FALL 2016
After a sublime Wetherill Canyon surf run, we returned to our pin anchored 75’ Sumerset - tucked away within a sandstone cove specifically selected to shield us from the previous night's wild winds. A Ranger arrived and harshed our mellow - an educational conversation regarding pin anchoring ensued. We learned:
• thousands of pin holes exist and their numbers are increasing rapidly
• pin holes accelerate shoreline erosion
• pin holes are damaging the fossil record including dinosaur footprints
• trapped pins are destroying boats and injuring swimmers
• pinning is illegal
Confronted with the conundrum protecting and preserving our Lake Powell paradise and securing our favorite anchorages (beautiful, private, sheltered and secure sandstone shorelines), our journey to find an easy and effective, no-trace anchoring solution began.
2016... HOURS LATER
The Ranger didn't realize the houseboat he approached was owned by Hotwire Development, LLC., a product development consultancy, and that it was captained and crewed by an entrepreneurial team with decades of Lake Powell houseboating experience.
We resolved that day solve the pin anchoring problem and comitted ourselves to developing a new anchoring technique - one allowing us to easily and safely enjoy our favorite anchorages, primarily on rock and with a new appreciation for the preservation efforts of the National Park Service.
After all, Hotwire Development, LLC. has a history of "reinventing the wheel" with new innovations across many industries from eco-friendly plumbing to high tech products. And this challenge was special, because this time it was personal.
FALL 2017
Outfitted with Beach Bags prototypes, we conducted our phase-one research and development testing in West Canyon during our annual employee-appreciation getaway.
We searched for winds, weather and challenging shorelines – conditions allowing us to measure and collect data on windspeeds, anchor line forces, and Beach Bags holding power on a wide variety of sand and sandstone shorelines. We also monitored ease-of-use, fill rates, and everything we could think of encompassing the entire Beach Bags experience.
With that, the fire was lit and we knew we had not only crafted a solution for ourselves, but one for the future of houseboat anchoring.
SUMMER 2020
Embodying an ingenious blend of innovation, technology, and engineering expertise (adapted from commercial marine use, industrial fluid storage, sailing, and aviation), Beach Bags Anchors are modern, structured, and customized for use with Lake Powell's houseboats.
Our Anchor materials and rigging have been tested and validated in harsh environments, yet are specifically selected to elegantly maximize strength, safety, ease-of-use, and shoreline preservation.
The end result- a high-quality, versatile, no-trace anchoring system meeting the National Park Service mission of providing for public use while preserving Lake Powell's scientific, historic and scenic features for generations to come.
We invite you to Fill & Chill.
SUMMER 2021
While perfecting Beach Bags, we recognized an opportunity to fix more than just pin anchoring.
Meetings with the National Park Service, marina operators, and reviews of safety related incidents revealed that many houseboaters face significant challenges keeping anchor lines properly tensioned. As a result, the likelihood of property damage and personal injury are greatly increased when Lake Powell's strong winds and unpredictable storms strike.
By drawing on our decades of houseboating and sailing experience, as well as our engineering expertise, we've created a game changing system for simply and effectively keeping anchor lines tight. We call it tightrope.
An innovative block and tackel pulley system, tightrope lets houseboaters get anchor lines up to 4 times tighter than leveraging off a cleat. And, because tightrope attaches directly to Beach Bags Anchors, houseboaters receive the added luxury of working from roomy shorlines rather than confined houseboat anchoring line spaces.