Book excerpt: Rigging Modern Anchors, by Drew Frye, is possibly the most comprehensive guide ever written to demystify the subject of anchoring, especially about today's new anchors. The author, over years of systematic testing with a variety of different anchors and rigs, has produced a new benchmark for anchoring knowledge based on empirical data. Most anchoring mythology is based on anecdotal wisdom passed from one sailor to the next. Often what seems to work or doesn't work has no basis beyond the fact that it was handed down as the conventional wisdom. Finally, Frye has produced a book on anchoring that digs deeply into the how and why of anchoring. This book contains in-depth discussions of anchoring basics, loads, scope, cyclical loading and soil consolidation, discussions of bottom characteristics and holding power. There are anchor-specific observations, discussions of tandem anchors and rigging schemes, plus an extensive appendix containing data tables, test data, open source designs for bridle plate and anchor turner, Strength and toughness of different types of chain and rope, data tables on chain and line thickness, choosing connectors, extensive anchor size recommendations based on different manufacturers, and much more.Proper anchoring and anchor choice is critical to the safety of ship and crew. Instead of hoping that your anchor and rigging scheme will hold in a given situation, read Rigging Modern Anchors and be sure of it.