Established favorites—how they compare in performance
An anchor needs to perform several tasks. It must dig into the bottom when a pull is first applied and present as much surface area as possible to the bottom to resist movement under load. It also needs to reset itself quickly when it is uprooted by a change in the direction of pull. It should also free itself easily from the bottom when you pull it straight up, and the anchor line, or rode, shouldn’t be able to foul it. It should be easy to handle and stow securely in a bow roller or in chocks on deck. This is a very tall order to fill.In fact, the perfect anchor has not yet been invented, but small differences in certain dimensions result in large differences in performance, so inventors and engineers are continually developing new ideas.More than 20 types of anchor already exist. Most fall into one of three categories: anchors with twin pivoting flukes, anchors shaped like plows, and traditional “fisherman” anchors.For comparatively light weight, pivoting-fluke anchors offer good holding power in mud and sand—provided they can dig in. All are poor performers on rocky bottoms or bottoms covered with thick weed or grass, where penetration is aided by
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| Pivoting-fluke anchors such as the Danforth hold well in mud and sand but often have problems with thick weed or grass. |
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| The C.Q.R. and other plow anchors set quickly by digging their sharp points into the seabed |
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| Modified plow anchors, or winged scoops, such as the Bruce, are simple, rugged, and efficient |
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| The traditional fisherman-type anchor must be larger and heavier than others, but it excels on rocky bottoms |
sheer weight. They are also easily fouled if the anchor line drags across them, in which case they will be rendered ineffective. Pivoting-fluke anchors are compact and stow flat.The best-known example is the Danforth; other similar models include the Fortress, the Guardian, and the Performance.Plow anchors perform much as their name suggests, by digging a sharp point into the seabed. This enables them to penetrate weed and grass. Their surface area is typically smaller than that of a pivoting-fluke anchor, so their ultimate resistance, or anchoring power, is somewhat less. They are better at hooking into a rocky bottom, however, and perform well in sand and adequately in mud. There is little chance of the rode fouling a properly set plow anchor, and they stow neatly in a bow roller, ready for action. The best-known plow is the C.Q.R., which has a pivoting head. The Delta, which offers comparable performance, has a fixed head.Winged scoop anchors are modified plows with manta-like wings extending from the sides. They were specially designed to anchor oil rigs in the North Sea. They have a reputation for setting quickly and they, too, stow neatly in a bow roller. They perform well in sand and adequately in mud or rock, but often have difficulty penetrating weed and grass. Winged scoop anchors are not easily fouled and their simple construction makes them very rugged. The best known of the winged scoops is the Bruce.Fisherman, or traditional, anchors must be very large to provide adequate holding power in sand, mud, or clay bottoms—almost three times as heavy as a plow anchor—but they are the best type on rocky bottoms. They are easily fouled by their rodes, and their projecting stocks and flukes make them awkward to handle, but most fisherman anchors can be dismantled to stow flat. Two well-known makes of fisherman anchors are the Herreshoff and the Luke.The established favorites mentioned previously are constantly challenged by new designs, the latest of which include the Barnacle, the Bulwagga, and the Spade. All three have proven as good as if not better than the favorites in at least some respects. The Barnacle is an unusual single-fluke anchor with a curved shank that stows flat. The Bulwagga has twin triangular flukes joined to a straight shank, which makes it a problem to handle and stow. The Spade is similar to the venerable C.Q.R., except that the shank is curved and the head does not pivot.See also
Bower and Kedge; Cruising Anchors; Fisherman Anchor; Holding Power; Lightweight Anchors; New Anchors; Plow Anchors.
