Slack in the anchor line should be taken up as the boat is moved ahead.

Slack in the anchor line should be taken up as the boat is moved ahead.

• A. Paid out
• B. Spun
• C. Taken up
• D. Left slack

Answer: (C)

Taking up the slack means tightening the anchor rope as you start moving forward. When you move ahead with the line taut, the anchor is more likely to bite into the bottom rather than dragging along with the boat. A taut rode helps set the anchor and keeps the boat from drifting as wind or current shifts. It also reduces the chance the line or rode will get fouled in the prop or hardware. If you let the line pay out or leave it slack, the anchor can’t dig in properly and the boat may drag until you regain control. “Spun” isn’t the action used here, and leaving slack won’t give you the holding power you need.

Taking up the slack means tightening the anchor rope as you start moving forward. When you move ahead with the line taut, the anchor is more likely to bite into the bottom rather than dragging along with the boat. A taut rode helps set the anchor and keeps the boat from drifting as wind or current shifts. It also reduces the chance the line or rode will get fouled in the prop or hardware.

If you let the line pay out or leave it slack, the anchor can’t dig in properly and the boat may drag until you regain control. “Spun” isn’t the action used here, and leaving slack won’t give you the holding power you need.