Ankanchors

Ankanchors is a term used to describe a specific type of anchor designed for use in soft or yielding seabeds, such as mud, sand, or silt. Unlike heavier anchors that rely on sheer weight to hold a vessel, Ankanchors are engineered to penetrate the seabed and embed themselves, providing a more secure hold in challenging conditions. Their design often features a fluke or blade that is angled to dig into the substrate.

The effectiveness of an Ankanchor is dependent on its ability to penetrate the seabed and create a strong holding force. Different Ankanchor designs exist, each optimized for particular seabed types and vessel sizes. These anchors are commonly used in recreational boating and by some commercial vessels, particularly in areas where traditional anchors might struggle to find good purchase. When deployed, the anchor is allowed to set by the vessel's drift or by using the engine to pull it firmly into the bottom. Retrieval typically involves reversing the vessel's direction of pull to break the anchor free.