The holding power of a working anchor is approximately what percent of the boat's displacement?

• A. 6%
• B. 3%
• C. 9%
• D. 12%

Answer: (A)

Holding power is estimated using a simple rule of thumb for a working anchor: it should be able to resist a pull roughly equal to a small percentage of the boat’s displacement. About 6 percent is the commonly used figure. This means if the boat displaces 10,000 pounds, the anchor is expected to hold against roughly 600 pounds of pull under normal conditions with proper setting and rode length. The important idea is that this is a practical estimate for everyday anchoring, not an exact measurement, and actual performance depends on conditions like seabed type, wind and current, and the scope of the rode. The other percentages don’t fit the typical planning guideline for a working anchor: 3% would be too small for reliable holding in ordinary scenarios, while 9% or 12% imply substantially greater holding requirements or larger/stronger anchors than usually assumed for everyday use.