When anchoring a powerboat, having the right anchor becomes a crucial factor. The right anchor will secure the boat to the bottom and prevent drifting due to wind, swells, or currents. In this article, let’s briefly talk about the types of anchors powerboats in South Africa typically use.

Types of Anchors Used on Powerboats in South Africa

Anchors in South Africa come in different shapes and sizes (and weights). Choosing the right anchor depends on the type of bed of a waterbody, the size and weight of the vessel, and anchoring conditions. Also, if you often find your vessel to be in rough waters, you may require a larger anchor than the standard size.

Okay, let’s take a look at typically used anchors for powerboats in South Africa.

Fluke Anchor (Danforth Anchor)

Fluke anchor is a popular go-to choice amongst South African boaters. It is a cheap and lightweight anchor that reliably holds onto beds like sand and mud. As it is lightweight and foldable, you can easily handle and stow this anchor safely on your vessel.

This anchor is popular for its holding power in bed types such as sand and mud. When dropped, the anchor buries itself in the bottom and holds the boat position effectively. However, the anchor is not recommended for any other bottom terrains as it struggles in rocky or weedy bottoms. In such bottoms, the anchor finds little space to dig itself properly.

Plow Anchor (CQR & Delta)

A plow anchor is a heavy-duty anchor that holds onto muddy, sandy, or weedy bottoms effectively. It is known for its reliability and efficiency in such bottoms of a waterbody.

When we talk about plow anchors, we usually refer to either CQR or Delta anchors. While CQR and Delta anchors may look slightly different, they both are plow anchors and serve the same function. One may consider the Delta anchor to be the successor of CQR anchors.

Plow anchors are one of the go-to choices for off-shore anchoring for many large vessels due to their versatility and reliability. But, as the anchor is bulky and heavy, smaller powerboat owners should not consider getting one for their vessels. It also requires a bow roller to easily control or retrieve the anchor. Not to mention, it is an expensive anchor compared to fluke anchors.

Plow anchors are usually found on larger vessels, with fluke anchors being a secondary anchor that further helps stabilising a vessel in South Africa.

Claw Anchors (Bruce Anchor)

Claw anchors are another common anchor type in South Africa. These anchors are known for their all-around reliability and ease of use. It is popular amongst larger powerboat or yacht owners.

The anchor provides a strong holding power in sand, mud, and even in some rocky bottoms. The claw anchor does have a downside though, as it may not ‘grip’ as tightly on soft muddy beds or beds with a lot of vegetation.

Thankfully, most areas are just your average mud or sand, so this anchor serves just fine.

Grapnel AnchorsĀ 

Yet another common type of anchor in South Africa, the Grapnel anchor is typically used on small vessels like kayaks, dinghies, and canoes. You can imagine this anchor being popular amongst fishing enthusiasts in South Africa.

These anchors are best for rocky and coral bottoms as they latch onto rocky crevices to provide stability to a vessel. It is also a compact and lightweight anchor which you can fold and stow easily on your vessel.

However, this anchor is poor for all other types of bottoms as it does not bury itself. Thus it lacks the holding power. Furthermore, it can get stuck in rocks, which can make retrieval tricky.

Conclusion

You can easily find one of the four types of anchors mentioned in this article on powerboats

in South Africa. The right anchor type depends on where you are operating the boat, the geography of the waterbed in your area, and the size and weight of your vessel. Keep that in mind when you choose the anchor for your vessel. Alternatively, you may ask your local boat club members or boat dealers for advice as well.

Keep in mind that a vessel must carry patented anchors and a chain with a suitable length of rope for the area of operation according to SAMSA. The said anchor chain (weak link) must be at least 5 metres in length for vessels of 6 metres and above or 3 metres in length for vessels under 6 metres in length.

If you want a SAMSA Skipper’s license in South Africa, Skipper Training SA provides the necessary training to prepare you for your license exam. For more information, feel free to connect with us today.

What Types of Anchors do Powerboats have in South Africa Use?