Anchoring & mooring
Everything to anchor and tie up safely: anchors by boat length, anchor chain and rode, dock lines, fenders, windlasses, boat hooks and mooring buoys.
10 comparisons
anchoring & mooring comparisons
Boat anchors The right anchor comes down to three things: your boat's length and weight, the bottom you anchor in, and the quality of the steel. Here is how to decide. See comparison → 
Dock lines for boats Dock lines are all that stand between your boat and the dock on a windy night. Get the material, diameter and length right for your boat size and your marina. See comparison → 
Boat fenders Good fenders are the cheapest insurance for your hull. Pick the size for your boat length, the type for how you dock, and always hang them properly. See comparison → 
Mooring snubbers A snubber turns the jerks of a surging boat into a smooth pull: size it for your boat length and displacement, and protect it from chafe at the cleat. See comparison → 
Kayak and dinghy anchors For kayaks, paddleboards and small inflatables, light weight wins: a folding grapnel of 1.5 to 5.5 lb with 3 to 5 times the water depth in rode covers nearly every case. See comparison → 
Boat hooks A boat hook saves you from awkward moments at every dock: pick the length for your freeboard and a head that grabs rings and lines without slipping. See comparison → 
Mooring and marker buoys The right buoy depends on the job: a mooring buoy carries the boat, a marker buoy only flags a point (like your anchor), and you shop for them differently. See comparison → 
Anchor chain Chain is half of your anchoring system: its weight keeps the anchor lying flat and absorbs shock. Pick the size for your boat length, a good galvanized finish and, with a windlass, the exact gypsy match. See comparison → 
Anchor shackles and swivels The joint between anchor and chain is the smallest part of your ground tackle and the one that fails most often: match the shackle to your chain size or go one size up, and always mouse the pin. See comparison → 
Anchor windlasses A windlass turns hauling anchor into pushing a button. What matters is the pull rating for your anchor and chain, a gypsy that matches your chain, and properly sized wiring. See comparison → Best sellers right now
Dock lines for boats AIRHEAD AHDL-4 Bungee, Dockline For Watercraft 4 Feet
9.2 BarcoEquipado score: 9.2 out of 10
Kayak and dinghy anchors Kayak Anchor Kit - 3.5 lb, Green - Folding Grapnel Anchor with…
9.2 BarcoEquipado score: 9.2 out of 10
Boat fenders Extreme Max 3006.7201 BoatTector Inflatable Fender Value 2-Pack…
9.1 BarcoEquipado score: 9.1 out of 10
Boat anchors Seachoice Deluxe Anchor – Hot-Dipped Galvanized Steel…
8.9 BarcoEquipado score: 8.9 out of 10
Guides to help you choose
Anchor Chain Guide: Size, Length and Types for Your Boat What size and how much anchor chain your boat needs: calibrated vs long-link chain, galvanized vs stainless, connections to anchor and rode, and care. How to Anchor a Boat: Step-by-Step Guide to Safe Anchoring Learn how to anchor a boat properly: picking a spot, how much scope to use, setting the hook, weighing anchor and the mistakes to avoid. Step by step. Basic Boating Knots: The 7 Every Boater Should Know Learn the 7 basic boating knots step by step: bowline, clove hitch, cleat hitch, figure eight and more. What each is for and the mistakes to avoid. What Size Anchor Do I Need? Weight and Type by Boat Length Find out what anchor weight your boat needs by length, bottom type and design (Delta, Bruce, Danforth, Rocna), with a practical sizing chart in pounds.