Laura wrote:
We have a 200 Sea Ray Sundeck (deckboat/bowrider). I have a fluke
anchor. We are new to boating.

My question is whether or not a "land anchor" is useful or will the
fluke anchor work just as well for setting the anchor right on the
beach?

The only thing a land anchor is useful for is to keep the boat swinging
while anchored near a beach...if you only set one anchor off the bow in
the sand on the beach, wind and wave can push your boat sideways--and
even all the way around. Same is true if you want to keep your stern
toward the beach...you put down an anchor off the bow...then run another
off the stern to the beach. So if you plan to anchor off beaches, you
need at least two anchors...'cuz if the wind is blowing one direction
and the tide or wave action is pushing the boat the other direction,
you'll need two on the beach, each set at about a 45 degree angle off
each side of the stern.

Btw...since you're new to boating, I suggest you take a CG Aux or US
Power Squadron boating safety course. Not only will you learn the "rules
of the road" and how to keep you, your boat and your crew safe on the
water, but also other very important things...like how to set an anchor
and how much rode (anchor line) to put out in various conditions.

--
Peggie
----------
Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987
Author "Get Rid of Boat Odors - A Guide To Marine Sanitation Systems and
Other Sources of Aggravation and Odor"
http://69.20.93.241/store/customer/p...40&cat=&page=1