How To Anchor Your Boat

May 07, 2017

"How do I anchor my boat properly?"

Anchoring your boat can sometimes be the worst part of owning a boat if done incorrectly - or if using a low quality boat anchor.

Have you ever arrived in an area extra early just so you could drop anchor and try to get set before others see you struggle to do so? If you remember your first time launching or trailering a boat at a public launch, then chances are you remember the feeling of all eyes being on you. The same could be said for anchoring your boat.

If you’ve ever struggled setting or releasing your anchor, then Hurricane Boat Anchors will change your boating experience forever.

For many boat owners, the time spent on anchor is the most enjoyable part of owning a boat and temporarily claiming your space on that body of water. Whether you are a recreational boat owner, a fisherman, a diver, a sandbar lover, or all of the above, you need a reliable anchor that will set and release in all bottom types.

Be sure you have chosen the right size boat anchor and that you also have chain connected directly to the anchor first.

Note: There are many methods and techniques for anchoring your boat, and they depend on several things such as whether anchoring on the ocean, a lake/river, the water depth, and current & future weather conditions.

The information here is basic info to help set your anchor reliably - always use caution and be aware of future weather conditions.

Finding A Place To Anchor Your Boat

Be aware of the wind directions, and always anchor by dropping your primary anchor off the bow of the boat, and facing into the wind. Although wind directions can change and re-anchoring might be necessary, it isn’t usually needed unless the wind changes directions close to 180 degrees. When anchoring overnight, additional precautions must be taken and is only advised for experienced boat owners.

Avoid Areas With Rocks & Debris

Anchoring your boat in rocky areas or with debris is never recommended unless absolutely necessary, but should never be done overnight. Knowing the bottom type or having a general idea of the seabed is important. For the Hurricane Boat Anchors, the bottom type usually doesn’t matter as it will set and hold in everything from soft sand and mud, to hard sand/mud/clay, or any combination.

If anchoring in areas prone to losing an anchor, we recommend using the tripline hole for the breakaway release method.

Lower/Drop the Anchor - Never Wind Up And Throw It!

Although we’ve all seen the classic image of the skipper putting all his strength into throwing the anchor far from the boat, this is never recommended. The line or chain is likely to get caught in the anchor and prevent setting.

Instead, gently toss the anchor a few feet away in order to keep it from making contact with the boat. Be sure you also have control of the line and do not throw a pile of line and chain overboard all at once. When the anchor has reached the bottom, begin moving slowly in reverse while continuing to let out line. Be sure to keep hands and feet clear from getting tangled in the line at all times. View setting video here.

Note: Hurricane Boat Anchors can set extremely fast - be prepared for this. If the boat is moving in reverse, or being pushed by a strong wind or current, the anchor can set very quickly and pull the rope from your hands, or worse.

Once the anchor is on the bottom, gently put the boat in reverse and begin letting out line as you continue to move back. (See below for recommendations on how much scope to use.)

Note: Like other anchors with rollbars, since the handle of the Hurricane Boat Anchor does not pivot, the anchor will only work one way and occasionally will land on its side or on the rollbar.

It is important to understand how anchors with rollbars must be set properly, and given a few jerks to ensure it has flipped over, the line is tight, and the anchor is digging in.

We recommend giving the line these jerks at about a 2:1 scope or less. It is important to feel the anchor line tight before letting out too much line - if you jerk it at 3:1 or 4:1 then the angle of the line might be too low for it to flip over.

At 2:1, the angle of the line is still high enough to help it right itself.

Windlasses: Simply hit the lock/stop button briefly when moving in reverse when you have reached approximately 2:1 scope. When you feel the resistance indicating the anchor has set, continue to let out line and move in reverse.

Scope

Hurricane Boat Anchors can set and function on as little as 2:1 scope in most sand and mud bottoms, compared to 5:1 with all other anchors. However, short scopes are not recommended for offshore use, or in high winds. In those conditions, minimum 4:1 scope should be used and more as needed.

For lakes, rivers, or inshore use, a 2:1 scope can be very beneficial in crowded areas, or in deep water where letting out a lot of anchor line is not practical.