So I just purchased a new 22ft Cobia in the Spring of 2012. For most of last summer the anchor worked just fine with it, but towards the end of last summer I noticed it wasn't holding very well. Yesterday I took it out with my brother and once again we could not get the anchor to hold no matter what we did.

I've never had a problem like this before so I was hoping maybe one of y'all could help me out. Do you think my anchor could be too small for my boat (the anchor was originally used on an 18ft Whaler that belonged to my father). Any help would be much appreciated! Thanks y'all.

Are you letting out enoughe rope to allow the anchor to dig in?

in order to answer the question, we need to know the size & type of anchor you are using

I use a 16# danforth anchor with 3' of 3/8 chain

Are using chain at least four to six foot conected to the anchor ? The chain will hold the anchor flat better than rope.

"in order to answer the question, we need to know the size & type of anchor you are using"

As well as the bottom composition and the scope of the line you are using.

Its a danforth. I don't know the exact size of it since I didn't buy it (I took it from my dads boat). I believe the composition of the bottom is sand. Every time I've had this problem has been in the Galveston ship channel on the bay side. I think its sand, but it could be mud.

There is 4 feet of chain attached to the anchor before the rope, and I'm 100% sure I'm letting out enough line.

There are plenty of cheap imitations of "Danforth" anchors. Look at a Horizon Claw Anchor.

Without more info, it's hard to say. A Danforth is a good anchor for mud or sand. You need a fair scope of line though, at the VERY least three to four times the water depth, and six to eight times under less than ideal conditions. Are you throwing it or lowering it? Is it one of those small ones that has a ring that will slip down to the base? Those are touted as an easy release but they don't work as well as the original design, especially during a wind or tide change. Too many unknowns here to call it.

16# danforth anchor with 3' of 3/8 chain

That should work for ya with that boat remember to ease it into the water so the cleats are flat and will catch in the mud/sand/shell - don't just toss it out there

I see that a lot at SLP. Get a bigger anchor. Don't hold up on the rope after you throw the anchor out. A 14 Hugger will hold anything out there.

And here lies the problem!!

Karma seems to be your problem!

Don't worry I had permission to take it. I bought a slightly bigger anchor and I"m taking the boat out this weekend. Hopefully this will work.

Get a Boyle's.

Bill hit the nail on the head. Throw the anchor out with a chain tied to the rope and let it go slack so the anchor eye is not up, the chain does that if you you let it go slack.