What is the Advantage and Disadvantage of Enclosed Anchor

26 Aug.,2024

 

The Ultimate Anchor Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Boat type and weight.

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Depending on the type and size of the boat, different anchor types may be more suitable. Smaller boats can usually use lighter anchor types, while larger boats may need heavier and stronger anchor types

  • Smaller boats: For smaller boats such as inflatables, kayaks or small sailboats, lighter anchor types are usually sufficient. These boats are usually lighter in weight and therefore do not need heavy anchors to provide sufficient support. Lightweight anchors such as Flunk anchors or Danforth anchors can be a good choice here.
  • Medium-sized boats: Medium-sized boats such as cabin cruisers or sailing yachts usually require slightly heavier anchor types. The weight of the anchor should be proportional to the weight of the boat to ensure sufficient holding power. For medium-sized boats, console anchors or delta anchors may be suitable.
  • Larger boats and yachts: Larger boats and yachts with heavier weights require robust and heavy anchor types to stay securely in place. Ploughshare anchors are often the first choice for large boats and yachts due to their design and heavy weight. They offer high holding power and are well suited for difficult conditions.

It is important to match the weight of the anchor and the weight of the boat to ensure that the anchor provides the required holding power. It is recommended to consider the boat manufacturer's specifications as well as recommendations from experts or other sailors to select the appropriate anchor type according to the boat weight.

Water conditions and anchor bottom

The nature of the anchor bottom and the conditions in the water play a crucial role in choosing the right type of anchor. Some anchor types work better on sandy or muddy bottoms, while others hold better on rocky or hard bottoms.

Weather conditions and area of operation

The weather conditions the boat will be exposed to also influence the choice of anchor type. In areas with strong currents, strong winds or strong tides, anchor types with high holding power and stability must be chosen.

Personal preferences and experience

Personal preferences and experience play an important role in choosing an anchor type. Some sailors prefer certain types of anchors based on their own experiences or habits. It is advisable to talk to other sailors and ask them for recommendations to benefit from their experiences.

When choosing a type of anchor, it is important to consider all these aspects carefully to find the type of anchor that best suits your boat, water conditions, weather and personal preferences. It may also be helpful to consult an expert or dealer for advice and assistance in choosing the right type of anchor.


Anchor hardware systems: "closed" vs. "open"

Ram&#;s horn / pigtail open anchors

Another style of open anchor hardware is a &#;ram&#;s horn&#;, aka pigtail. More common in Europe, but still quite rare in the United States. They are being used in a few areas, so I thought I&#;d mention it.

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These are typically made from 10 of 12 mm stainless steel rod, and cost about $10 each. They also come in titanium, which wears out faster than stainless steel, but is good for coastal areas. And no, it doesn't twist your rope.

You can get them from team-tough in the US or in Europe from bolt-products. (Reminder: there are no affiliate marketing links on my website. I post links like this as a convenience.)

Simply flip the rope and around each horn and lower off. Does it look sketchy to you? Could the rope magically unclip itself from both horns at once? Pretty much impossible; it&#;s close to getting-hit-by-lightning unlikely.

Apparently in Europe it's quite common to have just a single horn to lower from, but personally I'm not too excited about that. Here's an accident report from the Austrian Alpine Club about this failing during a rappel, which I'm pretty sure was from just a single point, and not two separate pigtails. The club mentions there have been several accidents related to these but I don't know any other details. Remember, Americans like moi prefer redundant anchor points.

Again, the best use of these is LOWERING from single pitch routes, not as rappel anchors. (Using these doesn&#;t make much sense to me on multi pitch rappel anchors, because you're already untied from the end of the rope, so a closed ring seems lots more secure.)

From the article:

&#;After a few serious climbing accidents, we (Austrian Alpine Club) have to advise against using pig tails (see picture) for abseiling. In the event of jerky loading and unloading, the rope can detach completely from the steel bracket!&#;

Here's another accident report from Austria, not sure if it covers the same incident or not. It's in German.

&#;The sow tail, which is designed as a deflection hook, is a system that is open at the top and requires correct insertion of the rope as well as the subsequent downward load. If the rope is moved up over the sow tail, it can be unhooked. This danger must be taken into account, especially if the belay with pigtail is positioned below the climber's tie-in point.&#;

Note the photo below where these are used as a pair. This makes it more secure than just a single one.

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