Buying a Small Boat? 3 Types of Anchors You Need to Keep On Board and Why
If you are planning to purchase a new or used small boat, or if you already have one, then you likely know that you need a good anchor. However, you may not know just what type of anchor is best to use depending on the surface of the ocean or lake bottom you plan to take your boat out on most often. Boat experts agree that every small-boat owner should have at least two anchors on board at all times, and a third is important for emergency anchoring to soft mud. Read on to learn about the three types of anchors that work best for small boats and which to choose depending on the surface you are anchoring to.
Must-Have Small-Boat Anchor #1: A Fluke or Danforth Anchor
When you encounter anchors called Danforth anchors and others called fluke anchors, realize that they are just two different names for the same type of anchor. Danforth is simply one of many manufacturers that produce this anchor style, so boaters often simply refer to fluke anchors as Danforth anchors due to the popularity of the brand. This style of anchor is our best option when anchoring to a water bottom made of relatively hard mud or sand. Some fluke anchors are made of steel while others are made of aluminum. Both are good options as long as you choose one that is the right weight for your boat.
Fluke anchors can be as lightweight as less than three pounds or as heavy as 200 pounds. The fact that fluke anchors are lightweight yet very secure due to their design is what makes these anchors so popular. However, as you can imagine, choosing an anchor that is too light for your boat could lead to the anchor coming loose and allowing your boat to drift.
Thankfully, there are handy guides produced by boating professionals that you can use as a reference to help you choose the right anchor weight for your boat. For example, this guide takes both the length and weight of your boat into account to help steer you to the right anchor weight. For example, if your boat is 20 feet long and about 2,500 pounds, the guide states that an 8-pound Danforth (fluke) anchor would be your best option.
Don't worry if you can't find a guide that includes your boat weight and length; every anchor manufacturer typically has their own guidelines set that help new boaters choose the right anchor for them. In addition, the seller of your small-boat anchoring system will likely also be able to help you choose the right anchor weight for you.
Must-Have Small-Boat Anchor #2: A Plow Anchor
While fluke anchors are best for anchoring up to hard mud and sand, a plow anchor is a better option when anchoring to rocky surfaces and grass. A fluke anchor also works very well in sand. If you are anchoring to a surface that contains both sand and rocks, the plow anchor is your better option because the rocks can become lodged in the fluke anchor due to its design.
This type of anchor is also available in either steel or aluminum, and both are solid options that work very well. Due to their design, plow anchors must be a bit heavier in weight than fluke anchors. For example, for a boat that is 20 feet long and weights 2,500 pounds, you would need a plow anchor that is about 10 pounds.
Must-Have Small-Boat Anchor #3: A Mushroom Anchor
You likely noticed that neither the fluke nor the plow anchor are recommended for anchoring into soft mud bottoms, and that is why you need a mushroom anchor on board. Mushroom anchors are designed to allow you to anchor to soft mud much more securely than you can with any other type of anchor.
Due to the fact that metal anchors can easily slide out of soft mud, a mushroom anchor is designed completely differently from any other type of anchor. Instead of scooping into the mud, the anchor adheres to the surface of it using suction. These anchors are actually shaped like mushrooms, and the mushroom "head" is the part that adheres to the mud. The head also becomes slightly buried in the mud.
Due to the inherent difficulty of anchoring to mud, these anchors must be much heavier than others. When anchoring to very soft mud with a 20-foot boat, a mushroom anchor must be about 150 pounds, while mud that is a bit firmer can be anchored to securely with a 100-pound mushroom anchor. Of course, mushroom anchors for smaller boats can be much more lightweight.
If you are planning to purchase your first small boat or have just bought one and are looking into buying the anchors you need, then realize that you need more than one anchor because each type works best with a different water bottom. When you have these three anchors on board, you can be ready to anchor to any surface you encounter during your boating endeavors.
Look at companies such as Stick It Anchor Pins to look at the various brands of anchors available.
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