Deck General · Anchoring — Scope

For good holding in moderate conditions, the scope (length of rode paid out to depth of water) is commonly at least:

Explanation

A scope of about 5:1 to 7:1 (rode to water depth, measured to the bow chock) lets the anchor pull horizontally so the flukes dig in. Too little scope lifts the shank and the anchor drags; more scope is veered in heavy weather.

Authority: Knight's Modern Seamanship

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