DIY Builds
Photo by Quang Nguyen Vinh Pexels Logo Photo: Quang Nguyen Vinh

What are the 5 types of anchor?

Anchor types Admiralty anchor. CQR anchor. Bruce anchor. Danforth anchor. Grapnel anchor.

How much will 1 yard of gravel cover?
How much will 1 yard of gravel cover?

100-square-foot Generally, a cubic yard of gravel provides enough material to cover a 100-square-foot area with 3 inches of gravel. Jul 2, 2022

Read More »
How deep do foundations need to be for a summer house?
How deep do foundations need to be for a summer house?

Concrete foundations for a summer house? The usual advice for concrete is to put a 7-10 cm layer of concrete above 7 cm of compacted hardcore....

Read More »
Can I build my own shed?
Can I build my own shed?

Yes, with the right plans you can build your dream shed.

Learn More »

Anchor types

Weight, chain size and shape. These are the three key elements of an anchor line. We can determine the chain weight and size on the basis of our boat size and these features are usually defined by the shipbuilder. As for shape, on the contrary, it depends on the sea bottom type. Of course, we can’t have an anchor stock for any kind of bottom but we can choose a main anchor, one or two additional ones. Anchors can be divided into four big groups: grapnels, plough anchors, patent anchors and stock anchors.

Stock anchors, of which we know

the classic admiralty one, have disappeared from boats because of their encumbrance and low manageability. Consisting of two flukes and a shaft, these anchors have maybe had the best grip on every sea bottom. Even on seagrass, because flukes can squeeze in the thick sea bottom vegetation. Heavy and bulky, with a high probability to get stuck, they have completely disappeared from boats. Vice versa, the most common anchors are the plough ones. CQR, Bruce and Delta are the most popular anchors because they are good for any kind of sea bottom. Among them, the most efficient one is CQR, designed by an English mathematician, Sir Geoffrey Ingram Taylor, in 1933. Its name is the contraction of “secure”. Like all the other anchors of this category, it is named after its particular plough shape. When it reaches the sea bottom, it bends to let the fluke enter into every bottom, except for seaweeds, where it tends to slip. It has an excellent grip.

CQR

is very expensive. There are some imitations on the market but we suggest you to avoid them. CQR’ s evolutions, like Bruce, Delta, Bugel and Ultranchor are a different matter. They are plough anchors, too, but with no junction between flukes and spindle. They are generally efficient, except for bottoms covered with vegetation. Patent anchors form a large family. Danforth, Britany, Fob, Hall anchors, just to mention the most popular ones, are particularly appreciated for their practicality. They don’t have the same weight/grip ratio than the plough anchors but they are very efficient on all bottoms, except for those ones covered with vegetation. Moreover, they are very handy and can be easily stowed into locker or a bilge. Finally, grapnel anchors can’t be considered for an anchor line on a pleasure craft, not even if small. Especially in resealable models, they can be very efficient for tender and rubber boats or as additional anchors to improve grip, but not in hard weather conditions. In general, we can say that the best solution is a plough anchor, while patent anchors are good as additional anchors.

Both anchor and chain’s weight and length should be considered carefully.

According to an ancient saying, you need ” one anchor pound for each boat foot“. So, for a 40-foot-boat with a medium displacement, CQR’s weight should be about 16 Kg ( 18 Kg and 21 Kg in the case of a Bruce and a Danforth anchor). For example, on a 40-foot-boat with a medium displacement, a good equipment can be a CQR or another plough anchor, as main anchor, of about 18 Kg with 50 metres of a 8-millimeter-chain, and an additional patent anchor of 20 Kg with 20 metres of a 8-millimeter-chain.

Article also available in: English

How does boltless shelving work?
How does boltless shelving work?

Boltless shelving is a form of industrial storage configured without nuts or bolts. This type of shelving is designed for easy assembly. You can...

Read More »
What's the 50 30 20 budget rule?
What's the 50 30 20 budget rule?

Key Takeaways The rule states that you should spend up to 50% of your after-tax income on needs and obligations that you must-have or must-do. The...

Read More »

Why do Catholics say fish is not meat?
Why do Catholics say fish is not meat?

It simply meant abstaining from eating the flesh of warm-blooded animals—since the thinking goes, Jesus was a warm-blooded animal. Fish, though,...

Read More »
How can I keep my house warm without electricity?
How can I keep my house warm without electricity?

If Your Time is short. The best ways to stay warm during a power outage are to wear layers, stay in a confined space, use blankets and battery-...

Read More »
How much does a wooden handicap ramp cost?
How much does a wooden handicap ramp cost?

between $100 and $250 per linear foot Wheelchair ramps made of wood typically cost between $100 and $250 per linear foot to install. Installing a...

Read More »
Are shed plans easy to follow?
Are shed plans easy to follow?

These are! They guide you every step of the way to complete your dream shed.

Learn More »
What is the best room shape for acoustics?
What is the best room shape for acoustics?

The shoebox design is a classic format that some say produces the best acoustics, with nine out of the world's top 10 concert halls having this...

Read More »