Any place to buy a sand anchor that's safe?

[jfo14]

I've been researching online about the best sand anchors and many people say none of them are very safe. I'm somewhat comfortable with self launching, but the beaches I go to have a lot of shells and I'd rather not risk damaging my kite, so that's why I'm looking into the sand anchors. Would people recommend a certain one? I know there are many different kinds at Home Depot/Amazon, and just wondering if anyone has a link to one that they would recommend buying (with or without the caribeaner attachment, I can always add that on after).

If anyone has an old one for sale too and is interested in selling, I'm interested in buying!

[Vantage]

I've used one of these a few times and it works really well. Great quality fittings as well. I have no affiliation with them, just rate it highly.

www.kiteanchor.com

[RickI]

Skot Scott with Upwind Kiteboarding designed and brought the kiteanchor.com to market after seeing a guy embed a Danforth anchor in himself while off OBX. You can read more about it ...


HERE


.

I've been researching online about the best sand anchors and many people say none of them are very safe. I'm somewhat comfortable with self launching, but the beaches I go to have a lot of shells and I'd rather not risk damaging my kite, so that's why I'm looking into the sand anchors. Would people recommend a certain one? I know there are many different kinds at Home Depot/Amazon, and just wondering if anyone has a link to one that they would recommend buying (with or without the caribeaner attachment, I can always add that on after).

If anyone has an old one for sale too and is interested in selling, I'm interested in buying!

[jfo14]

I've used one of these a few times and it works really well. Great quality fittings as well. I have no affiliation with them, just rate it highly.

http://www.kiteanchor.com

Without meaning to be cheap, that just seems like too much money for what it is...but would it even be much cheaper if I made one my own? I'm okay with spending 30-40, but $50 just seems like a lot for that

[BWD]

Is expensive because its stainless and has a handle welded on. You can get a painted steel one without handle for $5 at a builder supply store. I have a friend who did and welded a handle to the top himself. Works great. Does get a little rusty on the edges though...

[badgb21]

I did the same, I got a cheap one, welded 1/2" bar approx. 12" long, across the top, sprayed over the welded area with some rust inhibitor paint. Then got 2, 1/2" handle grips from eBay. Finished off with a piece of 4ft rope and a stainless caribiner. Works a treat. Not sure if it works out all that much cheaper than the kiteanchor.com one in the end!

You can use a wooden dowel approx 1"diameter as a handle, but it slips and nips the skin between your thumb and forefinger. The welded handle makes it so much more positive and easier to use.

Is expensive because its stainless and has a handle welded on. You can get a painted steel one without handle for $5 at a builder supply store. I have a friend who did and welded a handle to the top himself. Works great. Does get a little rusty on the edges though...

[edt]

there's two theories on kite anchors, first theory is you make the anchor so strong that no matter how hard your kite pulls on it, the thing won't fly out. The second theory is if something goes wrong the anchor quickly releases the tension on the kite and lets it go downwind. The in between stuff is the problem, when it doesn't release tension but isn't strong enough to take the full power of the kite so the tension builds up maybe on a bridle wrap kite loop until the anchor flies out. the most popular way is to make your anchor as strong as possible, but I like the options that release the tension in case of problems like a sack full of sand better.

[mbevo]

Get this one
http://sandsharkanchor.com/sandshark-z/

Not too expensive for a heavy duty stainless steel one.

A bit on the heavy side but works so well, goes into sand so easy. Make sure to rinse w freshwater after saltwater use otherwise it will rust a bit, doesnt affect performance though.

Tested in 30 knots without issues with a 8m.

[matth]

Kiteanchor.com is high quality and works well. You have to spend the extra few seconds and make sure it is screwed in well and then slid rope flush with sand.
It also depends on what type of sand you are screwing it into, if its loose and light, or rocky, you would be better off with bag.
I think I may switch to a bag also. Edt makes some good points, Also if the tide changes or people are in your way you can slide the bag to a better spot even while flying your kite. Either way I think tether launch is much less stressful on your kite than a beach launch.

On a side note there is a new screw in tether type launcher, hopefully being released soon that has a breakaway attachment that will flag the kite to your safety line automatically. It does this by having two attachment clips, one for the flag line and one for the chicken loop. The clip for chicken loop has a plastic bolt the breaks under load and flags kite. Sounds like a great idea , hopefully they bring it to market.

[Laughingman]

A safe sand anchor or a safe place to buy it?