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Gear Buyer's Guides Anchoring & Docking Buyer's Guides   Go Back All Gear Guides Email to a Friend Printable version Anchors Author: MariSafe Every boat should have at least one anchor on board. The safest practice is to have two or more that will deal effectively with a variety of sea bed and wind conditions. There is no one anchor that will handle all sea beds. Some long-distance cruisers prefer to carry as many as four or five different styles in their anchoring toolbox. Even if you leave the dock with the intention of staying out only a few hours, you must deal with the possibility that your engine may quit or some other emergency may arise. Without an anchor you may find yourself adrift with the current and standing into even greater danger. There are many varieties of anchors but all fall within four basic categories: the tri-fluke, plow, traditional stock and pivoting fluke. Tri-Fluke-style anchors are designed so that even if they fall on their side, at least one fluke digs into the bottom. They are excellent for a variety of bottoms including rock, coral and weed, but have limited holding in soft sand and mud. Some of these can be self-launched and free falling from a stowed position. The most common brands of tri-fluke anchors include Bruce, Manta and Claw anchors. 1. Bruce Anchors    Advantages: good in sand, pebble and rocks no welds or movable points to bend, jam or break is easily broken out for retrieving will turn 360 degrees without breaking out self-rights even with changes in the direction of pull    Disadvantages: have limited holding power in soft sand and mud or other soft sea beds can be difficult to stow unless in a special roller or chock do not penetrate deeply because of the small fluke area 2. Claw Anchors    Advantages: good in sand, rocks and mud will turn without breaking out  set quickly    Disadvantages: very limited holding power in soft sand or other soft sea beds can be difficult to stow unless in a roller or chock 3. Manta Anchors    Advantages: good in sand, rocks and mud will turn without breaking out  set quickly    Disadvantages: very limited holding power in soft sand or other soft sea beds can be difficult to stow unless in a roller or chock Traditional Stock anchors are excellent choices for anchorages with foul bottoms, rock, kelp or weed.  One fluke digs in, while leaving the other fluke exposed. These include the fisherman, sometimes called yachtsman, Herrschoff or Luke style, and the newer version called the Northill. 1. Fisherman/Yachtsman Anchors    Advantages: good in foul bottoms, kelp and rock    Disadvantages: insufficient in sand and mud because one fluke remains exposed can foul anchor lines because of projecting fluke difficult to stow 2. Northill Anchors    Advantages: a lighter and updated version of the traditional Yachtsman designed for quick bite and penetration good in most sea beds can be desig   All Gear Guides Email to a Friend Printable version Anchoring & Docking Buyer's Guides   Go Back

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