Anchoring & Docking

About Anchoring & Docking

A good boat anchor and the proper anchoring accessories to set and retrieve it can make the difference between a great time on the water and a very frustrating exercise in futility. Nothing is more irritating than having to cut the line on a perfectly good anchor rode because you are unable to hoist it aweigh and haul it on board your boat.
First, you need to know what type of sea bottom that you will normally be dropping your anchor into so you can decide which anchor will work best for your needs. Then, you need to decide upon the length of anchor rode that you will need to buy, again, based upon the majority of places that you plan to drop anchor. If you are planning on spending a lot of time deep sea fishing, you will need to buy a longer anchor rode than if you just plan to anchor near shore all the time. The choice is entirely up to you, which is the reason why we are generally reluctant to advise you and never pressure you into making a purchase decision.
However, you should always buy the best anchoring gear that you can afford because you can never predict when you will need to rely on it in an emergency, so make sure that your cleats, chocks, bow roller, and windlass are strong enough to carry the load of your boat in any sea conditions. Also, having the proper chafing gear and shock absorbers will protect the investment in your favorite boat, so you can enjoy being out on the water.