Anchoring Fundamentals: The Anchor
Our boatsforboaters.com companion article "Anchoring Fundamentals: Terms and Techniques" discusses the various aspects of the anchoring system, or ground tackle, and basic techniques for anchoring.
Anchor technology is constantly evolving but the basics remain the same—strong materials, strong and consistent holding power and ease of use. Here we’re going to survey the different kinds of anchors available and what they are best suited for.
The most ancient anchor design, and the one responsible for any icon that says "anchor", "navy" or "maritime" is the kedge or fisherman. With it’s two long, curved flukes, perpendicular stock and heavy weight the kedge is a bit of a beast and offers only average to poor holding power for its weight. It also will foul easily and does not stow neatly. However, a kedge or fisherman can be a good anchor for rocky or heavily weeded bottom, and with sharp flukes will dig into hard bottoms so it still finds its place in the boating world. Our bet is that you won’t see many of them except at antique shops.
The fluke or Danforth style anchor has been ubiquitous in recreational boating for decades. This hinged fluke, light weight self burying anchor comes in a variety of sizes tailored to boat length and are economical to purchase. They work best in soft, sandy or gravelly bottom. They are easy to handle and easy to stow. Buyer beware; there are many variations of the Danforth and personal experience has proven that some are better than others.
A variation on the fluke design has a sliding ring along the shank that attaches the anchor rode, the purpose being to enable the anchor to be released from the bottom should an opposite direction of pull be needed. However, there is some debate as to the strength of these anchors and how well they work in real conditions.
The CQR or plow type anchor is popular because of its ability to hold in a variety of bottoms and its resistance to pulling out due to moderate changes in direction of pull. This is accomplished by a hinge that allows the shank to pivot horizontally. A plow anchor buries itself deeply and securely yet breaks out easily. It stores nicely in a bow roller but not so well on deck. These anchors do normally require more chain in combination tackle than a Danforth.
A variety of the CQR is the Delta Anchor which has similar features except for the hinged shank. It is recognized to have equal or somewhat better holding power than CQR’s. All of the plow type anchors come in a variety of sizes to fit boat length.
A British design called the Bruce is another burying type anchor. It is designed to be self-righting and also quick to reset if pulled up after a change in pull direction. A variation of this design is the Claw, which looks mean but holds well and has an adjustable shank. There are other variations manufactured as well.
There are a number of anchors developed that encompass features borrowed from all of these types plus a few tricks of their own; the Hydrobubble, Manson, Oceane, Rocna and Spade to name a few.
An old standby anchor is the grapnel, a multi-fluked stockless device often used as a "grab all", dragged on the bottom to pickup lost items and, you got it, anchor lines. However, in rocky and heavily weeded bottoms a grapnel has decent holding power. The grapnel is not an anchor to depend on by most standards, however.
There are also folding anchors and small mushroom anchors, neither of which are practical (mushroom) or reliable (folding) for serious use.
For a comprehensive look at anchors and test results go to the October 2006 issue of Sail Magazine spon. The only anchor type you won’t see in there is the traditional Danforth, still a good bet but competing with modern designs and technologies.