Choosing the Right Anchor for Your Boat

One of the most important decisions a boat owner must make is choosing the right anchor for their boat in terms of type and weight. Below we present the most common anchors with their advantages and disadvantages, a table with recommendations for the anchor weight needed for different types of boats, and some tips on anchoring in general.

1. Danforth Anchor

Danforth anchors are the most common anchors on small pleasure boats. This anchor model was patented in 1940 by Richard Danforth, and in a very short time, the brand itself became a household name for this type of anchor.

Characteristics:

— two long arms (teeth) which penetrate the ground at the bottom of the water

— the spindle is articulated, allowing the arms to move at an angle of about 45° so that the anchor can work regardless of the side on which it lands

— counterweights, which, when they hit an obstacle, allow the anchor to "bite" off the bottom

Usage

The Danforth anchor is ideal for areas where the water bottom is sand or mud; it does not do as well in grass or areas with lots of large rocks.

Advantages of using Danforth anchors:

— a very high weight / holding power ratio

— ideal for sand and mud

— easy to recover

— ideal for bad weather and choppy waters

— easy to stow on larger boats or with storage space

Disadvantages of using Danforth anchors:

— is not suitable for areas covered with grass or large stones

— anchoring itself can be quite frustrating for beginners (the correct anchoring procedure involves dropping the anchor and then reversing the boat until the anchor is fixed)

— inconvenient to stow on small boats or inflatables

The ideal weight of a Danforth anchor

Below is a table with our recommendations for the weight of the Danforth anchor depending on the length of the boat. These recommendations are guidelines for normal anchoring conditions; there are variations depending on weather, ground type, chain, etc.

Boat length / Anchor weight

Up to 3 m (approx. 3.5 yd) / 2 kg (approx. 4.5 lbs)

3 m (approx. 3.5 yd) - 4 m (approx. 4.5 yd) / 2.5 kg (approx. 5.5 lbs)

Up to 5 m (approx. 5.5 yd) / 3.5 kg (approx. 7.5 lbs)

5 m (approx. 5.5 yd) - 6 m (approx. 6.5 yd) / 6 kg (approx. 13 lbs)

Up to 8 m (approx. 9 yd) / 7.5 kg (approx. 16.5 lbs)

8 m (approx. 9 yd) - 9 m (approx. 10 yd) / 11 kg (approx. 24 lbs)

9 m (approx. 10 yd) - 10 m (approx. 11 yd) / 13 kg (approx. 28.5 lbs)

10 m (approx. 11 yd) - 11 m (approx. 12 yd) / 16 kg (approx. 35 lbs)

Up to 12 m (approx. 13 yd) / 20 kg (approx. 44 lbs)

2. Claw Bruce Anchor

The Claw Bruce anchor was developed by Peter Bruce from the Isle of Man in the 1970s and is one of the most commonly used anchors on small boats and inflatables.

Usage

Claw anchors "bite" into most soil types but are not particularly good in areas with a lot of vegetation.

Advantages of using Claw Bruce anchors:

— easy to use

— good results in most soil types

— quite stable in strong currents

Disadvantages of using Claw Bruce anchors:

— impractical to stow

— poor ratio between weight and holding power

— can get stuck in vegetation

The ideal weight of a Claw Bruce anchor

Below is a table with our recommendations for the weight of the Claw Bruce anchor depending on the length of the boat. These recommendations are guidelines for normal anchoring conditions; there are variations depending on weather, ground type, chain, etc.

Boat length / Anchor weight

Under 6.4 m (approx. 7 yd) / 5 kg (approx. 11 lbs)

6.7 m (approx. 7.5 yd) – 7.5 m (approx. 8.5 yd) / 10 kg (approx. 22 lbs)

8.0 m (approx. 9 yds) – 9.0 m (approx. 10 yds) / 12 kg (approx. 26.5 lbs)

9.4 m (approx. 10.5 yd) – 12.0 m (approx. 13 yd) / 16 kg (approx. 35 lbs)

12.0 m (approx. 13 yd) – 14.0 m (approx. 15.5 yd) / 20 kg (approx. 44 lbs)

3. CQR Anchor

Patented by the mathematician Geoffrey Ingram Taylor, this type of anchor received its name from its resemblance to the plow used in agriculture.

Characteristics:

— articulated spindle

— sharp arm (tooth)

Usage

It is efficient in all kinds of soil but excels in none. The anchor relies on its weight to stick to the ground, so the ratio of weight to holding power is quite weak.

Advantages of using CQR anchors:

— effective on any kind of ground

— user-friendly

— effective in areas with a lot of vegetation

— effective even in strong currents

— easy to lift out of the water

Disadvantages of using CQR anchors:

— impractical to stow

— not recommended for small boats or inflatables

— rather a high price

The ideal weight of a CQR anchor

Below is a table with our recommendations for the weight of the CQR anchor depending on the length of the boat. These recommendations are guidelines for normal anchoring conditions; there are variations depending on weather, ground type, chain, etc.

Boat length / Anchor weight

Under 6.4 m (approx. 7 yd) / 4 kg (approx. 9 lbs)

6.4 m (approx. 7 yd) – 9 m (approx. 10 yd) / 6 kg (approx. 13 lbs)

9 m (approx. 10 yd) - 12 m (approx. 13 yd) / 10 kg (approx. 22 lbs)

12 m (approx. 13 yd) - 15 m (approx. 16.5 yd) / 16 kg (approx. 35 lbs)

15 m (approx. 16.5 yds) - 18 m (approx. 19.5 yds) / 20 kg (approx. 44 lbs)

4. Folding Anchor

Folding anchors are preferred by owners of small boats and inflatable boats or kayaks. These anchors do not excel at securing the boat to the ground, but they are very easy to transport and can be used to retrieve items that have fallen out of the boat. Although they do not offer a very high holding power about their weight, these anchors are ideal for temporary anchoring while fishing or eating.

Characteristics:

— four articulated arms, of which not more than two can be inserted into the ground at the same time

— fixed spindle

— arm locking ring both in the "open" position and with the arms folded

Advantages of using folding anchors:

— ideal for canoes, kayaks, or inflatable boats

— can also be used to recover objects that have fallen overboard

— very easy to transport and use

— effective in most soil types

— ideal as a secondary anchor

Disadvantages of using folding anchors:

— this type of anchor is not recommended for permanent anchorage

— very poor ratio of holding power to weight

— is not very efficient in sand

— can get stuck in vegetation