Anchoring is maintaining the Vessel to a fixed point by attaching
the boat to a device that can bury itself in the Bottom of a Body-
Of-Water. Sailors should develop the art of Anchoring until it
becomes almost second nature. Anchoring not only saves your boat,
it can save lives.
Anchoring equipment, also known as Ground Tackle, consists of the
Anchor, a three to five meter length of Chain Leader, a Shackle,
and 40 to 50 meters of three-strand Nylon Line. The Line and Chain
of an Anchor is called Rode. The Chain Leader helps the Line lie
flat on the Bottom in order to ensure that the pull of the Rode is
roughly parallel to the Sea Floor, facilitating Hooking the Fluke
into the Bottom.
The three types of Anchors used on Sailboats are the Yachtsman's,
the Mushroom, and patent models like the Danforth® and Northill
Anchor. The most popular Anchor among Sailors is the Danforth. It is
lightweight with long Flukes that easily dig into the Bottom for
great holding power.
Ground Tackle should be tailored according to the size of the
Sailboat, the characteristics of the Bottom, the depth of water, and
the force of Wind and Current. Be advised to acquire appropriate
Ground Tackle in order to hold the boat securely under the most
adverse conditions. It is recommended by the United States Coast
Guard (USCG) that all recreational craft carry more than one anchor.
For example, a light Anchor (Lunch-Hook) is used in good weather.
The Lunch-Hook is easy to handle when anchoring in protected areas
or for short stops. The second Anchor to have on board should be
larger and heavier for overnight stops or when the wind builds and
begins to Drag the light Anchor. The USCG recommends having even
a third heavy anchor on board to be used as a storm anchor in Heavy
Weather when winds are 30 knots [34 miles per hour] and above.
NOTE: Never Anchor from the Stern of the Vessel. The boat can be
swamped by high waves or even by an unexpected wave or a severe wake
in calm seas.
