Anchoring and Mooring
Anchor Types
Anchor types
There are many types of anchor on the market; the best advice when it comes to buying one is to look at what other boats in the area are using.
As the boat should have a main or bower anchor and a secondary kedge anchor, may be an idea to have 2 different types, then if one does not hold, the other may!
If you are likely to be rowing ashore on exposed coasts, it may be worth having a small anchor for your dinghy. If you lose or break an oar this may be the only means of preventing you from being blown out to sea.
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Fisherman's anchors are ideal for rocky or weedy bottoms as they can dig through the weed and hook cracks in the rock. They are heavy for their holding power and can be hard to handle on a small boat. |
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CQR anchors are one of the most popular. They have a good holding power and can stow easily over a bow roller. There is a slight risk of nipping your fingers in the moving parts. |
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Danforth anchors have a very good holding power in very soft mud, conditions in which many other anchors may not hold well.
They may be hard to "break out" of the bottom in some conditions and do not hold as well in a firm or rocky bottom. They can also be very wide across the end, making them a handful to stow below. The example shown is a good solution on a small craft. |
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The Delta anchor is designed to "self launch" off a bow roller. This means they slide off the front of the roller as soon as the chain is eased.
The boat requires a suitable bow fitting to make use of this characteristic. |
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Bruce anchors are a plough type anchor which hold well in most conditions and do not have the problem of trapping fingers.
Because they do not swivel they can be bulky to stow in a deck locker. |
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Britany anchors hold well in soft ground without the width of a Danforth.
It is easy to pinch your fingers in the moving parts and they do not hold as well in rocks and weed. |
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Spade anchors have a high holding power for their weight and also set very quickly. The anchor will stow easily on a bow roller and is easy to launch direct from the roller.
For longer off-shore passages when the anchor will not be needed it can be dismantled for ease of storage. |
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