Our last Carefree Boat Club training blog covered U.S. Aids to Navigation Systems (ATONS). As a follow up. this week’s #TrainingThursday will cover Anchoring. We will cover different types of anchors and steps for anchoring your boat safely and retrieving your anchor safely.

Anchoring:

Anchors are not only an important piece of boating equipment but they also are essential in emergency situations. For example, if your engine breaks down or there are rough waters.

Tip #1

Choose an anchor that fits your boat and the boating conditions.

• Plow-Style Anchor: Good for most boats.
  • This anchor holds by plowing into sediments.
• Fluke-Style Anchor: Good for most boats.
  • Pointed flukes dig into sediments.
• Mushroom-Style Anchor: Useful only for small canoes, rowboats, small sailboats, or inflatables.
  • Holds by sinking into sediments.

Tip #2

Prepare your anchor before setting out.

• Attach 7 to 8 feet of galvanized chain to the anchor. The chain helps set the anchor.
• Attach an anchor line to the chain. The line should be at least seven to ten times the depth of the water where you will set anchor.
• Store the anchor and its lines where you can get to them quickly and easily in an emergency situation.

Tip #3

Follow these steps to anchor your boat:

1. Choose an area with plenty of room.
2. Move to a position upwind or upcurrent of where you want to end up.
3. Stop the boat. Slowly lower the anchor over the bow to the bottom. Note: Never anchor from the stern – this can cause the boat to swamp.
4. Slowly back the boat downwind or downcurrent. Let out about seven to ten times as much anchor line as the depth of the water. Tie off the line around a bow cleat. Note: Never tie the line to the stern.
5. An anchored boat will swing downwind or downcurrent from the anchor.

Tip #4

 

Follow these steps for retrieving your anchor.

1. Move the boat directly over the anchor while pulling in the line. Pulling the anchor straight up should break it free.
2. If the anchor is stuck, turn your boat in a large circle while keeping the anchor line pulled tight.
3. When the anchor breaks loose, stop the boat and retrieve the anchor.

 

Tune in to our next training blog on Local Hazards! 

(Images and lessons sourced from boat-ed.com)

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