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