Choosing the anchor for my sailboat

Introduction. 

The anchor is an essential piece of equipment on the boat, and its choice is probably one of the most difficult and compromising, given the number of options available and the large number of articles and information on the subject. Having the right anchor will give you peace of mind when anchoring, but above all it can save your boat in a difficult situation of strong wind, current or swell.

It is not worth skimping when buying an anchor, and it is more important to invest in a good anchor than in other less essential boat equipment (e.g. the latest ipad!). In this chapter I will try to evaluate with my experience all the essential information, to help you make this decision.

What qualities does the anchor you need on board have to have?:

The main qualities that an anchor should have are the following:

– It must sink to the bottom at the first time with ease.

– It must penetrate with depth.

– It must have a high holding power.

– It must continue to hold when the wind or current changes direction.

– Must grip on all types of bottom (sand, mud, rocks, etc.).

– It should be easy to handle and stow on board.