Anchors & rodes

Scope is everything

Anchoring is mostly geometry. Let out enough rode — at least five times the depth for chain, more for rope — and the anchor lies flat and digs. Short scope is the reason anchors drag.

chain    5:1 minimum, 7:1 in weather
rope     7:1, with a chain leader
shelter  a lee shore is not shelter

Chain does most of the work

The anchor holds the boat, but the chain holds the anchor. Its weight keeps the pull horizontal so the flukes stay buried. A short leader of chain on a rope rode is worth its weight in storms.

Set it, then prove it

Back down slowly with the engine until the rode comes tight and the boat stops. Then leave it a moment and check your transit. An anchor that holds at idle will tell you before the weather does.