BOAT ANCHORING TIPS:
- The weight of the anchor and diameter of anchor line should be governed by the size and weight of your boat. Obtain advice from us before purchasing an anchor.
- Keep anchor secure while underway to prevent damage or injury due to sudden shifting in the boat’s attitude.
- Make sure the anchor line is secured to the bow eye or deck cleat. Never tie to a rail, rail fitting, or other hardware which is not meant to support this stress.
- Use two or more anchors if anchoring overnight or for extended periods. If not using two anchors, make certain there is sufficient clearance for your boat to swing in a full circle to prevent damage in case of shifting winds.
- Make certain you have enough anchor line (or scope) for the depth of water. Your anchor line should be 6 to 7 times the depth of water anchored in. For example, you are in 20 feet of water, so use 120 to 140 feet of anchor line. Dropping Anchor
- Have a crew member carefully lower the anchor. Keep slight tension on the anchor while lowering and maintain your tension after anchor reaches bottom.
- Maneuver the boat backwards slowly until the proper length of anchor line is handed out.
- Fasten the anchor line around the bow eye or deck cleat. Anchor flukes should dig in and catch.
- Watch for anchor drag by checking shoreline landmarks at the time the anchor is dropped and one-half hour later. If the boat has drifted away from these reference marks, the anchor is dragging and must be reset. Weigh (pull in) Anchor
- It is recommended to have the engine running when you pull in anchor.
- Slowly maneuver the boat forward to reduce tension on the line and make retrieval of the anchor line easier.
- Pull in the length of anchor line until the line is vertical. Pull firmly to lift the anchor’s shank and free the flukes from the bottom.
- If the anchor becomes stuck, attach the vertical line to the mooring cleat. Wave action on the bow may lift flukes from the bottom and free the anchor. If the anchor is still stuck, feed out a few feet of line and attach it to the bow cleat. Maneuver the boat around the anchor, keeping the line firm. Locate an angle that will pull the anchor free.