Anchoring

Fluke anchors are most common for sailing vessels and are self burying. The physics behind older anchors was mostly their massive weight. In contrast, the fluke is light weight. As seen in the diagram below, when the force of the blue arrow is parallel to the soil the anchor can dig into the soil.

bhttp://www.weblio.jp/content/%E9%8C%A8

When it is time to pull anchor, the boat will move almost above the anchor. As the anchor is pulled up the blue arrow (see image below) of force becomes perpendicular to the soil and so the force of the anchor is only acting on the dirt above it.

http://www.weblio.jp/content/%E9%8C%A8

Since the fluke anchor weighs less than other anchors it takes less work to pull it up. Work=Force*Distance and Force=mass*acceleration. By having a lightweight anchor we decrease the mass which decreases the force needed to lift the anchor and therefore requires less energy.

http://www.schoolofsailing.net/anchoringstylesandmooring.html

It is also important to know some ways that boats can lay anchor. Different types of anchoring allow for different amounts of swing. We can see in the picture above that having only one anchor causes the greatest amount of swing.

http://www.schoolofsailing.net/anchoringstylesandmooring.html

In order to minimize swing, two anchors can be set. This is referred to as a Bahamian moor.

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