Anchors hooked/stowed on bobstays

[John Stone]

Just as BenZ stated this is a tactic to allow the anchor to be immediately employed should the need arise. I think one tends to see this more on boats that are perhaps underpowered or are engineless. In the photo you can see what appears to be a clear plastic hose over the bobstay to protect it from chafe. I have never seen this done on a boat sailing in open water for the reasons stated in the other posts. Normally, as the anchorage is opened, or the boat is sailing in protected water, the anchor is transitioned from the more secured position to the one depicted in the photo. Now the anchor can be lowered and set without a lot of struggle to push it out over the roller and clear the bobstay and all the drama that can occur if there is the need set it "right now."