Choosing the Right Anchor

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

Choose an anchor that fits your pleasure craft and the boating conditions.

Plow-Style Anchor

The plow-style anchor is good for most pleasure craft and gets its holding power by plowing into bottom sediments.

Fluke-Style Anchor

The fluke-style anchor (commonly referred to as Danforth) is similar to the plow style but is more lightweight. It is also good for most pleasure craft and gets its holding power from its pointed flukes digging into bottom sediments.

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

Mushroom Anchor

The mushroom anchor gets its holding power by sinking into bottom sediments. It should not be used to anchor boats larger than a small canoe, rowboat, small sailboat, or inflatable boat since its holding power is weak. You should never depend on a mushroom anchor to hold a boat in rough water or rough weather.