Choosing the right anchor for your recreational boat is crucial for ensuring safety and convenience while on the water. Different types of anchors serve various purposes, and understanding their benefits and drawbacks can help you select the best option for your needs. In this article, we’ll explore the seven main types of anchors for recreational boats, along with their benefits and drawbacks.
What Are The Types of Anchors and Which Is For You?
Check out the characteristics of these 7 boat anchors and compare each anchor’s strengths to your boating style. For guidance on choosing the right size anchor, check out: How to Choose the Right Anchor Size for Your Boat: A Comprehensive Guide
1. Fluke Anchor (Danforth Anchor)
Benefits:
- Lightweight: The fluke anchor is known for being easy to handle and store, making it a popular choice among boaters.
- High Holding Power: It provides excellent holding power in sandy and muddy bottoms due to its wide, flat flukes that dig into the seabed.
- Affordable: Generally less expensive than other types of anchors, making it a cost-effective option for many boaters.
Drawbacks:
- Limited Versatility: This anchor is less effective in rocky or grassy bottoms, where it struggles to find a good grip.
- Difficult Resetting: If the wind or tide changes, the fluke anchor can struggle to reset itself, potentially leading to dragging.
Best For:
- Boats frequently anchoring in sand or mud, such as coastal cruisers and smaller recreational boats.
- We use these frequently as a great stern anchor when anchoring stern to a beach.
- The picture shows a classic anchor rode (chain + rope) accompanying it.
2. Plow Anchor
Benefits:
- Versatile: The plow style anchor performs well in a variety of seabeds, including sand, mud, and grass, making it a reliable choice for different anchoring conditions.
- Strong Holding Power: Its plow-like design allows it to bury deeply into the seabed, providing strong holding power even in changing wind or tide conditions.
- Resilient: Capable of resetting itself effectively if the boat swings or the current changes.
Drawbacks:
- Heavier: Plow anchors tend to be heavier and bulkier, making them more challenging to handle and store on smaller boats.
- More Expensive: Typically, plow anchors are more costly than simpler designs like the fluke anchor. Additionally, the pictured plow anchor, above, is stainless steel, which comes with a heavier price tag.
Best For:
- A great primary anchor for cruisers and larger boats needing reliable anchoring in diverse conditions, especially those venturing into varying seabeds.
3. Claw Anchor (Bruce Anchor)
Benefits:
- Easy to Set: The claw anchor sets quickly in most seabeds, including sand, mud, and rock, due to its curved, claw-like design.
- Durable: Constructed from solid materials, claw anchors are known for their durability and long-lasting performance.
- Good Holding Power: Provides reliable holding power in various conditions, making it a versatile choice for different environments.
Drawbacks:
- Bulkier: Claw anchors are generally bulkier and take up more storage space on the boat.
- Heavier: They can be more challenging to handle, particularly for smaller boats with limited manpower.
Best For:
- Boats anchoring in diverse conditions that need a reliable and easy-to-set anchor, such as coastal cruisers and fishing boats.
- This is a very common anchor type and I personally use it daily and have no complaints.
4. Mushroom Anchor
Benefits:
- High Holding Power in Mud: The mushroom anchor excels in soft, muddy bottoms, where its wide, mushroom-shaped head can dig in and hold securely.
- Low Profile: Its low profile reduces the risk of fouling other boats’ anchors or snagging on underwater obstacles.
Drawbacks:
- Not Versatile: The mushroom anchor is ineffective in other seabeds like sand, rock, or grass, limiting its use to specific conditions.
- Heavy: Often heavier than other anchors, making it difficult to handle and retrieve, especially for smaller boats.
Best For:
- Small boats and personal watercraft anchoring in muddy conditions, such as in sheltered bays and estuaries.
- You will often see Jet Skis and smaller vessels using this anchor type.
5. Grapnel Anchor
Benefits:
- Compact and Lightweight: The grapnel anchor is easy to store and handle due to its compact and lightweight design.
- Good for Rocky Bottoms: It performs well in rocky and coral areas, where its multiple prongs can find purchase on uneven surfaces.
- Foldable: Many grapnel anchors can be folded, making them even easier to stow away in small spaces.
Drawbacks:
- Limited Holding Power: The grapnel anchor is not suitable for larger boats or strong currents due to its lower holding power.
- Difficult to Set: Can be challenging to set and retrieve in some conditions, especially in soft seabeds.
Best For:
- Small boats, kayaks, and dinghies anchoring in rocky areas or for temporary mooring in calm conditions.
6. Delta Anchor (Wing Anchor)
Benefits:
- Self-Launching: The delta anchor is designed to fit well on bow rollers, making it easy to deploy and retrieve.
- Good Versatility: It performs well in various seabeds, including sand, mud, and gravel, providing reliable holding power.
- Excellent Holding Power: Known for its strong and dependable holding in a range of conditions, the delta anchor is a favorite among many boaters.
Drawbacks:
- Heavier: Delta anchors are generally heavier, which can be a challenge for smaller boats to handle.
- More Expensive: They tend to be more costly compared to simpler anchor designs like the fluke anchor.
Best For:
- Boats with a bow roller, cruisers, and those needing strong holding power in diverse seabeds.
7. Box Anchor
Benefits:
- High Holding Power: The box anchor is known for its exceptional holding power in various seabeds, including grass and rock.
- Easy Retrieval: It collapses for easy storage and retrieval, making it convenient for boaters.
- Self-Setting: Sets quickly without needing to back down, ensuring a secure hold even in challenging conditions.
Drawbacks:
- Bulky: The box anchor takes up more storage space when not in use.
- Heavier: Its weight can be challenging for smaller boats to handle, especially without an anchor winch.
Best For:
- Boaters needing strong holding power and versatility in different seabeds, particularly in areas with varying bottom conditions.
Conclusion
You can purchase many of these anchors for your boat at West Marine.
Choosing the right anchor for your recreational boat involves understanding the benefits and drawbacks of each type. The fluke anchor is lightweight and affordable but limited to sandy and muddy bottoms. The plow anchor offers versatility and strong holding power but is heavier and more expensive. The claw anchor is easy to set and durable, making it suitable for diverse conditions. The mushroom anchor excels in muddy bottoms but is heavy and not versatile. The grapnel anchor is compact and good for rocky areas but has limited holding power. The delta anchor is self-launching and versatile, providing excellent holding power, while the box anchor offers high holding power and easy retrieval but is bulky and heavy.
By considering the specific conditions you’ll encounter and the type of boat you have, you can choose the best anchor to ensure a safe and enjoyable boating experience. See you out on the water!
For more articles related to boating, check out all of my other articles here.
