The Best Boat Anchors: Which One is the Best for You

Safety regulations when fishing out in the open seas are tight. The unpredictability of nature is doubled when fishing in these conditions. Chances of storms, high winds, and waves are a possibility, which is why the US Coast Guard imposes strict rules when heading out into the ocean. Things like having a stocked-up first aid kit, life vests, and showing knowing when to turn back in the face of bad weather are small but incredibly important things that may come to save you in case of an emergency. One of the most important things anglers and sailors alike should have is a trustworthy anchor.

Anchors are an essential part of any ship. They keep boats safe by keeping them in place when engines aren’t in use. As oceans are vast, even the slightest drifting of the waters can be dangerous. Inattentive anglers without any anchors can find themselves lost in situations like these. Strong winds and currents can also cause boats to capsize, endangering everyone on board.  Anchors come in a variety of shapes and sizes. It’s important to know which anchor suits a particular vessel. Here are some of the factors anglers need to know when choosing an anchor. 

Everything You Need to Know When Choosing an Anchor

Get To Know Each Style

There are different types of anchors available in the market; differing in form and function. Anchors types include the Fluke, Navy, Grappling, Plow, Claw, and Mushroom.

The Fluke-type anchor is a popular choice among many anglers because it folds flat, making it easy for storage. These anchors are great on hard sand and mud but are not as effective as on grassy surfaces, softer surfaces, and rocky areas. Other than being used for easy storage, most Fluke anchors are made up of lightweight aluminum, yet can handle a sizable boat. 

Navy anchors are the opposite as they’re best used on high vegetation areas of the water and on rocky surfaces. Anglers fishing in open waters should consider getting a plow anchor. These anchors are the stereotypical anchors seen in movies and are rightfully so as they’re mostly used by larger vessels as they rely on weight.

Arguably the most popular anchor-type available, the plow anchor first saw its use in the 1930s. Although main innovations through its materials have been introduced, its core function remains the same.  It is similar to the Navy anchor in that they’re best used on rocky surfaces, but it distinguishes itself through the plow design that makes it easier to reset itself when put out of place.

Made in the 70s, this type of anchor has seen many imitations throughout the years. Claw-type anchors are similar to the plow anchor in their reliance on their design to get a powerful grip. Despite being smaller than most anchors, the claw’s powerful grip is very effective on windy days; holding on regardless of how strong the boat swings. This anchor works well in the sea as it clings on well to mud, sand, and rocky bottoms. Most claw-type anchors come in a 3 claw design that resets easily when loosened up by a boat’s swaying motion due to strong currents. 

Finally, the mushroom relies on suction to stick to loamy surfaces underneath the water. This anchor is not as strong as other anchors and works best to stay still in calm waters. They’re also mostly used on kayaks, paddleboards, and canoes. 

Match Anchors With the Environment

It’s easy to think that getting the heaviest anchor is the right choice, however, that isn’t always the case. Not everyone goes to fish in boats. Other people may fish in smaller vessels like paddleboards that can’t fit bigger anchors. Though overcompensating will still anchor your boat well, it will still be a logistical nightmare loading it in boats that can’t provide space for it. Different anchors also vary in that they work well on different surfaces. For example, Fluke-types are effective where Navy-types aren’t, and vice versa. It’s good to research the area beforehand before bringing the right type of anchor to use. 

Holding Power

Though weight in general is a good indicator of how well an anchor can hold down a boat, a more accurate type of measurement is holding power. Boat US Foundation describes holding power as the ability of an anchor to hold different weights given different scenarios. This particular measurement also takes into account a boat’s size and weather conditions. Holding power as a measurement makes it a point to remind anglers that weight on its own is insufficient. A 90lbs anchor holds down a 20-inch boat differently from a 25 inch one. Including weather conditions skews the holding power of any anchor even more. So much so that holding power needed for stormy weather is double that of a regular working anchor’s holding power.  

More than the Anchor

Obviously, the foundation of the anchor is the anchor itself, however, its other parts are also equally important. A strong line that can handle both the strong currents and the tension of the boat to the anchor is a must need. Obviously, there’s no holding down the boat with just an anchor. There are three types of anchor lines that anglers can use, the nylon-line with 3 strands, chains, and a combination of both. Nylon lines can absorb the shock and tension of the anchor’s weight. There are also wax-coated variants that lessen the corrosion of saltwater on the line. Chains are good for anglers looking to add more weight. Chains are also made of stainless steel, making them more resistant to wear and tear.  When preparing the lengths of anchor lines, it’s best to use a 7:1 ratio of 7 feet per line in proportion to 1 foot of water depth.

Though the rule of thumb when choosing anchors is the bigger the better, there are a few considerations people must take before choosing one. There are a lot of different types of anchors to choose from, most of which vary from which anchor sticks to which particular type of surface. All in all, not every anchor is best suited for every situation, it’s best to research beforehand on what works best in order to save time and money.