A lot can depend on the anchor. Not only a ship that may cost many thousands of euros, but also the weal and woe of the crew. The crux of the matter is that the crucial processes take place virtually in secret, namely under water.
This makes it all the more important that the skipper can trust the anchor on board blindly, so to speak. But can he do that?
The practical test we recently carried out reveals that doubts are justified. It is not uncommon for manufacturers to advertise the enormous holding power of their products, and usually on all grounds. But the reality is different.
Some hooks slip even under low tensile loads, or they don't find a hold at all, don't dig in and slide backwards across the seabed.
The new issue of YACHT (issue 17/09, in newsagents from Wednesday) tells you which anchors can be classed as suitable for use on board and which may serve as additional ballast.
