Choosing the Right Anchor for Your Boat
Your boat's anchor will take a lot of abuse - there's no way around it! Anchors are also frequently lost at sea when they are not properly tied off or get hung on obstruction underwater and have to be cut loose. When it comes time to replace your anchor, you may find yourself overwhelmed by the variety of choices. Different styles, sizes and finishes abound, and there are specific reasons to choose a certain anchor based on the type of boating you plan on doing. Below are some tips to help you navigate the choice overload and find the right anchor for your boat.
Where Are You Boating?
The first place to start when choosing an anchor is to better understand the environment in which you will be boating. The type of bottom that you are boating over will have a big impact on the style and size of anchor that you choose. The type of bottom will affect an anchor's ability to penetrate the surface of the bottom and its ability to develop resistance to forces like waves and wind. In fact, your choice of where to anchor will have a much bigger impact on an anchor's performance than the style or weight of anchor that you choose. Types of bottoms include sand, grass, mud and rock.
Does Size Matter?
Many people might be inclined to think that the bigger the anchor, the stronger it is. It is true that the larger your boat is, the heavier anchor you will want for your vessel. But as we mentioned above, the more important factors are the type of seabed and the style of anchor. So, you'll certainly want to choose an anchor weight that is appropriate for your vessel, but make sure that you don't ignore the other, more critical factors that influence an anchor's performance.
Are You Using a Windlass?
Some anchors are designed specifically for use with a windlass, while others may be used by dropping and retrieving them manually. Obviously, larger boats are more likely to have a windlass and require a certain type of anchor. However, windlasses have become a more common feature of smaller boats in recent years, and it is not uncommon to find boats ranging from 25 to 35 feet sporting a windlass. If you don't have a windlass on your boat, then you'll want a fairly lightweight anchor that can be easily handled. Pulling up a heavy, unwieldy anchor can be a huge struggle and put a damper on an otherwise fun afternoon on the water.
Do You Want Some Bling?
Many anchors come either in galvanized or stainless steel finishes. Your choice for the anchor finish comes down to personal preference and your budget. A stainless steel anchor can be an attractive sculpture to hang on the bow of your boat, but it usually comes at a hefty price. A galvanized steel anchor can still get the job done at a fraction of the cost. The anchor finish does not impact its overall performance.
Types of Anchors
Once you've got some answers on the questions above, you're ready to start evaluating your options. You'll want to start by evaluating the various styles of anchors and focusing on the types that are appropriate for your expected boating environment and style. There's more detail that can go into your decision-making process than we will cover here, but this rundown of anchor styles should help to get you started.
Fluke / Danforth Anchors
Fluke anchors - sometimes known as Danforth anchors - are typically easier to handle than most anchors. They are hinged, which makes them collapsable so they can be easily stored away. Lightweight fluke anchors are ideal for stern anchors. If you're going to a crowded sandbar or bay you'll want to put out a stern anchor to stop your boat from swinging into neighboring boats while at anchor. It's no fun being anchored and constantly worrying if you're going to swing into the guy next to you. They perform well in mud and sand, and their excellent hold strength means you can carry a much lighter anchor compared to some of the other types listed below. Fluke anchors are the most common type of anchor used on smaller boats, and can often be used without a windlass. There are heavier steel versions, but if you are using an anchor without a windlass, we recommendt that you opt for a lighter aluminum version. The fluke style is less effective in rocky seabeds, and can be damaged more easily than other more sturdy types of anchors.
Plow / Spade Anchors
Plow, or spade, anchors are the most popular all-purpose type of anchor. They feature a single point which is effective in penetrating a variety of types of seabeds, and they are better at resisting the effects of wind or changes in current. Plow anchors are best used under the operation of a windlass. Plow anchors are the most typical type of anchor you will find on larger powerboats, though it is not uncommon for a fluke anchor to be used as a secondary anchor to supplement and support the work of the plow anchor. Because of their shape, they are not as easily stowed onboard a vessel as a fluke anchor would be. The plow style anchors are the more often the more popular choice because they perform well across a wider variety of sea beds, are self-launching, and offer a more modern look when paired with a windlass on a larger vessel.
Scoop Anchors
Scoop anchors are a slight variation of the plow style of anchors. Scoop anchors also feature a single point, spade-shaped head, but they feature a concave fluke. Similar to the function of a shovel, the scoop anchor is designed to dig into the seabed. Some scoop anchors also feature a roll-bar, like the one shown on the left. This added design feature helps to properly distribute the weight of the anchor, allowing it to self-correct itself and turn itself right-side-up. Scoop anchors are extremely popular with cruisers that spend the night at anchor or have to occassionally anchor during storms.
Claw / Bruce Anchors
A more traditional anchor design is the Bruce style, or claw. This anchor performs best in rocky seabeds, as its shape is designed well for hooking onto nearby rocks. However, it is not a great anchor for operating in softer seabeds like mud, sand and grass. Claw-style anchors are still found a lot in the marine industry, but many people have chosen to update to the newer plow or scoop styles for greater flexibility of use. One other interesting feature is that claw anchors nest into each other nicely for those applications that might utilize tandem anchoring.
Selecting the Right Size
Once you have identified the style of anchor that is right for you, you'll want to pick the correct size. There can be a lot of variation on this depending on your specific circumstances, so we strongly encourage you to consult with a qualified marine mechanic for assistance identifying the proper size of anchor for your boat.
We also recommend that you refer to the specific anchor manufacturer's specifications. Different manufacturers of anchors may classify their anchors differently. Here are sizing charts provided by Rocna/Vulcan and Lewmar for their specific products, respectively:
Rocna / Vulcan Anchor Sizing Chart
Please note the Rocna/Vulcan sizing chart is a conservative estimate and is based on 50 knots of wind. Please consider your specific boating environment and activity when selecting your anchor.
Lewmar Sizing Charts
The Lewmar sizing charts are offered as simply a conservative guide for sizing. Please consider your specific boating environment and activity when selecting your anchor.
Lewmar LFX (Fluke) Anchor Sizing Chart
Lewmar Delta (Plow) Anchor Sizing Chart
Lewmar DTX (Plow) Anchor Sizing Chart
Lewmar Epsilon (Plow) Anchor Sizing Chart
Lewmar Claw (Bruce) Anchor Sizing Chart
If you have any questions about identifying the correct anchor for your application, please feel free to contact our ABYC-certified technicians at (866)388-0390 or email us at support@marinepartssource.com.
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