Anchoring Technique
Approach the chosen spot heading into the wind (or tide, whichever is stronger). Stop the boat and lower the anchor — don't throw it. Pay out the cable (chain or warp) as the boat drifts back. The scope (ratio of cable length to depth) should be at least 4:1 for chain alone, or 6:1 for rope with a short length of chain.
Once the desired scope is deployed, snub the cable (make fast and let the boat pull on it to set the anchor). Check the anchor is holding by taking a transit of two shore objects — if they move relative to each other, the anchor is dragging.
Key Points
- Approach into wind or tide
- Lower the anchor — don't throw it
- Scope: 4:1 (chain) or 6:1 (rope + chain) minimum
- Snub the cable to set the anchor
- Check holding with a transit of shore objects
- Allow for tidal range when calculating depth
Tip: When calculating scope, use the depth at high water plus the freeboard height from bow to water. If the depth is 4m at HW and your bow is 2m above water, use 6m as your total. At 4:1, you need 24m of chain.