Choosing the Best Anchor for your Boat

Pick the wrong anchor for your boat and you could find yourself drifting miles away from where you intended. Whether you have a large or small boat, the importance of choosing the right anchor and knowing how to use it correctly can’t be understated. Here is a list of considerations when choosing the right anchor for your boat

1. All About Boat Size

It goes without saying, size matters when it comes to choosing the best anchor for your boat. A small anchor cannot effectively hold a big boat in place while a big anchor can be an unnecessary weight on a small boat. Most manufacturers supply their anchors in a range of sizes based on boat length and weight.

2. Your Boat’s Main Use

Anchors are available for different purposes. If you use your boat mainly for diving or fishing where you are reanchoring often, you may need a different one for anchoring overnight. Some anchors are all purpose when used in different modes. For example, the Rocna anchor can be used in retrieval mode with a shackle rail which allows you to pull it in from the opposite direction if it becomes fouled while the secure mode has an attachment for overnight or unattended anchoring.

3. The Materials Used In Your Boat Anchor

Boat anchors are made from a range of different materials. Some materials, such as galvanised steel, reduce the overall cost of an anchor while still maintaining the holding power and quality. Galvanised steel has been a popular choice for many years due to its low cost and high quality. In recent years, more boat owners have been happy to pay a premium as they prefer the look of a stainless steel anchor. Certain higher grade anchors also have a high-tensile steel shaft that increases the overall strength and longevity of the anchor.

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When anchoring your boat, you have to remember that the seabed will impact on the effectiveness of your anchor. Your anchor should suit the seafloor where your boat is usually anchored. Most anchors will specify which seabeds they can be used on. A special purpose anchor may sometimes be required. For instance, if you want to anchor on a reef your sand or mud anchor won’t work, you’ll need a reef anchor.

Some anchors use a combination of characteristics for best performance. For example, the Vulcan anchor is a combination of shank and fluke geometery. The anchor self-rights on the seabed and has a larger fluke surface for more holding power and security.

6. Know the Limitations of your Anchor

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There are different styles of anchor. The fluke or grapnel anchor is an ideal choice for small boats because of its lightweight characteristics. The plow anchor does as the name suggests ploughing the substrate seafloor. The claw anchor is designed to self-align on the bottom and dig into mud and sand seabeds.

Just as you know the limits of your boat, you should be aware of the limits of your anchor. Wherever your boat stops, your anchor needs to be able to hold for as long as necessary. In an emergency, you may need to stay grounded for many hours so take into account the worst conditions you may encounter to ensure your anchor has the necessary holding power. The chain and line you use should be of a suitable strength and durability; capable of keeping the anchor’s shank parallel to the seabed. Check your chain and line regularly.