A tester indicates with his right hand the ûdistance traveled by the Spade anchor when ûthe rode lead was changed.

A properly set anchor should stay put during lunch, while you’re sleeping or when the wind and waves whip up. It should also keep the boat safe while unattended.

But what happens when you’re not aboard and the wind or current sharply changes direction? The well-set anchor must somehow re-align itself to the new heading and reset. This scenario raises two questions:

1. Does the anchor, without losing much of its grip, simply swivel in the mud or sand and steady up? …