Choosing the Right Anchor

Even though anchors are used most often by recreational boaters to “park” their boat while swimming or fishing, anchors are also critical equipment in times of emergency. Anchoring may be a safety measure if your boat becomes disabled.

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

Plow-Style Anchor: This anchor is good for most boats and gets its holding power by plowing into bottom sediment.

Fluke-Style Anchor: This anchor (commonly referred to as Danforth) is similar to the plow style but is more lightweight. It is also good for most boats and gets its holding power from its pointed flukes digging into bottom sediment.

Danforth is a registered trademark of Tie Down Engineering, Inc.

Mushroom-Style Anchor: This anchor gets its holding power by sinking into bottom sediment. It should not be used to anchor boats larger than a small canoe, rowboat, small sailboat, or inflatable boat, as the holding power is weak. You should never depend on a mushroom anchor to hold your boat in rough water or weather.