Anchoring Tips for Secure and Easy Boating

Chase Schelble

Technical Sales Representative

One of the most daunting tasks while out on the water can be getting your boat properly anchored and secured whether you’re fishing, tying up with friends, or pulling into the sandbar. With the ever-changing conditions, especially in salt water with tides, being aware of your surroundings and taking account for the natural tendencies of your boat in these conditions is critical.

When setting an anchor, it is typically best practice to drop it well ahead of where you would like to be to allow for the boat to drift backwards and pull at an angle allowing the chain to lay on the bottom and properly set your anchor. There is nothing more frustrating than not being able to get the boat set where you want it, especially on those crowded days with many leering eyes. As a rule of thumb if you are in a new area or anchoring in a deeper depth more rode and chain is always preferable again to create a smaller angle between the anchor itself and your boat so you are not pulling directly up which will not allow the anchor to set securely.

Another important feature to utilize if your boat is not equipped with a windlass and you must buy a handheld anchor yourself is chain. Having a sufficient size and amount of chain can make all the difference. Most anchor companies will have a recommended size and length of chain on their websites along with anchor sizing, please review these for best results. Attaching just rope to an anchor is not good practice and will typically not allow the anchor to set properly as discussed earlier the chain lays on the bottom and again enhances the angle at which you are pulling from which in turn will drastically improve how your anchor will set.

Lastly, another popular item to have, aside from your main anchor is a smaller stern anchor. For more information please view our stern anchor blog.

Tight lines and Happy Boating!