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Article Courtesy Royal Canadian Marine Search & Rescue - Station 106 - Shuswap
Few tools on a boat are as essential or versatile as the age-old anchor. It’s perfect for mooring, fishing, beaching, and most importantly, securing your boat to prevent drifting when your boat loses power or the engine breaks down.
They are also mandatory to have on board as regulated by Transport Canada’s Office of Boating Safety. For powerboats up to 6 m (19.8 ft) and up to 9 m (29.6 ft) an anchor and at least 15 m (49.3 ft) of cable, rope or chain is required. For larger boats, more than 9 m (29.6 ft) and up to 12 m (39.4 ft) an anchor is required with at least 30 m (98.5 ft) of cable, rope or chain.
Knowing what anchors can be used for and understanding the regulations is important. It’s equally essential to know how to properly use one and stay secured at your moorage or elsewhere. Here is a step-by-step guide as outlined by Royal Canadian Marine Search & Rescue - Station 106 - Shuswap.
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1. Choose a Suitable Location
Find a location to anchor where you will be sheltered from the wind and the bottom composition is compatible with your anchor. Be sure there is adequate room to avoid contacting other vessels in the area.
2. Getting Ready and Securing the Rode
Fasten the inboard end of the anchor line to a secure point on your boat (such as a cleat or designated anchor cleat) at the bow and fasten the anchor line to the anchor.
3. Approach Your Desired Location
Slowly cruise to your spot while heading directly into the wind. Then reverse over the location.
4. Lower Your Anchor
When your boat goes into reverse, lower the anchor to the bottom and gradually pay out the line.
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5. Determine the Scope
After you have let out the rode to a minimum scope of 3:1 (rode length = 3 x anchor depth + freeboard), secure the line to a cleat and allow the anchor to bite into the bottom. Then, pay out more rode to allow a preferred scope of 5:1 or greater. Keep in mind that too much scope may cause you to contact a neighbouring boat as your boat will swing when anchored.
6. Make Sure the Anchor is Set
Ensure the anchor is set by monitoring your position relative to two fixed objects abeam. Keep an eye out for any change in your bearing between these points. If you’re in doubt, back down against the anchor and rode slowly to see if your boat slip out of position.
7. Monitor your Position
Turn off your engine and continue monitoring your position until you are satisfied to leave the boat unattended to enjoy swimming, fishing, or when going ashore.
Anchoring a boat is not difficult when done properly. Keep in mind, the procedures may need to be repeated or differ from one trip to the next according to the bottom structure and weather.
Weighing Anchor
After a day on the water, bringing in the anchor is just as straightforward by following these steps:
- Forward Slow Go forward slowly while taking in the anchor rode.
- Stow the Line When your boat is directly over the anchor, it will usually free itself from the bottom.
- Snub a Stubborn Anchor If the anchor refuses to break free, then snub the line around a forward cleat and advance the boat a few metres or run the boat slowly in a wide circle.
Anchor Lines and Added Tips
In most cases, an anchor is only as effective as the line it’s attached to and there are a few choices available. Be sure to always use a line that is designated for anchoring. Avoid using a rope commonly used for waterskiing, wakeboarding, and tubing.
- Three-Strand Twisted Nylon Line This is ideal to ensure holding power amid constant tugging of the anchor line and will absorb shock loads.
- Chain This may seem extreme, but it’s very popular to connect to a longer length of nylon line. It’s commonly used for rocky bottoms. A rule of thumb is to use .3 m (1 ft) of chain for every foot of your boat. You can also use an anchor shackle to connect the two lines.
- How Much Line is Needed? The general principle when determining the length of an anchor line is a ratio of 7:1. For example, for every foot of water depth you need to use 7 feet of rode.
- What is Holding Power? Anchors are rated by their holding power, which means the amount of force the anchor can withstand to keep your boat in position. For instance, holding power of 90 pounds is enough to safely anchor a 6 m (20 ft) boat in 20 mph winds