Use rope and a sand anchor, not a chain

The safest way to anchor a large party float in a lake is with a rope bridle tied to a weighted sand anchor — never a chain, and never a single tie-down at one corner.

Chains are the enemy. They kink, they rust, and they rub against the vinyl until you get a puncture. Rope, especially a soft nylon or polypropylene line rated for marine use, is much friendlier to the material. And instead of clipping one point, make a V-shaped bridle that connects to two or three of the float’s reinforced handles. That spreads the stress so the wind doesn’t rip a single loop out.

For the anchor itself, a canvas or mesh sand