look out for is how easy it is to use the anchor. Riding jet skis is about having fun, and no one wants to deal with a complicated anchoring process. If an anchor is easy to use, it’s more likely to be a good choice.
How to anchor a jet ski
Learning how to anchor a jet ski is fairly simple, but many people never take the time to properly learn. Failing to anchor a jet ski properly can result in lost anchors, or drifting jet skis. Keep in mind that the process for setting a pwc anchor varies depending on the setting (land, shallow water, deep water, etc.).
Finding the best jet ski anchor system for your PWC
Different jet ski anchor systems work better in certain environments. Sometimes it take some trial an error before finding the proper equipment. In the end it’s all about deciding what works best for your own personal needs.
Part of what makes riding a jet ski so fun is the freedom it provides. Everyone should be able to pull up to a beach or sand bar and relax without worrying about their jet ski floating away. Hopefully this article provided some valuable information on the different jet ski anchor types that will help you make a better decision.
Related: Must Have Boating Accessories
Have you tried any of these jet ski anchor systems? Which one do you like best? Let us know in the comment section below!
Anchors with flukes always seem to work best for me on my boat. I didn’t know they made a foldable one for jet skis. Lol
The foldable anchor recommended in this post isn’t just for jet ski’s. It can be used with kayaks, canoes, or just about any other small floating vessel. I do think it works well with jet ski’s though. Most people who use it with their PWC really like it.
Thanks for the comment Alan!
Nice little article. Going to try out the foldable anchor
Thank you Davis. I’m sure you’ll be happy with your choice. Foldables always seem to work well.
I’ve lost a few anchors in my day. What I really need is some sturdy rope. Hah!
what is best system for 2 wave runners when your floating in middle of lake and trying to keep them away from the boat?
Hey Tim, great question!
The best options would be the folding anchor or the sand anchor. Most people in your situation would probably prefer the folding anchor, as it’s a bit more portable and can easily be stowed away. The sand anchor can also work, but it would have to be filled prior to being used which might make it take up too much storage space. Hope that helps!