Anchors

Our anchor range covers the main types used by Irish leisure boats – plough, Fortress and Danforth-style anchors – sized to your boat’s weight and the seabed you’ll typically anchor on, from mud and sand to weed and rock.

Anchor type should match your usual seabed, not just your boat size. A plough-style anchor sets reliably across a wide range of bottoms and re-sets well if the wind or tide shifts, making it a solid general-purpose choice for cruising Irish waters. A Danforth-style anchor holds very well in mud and sand thanks to its broad, flat flukes, but performs less well in weed or rock.

A Fortress anchor is lightweight for its holding power (useful as a stern or kedge anchor) and comes apart for storage, but needs correct fluke-angle assembly for the seabed to perform properly. Size by your boat’s weight and length using the manufacturer’s sizing chart rather than rounding down to save cost – an undersized anchor is one of the more common causes of dragging overnight. Match your chain and rode length to your typical anchoring depth: a scope of around 5:1 to 7:1 (rode length to depth, including tide) is the standard rule of thumb for secure holding.

Frequently asked questions

What’s the best all-round anchor for Irish coastal cruising?

A plough-style anchor is generally the most versatile, setting reliably across mixed seabeds and re-setting well when wind or tide shifts.

How do I size my anchor correctly?

Use the manufacturer’s sizing chart against your boat’s actual weight and length – don’t round down to save money, since an undersized anchor is a common cause of dragging.

How much chain/rope should I let out when anchoring?

A scope of roughly 5:1 to 7:1 (length of rode to depth of water, including tidal rise) is the standard rule of thumb for secure holding.