Myths and Facts:
Myth: The heavier the anchor, the better.....
Fact: Modern designs and state-of-the-art
engineering have made anchors not only better,
but lighter, too! In several real world tests,
including one conducted by the U.S. Navy, the best holding anchors were actually among the
lightest! Anchor design has more effect on
holding power than weight.
Myth: Steel is the strongest material for
anchors.....Fact: Not anymore! Many materials are now
stronger than steel. For example, high-tensile
aluminium-magnesium alloy is well suited for
anchors and is, pound-for-pound, more than twice as strong as steel.
Myth: All anchors perform the same way.....
Fact: Not so! Different designs and different
materials make anchors perform very differently.
When you consider the value of the boat an
anchor is protecting, (your boat!) an anchor is no place to economize. It pays to get
the best performing anchor you can.
Myth: Anchors that look alike, are alike.....
Fact: Looks can be deceiving. Technical designs,
manufacturing processes and metal alloys go
through varying degrees of quality control and
some are just plain better. Be sure to
look for independent testing of holding power
and approval from standards organizations,
indicated by "ABS Type Certification" (ABS is
the American Bureau of Shipping) or similar.
Myth: Just toss an anchor overboard, and you are
anchored..... Fact: It's not so
simple. Your anchor is just one part of a total
anchoring system. It's made up of the anchor,
chain, rope, shackles, deck gear, and... your
own anchoring skill and knowledge!
- Determine Your Holding Requirements
Be sure that your anchor can give the
performance you need. A “Lunch Hook”
should be able to hold your boat in a 15 knot
breeze. A main, or “Working Anchor” should hold
up to 30 knots of wind. A “Storm Anchor” is for
winds up to 42 knots. Remember that as the wind
speed doubles, the holding requirement
quadruples!
- Use Adequate Scope
Scope is the length of anchor line relative to
the distance from your boat’s deck to the sea
bottom. We recommend at least 5:1 scope. At 10:1
the holding power will double, and at less than
3:1 you will give up a significant amount of
holding power and may experience problems
setting the
anchor.
- “Power Set” Your Anchor
Know that your anchor is properly set! Back down
very, very slowly. Then as the anchor begins to
set, very slowly increase the load with your
engine. Backing down at any speed at all may not
give your anchor a chance to dig in and bury
itself.
- Anchor Resetting
In areas of
changing tide or wind, set two anchors off
the bow in opposite directions. Any anchor
can occasionally fail to reset once it has
been pulled out of the bottom. Set two
anchors if you expect a change in wind or
current
- Anchor Retrieval
Slowly move the boat to a position directly over
the anchor, pulling in the line as you go. Then
snub the line on a cleat and power backwards
slowly to pull the anchor out of the bottom. Do
not power forward because that will require more
energy and put very heavy loads on the anchor
and gear.
