Boat Anchoring

Usually when you buy a used boat, the anchor thatClaw, CQR and Delta. Some are good in hard
comes with the boat generally matches the area thebottoms, others may not be good in grassy bottoms.
boat cruises in. Cruisers that go up and down theYou must find out what works for you and your boat.
coast may have 3 types of anchors so they canThere is nothing like feeling confident when you leave
choose the right anchor.your boat to go ashore and not worry that your boat
With all the cruising thru the years, up and down theanchor will drag or pull out when the tide changes.
ICW (Intracoastal Waterway) including the Keys,Anchor rodes vary also, but there are 2 basic types
Bahamas, and Bermuda, I must say I have done mywhich are Chain and Line. A chain only rode
share of Boat Anchoring. It doesn't matter if you havelet’s you anchor with less scope (amount out
a Powerboat or Sailboat. I have seen a lot of differentfor the water depth) and also the chain stays parallel
methods of anchoring used by many boaters thru thewith the bottom which keeps your anchor tucked into
years. Some have a real professional touch to theirthe bottom. The other rode, line, is usually used with a
method, others just toss the whole kit and caboodlelength of chain at the beginning of the anchor and then
overboard, and I’ve seen that method work.your anchor line from that point. There are 2 reasons
Toss it over and go below…bad habit. On the otherfor this… one is that if there are any abrasive areas,
hand I’ve seen some boaters keep backingrocks, shells, (anything sharp) the chain at the beginning
down on their anchor rode for 20 minutes to makecan handle that, and will not part or cut like line. The
sure the boat anchor is set. It could be that the lastsecond reason that chainis used at the beginning is
time they anchored it did not hold. There are manyalso to keep the chain and line parallel with the bottom.
types of methods, strategies…including different(Line likes to float a little).
types of boat anchors and anchor rodes.It’s when the wind starts picking up, that you
Usually when you buy a used boat, the anchor thatfind out how good your boat anchor’s holding
comes with the boat generally matches the area thepower is. At higher wind speeds, you may find your
boat cruises in. If you intend to move the boat to aboat swings on the anchor. Here is where you may
different area, do your homework and find out theneed to adjust or have more chain from the anchor.
bottom types you’ll be anchoring in. Cruisers thatMake sure you get the right size (weight) anchor so it
go up and down the coast may have 3 types ofdoes not easily just pull out.
anchors so they can choose the right anchor to getIt’s great to anchor at your favorite harbor or
that holding power they need.cove and Why Knot?
Basically there are about 4 types of anchors… Fluke,