There are many types or styles of anchors available for use by recreational boaters. Pick the one best suited to your boating activities.
As mentioned in the article Boat Anchoring Basics, effective anchoring depends on having a good working knowledge of anchor types, ground tackle, anchor terminology, and understanding the strategies of anchoring. There are many types of anchors designed for varied bottom conditions and boat size. Choose an anchor style based on the bottom conditions where you anchor the most often, and then select an anchor sized for the dimensions of your boat. Most manufacturers provide the holding or horizontal load capacity of their products. When in doubt, buy a bigger anchor!
Common Types of Boat Anchors:
Lightweight or Danforth Anchors - These anchors have two long flukes that pivot and bury the anchor under tension. They hold best in firm sand, gravel or mud. Danforth type anchors are not recommended for rocky or grassy bottoms were they cannot penetrate, and clay bottoms were they may not hold well.
Mushroom Anchors - Mushrooms are meant to be used for providing permanent mooring and are not suitable for normal use on a recreational vessel. An effective example of this anchor type can weigh several thousand pounds. When used for long-term mooring the mushroom shape of the anchor helps it settle into soft bottoms and resist breaking free.
Grapnel Anchors - These anchors have four or more arms to are designed to hang up or snag on brush and outcroppings on the bottom. They are commonly used on very small boats and can be used to retrieve lost objects in the water. Grapnel anchors do not work well on mud, sand and gravel bottoms. They may work effectively in some rocky areas.
Kedge or Navy Anchors - Navy anchors are the traditionally styled anchor best known by the public with their prominent arks, flukes and stock. These anchors work well in grassy or rocky bottoms. Navy anchors are not commonly used on recreational boats because they depend on their great weight and size to hold a boat.
Claw or Bruce Anchors - These single fluke anchors allow the boat to swing in a full circle without breaking loose. They tend to reset themselves immediately in most bottom conditions. Claw anchors hold well in most bottom conditions.
Plow Anchors - Plow anchors are a favorite of many cruisers. They offer good holding power in many different bottom conditions, but do not perform well on soft bottoms. Plows work by digging into the bottom while the anchor is set. Delta style plows have a fixed shank, while the shank of the CQR style anchor pivots. These anchors tend to reset themselves well.
Remember that anchors are just one part of the anchoring system of a boat. The best anchor will be ineffective without the use of good ground tackle and effectively setting them. Anchors are an important safety item. In poor weather conditions, they give you the option to hold up in a sheltered location. They will prevent drifting into trouble after an engine failure. Purchase an adequate anchor for your vessel and consider having a spare as well. There has been more than one skipper who has launched an anchor overboard only to realize the rode was not attached…
The copyright of the article Common Types of Boat Anchors in Boating & Sailing is owned by Alan Sorum. Permission to republish Common Types of Boat Anchors in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
