ANCHORING
Selecting the correct anchor is an important decision. For most
anchors to perform more effi ciently, you should attach 3 to 6 feet of
chain to the anchor. The chain will stand up to the abrasion of sand,
rock, or mud on the bottom much better than a nylon line. It should
be galvanized to reduce corrosion. Attach a length of ylon line to the
other end of the chain. They nylon will stretch under a heavy strain,
cushioning the impact of waves or wind on both the boat and the
anchor. The anchor style in part depends on boat usage and type.
To anchor, select a well protected area, preferably with a fl at bottom.
Contrary to modern belief, you do not throw the anchor over while
the boat is making headway, or moving forward. In fact, the bow of
the boat should be brought slowly backward, while easing the anchor
slowly over the side of the boat until it hits the bottom. To “snub
the line” means to stop its outward “pay” or movement. Usually the
length of anchor line used should be 5 to 10 times the depth of the
water. To attach an anchor to your boat, the rode must be attached to
one of the deck cleats.
After you have anchored, check your position with landmarks if
possible. Continue to monitor these landmarks to make sure you are
not drifting. Since anchoring can also be an emergency procedure, the
anchor and line should be readily accessible.
For increased holding power in windy conditions, two anchors are
sometimes set. If your primary anchor drags, you can run out your
secondary anchor without picking up the primary one. The important
thing is to lay them out at an angle. When setting two anchors, make
sure they are fastened to separate cleats. Setting up two anchors
using an in-line pattern (one at bow and one at stern) is best for tight
anchoring situations, while a v-shaped pattern (two anchors at an angle
at the bow) is best used in a changing wind or current condition.
5-26
Chapter 5
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