This tip is about anchoring your boat in the perfect position and how to do so.

Our anchors are made from a plate iron or stainless steel 20x20x1cm and in the centre a massive bar 30 cm long and 3 cm thick. Hollow pipe you have to pour lead in to get some weight into your anchor. This will hold your boat perfectly. Just remember, the bigger and heavier the boat, the more you have to use bigger plates and bars. Attach a heavy chain on the anchor, let’s say 2 meters to get more grip. Use a proper rope like gripolene ( sailing rope ) to prevent tangling and buy one not to thin it will cut into your hands and when your hands are cold you have less grip.. Make sure you tie the end of the line to your boat, you are not the first one who sees his line going overboard and disappear.

When you use a snap on hook ( carbiner ), put a piece of hose on it to prevent opening and losing your anchor. The best snap on hooks are those with a thread and a screw. Always haul in your anchor on the bow or stern, NEVER on the side of your boot. Flipping over may be the result.

When you see a good spot, throw a marker buoy an let your first anchor gently down 20 to 30 or even more meters (depending on the depth, 2 x depth) from the buoy. Reverse the engine and let the second anchor down the same way. Take the buoy out and store it away. Get some cork or other floating material and small fenders ready, tie the fenders to your anchor line. When loose a float, throw a cork or peace of strypor (white foam made from little balls) nearby and if you watch the cork go, you will be able to track back your float after you start moving for another spot or when it’s time to go home. When you have to move, you can throw the lines overboard en due to the fenders you are able to tie up the same way as before.

Anchoring with one anchor is possible and to prefer on deep water because you have to take in only one anchor and after pulling out a few times a 20 pounds anchor from 25 meters or more, you will be happy it’s only one. Tie a line approx 7 to 15 meters on the bow, let your anchor down at the aft and tie the bow line to your aft line just before you are at the right spot. This is not as good as two anchors but better than no anchor at all.

Best regards and happy fishing

Bert