When dropping an anchor from a boat, which part of the boat should you use?

When anchoring a boat, the correct practice is to drop the anchor from the bow. This is because the bow is the front part of the boat and allows the vessel to face into the wind or current, helping to maintain stability and control.

Dropping the anchor from the bow provides the most effective setting, as it minimizes the risk of the anchor getting entangled with the boat’s gear or other obstacles. When the anchor is released from the bow, the line can run freely as the boat drifts backward, allowing the anchor to hold properly in the seabed.

In contrast, using the stern, which is the back of the boat, could lead to complications, as the boat may not establish the necessary position to allow the anchor to embed properly or effectively hold the vessel in place. Similarly, options like 'aft' also refer to the rear area and would not be appropriate for the same reasons, while 'starboard' denotes the right side of the boat, which again does not facilitate optimal anchoring. Thus, using the bow is the best practice for securely and safely anchoring a vessel.