Anchor placement

I see a number of older fiberglass fishing type boats with the anchor placed to one side. The newer boats seem to have the anchor on the bow, with a bow roller and such.

Putting to one side would save valuable slip space and decrease the overall length, sometimes by several feet.

What are the pros/cons of placing the anchor to one side instead of bow placement?

thanks

[Eric Sponberg]

It does not make too much difference. Usually, there is some structural reason for placing the anchor. With it deployed off the centerline, the boat will behave the same as it swings port to starboard in wind and waves, but if the anchor is placed to one side, it will tend to ride that side facing the wind and waves. If you have to go off centerline, keep it as close to the centerline as possible, consistent with the the overall boat length that you want.

Eric