Which of the Following Should You Do When Anchoring?
Anchor from the bow, never the stern, and head into the wind or current before lowering the anchor. Let out a line (scope) of about 7 to 10 times the water depth. Anchoring from the stern can swamp and capsize the boat.
The answer
When anchoring, you should anchor from the bow (the front of the boat), never from the stern, and let out enough anchor line — about 7 to 10 times the depth of the water. You should also approach slowly heading into the wind or current, lower the anchor rather than throwing it, and back down gently to set it.
The single most tested point on boating-license exams is this: always anchor from the bow. The bow is designed to rise over waves. When the anchor line runs from the bow, the boat naturally points into the wind and waves and rides over them safely.
Why you should never anchor from the stern
Anchoring from the stern is dangerous and is a leading cause of small-boat capsizing and swamping. The stern is the lowest, flattest, and often heaviest part of the boat (it carries the motor and fuel). If you anchor from the stern:
- The boat is held with its back to the current and waves.
- Water can wash over the low transom and flood the boat — swamping it.
- The combined pull of the current and the anchor line can pull the stern under and capsize the boat.
This is why every boating course stresses bow-only anchoring.
The correct anchoring procedure
Setting an anchor properly follows a clear sequence:
- Head into the wind or current and reduce speed as you approach your chosen spot.
- Determine scope. Scope is the ratio of anchor line (rode) to water depth. A ratio of 7:1 to 10:1 is recommended — for example, in 10 feet of water plus a few feet of bow height, let out roughly 70 to 100 feet of line. More scope gives a flatter pulling angle so the anchor digs in instead of pulling out.
- Lower the anchor from the bow slowly until it reaches the bottom — do not throw it, which can tangle the line.
- Back down gently and let out line as the boat drifts back, then secure the line to a bow cleat.
- Check that the anchor is holding by sighting two fixed points on shore to confirm you are not drifting.
Why the other options are wrong
Typical distractors on this question include:
- 'Anchor from the stern' — wrong and dangerous, as explained; it can swamp or capsize the boat.
- 'Anchor from both the bow and stern in open water' — incorrect in normal conditions; two-point anchoring is a special technique for tight or crowded spots, not the general rule, and never means anchoring solely from the stern.
- 'Use a line as short as the water is deep' (1:1 scope) — wrong; too little scope creates a steep pull angle that drags the anchor along the bottom instead of setting it.
- 'Throw the anchor as far as you can' — wrong; throwing tangles the rode and does not set the anchor better.
The correct combination — bow anchoring, heading into wind/current, and adequate 7:1–10:1 scope — keeps the boat secure and safe.
- 1
Approach into the wind/current
Head the bow into the wind or current and slow down as you near your chosen spot.
- 2
Anchor from the bow
Never anchor from the stern — the low transom can swamp and capsize the boat. Use a bow cleat only.
- 3
Let out proper scope
Lower the anchor and pay out line equal to about 7–10 times the water depth for a secure hold.
- 4
Set and check the anchor
Back down gently to dig the anchor in, secure the line, then sight fixed shore points to confirm it is holding.
Frequently asked
Why should you never anchor from the stern?
The stern is the lowest, heaviest part of the boat and sits close to the water. Anchoring from it lets waves and current wash over the transom, which can swamp (flood) the boat or pull the stern under and capsize it. Always anchor from the bow.
What is the correct anchor scope ratio?
The recommended scope is 7:1 to 10:1 — meaning 7 to 10 feet of anchor line for every foot of water depth. This flatter angle lets the anchor dig into the bottom and hold, rather than pulling straight up and dragging.
How do you set an anchor properly?
Head into the wind or current, slow down, and lower (don't throw) the anchor from the bow until it hits bottom. Pay out 7–10 times the depth in line as you drift back, secure it to a bow cleat, then back down gently and check fixed points onshore to confirm it holds.
Which direction should you face when anchoring?
Approach and anchor with the bow pointed into the wind or current. This lets the boat ride over waves safely and keeps the line from fouling. Once anchored from the bow, the boat will naturally swing to face the wind or current.
How much anchor line should you let out?
Let out about 7 to 10 times the depth of the water. In 10 feet of water, that means roughly 70 to 100 feet of line. Adding for the height of the bow above the water and using more line in rough conditions improves holding.