Assessing the Anchor Kellet
You can make a simple kellet using spare chain. A webbing loop allows you to place it where it is most effective.

Assessing the Anchor Kellet

One of all-chain rode’s most popular features among cruising sailors has little to do with anchoring—and everything to do with stowing. With a well-designed bow roller, windlass, hawse hole, and chain locker, your rode and anchor will deploy and stow belowdecks faster and with far less effort than nylon rode requires. But for a smaller boat without a windlass or deep chain locker, an all-chain rode is often impractical. Even cruising sailors who are perfectly equipped for all-chain anchoring often find that their nylon secondary anchor better is suited for some anchoring situations.

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  • Sails, Rigging & Deck Gear

    Selecting the Right Anchor Size

    Over the years Practical Sailor has conducted dozens of anchor tests, and like many publications, we’ve repeated the common guidance that cruising sailors should buy an anchor that is at least one size larger than what the maker recommends for your size vessel.

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  • Sails, Rigging & Deck Gear

    Fixing Laminate Sails Part II

    If this were a follow-up article on polyester sail repair, we would have waited two years at least. We’d have added a few stitches during our annual inspection, but major sewn repairs in sound cloth are expected to last for years. Our test boat is sailed frequently,...

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  • Belowdecks & Amenities

    Stowing Bicycles on Boats

    One of the blessings of a multihull is its wide expanse of deck space that opens up possibilities that you might not consider on a monohull—like a bike rack. No, you don’t want to cross the Atlantic with a ye ol’ Raleigh strapped to the pulpit, but for bay cruising,...

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