Anchoring, dinghy-style

On a performance boat, every kilo you add costs you speed, so the U530 carries its ground tackle the way a racing dinghy does — light, simple, and worked from where you sit.

A line runs through the U-bolt at the bow. The anchor rode carries a ring near its end, and that ring rides on the bow line, so the load comes onto the stem while you stay in the cockpit. The anchor itself stows on the cabin sole, beside the daggerboard case.

To set it, drop the anchor and take up the ring line. To weigh it, ease the line away. The whole operation happens from the cockpit — there’s no scramble to the foredeck on a small, lively boat.

For the bottoms we sail, an aluminium Danforth is ideal, but they’re expensive. A mid-size folding grapnel with three metres of chain has held well for me, even over rock.