A great way to save strain on the old back and also reduce the chances of loosing an anchor on a hang is an anchor ball.
1) Slip the ring around your anchor line and fasten the ring ends into the cliphook which is attached to the rope and buoy.
2) Drop the ball into the water and motor towards the anchor.
3) Run past the anchor at the speed of 6-8 knots at a slight angle to the anchor to keep the line from going under the boat. The buoy will mostly submerge until the buoyancy of the buoy raises the anchor.
4) When the anchor is fully raised into the ring, the buoy will pop to the surface. The ring will hold the anchor at the surface (because the chain is on the other side of the ring countering the weight).
5) Slowly return to the buoy while you are retrieving the loose rope.
6) Carefully lift the buoy and anchor into your boat.
No tugging, not heavy pulling, just push the EASY BUTTON!
