Anchor essentials
HOW TO SETUP YOUR BOAT PART 6
There has been a revolution in anchoring technology over the past couple of decades. More and more boats are now fitted with electric windlasses, there have been marked improvements in the chain available to us, and today’s anchors are much more effective than those of the late 20th century.
If you’ve recently bought a boat, or are planning more adventurous cruising in your existing vessel, it’s worth taking a careful look at the anchoring equipment and arrangements for the ten common problems, ranging from rusty shackles to worn chain and poorly maintained windlasses (see panel, right).
Because of this, many second-hand boats will benefit from an upgrade in ground tackle and handling systems. It’s worth remembering that few owners will do this for a boat they might be selling in a couple of years’ time.
Equally, don’t assume that 30 years of use is proof that the ground tackle of a used boat is up to the job – many owners never use their anchor for anything other than a lunch hook.
‘The ability to set quickly also means that most new-generation anchors will reset more easily after breaking out’
Of the seven boats I’ve bought to date there have been only two whose ground tackle I didn’t upgrade. With the first, an 18ft plywood Caprice I bought at the age of 17, I honestly didn’t know any better
