There are a lot of things that a boat owner should consider and one of them is to figure out what type of anchor to use. An anchor is an important marine equipment that all boats are required to have. Anchors help boats stay in place when docking and mooring since they prevent the boat from being swept away by the waves of the water.

For non-boaters, the first picture that conjures up in one’s brain is the classic nautical iron fluke anchor that big ships use when mooring. However, for smaller vessels, that type of anchor is not applicable as it’s too heavy for boats.

Various styles and classifications of boat anchors also have slightly different functions and are best suited for the size and type of your boat. Let’s discuss it further below:

What Materials Are Anchors Made Out Of?

Boat anchors are made of different materials but the common ones are galvanized steel, stainless steel, and aluminium. Traditional steels, also called galvanized steel are the most common types in the market because it is affordable compared to stainless and aluminium. It’s also strong and corrosion-free. The cons of galvanized steel are it can wear out over time.

Stainless steel has the same features as galvanized steel, although it looks sleeker compared to galvanized steel. Still, it’s more expensive. Aluminium on the other hand is lightweight compared to steel and has good holding power when relying on bottom penetration, however, if it’s not set it provides little to no holding power.

It's important to select the right type of anchor for your boat to ensure it can support the weight of your boat and withstand rough waves. Understanding the various types of anchors will help you make an informed decision. Here's a list of the common types of boat anchors:

Types of Boat Anchors

Once you have a better idea of what size anchor you need for your boat, you’ll also want to consider the type of anchor. Let’s explore some of the most popular options available for boaters when it comes to anchors.

Mushroom Anchor: This type of anchor is used for moorings or securing buoys, especially large ones. Small mushroom anchors are more effective in soft river bottoms since they can latch on quite easily but they have minimal holding power. Small mushroom anchors are best used only for personal watercraft, small aluminium fishing boats, and dinghies.

Fluke Anchor: This anchor is best suited for smaller boats such as Quintrex aluminium boats because it folds flat, is easy to stow and has great holding power. Its wide, sharp flukes sink into the sand and hard mud bottoms without any problems although they are less effective in deep mud or a grassy bottom. Another disadvantage with a fluke anchor is that if the wind blows the boat in the opposite direction from where it was set, it can the anchor free.

Plough Anchor: The plough anchor is more versatile and has greater holding power compared to the other two anchors mentioned. It is strong enough to get a good grip on both soft and rocky bottoms. Securing this type of anchor is more effective on a bow roller than in an anchor locker. The plough anchor has a single penetrating point and is prone to reset itself when the boat resets.

Claw Anchor: This anchor is similar to a plough anchor with the exception that it has a broader scoop shape that it’s more suited to mud, clay, or sandy bottoms and is even strong enough to hold onto a rocky bottom.

Grapnel Anchor: Similarly shaped like a grappling hook, it has multiple tines to grab onto rocks or submerged timber instead of sinking into the bottom. Tines can be folded up along their shank for stowage purposes. It is also designed to make it easy to retrieve if it snags onto the bottom structure. Grapnels are versatile in size and can be used for small boats and large boats.

If you’re still unsure about which anchor to get, don’t hesitate to ask a boat dealer or your local marine shop owner to help you out on choosing the best anchor for your boat.