| Anchoring | | | | pick axe flukes. One of the few anchors that can grip |
| Boats are built for movement and will always resist | | | | rocky bottoms and thick grass. Although powerful and |
| being tethered to one spot. Keeping them in one place | | | | heavy, its difficult to handle and stow. |
| is a real skill. The right anchor must be chosen and | | | | Danforth - a lightweight anchor for its holding power. |
| maintained with care, and techniques must be learned | | | | Great for thick mud, sand, clay and gravel, but not ideal |
| and refined. | | | | for weeds and rocks. It will stow flat on deck and is a |
| How many anchors? - The anchor ,and all the gear | | | | good all round anchor. |
| attached to it, are called ground tackle. Each | | | | Plow - resembling the farmers plow, this anchor buries |
| component must offer an ample margin of strength to | | | | its way in. Although heavier than the danforth, it holds |
| avoid a weak link. Start by choosing your anchors. If | | | | as well in the same conditions and has a better |
| you daysail or race, and return to your mooring within a | | | | chance of staying in if the boat swings. Plows don't |
| couple of hours, you can manage with one anchor. | | | | work well in rocks or weeds and are difficult to stow. |
| Roaming further afield will require two anchors and | | | | Whichever anchor you choose, it will be shackled to a |
| serious cruisers will need three. | | | | chain, nylon line, or a combination of the two. A chain is |
| Which anchor? - The bower is your main anchor, and | | | | chafeproof and its weight holds it to the bottom. But |
| is kept ready for immediate use at the bow. It should | | | | that same weight restricts its use to larger boats. It's |
| be strong enough to hold your boat overnight in | | | | hard to handle without a winch and can be messy and |
| moderate conditions. Your second anchor, called a | | | | expensive. |
| kedge, should be a lightweight back up. The last anchor | | | | Nylon line (or rode) is light and easy to handle. It doesn't |
| is the sheet, your heaviest anchor for storms and bad | | | | bring up any bottom grime but can chafe. Since a line's |
| weather conditions. | | | | elasticity is of the utmost importance, use only twisted |
| Choose the anchor according to the worst conditions | | | | (not braided) line and avoid line which is too thick. A |
| you are most likely to anchor in - erring on the side of | | | | good compromise is 6 to 12 feet of chain leading from |
| caution for safety. You can check with the | | | | the anchor, followed by nylon rode from the chain to |
| manufacturer's tables for the correct anchor weight. | | | | the boat. |
| Types of anchor - Fisherman - a classic anchor with | | | | |