Are you talking about the ones that you hook up to your anchor line and drive off and let the float pull the anchor?  I would like to try that but am worried the anchor may get stuck and knock the boat around.

Need to make sure you are anchored in sand. I have a winch but still use the float to get anchor up when in the deep(diving), when the float comes to the top use winch to wind it in.

I used one many times with a 3 sarca/8m chain whilst doing deep dives (30-45m).  Advantage being that we return to the anchor b4 ascent and free her up.  Dives less then 30, well thats what deckies are for!

Trophy gone now, so my float is up for sale;

http://www.fishwrecked.com/forum/garage-sale-0

Cheers Pete

They are a good thing, I use one all the time when by myself, saves having to leave the deck area to climb up on the bow, just make sure you use a big enough float to easily float the anchor, drive the boat back over the anchor in the opposite direction to how your boat was anchored at about 5 knots and it will pull the anchor and float it on the surface for easy retrieval, maybe have some practice runs in shallower water until you get the hang of it.

As long as your chain weighs more than the anchor, any anchor will work.
When the chain goes through the ring the weight of the chain holds the anchor up not allowing it to slide back down. Just make sure what ever float you are using can support the anchor and chain plus a bit more for the rope.

 is the go. rope cant slip back.. I used one yesterday in 33m with 20L drum.. 2 x 20L drums to pull & hold cray pots .. bcf  has them for around $30

 Thanks gents.

Will  resize my float and get to business.

Cheers, Craig.

I made one and still have it. I used a float with a short segment of robe with a loop on the end. By short I mean about 400mm. Attached a large Caribiner clip then I clip to the anchor robe. With a reef anchor it doesnt matter which direction you back out off, but with a sand/sarca I would try and position the pull in the opposite direction the boat was pointing to lift the anchor up and out. Because the regular deckie is the Mrs she doesnt like pulling anchors up (and as the skipper I dont either) so this worked remarkably well and saved my back. Havent been deep yet here in Mandurah so havent bothered (yet) but it will be used.