BOATsmart! USA Knowledge Base

• Attach a 3-6 foot length of galvanized chain to the anchor. A chain will be stronger than an anchor line made of rope and will better withstand abrasion from rocks and sediment.
• Attach a length of nylon anchor line to the end of the chain using an anchor swivel—this combination is called the ‘rode’—the nylon will stretch and act as a cushion for the strain between the boat and the anchor.
• Never secure the anchor to the stern of the boat. 

Many smaller boats have been swamped and have capsized as a result of stern anchoring.  If your boat is attached at the stern, it will swing with the stern into the wind and the oncoming waves may crash over the transom, rather than up against the bow.

'Kedge' anchors are defined as light anchors (of any design) that can be used by boaters who have run aground, to help free their boat from the obstruction. 'Kedging' is the technique - the kedge anchor is carried out by a dinghy (or other means) and set so that winching the line will help free the boat from the obstruction.