| There are different kinds of anchors available and for | | | | is easy to release when pulled upwards, vertically. |
| boaters sometimes choosing an anchor can be just as | | | | - Bruce or Claw anchor: The bruce anchor, so name |
| confusing as choosing the right boat. When it comes to | | | | after it's inventor, is also known as the claw anchor as |
| anchors, the one-size-fits-all theory won't work. The | | | | it resembles the claw. The bruce anchor is good for |
| kind of anchor to be used varies depending upon the | | | | smaller boats and sandy, muddy bottoms. The bruce |
| type of water body you would be boating in-current | | | | or claw anchor holds very well even if there are |
| levels are different for rivers and seas, the terrain at | | | | directional changes of 360 degrees owing to wind and |
| the bottom of the water body-whether it would be | | | | water currents. Pulling the anchor upwards loosens its |
| sandy, weedy or rocky and the type of boat you | | | | hold. |
| have-anchor types for larger boats are different from | | | | - Mushroom anchor: The mushroom anchor, as the |
| those for smaller boats. This boating article explains | | | | name suggests, resembles a mushroom. It has a wide |
| the most common types of anchors available and their | | | | cap like bottom and is best suited when anchoring in |
| usability. Reading this might help you select the right | | | | muddy, weedy soil. The mushroom anchor won't be of |
| anchor for your boating expeditions. | | | | much use when in rocky bottoms. |
| Know the different types of anchors: The most | | | | - Navy anchor: The navy anchor is well suited for |
| common types of anchors available are: | | | | rocky bottom. |
| - Fluke or Danforth: The fluke anchor, as the name | | | | - Electric anchor: The electric anchor is a good option |
| suggests has flukes i.e. two large flat surfaces | | | | for those who don't want to take on the task of |
| attached to a stock at its crown. Danforth is the most | | | | anchoring. With electric anchor, the boater doesn't |
| popular commercial brand for the fluke type anchor | | | | have to lower the anchor or pull it up. It all happens at |
| and hence the fluke anchors are commonly referred | | | | the switch of a button. However, one drawback with |
| to as Danforth anchors as well. The fluke anchors are | | | | the electric anchor is, it comes only in the form of |
| quite compact and not very heavy. These features | | | | mushroom anchor, which are great for muddy, weedy |
| make them best suited for small or medium sized | | | | bottoms, but not well suited for rocky ones. |
| boats. While their compactness makes them easy to | | | | Anchoring is not as easy as dumping the right anchor |
| store and use, they have a surprisingly strong hold on | | | | into the water and forgetting about it. Even after |
| sandy and muddy bottoms. However, the fluke | | | | selecting the right anchor, make sure you lower it |
| anchors are not great with weed covered bottoms. | | | | correctly. Anchoring a boat right takes skill, but can be |
| - Clyde Quick Release (CQR ) or Plough: The CQR | | | | learnt with practice. Be extra careful if you are |
| anchor is also called the plough anchor because of its | | | | sleeping aboard the anchored boat because wind |
| striking resemble to the traditional farmer's plough. The | | | | velocity and currents tend to move it and in extreme |
| plow anchor has a single plow with a pivot attached to | | | | cases cause the anchor to come loose. You might |
| it at the shanks end. Some advantages of the CQR | | | | even consider having a GPS system with an audible |
| anchor or the plow anchor is that, it holds good even | | | | anchor alarm for safety, which would intimate you in |
| when there are changes in the wind velocity and | | | | the event of the boat changing positions. |
| water currents. Despite its stronghold, the CQR anchor | | | | |