Anchors for your Recreational Boat

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Avoid potential problems with preparation and the right equipment. Successfully anchoring your watercraft is not difficult; here are some tips to serve as reminders.


Anchoring Tips

  1. Get an anchor that is at least one size larger than the recommended default. Use a piece of chain, (4' to 5' in length), to connect the anchor to the anchor line, called the "rode".
  2. The length of line, called the "scope", should be a minimum of seven times the depth of the water.
  3. Lower the anchor into the water; it is not necessary to hurl it.
  4. Once anchored, sight a landmark to visually insure that your anchor is not dragging along the bottom.
  5. When retrieivng the anchor, slowly pull the line. Occassionally the anchor may snag. Motor towards the anchor's location and pull straight up on it or approach from an opposite direction.
  6. Inspect your line and anchor after each use. Look for frayed and chafed places on the rode and check each fluke (hook) for damage.
  7. If your boat is not equipped with an anchor "locker", then use a round container to hold your anchor and coiled rope.


Select your anchor based on the surface of the lake (or river) bottom you expect to encounter. An anchor attaches to the bottom by either "digging in" (mud and sand) or "snagging" (on rocks, coral or grasses). When in doubt, speak to other boaters familiar with your boating location.



Recommended Anchor Types

 Danforth: For use on muddy or sandy bottoms. Has 2 triangular blades. This is the favorite style of anchor for most recreational boaters.


 Grapnel: Suited for rocky terrain. Has 4 to 6 hooking fluke; similar in appearance to a grappeling device.


 Mushroom: Suited for muddy or sandy bottoms. Looks like an inverted mushroom.


 Navy: For use on gravel or sand bottoms. Looks like the anchors found on naval vessels.


 Bruce: This Anchor was invented in Scotland to secure floating oil rigs. In the oil industry, anchoring is a serious business; an oil rig must remain stationary over its drill hole regardless of wind or sea conditions to prevent both financial and environmental disasters. The superiority of the Bruce's shape gives it tremendous efficiency, particularly on short scope over a variety of bottom conditions.


 Plow: Around the world's cruising grounds you'll find more yachtsmen anchoring with genuine CQRs than any other anchor and for good reason. The CQR plow has immense holding power in sand, pebble, rock, grass, kelp and coral. The drop-forged, high-tensile steel makes it the strongest anchor you can buy, and the proven shank hinge design allows the anchor to stay set during wind or tide shifts.


Home FAQ Association Boating Laws Community Contests Current Events Discussions Fishing
Links Living Local Laws Maps Marine Safety Past Events Photos State of Maine Water Education
E-mail: Contact the webmaster with your questions, comments or suggestions.

Anchors for your Recreational Boat