Choosing The Right Anchor For Your Recreational Boat

Anchors are a necessity for boaters, keeping vessels in place and preventing them from drifting. When selecting an anchor, it's important to consider the type of boat, the seabed conditions, and the anchoring purpose. For recreational boats, several types of anchors are available, each with its advantages and limitations.

The most popular type is the fluke anchor, also known as the Danforth anchor, which is lightweight and performs well in mud or sand but struggles in grass or rocky surfaces. Plow and scoop anchors, such as the CQR, Delta, and Claw, offer superior holding ability in various seabed conditions and are self-righting. Mushroom anchors, suitable for small boats and personal watercraft, rely on weight and cap design to hold the boat in place but are not recommended for rough waters. For rocky bottoms, a grapnel or plough-shaped anchor is ideal, while clay, grass, and shale bottoms pose challenges for any type of anchor, making weight a critical factor.

Fluke-style anchors are lightweight and suitable for most boats

Fluke-style anchors, also known as Danforth anchors, are a popular choice for recreational boaters. They are lightweight and easy to store, making them suitable for most boats. This type of anchor gets its holding power from its pointed flukes digging into the bottom sediment. While it performs well in hard sand and mud, it struggles in rocky and grassy bottoms.

The fluke anchor is similar in design to the plow-style anchor but is more lightweight. The flukes and stock (the wide crossbar at the top) fold flat, making it easy to stow in storage compartments. However, these parts are more prone to fouling on rocks or the anchor rode.

Fluke anchors are best suited for smaller boats with overall lengths of 30 feet or less. They provide sufficient holding power considering their small size. The anchor arm, or stock, buries itself after the pointed flukes dig into the bottom. For this reason, fluke anchors are ideal for hard sand and mud but not for rocky or slick, grassy bottoms. Loose mud or clay can foul the flukes and prevent bottom penetration.

The lightweight nature of fluke-style anchors makes them a popular choice for boaters, particularly those with smaller vessels. Their ease of storage and sufficient holding power make them a good option for most recreational boats. However, it is important to consider the limitations of this anchor type in certain bottom conditions, such as rocky or grassy areas.

Mushroom-style anchors are ideal for small boats but have weak holding power

Mushroom anchors are best used for small boats anchoring in silt, mud, or other soft bottoms. They are also suitable for mooring or racing buoys. To achieve maximum holding power, mushroom anchors need to bury themselves in mud or silt to the point that they displace their own weight in seabed material. They have a wide-area mushroom cup that produces sufficient holding power in mud and weeds, and some models have a vinyl coating that makes the anchor resistant to rust and abrasion.

Mushroom anchors are compact and easy to stow. They have a vinyl coating to protect your boat's hull from damage. They also have a raised lip design that enhances their holding capabilities in soft bottoms. Mushroom anchors are available in a range of sizes and weights, from 5 to 20 pounds, suitable for boats up to 25 or 28 feet in length.

While mushroom-style anchors are ideal for small boats, their weak holding power means they are not suitable for larger vessels or rough weather conditions.

Grappling anchors are effective for rocky bottoms and small vessels

Grappling anchors are a good choice for small vessels like kayaks, canoes, and fishing vessels. They are compact and easy to stow, and provide good holding power for their weight. This makes them ideal for temporary anchorage when you need to stop for lunch or go for a swim.

Grappling anchors are particularly effective in rocky bottoms because they rely on hooking onto objects like rocks, rather than penetrating the sea bottom. This means they can be very difficult to retrieve, but they will keep your boat firmly in place. Their low centre of gravity and self-righting geometry mean they set almost immediately, making them a good choice for strong currents and tidal waters.

Grappling anchors are not suitable for larger boats or for anchoring in rough weather. If you're looking for an anchor for a small vessel and you want to be able to stop in a variety of conditions, a grappling anchor could be a good choice. Just be aware that you might struggle to retrieve it from rocky bottoms.

When choosing an anchor, it's important to consider the type and size of your vessel, as well as the conditions you'll be boating in. For example, if you're anchoring in rocky bottoms, you'll need an anchor that can grip onto rocks rather than penetrating sediment. If you're anchoring in grassy or muddy bottoms, you'll need an anchor that can penetrate the sediment effectively.

In addition to the anchor itself, you'll also need to choose the right anchor line. Nylon rope can retain holding power during constant tugging, while chain is a good choice for rocky or coral bottoms.

Claw anchors are good for big, open bodies of water and perform well in most conditions

Claw anchors are a great choice for recreational boaters. They perform well in most conditions and are ideal for big, open bodies of water.

Claw anchors are modelled after oil-rig anchors in the turbulent North Sea. The boating version is downsized but retains the same functionality, setting effortlessly and holding in a variety of seabeds. They are particularly good in windy conditions, where the boat is being pushed in various directions. Claw anchors are also good for rocks, coral, and jagged bottoms. They tend to stay secure when push and pull change, and the curved flukes help the anchor to right itself. The claw design allows the anchor to turn in a circle without breaking out.

Claw anchors are also easy to set in most bottom types but struggle with hard bottoms like clay or heavy grass. They are weakest in sand, silt, and mud. Entangled vegetation can also make retrieval more difficult. The shape and size of claw anchors require more storage space, but smaller kayak versions are available.

When choosing an anchor, it is important to consider the size and style of your boat, the type of water you boat on, and the general type of bottom in that body of water. It is also worth considering whether you need a primary and secondary anchor to meet varying anchor points.

Plow anchors are one of the easiest types to set and recover

When choosing an anchor for a recreational boat, there are a few things to consider. Anchors come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and the right one for you will depend on the size and type of your boat, as well as the weather and anchoring conditions you usually encounter. For example, boats with heavy displacements or superstructures that present a lot of wind resistance will need heavier gear.

Plow anchors, also known as CQR/Plow or Delta anchors, are a good choice for most boats. They get their holding power by plowing into bottom sediment and are well-suited for rocky bottoms, weeds, and grass, but they are not recommended for soft bottoms. The plow's shape and low center of gravity allow it to set almost immediately. When the current catches the plow, it buries itself for a solid hold. Its shape also allows it to reset easily if the wind or tide shifts the boat's position.

The plow anchor is one of the easiest types to set and recover. When dropped in the water, a plow anchor lands on its side, and when pulled, it buries itself. It performs well in most bottom conditions, including mud, rock, and grass. Each anchor includes a trip line at the back to allow for easier breakout. It stores easily on most bow rollers and often interchangeably with a Delta anchor of the same size.

The plow anchor is one of the most popular choices among blue-water cruisers. The hinged design, which can rotate over 70 degrees in any direction, makes it more responsive to wind and tide changes, reducing the likelihood of it becoming unset. While some criticize the plow anchor for poor performance in comparative testing, many boaters swear by it above any other anchor.

When choosing an anchor, it is recommended to carry one of sufficient size and strength to hold your boat for an extended period or in an emergency. Bigger is better when it comes to anchor weight. You can also carry two anchors of different weights and types, as no single anchor will work for you in every situation.

Frequently asked questions