Don Casey Tip #9  

Anchoring

Scope is often defined as the ratio of the length of deployed anchor rode to the depth of the water. That is Wrong! Scope calculations must be based on the vertical distance-not from the sea bottom to the surface of the water, but from the sea bottom to the bow chock or roller where the anchor rode comes aboard. For example, if you let out 30' of anchor rode in 6' of water, you may think you have a 5:1 scope, but if your bow roller is 4' above the waterline, your scope is actually 3:1.

Scope is required to make the pull on the anchor horizontal-the more upward pull on it, the more likely it is to break it out. Minimum scope is about 5:1. Seven to one is better where you have the room. A length of chain between the line and the anchor--I recommend 20'--also helps to keep the pull horizontal.