"Eddie" wrote in message
...
Hello all. I'm sorry, but I think this may sound stupid but I don't
know anything about anchors.
I have a 31' Regal and have never used the anchor. The few times I've
used the boat is just for cruising, have never needed to stop in the
middle of the water like some people I see especially fishermen.
So how does it work? What if the water is too deep? If I lower it
how does it hook up below the water? How do I disengage it? What if
it's stuck and unable to disengage? Do I cut it? What if it's a
metal chain?
And finally, what is a windlass? How does it work?
Thanks for any help
Eddie

Oh boy. At this time I'd recommend a Power Squadron course to get familiar
with the basics.
As a general rule you should have a rode seven times longer than the deepest
water you'll anchor in.
As part of the rode...chain equal to your boat length.
You've probably seen the different types of anchors around...so if you know
what type you have it would help.
example I have a little mushroom anchor with my open aluminum boat but
you'd have maybe a plow type or Danforth.
see:
http://boatingsailing.suite101.com/a...f_boat_anchors
and:
http://images.google.ca/images?clien...ed=0CB0QsAQwAw