1. America’s Boating Course 3rd Edition
Anchoring
Chapter 3
Section 10
Chapter 3 - Section 10
Presented by the
St Paul Sail and Power Squadron 1 1

2. The Correct Anchor Select by: Size boat Type boat Type seabed
Wind & current
Many boats which customarily anchor will carry several anchors. One reason for this is the different types of sea beds encountered (mud, hard and rocky sea grass etc.)
Another reason is getting your primary anchor stuck and not being able to retrieve it and have to abandon it
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3. Fortress Aluminum Anchor
The Correct Anchor
Fortress Aluminum Anchor
Boat Size
Anchor Weight
Fluke Length
Overall Size
Cost
16-27’
4lb
14”
24x19
140
28-32’
7lb
16”
27x22
175
33-38’
10lb
18”
31x25
250
39-45’
15lb
21”
36x29
360
46-51’
21lb
24”
40x32
500
52-58’
32lb
27”
46x37
700
59-68’
47lb
30”
51x41
1200
69’+
69lb
33”
56x49
1500
Many boats which customarily anchor will carry several anchors. One reason for this is the different types of sea beds encountered (mud, hard and rocky sea grass etc.)
Another reason is getting your primary anchor stuck and not being able to retrieve it and have to abandon it
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4. Anchor Parts Shackle Flukes Shank Nylon Rode Chain Rode Thimble
There are several parts of the anchoring system to inspect periodically.
One is the anchor itself. Is it distorted in some way? Are the flukes straight?
Is the shackle pin free from corrosion and is it wired so it cannot back out?
Is the chain itself long enough and is it in good mechanical shape/
Is the shackle from the chain to the nylon rode wired shut and free from corrosion
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Connects boat to anchor – part chain, part rope
Size for boat & conditions
Length based on depth and conditions
Use depth markers on rope
Chain: stronger, no chaffing, keeps rode on bottom
Rope: lighter, strectches, shock absorber, chaffs
Combination: chain near anchor – rope back to boat
Size rope & chain correctly
Shakles are the weak link
Safety wire shackle pin
Prevent chaffing of rode
Shackle
Stock 4 4

5. Types of Anchors Type of Anchors Danforth Plow Others 5
The mushroom anchor is used as a permanent mooring but it is a good idea to have it inspected by a diver to determine it is still well dug in and that all shackles and chain are wired and show no corrosion.
The use of the grapnel is usually not for holding a vessel in a storm.
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6. ‘Danforth’-type Anchor
Lightweight
Stow flat
For sand & mud
Not for grass & rocks
A Danforth stows easily on deck and is very good for sand and mud and is a popular anchor.
Paragraph 22-28 6 6

7. Plow-type Anchor Single fluke 3 dimensional Stow in chock or roller
Digs thru weeds & sand
Holds on rocks
May be hard to retrieve – use trip line
The plow or CQR anchor must stow in a roller on deck and should be secured in that roller so it does not jump out in a heavy sea.
It will penetrate weeds but be careful of deep mud.
The use of a trip line is recommended for a plow or a Bruce anchor,
Paragraph C 7 7

8. COMPATIBILITY WITH WINDLASS LIGHTWEIGHT CONSTRUCTION
The Correct Rode
– CHARACTERISTICS –
STRENGTH
STRETCH
WEIGHT
ABRASION RESISTANCE
COMPATIBILITY WITH WINDLASS
LIGHTWEIGHT CONSTRUCTION
ROT RESISTANCE
AFFORTABILITY
Rode Attributes:
STRENGTH – SO IT CAN RESIST TREMENDOUS TENSION
STRETCH – SO IT CAN ABOSRB THE JERKING MOTION CAUSED BY WIND AND WAVE
WEIGHT – SO THE PULL ON THE NACHOR IS HORIZONTAL AND NOT UPWARD
ABRASION RESISTANCE – SO IT DOES NOT GET WORN BY ROCKS OR CORAL
COMPATIBILITY WITH WINDLASSES – SO YOU CAN UTILIZE THEM TO WEIGH ANCHOR
LIGHTWEIGHT CONSTRUCTION – SO THE TRIM OF YOUR BOAT IS NOT AFFECTED
ROT RESISTANCE – SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO REPLACE IT FREQUENTLY
AFFORDABILITY – SO YOU CAN AFFORD TO GO BOATING
Rode Types:
ALL NYLON
ALL CHAIN
COMBINATION 8 8

9. Shackles: 1 size larger than chain
The Correct Rode
Rope
Chain
Runabout
Day Cruiser
Trawlers
3-Strand Nylon PC
BBB HT
< 30’
< 27’
< 24’
3/8”
3/16”
31-35’
28-32’
25-28’
7/16”
1/4”
36-40’
32-36’
29-32’
1/2”
41-45’
37-40’
33-36’
9/16”
5/16”
5/8”
41-48’
3/4”
49-56’
7/8”
57-64’ 1”
PC – proof coil – made from low carbon steel, does not have a uniform pitch and does not work with an anchor windlass.
BBB – use to be the most popular type for windlass design, has a uniform pitch.
HT – preferred chain and has twice the working load of BBB.
Shackles: 1 size larger than chain 9 9

10. Scope Length of line from boat to anchor; also
Ratio: length of line to vertical distance
Paragraph 44
Determine scope: measure water depth plus boat height
Scope is a multiple – 5x – light, 7x – normal, 10x heavy conditions
THE BOW OF YOUR BOAT IS 3-FEET ABOVE THE WATER, THE WATER IS CALM AND 10-FEET DEEP, ABOUT HOW MANY FEET OF ANCHOR LINE SHOULD YOU LET OUT? – 91 FEET 10 10

11. Survey Anchorage Carefully
Anchoring Techniques
Survey Anchorage Carefully
Depth?
Bottom?
Wind & current?
Tide?
Clearance?
Paragraph 69 – 72
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO TO AVOID CAPSIZING OR SWAMPING? – ANCHOR FROM THE STERM, RQATHER THAN THE BOW 11 11

12. Anchoring Techniques
Line attached to crown of anchor CQR, Delta, claw anchors have eye for a trip line
Attach other end of line to float
Line just long enough to expose float at high tide
Indicates position of anchor to other boats
When you use the trip line for recovery, pull your anchor by the back and avoid fouling by any debris such as sunken logs.
WHEN FISHING FROM A BOAT ON A RIVER, WHERE IS THE SAFEST PLACE ON THE BOAT TO TIE OFF THE ANCHOR LINE? - BOW 12 12

13. Anchoring Techniques Setting the Anchor 7:1 scope 84ft 12ft WIND
CURRENT
7:1 scope
84ft
12ft
Setting the anchor:
CLICK Power/sail into wind or current to anchor point, determine scope needed
CLICK Lower anchor
CLICK Drift/power backwards letting out rode
CLICK Cleat rode and apply power to set anchor
CLICK Take bearings or set anchor alarm. 13 13

14. Anchoring Techniques Retrieving the Anchor WIND CURRENT 14
Approach anchor slowly
CLICK Take in & stow rode
CLICK When over anchor, pull to free
If stuck – cleat line – power over & past anchor location, take in rode 14 14

15. End Section 10
End of Section 10 15 15