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| CHAPTER 5 -
BOAT OPERATION |
| Anchoring |
| ANCHORING
It is essential that anchoring be mastered by every boater. Some
anchoring considerations include:
- the type and weight of boat.
- character of the bottom in the area
you are boating (rocky, sandy).
- the average depth of the water.
- the strength of the wind and/or
current.
- the diameter of the anchor line.
There are different types of anchors: kedge for rocks
and heavy grasses, burying for sand and mud, mushroom for permanent moorings. The
two questions boaters should ask themselves about anchoring are: which type of anchor will they need, and how much
rode (the length of the anchor line) is necessary? |
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| Anchors hold best when the pull of the rode on the anchor is as near to horizontal
as possible. The holding power of an anchor increases as the scope ratio increases. A ratio of 7:1 is standard;
10:1 is better in rough water. For example, if boating in eight feet of water and the bow is two feet above the waterline,
70 feet of rode is recommended. Boaters should carry at least two anchors. A smaller, lighter anchor is
good for use in calm weather and for positioning a boat, and a larger anchor is best for bad weather or when anchoring
overnight. Never anchor from the stern, especially in current or waves. The anchor line should be tied to the bow. |
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| To anchor, the boat should be headed into the wind or current. The engine is
then reversed or the boat is allowed to back off. When the boat begins to drift backward, lower the anchor from the
bow (front of the boat). As the line goes over the side of the boat, no one should be standing on any part of it.
The end of the anchor rode (called the bitter end) must be secured to the boat. When about a third of the rode is
out, the rode is tied off to a forward cleat to make the anchor dig into the bottom. Once the anchor digs in, the
remaining rode is let out. A sight bearing is then taken on some stationary objects to make certain that the anchor
is not dragging on the bottom.
When “weighing” (pulling up) anchor, boaters must be careful. The combination
of anchor pull, current and weight can swamp a small boat. The anchor should be lifted as vertically as possible.
As it is lifted, it can be washed. Take care that it does not hit the side of the boat. |
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