Anchors & Accessories

Which anchor for which cruising ground?

Sandy bottoms, mud, and rock make different demands – a plate anchor holds excellently in mud, but struggles on hard ground. Before your trip, find out about the typical seabed of your cruising area and choose the anchor type accordingly. A second anchor with a different operating principle is not a gimmick on longer trips, but a sensible reserve.

Chain, rope, or combination?

A full chain rode is heavy and, due to its weight, creates a natural catenary curve that dampens jerks. However, this noticeably stresses the bowsprit on small boats. Many cruising sailors therefore combine: three to five meters of chain directly on the anchor, followed by anchor rode – this results in a manageable weight distribution with acceptable dampening. It is crucial that shackles, swivels, and connecting links match the same chain size and are secured.

Bow roller, anchor locker, and securing

A suitable bow roller protects the railing and makes heaving much easier – but it must match the anchor geometry, otherwise the shank will jam when retrieving. Also, check where the chain is secured in the boat: a loose chain end banging through the bow in rough seas can cause damage and be dangerous.

Care and inspection

Galvanization protects but is not indefinitely durable. Regularly inspect the chain and shackles for rust pits, broken links, and worn pins. Stainless steel parts do not rust through, but can suffer from crevice corrosion – store them dry and clean. After anchoring in muddy water, it's worth rinsing the chain with fresh water before it goes into the locker.