Homemade Sand Spike (for anchoring on the beach)

[Timmy!]

I was looking for the sand spikes for tying the boat off to the shore while anchored in the front and found that they are all $50+. I felt like that was more than I wanted to spend so I thought I would make my own and try it out.

I bought a 30" long piece of 1" diameter threaded steel gas pipe and a threaded T for the rope to go through. I then took a cutoff wheel and put a 45 degree angle on the one end to go into the sand easier. Total cost $11 with tax. I might weld on some ears later on but didn't feel like doing that tonight.

I think this will work, I will be trying it out this weekend and post back in here.

[dogbert]

What, no pics? tsk tsk

[Timmy!]

My wife has the danged camera. I will take a pic with my BB and see if it's good enough.

[Timmy!]

Here's a pic - not much to see.

[talltigeguy]

That is awesome. I assume then that you plan on just hammering it in?

I bet it works great. The sand spike that I have sort of has it's own built in hammer which is nice, but hardly a necessity...for $125.

[TeamAllen]

You could probably build a slide hammer into it by adding another T in the middle and a larger diameter pipe in between the T's?

[Timmy!]

Yep, I have a 5lb sledge hammer that I am going to use. I like the idea of making the built in slide hammer. I'll see how this works first!

[Fast1911]

Yep, I have a 5lb sledge hammer that I am going to use. I like the idea of making the built in slide hammer. I'll see how this works first!

the slide hammer would be easy to make too, just take a small piece od 1 1/2" pipe, slide it on and then weld two pieces of metal where you want the pipe to stop in the sand......good cheap idea Timmy

[Matt Garcia]

Why not just use a dog tie out? I have used one of these before with some rope. Works well when you are in a calm cove and you just screw down in the sand. Really cheap and compact.

[LovinPowell]

I've used a dog tie out and it ends up getting pulled out of the sand. Must be doing something wrong.

[da.bell]

^^^^ That is exactly what I use if there isn't a tree available. However, I did use it where the beach wasn't total sand but a sand dirt clay mix

[Timmy!]

I thought about the dog tie out and this other large plastic spike thing that they had a Lowes but decided that this was the best bang for the buck. If the dog tie out went in deeper, I think I would go with it. I'm not looking to hold the boat in high winds or anything but it is windy here in CO.

[Timmy!]

the slide hammer would be easy to make too, just take a small piece od 1 1/2" pipe, slide it on and then weld two pieces of metal where you want the pipe to stop in the sand......good cheap idea Timmy

I like that idea! Could even use a bolt instead of welding a piece on I guess!

[Razzman]

Here's a solution i came up with that works in all situations.

The Stake;
A 24" steel rebar stake from Home Depot. It's solid steel and comes to a sharp point on one end. These things can be pounded through anything and it doesn't even dull the point!

The Case;
A piece of 3/4" white schedule 40 PVC irrigation pipe cut 26" long. Glue a 3/4" slip cap on one end and on the other end another cap i push on to insert or remove stake. Keeps stake away from boat interior and stake does not rust.

The Hammer;
Two pound mini 'glass handle sledge from Harbor Freight i wrap in towel and keep in locker.

Use;
Pound stake in at roughly a thirty degree angle, tie a loop in the rope and drop over stake to the ground, place rock on rope and it'll never come loose. Done this in wind & chop and works beautifully. Total cost about $15

[Timmy!]

When I went to the store I was looking for exactly what you are describing but couldn't find one - guess I should have gone to Home Depot instead of Lowes!