Ground Tackle: Docking, Mooring & Anchoring

Nikki Wynn

Apr 15, 2026

If all the biohackers and medical podcasts have taught us anything, it's that sleep is super important. And good sleep, starts with being damned sure your boat is secure and isn't going anywhere. Because none of us want the nightmare of busting off the dock in a storm, or dragging anchor and landing onto a reef, to become a reality!

In other words, we take our ground tackle gear seriously. I can promise you, the only thing worse for crew morale than a being hangry, is being sleep deprived.

RELATIONSHIP SAVERS (aka, calm communication)

Yes, I'm starting with headsets. If you end up yelling at each other, then throwing your first mate overboard because you can't catch a mooring ball, or you've hit the dock before getting tied up...well, the rest of this guide won't really matter.

These are the best headsets on the market and are purpose built for high wind and background noise. So we can hear each other no matter what's getting thrown at us. But don't worry, there is a mute button...and trust me, it's handy.

Multisport (most affordable): amzn.to/3Bihp2h
Crew Headset (most waterproof): amzn.to/3TKRxCm

ANCHORS

We've had several different anchors throughout our sailing career. And we can say without a doubt: don't cheap out on this one. The newest designs bite better, hold longer and hook in more types of seabed than the old-school plow or claw style anchors. Even if you buy a new boat, and it comes with an old style anchor (you'd be surprised how many boat builders use a plow because it's cheap), we'd recommend getting it off your boat before cruising.

We have used the Mantus and the Rocna MK2 in a wide variety of bottoms and weather. Both have performed flawlessly. We're not dinking around trying to get the hook to bite, it just does.

Primary Anchor
- 105lbs – M1 Performance Galvanized Steel Mantus Anchor
- 100 Meters of 10mm 316 Chain
- 100 Meters of Nylon Rode

SNUBBER & CHAIN HOOK

The Mantus Snubber Pendant is cool because it attaches to chain or line rode. So it makes for a great all in one snubber be it anchoring or mooring. We also have the Mantus chain hook, because we like options depending on the situation.

Snubber, Chain Hook & Swivel: https://bit.ly/MantusWynns

Chain

Over the years, we've had galvanized and stainless steel chain. No matter which one you choose, quality matters! For an ocean going vessel, you want a reputable brand that will stand behind their product.

Galvanized is the workhorse. Affordable, widely available, and totally adequate for most cruisers. But not all galvanized chain is equal: hot-dip galvanizing is far superior to electroplated, with a thicker zinc coating that actually holds up to the abuse of daily use, repeated deployment and retrieval. Over time it will start to rust and flake.

Stainless looks beautiful and resists corrosion without the maintenance. Your deck and anchor locker stay a lot cleaner. But it's expensive and can suffer from crevice corrosion in low-oxygen environments.

Stainless will outlast galvanized by a significant margin in a marine environment, but with a big caveat: galvanized chain that's properly maintained (rinsed and stored with good ventilation) can last 10–15 years, while neglected stainless can fail catastrophically and without warning due to crevice corrosion. So stainless wins on lifespan in ideal conditions (rinsed and stored with good ventilation), but galvanized is arguably more predictable because it shows its wear visibly as the zinc coating degrades, giving you time to act before it becomes a safety issue.

Either way, quality is non-negotiable! Look for ISO or G4/G7 rated chain with consistent link sizing and a smooth, even finish.

We had good results with our ACCO Peerless (USA company) Hot Dipped chain on CURIOSITY 1. So, for UNDRA we have decided to test out VETUS hot dipped galvanized chain. VETUS is a local company here in the Netherlands and they carry both galvanized and stainless chain. But since we had already ordered a galvanized anchor (not realizing the chain that came with the boat was NOT hot dipped and insufficient for salt water) we decided to go for galvanized chain. So, we will see how we fare over the next year. If it's too much rust for our aluminium boat, we can always upgrade to stainless in a couple of years.

ROLL-UP BOAT HOOK

This is the coolest multi-use gadget. It's a flexible carbon fiber pole that rolls out to become a long, lightweight pole (think slap bracelet). We have multiple tips including a soft brush, firm brush, action camera mount and boat hook.

Revolve Boat Hook (use code WYNNS for 10% off)

FENDERS

These are by far the most impressive fenders we had ever seen. Cleverly designed to save space, protect the boat and last a very long time. We found Fendertex through PYI and saw them for the first time at the Cannes Boat Show (see them in action here). They are the only inflatable textile fender in the yachting market.

Space Saver - This was a huge selling point for us. Fenders take up a ton of space if you have to leave them inflated. These pack down tiny and blow up fast.

Robust - The insanely strong fabric on the outside takes a beating without looking like a frayed knot AND there is no harsh rubber creating scuffs and marks on the boat. Add a set of covers on top and now those rusty nails sticking out of an old pier or the barnacle lined dock are far less intimidating. Plus, these fenders can withstand the weight of a tractor. Which means they won't compress if a massive steel yacht cuts it too close or a big storm is pinning us to a dock.

We got our fenders through PYI, which is the same company that sells MaxProp (the feathering props we had on CURIOSITY 1), and they sell the Jefa sterring systems, PSS Shaft Seal, premium hose clamps...and they have the cool multipurpose boat hook/brush/camera mount we mentioned above. So, if you’re in need of boat gear, they’ve offered a 10% discount off most anything in their catalogue. Depending on what you are ordering, that can really add up!

Get 10% OFF with code WYNNS: www.pyiinc.com

MOORING & DOCK LINES

UNDRA came with dock lines. But on our last boat we had dock lines from a new company out of the USA called Sail Locker. It was started by our friends Mel & Coop who are US Coast Guard Veterans. So they know how important safety is. We also picked up some eye spliced small poly line for the tender. They have been supporters of ours for a long time and we're stoked to now be customers of theirs.

Sail Locker Lines: amzn.to/3wKLF3J

Tender Tackle

We've been using the Mantus dinghy anchor since it first launched and it's been incredible. We have ordered it for every tender since. It easily packs down, it holds tight on most types of seabed, and with a little extra SS chain it won't move even with a short 3:1 scope. We only use SS ground tackle on the tender. Plus it's safer with bare hands because it doesn't rust or flake.