The Correct Way To Anchor A Boat
If you plan to keep your boat in one location for the duration, then you'll need to moor. Refer to our Mooring Guide for instructions on how to set up a proper anchoring system. Anchoring your boat will allow you to stop in one spot temporarily while you travel. Anchoring a boat is simple. These are five easy steps that will get you anchoring your boat in no time.
- Select the most suitable place to anchor.
- Move into position, wait for forward motion and then lower the anchor.
- Turn the boat around and make sure you have enough scope (anchorline)
- Secure the anchor.
- Make sure to back the boat down slightly so the anchor is not dragging.
Anchoring at the Most Appropriate Location
Although it might seem obvious that anchoring can be done anywhere there is enough water for the anchor to touch down, that isn't always the case. Safety is your first consideration. It wouldn't make sense to anchor in the middle of busy harbors or channels that are heavily traveled. The bottom type is also important. These are often marked on charts, including digital charts in your chart plotter. While shell- or rocky bottoms can make anchoring difficult, sandy or muddy bottoms will be more suitable for anchoring. Be aware of environmental issues. Anchoring on the reefs can be dangerous and, in certain places, even illegal.
You should also consider the type of anchor you use when choosing where to anchor. Different anchors work well on different bottoms. A poor choice of anchor could result in the boat not staying put. An anchor like the Danforth can do great on sandy bottoms. However, if you drop the same anchor onto oyster shells it will likely bounce along and not catch.
Lowering of the Anchor
When lowering an anchor, the most important thing is to lower it and not to throw it. Aside from the obvious safety, lowering an anchor over the side is safer than lowering it on its own. The line could get caught on a cleat or fixture, snap back or become tangled around an area of the body. Instead of throwing the line, lower it over the side so it reaches the bottom. Once you have finished, you can pay out the required amount of line.
Paying Out Scope, Letting Out Line
An anchor line is released when the scope extends beyond the water depth. It is a rule of thumb that the anchor will last longer if there is more scope. In calm weather, a scope of four to five feet per foot of water should be sufficient. You can also let out 40 to 50 feet more line if the water level is between 10 and 20 feet. In turbulent waters, a scope of 7 to 1 is more suitable. A scope of 10-1 or more might be required to maintain your boat's position in rough waters. It's a good idea not to limit your scope in very harsh conditions.
You may want to back your boat up as soon as you give out scope. It all depends on what the conditions are, how strong the current is and whether there's a breeze. The bottom line is? You can move your boat away from the anchor based on the conditions. To allow for enough freedom, shift to reverse and back your boat up if it's not.
Secure the Anchor
Once the scope has been cleared, you can secure the anchor. This involves cutting the line off with a bow cutter. You should anchor from the bow and not the stern. Otherwise, the attachment point will be facing the waves. Anchoring off the bow can lead to a boat being swamped. It is important to check that the line is not already tense when you secure it. Taunt anchor lines can cause injury if they get caught on your finger, hand, or fingers. It's best to grab some extra line and wrap the line around the cleat as soon as it's not under tension.
Setting an Anchor
If there is strong current or wind pushing against the boat, anchors may not set themselves if they are secured to the anchor line. You can use your boat's power to place the anchor in the bottom, but it's best to do so in calm conditions. You can shift to reverse or give the engine an extra boost to aid the anchor digging in.
It is crucial that the anchor doesn't drag after it has been placed. Use your chart plotter to find a landmark to use as a reference point. After that, you can relax and watch the boat and anchor for a few more minutes to make sure they aren't dragging.
Bonus Tip: Savvy boatmen never trust an anchor. To ensure that your anchor is not dragging, set up an alarm on the anchor and regularly check the surrounding waters. Don't jump off the boat if you are going to take a walk or swim on a beach. Keep in mind that anchors are intended to keep a boat anchored temporarily and not for prolonged periods.
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