what ANCHOR is right for you?

PWCs offer more freedom and manoeuvrability than traditional, full-sized boats. Though this means that you’re not always guaranteed an easy way to anchor your PWC or have the option to beach it.

Beaching your PWC can also harm the hull of the ski over time, potentially cause injury with sudden jarring movement and if in a tidal area, requires monitoring to account for water levels.

So depending where you’re heading, it’s important to have the correct equipment and knowledge for when you take a break on land and are looking to safely drop anchor.

Sand Anchors

A popular option as they’re functional and convenient as they don’t take up space and are easy to set up. Simply fill with sand or rocks and then remove the contents once you’re ready to set off again. Great for shallow or shore anchoring though are also good for deeper water too. However, this type of anchor doesn’t work well in rough areas like crashing waves or in busy areas that create a lot of wash.

Fluke Anchors Plough Anchors

An effective option where staying power is required, especially in muddy, sandy or other soft bottoms. It is ideal for when you’re using in the middle of the water including larger swells and great for when you’re anchoring up for a longer period of time, for example, when fishing. Choose the lightweight option for calmer, sandy beach use or grab the 2.5kg chain fluke anchor for improved where deeper water or rougher water use is required.

The all-rounder anchor that is perfect for sandy or muddy bottoms as they are designed to dig in and ‘bite’ by filling up to help hold them in place. The 2 metre chain helps to ensure the anchor remains wedged rather than floating up. Adjust rope length by using the carabiner to lock off at the looped knot depending on water depth.

Folding Anchor Systems

A compact option for convenience with less of the sharp edges that could damage your PWC. This type of anchor is a blend of the benefits of an anchor designed for reef or rocky areas but works just as well in soft bottom areas. This is a great option for calm water use and with more lightweight PWCs or kayaks, etc.

HOW MUCH ROPE TO USE?

A common misconception is if your anchor has hit the bottom, you’re all good to tie it off. However, the deeper you are, the more rope you’ll actually need. An easy reference to remember is the 5:1 ratio. This means if you’re in 5 feet of water, you’d want to have 25 feet of rope. Tie the rope to the front hook (bow hook) as shown above. This will help ensure the anchor lays correctly in the water. If you’re in rougher conditions, or strong winds, you might want to give yourself a bit more slack (i.e. up the ratio to 8:1) and you’ll be fine.

5:1

For every 1m of water = 5m of length cast out