~ The 'ARK Crown' stock anchor ~

The Noah's ARK anchor 'style' of stock 'crossbar' anchor is in my opinion the best 'fail-safe' unit, in that when the 'chips are down' and all else fails, it will 'set' quickly and hold you safely as there is always one of the flukes 'presented' to the seabed when the anchor shank is heaved on, and due to its unique 'fluke' design, it is a high holding power anchor.

The ARK anchor may be used either as a main anchor, or as a standby safety unit.  

For those of you that wish to make your own ARK anchor out of either stainless or mild steel then you can download a free set of  DXF and PDF Design drawings and this information is at the end of the main Index.

The Ark 'Crown' anchor has a penetration 'advantage' over any single fluke or 'double' fluke swivel type anchors on harder ground.  In that due to the added weight of the 'crown' and the added weight of the 'overhead' fluke, there is a greater weight imposed upon the lower 'in ground' fluke tip, and this exerts more penetrating 'effort' on harder ground.  Too many anchors 'drag' when the wind strengthens due to not having 'set' properly.

Due to its weight for size, design and imposed penetration power, the Ark Crown with its crossbar gives 'ultimate' security,* and it will give maximum 'performance,' and maximum 'penetration,' effort and anchoring 'grip' to the seabed, be it in sand, sea grass, pebbles, or coral.

If you are 'considerate' of boat safety, then ask yourself: 'In what conditions do I need to be safe'? When it's all 'plain sailing,' or when it's rough and windy and the family is 'wailing'? - - - Learn the 'ropes' and know your anchoring system, - - - the 'how & why' it fails or works.

I have spent many years on the sea, and have found 'lack' in many of the anchors of the day, due to them all at times 'lacking' * when needed most.  Thus I have designed the 'basic' and new design Ark Crown anchor that is a juxtaposition to the 'old' and original anchor of olden year, being the double 'tip' pod and 'crossbar' design.

Note: 'lacking' * - 50% of this lack is due to 'ignorance' on the part of the user, and the other 50% is the lack in design features or faulty and false advertising of deployment methods.  This includes incorrect chain length needed for SAFE 'heavy weather' anchoring.

This 'Noah' web site raised up in March (2004) contains information on the new ARK anchor design.  The 'Ark' has fresh design features, namely that it has a large fluke area, rather than small 'pod' like tips, and this fluke has been designed with a concave 'face' like a 'shovel' that will resist being 'pulled' through sand or other 'ground' material.

The 'concave' faces the direction of pull, and has a 'set' angle of 'attack' to the seabed that will maximise penetration.  The 'stock' anchor is suitable for any size vessel, but is 'aimed' at the 10' to 66' length craft.   

Note: It is a proven fact that a concave 'face' that is facing into a direction of 'flow,' be it water or air or any other has a greater drag coefficient to a convex one placed in a similar situation.  - - - Remember, the difference between an anchor that is dragging v/s one that remains anchored in its position is 'immeasurable.'

Note: 'ultimate' security,* - In tidal estuaries with change of direction water there is the danger of the chain 'fouling' the upwards fluke when the tide turns and the vessel revolves around the anchor.  This could result in the anchor becoming disengaged.  This may however be overcome by using two anchors - refer to the second 'image' on page 5 of Item 5: Noah's notes on safe anchoring

Note: Easy Test- My recommendation to any person who is 'unsure' as to the capacity of their present anchoring 'implement' to HOLD under duress stress is to, - - - "Try it" - - - and take it to the beach with a friend that has a 4 wheel drive vehicle.  This way you can 'play' with it in wet sand and place it in its 'worst' possible position and see how it performs when compared to others.

Just remember that it is ultimately your 'family' or friends and your 'craft' at the 'stake' if you make a mistake.  Do not rely 'solely' on any reports that are made by manufacturers, or others that know not the difference between a 'shovel' and 'pick' or a 'spade.' Self-responsibility is the 'order' of the day.  Rely on your own 'identity' to identify fact from fiction.  Truth from untruth.

Ultimately there is only one criteria of importance and that is the 'holding' power, being the capacity of the anchor to anchor itself quickly and remain 'anchored' under any 'load' in all 'ground' conditions.  Be it mud, or sand or 'grass' or coral.  If any anchor digs well in but does not hold, then it may be too small for the load imposed, seek a larger size.

If you are a fisherman or a cruising 'helmsman,' always have a set of 'goggles & flippers' on board, so that you can 'retrieve' an anchor 'snagged' under a coral outcrop, or even to check your propeller for 'snags' or damage or barnacle infestation.  Or depending on your present 'type' of anchor, you may wish to check how well it is 'set' by taking a 'swim' and having a look.  The ARK 'Crown' anchor is by proven 'definition' and 'design.' 

Note: Ultimately you need a 'certain' fluke size for holding in soft sand or mud, but you also need a strong construction for durability in heavy weather & coral conditions.  Smaller but stronger is better than larger and weaker.  Do not use a 'lighter' weight anchor, or 'easy stow' anchor for convenience sake.

The anchor system on your craft is probably the 'least' thought about item, but is the most important piece of equipment.  For when your vessel is anchored and 'unattended,' the anchor is the 'watch keeper' sentry protecting your material asset, and when you are 'on board' and facing a life-threatening situation, it becomes your 'lifeguard' that protects your family.

By all 'means' use your present anchor, but if you can 'afford' to have an 'Ark Crown' anchor as your main anchor or stowed on deck as a 'trusty' standby safety anchor for that 'stormy day,' then when you find yourself in a 'life' threatening situation, you will feel 'happier' and be more secure.

In my opinion ARK anchors are - "Simply safe and strong anchors"

"Soon every small 'ship' is safe on the sea" - - - If - - - you not only select the correct anchor size for your vessel, but you also use these informative pages to educate yourself in the many different aspects of anchoring your craft.  For you must not simply 'drop' your anchor over the side and hope for the best, you need to learn the content of Items 2 & 3, so that you are fully conversant with anchoring techniques. 

You also need to observe the different 'types' or nature of the sea bed, so that you can have a 'better' knowledge in that area, for there may be some conditions where an anchor cannot 'set' due to a smooth rocks, and there may be another situation wherein due to very soft mud, that a heavy anchor 'loaded' by wave or tide may dig so deep that it becomes difficult to retrieve.  In both cases, correct selection of anchor and chain used is important.

You need to become competent in that you have prior knowledge as to the workings of different anchors in different conditions, this way you will find that 'whatever' anchor you are using, that you will be able to get the 'best' out of it.  No anchor will be able to do its intended task if you are ignorant of all of its 'vagaries.'

Certainly a correctly designed/manufactured CQR plough anchor or Ark is the best for sandy conditions. The Ark will be better when the ground is harder, rockier or weedy.

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Design drawings

This web site is not only educative, but we extend the facility whereby you may obtain the design drawings of any of the anchors for free, so that you may have it manufactured in a workshop in your locality. This will save on transport costs if you live overseas.

Not only this, but you may wish to make it out of mild steel that will be more economical for you, whereas we only make them using stainless steel that is expensive. We supply you the DXF cutting files for the shank and fluke that you can give to a workshop that may use them in their laser cutting section.

We also supply 2 pdf drawings of the anchor fluke and shank that you can print off to full scale size in the event that your local workshop does not have the cutting equipment to use the DXF program for laser cutting or, if you wish to fabricate one with square or round bar. We also give a manufacturing notes page to aid you.

If you wish to make an 'Ark' anchor then go to < Free download >

To view the design, sizes and weights of anchors go to Anchor design specification

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