Posts Tagged ‘anchors’

Anchoring is a crucial step in recreational and commercial boating, as it allows the operator to park his or her boat in the water. Without the weight of an anchor holding the boat in place, the water current could send the boat crashing into nearby rocks, vessels, or swimmers.

But it takes more than just an old cyder block to safely anchor a boat. Whether you’re boating on freshwater or saltwater, you should use one of the following types of anchors.

The is typically used on larger boats of 26 or more feet in length. As the name suggests, it lands on the ocean floor and holds the boat in place by plowing into the ocean sand. The boat’s mass and weight push the plow-style anchor deep into the ocean floor’s sediments, creating a strong and secure hold that keeps the boat in place.

It should come as no surprise that the tip of a plow-style anchor resembles a garden plow. It curves at the end to create a scoop with either one or three pointed tips which help it dig into the ocean floor.

The fluke-style (also referred to as the Danforth anchor) is a smaller and more compact version of the plow-style anchor. It features the same hooked, shovel-like end that digs into the ocean floor – only on a smaller scale.

The third type of boat anchor is the mushroom anchor. Unlike the plow-style and fluke-style anchor, the mushroom anchor is designed to create a permanent hold within minutes of hitting the sediment.

So, how is it able to achieve this? Mushroom anchors weigh significantly more than plow-style and fluke-style anchors. Using its own weight, the mushroom anchor buries itself into the sediment to secure the boat in place.

Of course, anchors must be attached to an appropriate line in order for them to work. If the line is too short, the anchor may not be able to reach the ocean floor; thus, reducing its effectiveness at securing the boat. A good rule of thumb is to use an anchor line that’s at least 7 times longer than the water depth in which you are boating.

Chains are often attached between the anchor and the anchor line to protect the line from snapping. A strong, sudden current could snap an anchor line, but it won’t break a steel chain. Chains also promote a shallow angle as opposed to a vertical line, which further protects the line from breaking.

When doing boat maintenance, a lot of thought often goes into the marine engine. However, there is a lot that should go into anchor selection as well. The anchor is one of the most important of all marine parts because it can help to keep you and your mates safe. The best idea when selecting an anchor is to actually select more than one anchor and select different kinds of anchors. The reason for this is that the bottom of the water can vary from mud to grass, coral to rock. Also, the size of the boat and wind and water conditions can change continuously. Having more than one anchor can prepare you for any situation.

There are two popular styles of anchors, the fluke and the plow. Small boats used on inland types require a different type of anchor. Fluke anchors are the most popular type. They’re sometimes known as Lightweight or Danforth. These are typically good for smaller boats. The fluke anchor is fairly light and it can hold well in both mud and sand. It has an amazing power-to-weight ratio. However, this type doesn’t hold as well in grassy and rocky surfaces.

Plow anchors have the best overall holding ability regardless of the bottom conditions. They are able to adapt easily to changes in the direction of the wind and current. They don’t tend to stow as easily as fluke anchors do. Plows are often used with heavier powerboats and cruising sailboats.

As stated earlier, the experts agree that for the utmost anchor security, it’s best to carry both styles of anchors onboard. At times, there may be situations that require them to be used at the same time. For example, in a storm one anchor may not have enough holding power to keep your boat secure.

When selecting an anchor for your boat, it’s necessary to consider the size as well as the typical location and weather where you anchor. Things to consider include how long of a time span you typically anchor for and what type of body of water you anchor in. Companies that specialize in marine parts and marine exhaust systems can help you figure out what size anchor your boat requires.

Weight is an important factor to consider, but holding power is by far the most important element. Modern anchors can hold up to an amazing 200 times the anchor’s weight. It’s a good idea to find a strong anchor that will keep your boat safe and sound.