Boat Anchor Retriever

I know there are a lot of boat anchor retrievers on the market, though I’m sharing a cheap rope ascending device that has served our specific use case nicely. The problem was that the usual marine devices didn’t work well, or at all, with the 8mm silver shot lines we prefer for deep wreck drops. We only use a variety of shot lines, with variable chain lengths and anchor sizes so the loop/ring types that run through the chain didn’t suit either.

We’ve found this rope climbing ascender however has been great for several years now, and seems to run down the line with little resistant, but cam locks on the return pull very well (even on the cheap, slippery 8mm line). I was skeptical as to whether it would hold up in the salt water, but it’s been going strong for years with no maintenance at all.

For under $20, it’s hard to beat as an anchor retriever – though personally I’d stick with a more reputable brand for rock climbing.