Small Boat, Big Decision: Choosing The Right Anchor

Anchors are an essential piece of equipment for any boat owner, and choosing the right one for your vessel is crucial. The best small boat anchor for you will depend on several factors, including the type of water body you'll be navigating, the composition of the seafloor, and the size and weight of your boat.

For small boats, anchors made of lightweight materials like aluminium or plastic are often a good choice. For example, the Fortress Danforth Anchor is constructed from anodized aluminium and magnesium, making it both strong and rust-proof. It's also sharp enough to dig into sand, making it a good choice for anchoring on sandbars or riverbeds.

If you're looking for an anchor that can handle a range of seafloor compositions, the Bruce Anchor is a popular choice. Its three-claw design makes it suitable for most sea bottoms, including mud, sand, rock, and coral. However, it may struggle with harder surfaces like clay or heavy grass.

For rocky bottoms, a grapnel-type anchor with folding flukes is a good option as it can hook onto rocks without getting stuck. The Seachoice Grapnel Anchor, for instance, has four flukes that allow for good bottom penetration and can be folded up for easy storage.

Other factors to consider when choosing a small boat anchor include ease of retrieval, corrosion resistance, and whether it comes as part of a kit with a rope, buoy, and storage bag.

Best for sand

When it comes to anchoring your boat in sand, there are several options available, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Here is a detailed guide to help you choose the best small boat anchor for sand:

Delta Anchor (Plow Type)

The Delta anchor is specifically designed to penetrate and hold in sand. It achieves this by digging its flukes into the sand as it is pulled along the bottom, and then pivoting and locking into place to provide a strong hold. The Delta anchor is constructed from high-quality, hot-forged galvanised steel for added corrosion resistance. It is available in a range of sizes, from 16 kg (35 lb) up to 45 kg (100 lb), making it suitable for boats of various sizes.

Pros:

• Easy to set, especially in sand.
• Strong hold, making it ideal for exposed anchoring situations.
• Galvanised steel construction provides corrosion resistance.

Cons:

• The flukes can make the anchor difficult to retrieve if it becomes buried in sand or stuck under a rock.
• As a plow anchor, it is designed to pull through the ground as it digs in, which can be problematic if it doesn't have enough time to sink in certain bottoms.
• May not reset on its own if it unsets.

Danforth Anchor (Fluke Type)

The Danforth anchor is another excellent choice for sand. As a non-hinged, scoop-type anchor, it digs its flukes into the sand and then pivots and locks into place, providing a strong hold. Like the Delta anchor, it is made from high-quality, hot-forged galvanised steel and is available in a range of sizes, making it suitable for boats of all sizes.

Pros:

• The flukes are designed to pivot, aiding the anchor in grabbing onto the sand and penetrating the bottom.
• Incredibly lightweight, making it easy to handle and store.
• Affordable, making it a budget-friendly option.

Cons:

• Can be difficult to retrieve if it becomes embedded in the sand.
• Smaller surface area compared to other anchors, which may make it less effective in strong winds.
• Unlikely to reset itself if it fails to set.

Rocna Anchor (Scoop Type)

The Rocna anchor is a hinged, plow-type anchor designed to penetrate and hold in sand. It works similarly to the Delta anchor by digging its flukes into the sand. The key difference is the roll bar on top of the Rocna, which increases the likelihood of the anchor resetting itself if it becomes unset. This feature has made it a favourite among the cruising community. The Rocna anchor is also constructed from high-quality, hot-forged galvanised steel and is available in a range of sizes, making it suitable for boats of all sizes.

Pros:

• Strong hold, perfect for boats in exposed anchoring situations.
• Likely to reset itself if unset.
• Galvanised steel construction provides corrosion resistance.

Cons:

• Relatively heavy, making it unsuitable for smaller boats.
• The roll bar may not fit at the bow of certain sailboats.

Things to Consider

When choosing an anchor for sand, consider the size and weight of your boat. Heavier and larger anchors generally provide more holding power in strong winds and currents, but they can be more challenging to set and retrieve. It is recommended to follow the manufacturer's guidelines for size and weight and even consider going a size up, especially if you plan to anchor your boat for extended periods.

The material of the anchor is also important. Steel anchors are the strongest and most durable, but they are also the heaviest. Galvanised steel offers good corrosion resistance and strength, while aluminium anchors are lightweight and easier to handle.

Additionally, having more than one anchor on board can be beneficial. Different styles and sizes of anchors can be useful depending on varying conditions and bottom types.

Lastly, when anchoring in sand, ensure that the flukes of the anchor can penetrate the sand and reach the harder layer below. Allow for enough chain or rode to be paid out, and reverse back slowly on your anchor to give it time to dig into the sand. Monitoring the anchor regularly, especially during changing conditions, is crucial to ensure it is holding securely.

Best for rocky bottoms

When it comes to anchoring your boat in rocky bottoms, you'll want to consider a few options. The first is a claw anchor, which is known for its adaptability to various surfaces. Claw anchors tend to cling to rocks and have impressive holding power. They are also easy to dislodge, which is an important consideration if you're anchoring in rocky waters.

Another option is a grapnel anchor, which is designed for rocky bottoms characterised by precarious grips. Grapnel anchors have four flukes that hook onto objects, making them ideal for rocky surfaces. They are also compact, lightweight, and easy to store, which is perfect for small boats.

If you're looking for an anchor that can handle a range of conditions, the Delta anchor is a good choice. While it struggles a bit in rocky bottoms, it performs well in most other conditions, including mud, grass, and sand.

For greater security, it's recommended to carry two anchors of different styles. For example, you could pair a Danforth anchor with a plow/scoop variety. The Danforth anchor is lightweight and easy to stow, making it perfect for small boats, while the plow/scoop anchor is ideal for grassy, muddy, and sandy conditions.

When choosing an anchor for rocky bottoms, it's important to consider the weight, holding power, and design of the anchor, as well as the size and windage of your boat.

Best for rivers

If you're looking for the best small boat anchor for rivers, you'll want to consider the size and type of your vessel, the speed of the river current, and the type of river bottom. Here are some recommended options:

Seachoice 41500 River Anchor

The Seachoice 41500 River Anchor is specifically designed for rivers and is suitable for anchoring a small boat in swift water with a hard bottom. It is a modified mushroom-style anchor that grips hard bottoms firmly while resisting getting stuck. It is made of heavy vinyl-coated iron, which provides the necessary weight, and includes a galvanised shackle for easy rope attachment. This anchor is easy to use and designed to slip free under high pressure, making it a safe and effective option for river boating.

Danforth Anchor

The Danforth anchor is a highly popular and relatively lightweight anchor that is commonly used on small boats. It features two flat triangular flukes that can dig into sand and mud bottoms effectively. Its compact and lightweight design makes it easy to retrieve and store. However, it is not ideal for gravel, seabeds with weeds, or rocky river bottoms.

Bruce Anchor (aka Claw Anchor)

The Bruce anchor, also known as a claw anchor, is suitable for river boating as it can hold well during tide and wind changes in sand, rock, and mud. It has a lower holding power for its weight, so it is generally larger than other anchor options for a given vessel. It can struggle to hold in weedy bottoms and grass, so it may not be ideal for rivers with heavy vegetation.

Grapnel Anchor

A grapnel anchor is a good option for small boats under 20 feet in length. It has multiple tines that set quickly and securely on the river bottom, making it effective for coral and rock riverbeds. However, it may not have sufficient holding power for sand, clay, or mud river bottoms. Folding grapnel anchors are compact and convenient for storage, making them a popular choice for small boats.

Best for mud

If you're looking for a small boat anchor that performs well in mud, there are a few options to consider. Here are some detailed recommendations:

Fluke Anchors

Fluke anchors, also known as Danforth anchors, are the most popular choice for small boats. They are ideal for mud because they have two large flukes that provide better holding power in soft and muddy bottoms. Fluke anchors are lightweight, easy to retrieve, and relatively easy to stow due to their compact flat design. They are also adjustable, allowing you to set the optimal angle based on the bottom type. However, they are not suitable for rocky, gravel, weed, or grass bottoms as the flukes may bend. Fluke anchors are best for small boats and may not work well for larger vessels.

Delta Anchors

Delta anchors, also known as Wing or Non-hinged anchors, are another good option for muddy bottoms. They are similar to CQR or Plow anchors and can be conveniently stowed in a roller at the bow. Delta anchors are versatile and work well in various bottom types, including mud, sand, clay, silt, grass, weed, rocks, and gravel. However, they may not set as well in very soft bottoms, weed, or grass. Additionally, their hinge design makes them challenging to stow inside the boat.

Bruce Anchors

Bruce anchors, also known as Claw anchors, feature a unique claw design with three claws that can handle various bottom conditions. They work well in mud, sand, and silt bottoms. Bruce anchors have a strong ability to resist breaking out with tide or wind changes. They are more effective in larger sizes and are a good choice for bigger boats. However, they may not set properly in rock, hard clay, gravel, grass, or weed bottoms. They also take up more space and can be challenging to stow inside the boat.

Fortress Anchors

Fortress anchors are an American aluminum alloy variant of Danforth anchors. They can be disassembled for storage and feature an adjustable shank/fluke angle to improve holding capability in hard sand and soft mud. They are strong, lightweight, and corrosion-resistant. While they work well in muddy bottoms, they may not penetrate or hold well in gravel, weed, or rock bottoms.

When choosing an anchor for muddy bottoms, it is important to consider the size and type of your boat, as well as the specific bottom conditions you will encounter. It is recommended to carry two anchors of different types to ensure you are prepared for various situations.

Best for sandbars

When anchoring near sandbars, you'll want an anchor that can easily penetrate the sand and has a strong grip. A few different types of anchors can work well in this situation, including fluke anchors, claw anchors, and grapnel anchors.

One recommended option for sandbars is the Slide Anchor Spike. This anchor uses a heavy sliding handle to hammer the spike into the sand, providing a solid anchoring point. It's made of galvanized steel for corrosion resistance and has high visibility for safety.

Other options for anchoring near sandbars include:

• SandShark Sport Anchor: This anchor has an innovative screw auger that drills into sandy bottoms to create a strong grip. It's made of high-strength plastic and is compact and lightweight, making it ideal for small boats.
• LewMar 57905 Claw Anchor: This anchor is designed for different types of surfaces, including sand, mud, and rock. It's made of high-grade steel with a galvanized finish to prevent rust and corrosion. It's available in different weight variations to suit your needs.
• Slide Anchor Shore Spike: This anchor is user-friendly and can be used onshore or offshore. It has a highly visible tube and a top ring for adding a buoy. It's made of long-lasting galvanized metal.
• Sand Spike Boat Anchor Pole: This anchor pole system is designed for shallow water shore, sandbar, and beach anchoring. It includes a stainless steel boat anchor hook and a 50-foot boat anchor line.
• TriAnchor: This compact and patent-pending design grips better than a plow, fluke, or box anchor. It sets instantly for effortless boat and jet ski anchoring.

Frequently asked questions