power for their weight when used to anchor
to a particular type of bottom.
• All the anchors described here are made
in an assortment of sizes for various boats.
• It is a good idea to carry two anchors, of
different designs, to handle nearly any condition
you might encounter.
• If you lose an anchor, the second anchor
can be a backup. Attach both anchors to
anchor lines and have them ready for use.
The typical anchor is designed so that
a horizontal pull will cause it to dig itself
firmly into the bottom. An upward pull
should dislodge it easily. Two basic types
of anchors are most commonly used on
today’s recreational boats.
Lightweight or
Danforth®-Type Anchors
The Danforth® anchor (Figure 10-2) is a
twin-fluke anchor that is most popular
for small boats because it is versatile and
easy to stow. There are many copies of this
design with a variety of brand names. Fortress
® and West® anchors are examples.
Advantages and disadvantages:
• Light in weight relative to their holding
power
• Easily stowed—flat—twin movable flukes
• Long, narrow, twin flukes engage the bottom
quickly
• Tends to bury itself in sand and mud
when under heavy horizontal strain
• Limited penetration in grass, rocks, or
clay–may be likely to slide
Plow-Type Anchors
The plow anchor is a traditional design with
its fluke already deployed and ready to dig
in. There are several derivative designs of
plow anchors with some different features,
but the basic characteristics of this group
are as follows:
• Single fluke, 3-dimensional, shaped like
a plowshare that digs itself deeper under
heavy horizontal strain
• Stowed on an anchor chock or roller on
the bow
• Excellent digging and holding capability
under heavy horizontal strain
• Will penetrate weeds, sand, and grass, and
hooks itself into rocks
• Limited holding power in deep mud
Types are shown in Figures 10-3 and 10-4:
• The CQR® has a hinged shank and
remains buried over moderate changes in
direction of pull due to current or wind
changes.
• The Delta® has a solid shank and is
designed to reset with shifts in direction
of the rode.
• The Bruce® has a solid shank and is
designed to right itself no matter how it
lands on the bottom; is claimed to resist
breaking out through 360° changes in the
direction of pull.
• Tests show that Danforth and Fortress
anchors, with their long, wide flukes, held
in the mud with the most tenacity.
Connecting to the Anchor
An anchor is secured to the boat with an
anchor line.
Rode
• Rode is the nautical term for anchor line;
it may consist of rope or chain, or both
(Figure 10-5).
• The preferred rope for anchoring is
nylon. Nylon rope is strong, with good
resistance to chafing and rubbing. It can
stretch without damage to its fibers and
will not rot when stowed wet. It is easy on
the hands and will not float. Three-strand
laid line is preferred for anchoring over
braided line due to its greater elasticity.
• Chain is excellent on larger vessels.
Although heavy, it has great strength,
stows compactly, and can be stowed wet
if rust-proofed.
108 Chapter Three
Figure 10-2. Danforth®
anchor
Figure 10-3. CQR® (top)
and Delta® (above)
anchors.
Figure 10-4. Bruce® anchor
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