Holding power generally refers to the anchor's ability to resist what?

• A. Withstand weather
• B. Resist dragging
• C. Resist corrosion
• D. Resist wear

Answer: (B)

Holding power is about how well the anchor resists movement and dragging along the bottom when winds, current, and waves try to move the boat. It measures the anchor’s ability to stay set and keep the vessel in place, once the anchor has been dug in and loaded by forces acting on the hull. This concept is influenced by how the anchor bites into the seabed, the rode length (scope), and other setting factors—not by protection against weather, corrosion, or wear. So the best description of holding power is the anchor’s ability to resist dragging.