Anchoring - Type of Anchors & Rode

Types of Anchors

Danforth/Fortress: This type of anchor is one of the best anchors for holding in many different types of bottom composition. It weighs less than other anchors yet holds better due to its design. These anchors usually perform better when a short length of chain is used as a leader before the rope is attached.

Plow: The plow anchor, sometimes referred to as the CQR, is a burying anchor that has a hinged shank to keep it from breaking out if the boat swings to one side. It holds well under large loads and in most bottoms, although it can be difficult to set in grass or weeds. It can be stored on the bow.

Bruce: The Bruce, sometimes referred to as the Claw, is a claw like burying anchor that sets quickly and resists breaking out without resetting if the wind or tide changes. It is commonly used in crowded anchorages since it holds well at short scope and in most bottoms, including sand, grass and rock. It sometimes grabs loose rock and fails to set and can drag under very high loads. It can be easily stored on the bow.

Yachtsmen's:
This style of anchor is best suited for soft bottoms. It is one of the oldest anchor designs and is considered by some to be obsolete. This type of anchor uses weight in its design to help it dig into the bottom.

Grapnel: 
This style of anchor works much like a grappling hook. It takes hold of debris or rocks at the bottom. It is ineffective on muddy or sandy bottoms.

A particularly useful anchor where space is at a premium. This makes it ideal for small craft such as dinghys and small boats.

The Grapnel anchor is not generally used as a working anchor, given its limited uses in various bottom compositions. In some states of Australia, a grapnel anchor is not of an approved type of primary anchor for certain sized boats, and can therefore only be carried as an additional or secondary anchor.

Mushroom anchor:
Not widely used in Australia, mushroom anchors should not be used to anchor boats larger than a small canoe, rowboat, small sailboat or inflatable, as mushroom anchors have little holding power. You should never depend on a mushroom anchor to hold your boat in rough water or weather. They are more suited to calmer waters.

Sea Anchor: 
This anchor doesn't use the bottom to hold the boat in position but rather uses the water. It looks like an oversized windsock and is used to control a boat's drift in high wind situations.

The sea anchor is a handy device to have on board. It can be used to control your drift while drift fishing. It also can save your life in stormy conditions by holding your boats bow into the wind and waves, when other anchoring methods fail.

Anchor Rode (anchor line)

Generally, a nylon rode (anchor line) has strength and elasticity. This latter characteristic helps absorb the shocks that could cause the anchor to break out. However, much of this elasticity can be lost if you choose a nylon rode that is too thick for the size and weight of your boat.

Boats up to 23 ft in length, and displacing 1500 kg or less should use a 3/8" nylon anchor rode. Boats in the 26 ft range that displace closer to 2500 kgs will probably need to use a 1/2" rode.

A 200 ft of anchor line should be enough for boats which do most of their anchoring in water that's 20 to 30 ft deep. However, you may want to bring an extra 200 ft of rode just in case you end up anchoring deeper water.

The nylon rode should be attached to at least six feet of fairly heavy chain, which, in turn, is shackled to the anchor. It's even better to use 20 ft of chain. The extra weight of the chain significantly increases your anchor's holding power. Use of a chain will also help protect the nylon rode from chafing against rocks and other debris on the bottom.