Abstract: A float catch for a boat anchoring and retrieval system includes a body with a head section and a tail section, the body being secured to an anchor line. The head section defines an anchor rope passageway through which an anchor line passes and is engaged by a rope diverter which spreads the anchor line away from the tail section of the float catch. Consequently, when the anchor is retrieved, the rope and float catch slide relative to the float in one direction until the float is coupled to the rope at a position between the float catch and the anchor. The tail section of the float catch thereafter prevents relative travel of the float past the float catch in the opposite direction during retrieval of the anchor.