There is something magical about spending a nice, quiet, night at anchor! When we were in Croatia, it was a blessing to be able to get away from all of the other tourists for some quiet R&R! Anchoring is a pretty simple thing once you master some basic steps. Here I will break it all down for you and provide you with some of my pro tips! Enjoy! Don't forget to send me any questions!
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Technical Anchoring Terms
- Ground & Tackle: includes the anchors, cables, and other tackle used to secure a ship at anchor.
- Rode: is the connection system between the anchor and the boat. Traditionally it is a combination of rope and chain, or all chain.
- Scope: is defined as a ratio of the length of an anchor rode and the depth of the water under the the bow of the boat measured from deck height.
- Snubber: is a bridle used to take the strain of the chain rode. This reduces wear on your boat from the chain and also acts as a shock absorber and silences the chain. Usually made of nylon rope or tough rubber.
- Windlass: is a machine that restrains and manipulates the anchor chain on a boat, allowing the anchor to be raised and lowered by means of mechanical aid.
- Anchor Roller: is a device situated at the bow that consists of a wheel within a framework that is designed to guide an anchor when it is lowered or raised.
Types of Anchors
There are several types of anchors on the market now. The classic anchors include the Bruce, Danforth, and Plough. Newer anchors such as the Mantus and Rocna are gaining a lot of popularity though. Personally I upgraded my small Bruce to a Rocna and absolutely LOVE IT.
Planning
Alright, hopefully you have done your pre-trip planning and you have an anchorage (or two) selected for your lovely night! What are some of the things you are looking for in a good anchorage? Here are the key things:
- Shelter: you should have shelter from wind, waves and traffic
- Depth: you need adequate depth for your draft
- Bottom Type: make sure your anchor will hold in the type of bottom you'll have
- Swing Room: goes along with depth. You need to be able to swing 360 around without hitting anything.
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