Anchoring is not always as straightforward as lowering an anchor from the bow and waiting for it to set. Changes in wind and tide, restricted anchorages, shallow water and unexpected situations can all make greater control over a boat necessary. This is where carrying a kedge anchor can prove useful.
A kedge anchor is a second, usually lighter anchor carried in addition to a boat's primary anchor. While the main anchor is intended to provide the majority of the vessel's holding power, the kedge gives sailors another anchoring point that can be deployed in a different direction. It can be used to reduce swing, reposition a boat, provide additional security or even help pull a vessel free when aground.
For cruising yachts in particular, having two anchors available significantly increases the number of options available when conditions do not quite go to plan. The kedge may spend most of its life safely tucked away in an anchor locker, but knowing when and how to use one is really important.
What is a kedge anchor?
A kedge anchor is a relatively light anchor carried as a secondary anchoring system. The term "kedge" also describes the practice of moving a ship by laying an anchor some distance away and then hauling the vessel towards it using the attached cable or warp.
On a modern sailing yacht, the definition is slightly broader. The kedge is the second anchor carried alongside the main or bower anchor and can be used wherever an additional point of restraint or pull is useful.
The primary or bow anchor will normally be the heavier of the two. On many cruising yachts it remains permanently attached to the other end of an anchor chain and sits ready for use on the bow roller. A windlass may then be used to lower and retrieve it. Because this anchor is expected to hold the vessel through a broad range of conditions, it is normally sized accordingly.
A kedge is different. It tends to be a smaller and lighter anchor that can be handled manually and moved around the deck more easily. Rather than being permanently positioned on the bow, it might be stored aft or in an anchor locker until required. The accompanying ground tackle can also be lighter, often consisting of a relatively short length of chain attached to a longer rope or multiplait nylon warp.
The reduced weight makes a kedge easier to deploy from the boat, carry in a dinghy or lay from the stern. However, that convenience comes with some cons. A lighter anchor generally cannot be expected to provide the same holding power as a correctly sized primary anchor.
This is why a kedge should be viewed as a versatile secondary tool rather than automatically as a substitute for the main anchor.
Kedge anchor vs primary anchor: what's the difference?
The main difference between a kedge anchor and a primary anchor is their intended purpose. Your main anchor is the anchor you expect to use for normal anchoring. It should be appropriately sized for the boat and the conditions in which it operates, and its complete anchoring system should be capable of providing decent holding power.
A kedge anchor prioritises versatility and ease of handling. It may be one size lighter than the main anchor, although the correct specification always depends on the vessel, anchor design and intended use. Its lighter weight makes it easier for the crew to lift, carry, deploy and retrieve without relying on the main bow windlass.
That does not mean the kedge should be undersized. If an anchor is so light that it cannot set properly or provide useful holding power, it offers little benefit. The goal is to find an appropriate balance between manageable weight and reliable performance.
Storage also tends to differ. A primary anchor is often hanging from the bow roller, ready to drop, whereas a kedge may be dismantled, folded or simply stowed in a dedicated locker. Flat-profile anchors are particularly attractive for this role because they can take up relatively little stowage space.
The final difference is direction. Your bower anchor will usually pull from the bow, allowing the boat to lie naturally to the prevailing wind or tide. A kedge can be positioned wherever its pull is required: astern, to one side or at an angle to the primary anchor.
When should you use a kedge anchor?
There is no single situation in which a kedge anchor becomes useful. Its value comes from its versatility.
Using a kedge for a short stop
In benign conditions, a kedge may provide a convenient option when stopping for only a short time. In some cases, depending on the boat, equipment and conditions, deploying a manageable kedge may be considerably easier than lowering and subsequently recovering a heavy bow anchor and a large quantity of chain for a simple, short stop.
This is particularly convenient on boats without an electric windlass. Recovering a light anchor, several metres of chain and rope can require considerably less physical effort than hauling the full primary ground tackle back aboard.
Convenience should never override safety. Water depth, forecast conditions, tide, seabed and the size and weight of the vessel still need to be considered. A kedge is only suitable for a temporary stop when it can safely hold the boat.
Managing wind against tide
One of the most useful applications for a kedge occurs when wind and tide are acting in different directions. With a single anchor, a yacht will normally settle to whichever force has the greatest influence. As the tide turns or the wind changes, the boat can swing around the anchor. In an open anchorage with plenty of room, this may not be a problem.
In a narrow anchorage, however, a large swing can bring the vessel uncomfortably close to shallow water, another boat, the shore or an underwater obstruction.
A second anchor allows you to exert control from another direction. By laying the kedge astern or at an appropriate angle to the main anchor, you can influence the yacht's position and reduce the amount of movement.
This can be particularly helpful where a strong tidal stream changes direction, but the wind remains relatively constant. Rather than allowing the boat to swing freely around a single point, the two anchors can be positioned to keep it within a more controlled area.
Using a kedge anchor to prevent swing
Reducing swing is closely related to managing wind against tide, but it is also useful in crowded or restricted anchorages.
Every boat anchored from a single point requires a swinging circle. The amount of space needed depends partly on the length of anchor rode deployed. As wind or tide changes direction, the boat moves around that central point.
Problems arise when other boats have different amounts of chain or rope deployed, or when different vessel types respond differently to wind and tide. A lightweight sailing yacht and a heavier motor vessel may not swing in the same way.
A kedge laid from the stern can restrict this movement and keep the vessel roughly aligned between two anchors. This fore-and-aft arrangement can be extremely useful where there simply is not enough space to swing normally.
Restricting a yacht's ability to swing naturally should be done carefully. Holding the boat in a fixed direction could potentially expose its beam to waves, wind or tide, increasing the forces on the anchors and deck fittings. You should always consider what will happen throughout the entire period you plan to remain anchored, not just the conditions at the moment the kedge is dropped.
You also need to think about neighbouring boats. If everyone else is swinging around a single bow anchor while your boat is fixed between bow and stern, your movement will be different from theirs. What looks like plenty of room initially may become significantly tighter after the tide turns.
Kedging a boat when aground
One of the traditional uses of a kedge is helping a boat that has run aground. If a yacht grounds in relatively benign conditions, an anchor can sometimes be taken out into deeper water and used as a fixed point from which to pull the boat free. This is the classic act of "kedging".
The anchor might be carried away from the vessel using the dinghy or tender, with its rope or cable paid out as the tender moves towards deeper water. Once a suitable position has been reached, the anchor is lowered and set firmly. The crew aboard the yacht can then apply tension to the warp, often using a suitable winch, to help move the boat in the required direction.
Positioning matters enormously. Simply dropping the kedge somewhere off the stern will not necessarily help. You need to consider the direction in which the boat must move in order to become free, where deeper water lies and how the tide is changing.
If the vessel has grounded as the tide falls, knowing the expected low tide and subsequent rise is also really important. In some situations the safest approach may be to stabilise the vessel and wait for sufficient water rather than applying excessive loads in an attempt to drag it across the seabed.
Care also needs to be taken when transporting an anchor in a tender. A heavy anchor, length of chain and wet rope can represent considerable weight in a small dinghy. The equipment should be arranged so that it can be deployed safely without the chain or warp becoming tangled around people, the tender or its equipment.
Kedging can be extremely effective, but grounding situations vary. Avoid applying loads beyond the capabilities of the anchor, rope, winch, cleats or other deck hardware, and seek professional assistance where the situation is beyond the capabilities of the boat and crew.
Keeping away from a lee shore
A kedge can also provide another option when a boat is in an uncomfortable position close to a lee shore. A lee shore is a shoreline towards which the wind is blowing. If an anchor begins dragging in strong winds, the boat can be pushed towards the shore, leaving less room to recover the situation.
Having a second anchor accessible and ready for deployment gives the crew another option. Depending on the situation, the kedge may be laid in a direction that provides additional control or holding.
This does not mean a light kedge should be relied upon as the primary defence against severe weather. In deteriorating conditions, good passage planning, appropriate ground tackle and early decisions remain essential. The benefit of the kedge is that it provides another tool rather than leaving the crew completely dependent on one anchor.
Using a kedge when sailing in foul tide
Kedging also has a less common tactical use. When a sailing boat is attempting to make progress against a foul tide, but the wind becomes too light to overcome the current, an anchor can be dropped to stop the boat losing ground. Once conditions improve or the tidal stream weakens, the anchor can be retrieved and sailing resumed.
In certain racing contexts, crews have used a kedge tactically in this way, although race rules and local conditions need to be considered.
For cruising sailors, the same principle is useful: an anchor does not only have to be used at the end of a day's sailing. It can also be a practical tool for temporarily controlling a vessel's position.
How to deploy a kedge anchor
Before deploying a kedge, you need to decide exactly what you want the anchor to achieve. This objective determines the direction in which the anchor should be positioned.
Check the water depth, expected tidal range and seabed before laying it. An anchor that works well in sand or mud may behave very differently over rock, weed or hard ground. You also need sufficient rode for the anchor to work at an effective pull angle.
The rode will often combine chain and rope. Chain close to the anchor adds weight and abrasion resistance and helps keep the initial pull closer to the seabed. Rope provides a lighter and more easily handled means of creating the required length. Nylon is commonly used because its elasticity can absorb shock loads.
If deploying directly from the boat, lower rather than throw the anchor wherever able. Allow the vessel to move away while progressively paying out the rode, keeping hands and feet clear of any loose line.
If the anchor needs to be placed at a specific point away from the yacht, a tender may be needed. The anchor and chain need to be positioned carefully within the dinghy so that the equipment can run out without fouling. One end of the warp must remain securely attached to the yacht.
Once the anchor reaches the chosen position, lower it to the seabed and pay out sufficient rode before applying load. Gradually increasing the pull gives the anchor an opportunity to dig into the seabed and set quickly rather than simply skipping across the bottom.
How much chain and rope does a kedge anchor need?
There is no universal length suitable for every boat because the required rope depends on the water depth, tidal range, weather, anchor design and intended use. What matters is maintaining a sufficiently low pulling angle at the anchor. If the rode is too short and pulls steeply upwards, the anchor is more likely to break free.
A practical kedge arrangement commonly combines a manageable length of anchor chain with a considerably longer rope warp. This provides flexibility without requiring the crew to manually handle the same quantity of heavy chain used for the main anchor.
What type of anchor makes a good kedge?
Several anchor designs can be used as a kedge, and the best option depends on the boat, available stowage and the type of seabed normally encountered.
Danforth-style anchors are popular as secondary anchors. Their broad flukes can provide impressive holding power relative to their weight in sand and mud, while their relatively flat shape makes them easier to stow inside an anchor locker. This combination of manageable weight, holding ability and compact stowage makes them a natural choice for many cruising boats.
Plough and claw-style anchors are another option. Their ability to set and respond to changes in the direction of pull can be useful where the kedge may need to remain deployed through changing conditions.
On smaller boats, inflatables and dinghies, a folding grapnel anchor can provide an extremely compact solution. The folding design is convenient where stowage is limited, although its suitability depends heavily on vessel size and seabed.
Rather than selecting a kedge based purely on weight, consider its holding characteristics, the size of your vessel and where you normally sail. An anchor that performs well in soft mud may be a poor choice over weed or rock, while another design may offer a better compromise across different seabeds.
Stowing your kedge anchor
Stowing the kedge underneath rarely used equipment at the bottom of a locker may save deck space, but it could make deployment frustrating when conditions deteriorate. Ideally, the anchor, chain and warp should be stored somewhere secure but easily accessible.
The rode should also be arranged so that it can run freely. A tangled warp can turn a straightforward deployment into a stressful one, particularly if the anchor is being carried out by tender or you are trying to control a vessel in changing conditions.
After use, rinse the anchor, chain and warp with fresh water where possible and inspect them for any signs of wear. Pay attention to shackles, splices, rope damage and corrosion.
Retrieving a kedge anchor safely
Recovering the kedge usually involves hauling the boat towards the anchor until the rode is close to vertical. As the pulling angle becomes steeper, the anchor should eventually break out of the seabed.
On a larger yacht, a suitable winch may be useful, but loads should always be applied with an understanding of the strength and intended use of the equipment involved.
Once the anchor breaks free, bring the chain and anchor aboard carefully. Mud-covered anchors can be slippery, while an anchor hanging against the hull can damage the vessel if it is allowed to swing.
If the kedge has been laid from a dinghy, think through the recovery process before deployment. In some situations it may be easier to retrieve everything from the main vessel rather than attempting to haul a heavy anchor and chain into a small tender.
Common kedge anchor mistakes to avoid
One of the most common mistakes is assuming that because a kedge is a secondary anchor, almost any small anchor will do. It still needs sufficient holding power for the job you expect it to perform.
Another mistake is using too little rode. The correct anchor with an inadequate length of cable can perform far worse than expected because the angle of pull prevents it from remaining properly set.
Poor positioning can also be problematic. When two anchors are deployed in different directions, their rodes must be considered as part of one system. Changes in tide or wind can potentially cause lines to cross, twist or foul. Before leaving two anchors set for an extended period, consider how the yacht will move through an entire tidal cycle.
It is also important to avoid fouling the ground tackle of other boats. In a crowded anchorage, laying a second anchor may place your warp across another vessel's anchor chain. Communicating with nearby crews and understanding where their anchors are positioned can help avoid fouling.
Finally, don't wait until an emergency to discover how your equipment works. Knowing where the kedge is stored, how the warp is attached and how the anchor behaves on your boat makes deployment much easier when it genuinely matters.
Is a kedge anchor worth carrying?
For many cruising yachts and boats, absolutely. A kedge anchor gives you options. Most of the time, the bower anchor may be perfectly capable of doing everything required, but boating conditions are rarely predictable. The ability to establish a second anchoring point can make an enormous difference in a tight anchorage, when wind and tide disagree, when you need to restrict swing or when the boat unexpectedly ends up aground.
The important point is not simply to carry a second anchor, but to carry a complete and usable secondary anchoring system. A properly selected kedge should also be light enough to deploy without creating another problem.
Find the right kedge anchor at Seamark Nunn
Whether you're putting together a secondary anchoring system for the first time or replacing existing ground tackle, Seamark Nunn offers a wide range of anchors, anchor chain, warps and anchoring accessories for different boats and cruising requirements.
Our stock includes Danforth-style anchors that combine strong holding characteristics in sand and mud with a relatively flat, easy-to-stow design, alongside plough, claw and folding grapnel anchors for different applications.
With decades of experience supplying marine equipment to UK boat owners, Seamark Nunn can help you choose anchoring equipment suited to your vessel, available space and the waters in which you sail, giving you a dependable second option whenever your main anchor isn't the whole answer.
For expert advice, contact Seamark Nunn today.
