In another article we reviewed the 5 classes of anchors and how to choose the one best suited for your needs. In this posting, we will discuss how to properly set that anchor.

Logic would have it that dropping and setting an anchor is merely nothing more than lowering the anchor, setting out some line and kick back and start having fun. Not so quick!

To work properly, anchors must develop enough resistance in the sea bed to endure the environmental forces on the trawler–the wind and the tides. An anchor’s capacity to develop resistance is completely dependent on its capability to penetrate the sea bed. We will assume that you have the correct anchor aboard your boat, the best anchor for your intended sea bed conditions . We will also assume you have enough rode, chain, rope or a combination, to play out the anchor.

As you near your chosen anchorage, always allow plenty of swing room. The tides, currents and winds will always swing the yacht so be sure to allow plenty of room to avoid hitting other boats that may be anchored nearby. Calculate how far you will be from the anchor when it is deployed.

When you have selected your preferred anchor location, place the bow of your trawler into the current and slowly bring her to a stand-still. You can look at other anchored boats to judge which was to be facing if need be.

On my trawler, the Patricia Ann, our anchor rode (line) is all anchor. We have marked the chain with red nylon twine every 25 feet (5 meters). The initial 25 feet is marked with 1 string, the second with 2 and so forth. The strings make letting out enough rode easier.

When you are in position, begin letting out the anchor rode. Your boat will start drifting with the current. When you have played out enough rode to place your anchor on the bottom, bump the engines into reverse to begin laying the rode out. We just do not want the anchor and rode lying in a pile on the sea bed. Don't keep the trawlers engines in reverse, you just want to keep her moving slightly. When you have sufficient rode out, stop the trawler’s reverse speed.

Some boating "experts" take a firm stand that it takes a scope of 7:1 rode to safely hold a yacht. That would equate to 7 foot of rode for every 1 foot of water depth. For example, to properly anchor in 10 feet of water, would require 70 feet of anchor rode. But we routinely anchor the Patricia Ann in 15 foot waters with a 35 lb. CQR anchor and 5/16 inch chain rode. I anchor in 15-20 foot waters and have never had an anchor drag or fail to set, even in high winds. I suspect that the more chain you use, the better the holding power as the rode is pulling more horizontal to the sea floor and the chain further provides supplemental weight.

Now you have an appropriate amount of rode deployed, how do you set and secure it? On our trawler, we use an electric windlass designed for chain. Our windlass has no locking feature so chain will continue to be deployed if the boat pulls it. Your windlass may be different but you must make certain that you can secure the rode so no more will be deployed.

I made up a bridle, consisting of a 5/8 inch dock line that we use to stop additional chain deployment and give some elasticity to it. A stainless shackle is attached to the line. The shackle is connected to the chain rode as it is lowered; the other end is tied to the king post. Be sure to use chafing gear where the bridle meets the anchor roller.

If you are using nylon rode, you will not need to use a bridle. If you are using a metal cable, you can use a cable or wire puller to fasten a bridle to it.

Once the bridle is secured, simply back down on the boat until the anchor sets.

The rode is again lowered allowing the bridle to assume holding the trawler on its own.