Hall Anchors: Insider Tips and Best Deals

The Hall anchor is one of the most widely recognized stockless anchors in maritime shipping. Developed in the early 20th century, it's become a default choice for cargo ships, tankers, and naval vessels due to its simplicity, ease of stowage, and broad compatibility with hawsepipe systems. While not classified as a high holding power (HHP) anchor, the Hall type performs reliably in a range of seabed conditions when deployed with proper scope — making it a versatile choice for vessels that don't anchor often or operate in mixed seabed zones.

Hall Anchor
Quick Overview
Best For	General cargo ships, tankers, and naval vessels needing reliable performance and quick stowage in standard hawsepipes.
Holding Power	Standard holding power. Less efficient than HHP anchors but sufficient for most short-term anchoring operations.
Weight Range	From 300 kg to over 20,000 kg. Mid-size merchant vessels commonly use 5,000–10,000 kg Hall anchors.
Seabed Compatibility	Performs adequately in sand, gravel, and clay. Less effective in soft mud or rocky bottoms without extended scope.
Stowability	Designed to nest perfectly in standard hawsepipe systems. Compact when housed, no stock or extended arms required.
Certifications	Accepted by all major class societies. Often used as a reference model for non-HHP performance testing.
Pros	Simple, proven design Easy to store and deploy Compatible with nearly all hawsepipes Low maintenance and easy to manufacture
Cons	Not considered HHP — weaker hold vs. modern alternatives Tends to drag in very soft seabeds Requires longer scope to achieve full set Flukes can bend or wear faster under heavy surge
Maintenance	Inspect pivot pin and fluke edges regularly. Touch up paint to prevent corrosion. Very few moving parts make this a low-maintenance choice overall.
Price Range	$8,000–$40,000 depending on size and class approval. One of the more affordable options for general-purpose use.

Find the Best Anchors and Best Deals

Our team helps vessel owners like you find the right anchor for your ship — without the pressure. We work with top suppliers to help you compare specs, get the best pricing, and avoid costly mistakes. Whether you’re outfitting a new build or replacing an old anchor, we’re here to make the process easier and faster. Get started with our quick quote request form below.

Insider Tips

While the Hall anchor might be one of the oldest types still in wide use, it hasn’t stuck around by accident. This anchor is valued for being easy to deploy, simple to maintain, and compatible with nearly all hawsepipe systems. But to get the most out of it — especially in unpredictable seabeds or strong surge — crews need to understand how to set it properly and where its limitations lie. Here’s what seasoned deck officers and ship engineers have learned from decades of Hall anchor deployment.

Hall Anchor – Insider Tips
Tip	Details
Use Extra Scope in Soft Bottoms	The Hall anchor isn’t designed for high holding power. In muddy or soft conditions, increase your scope ratio to 6:1 or more to improve bite and prevent dragging.
Watch for Fluke Wear Over Time	Hall flukes can wear unevenly, especially after repeated use in gravel or mixed bottoms. Inspect the tips and edges every few deployments and rotate usage between port and starboard anchors when possible.
Don’t Rush the Set	Dragging the anchor to “dig in” can bend the flukes if done at too high a speed or in mixed seabeds. Ease the chain out gradually and allow the anchor to naturally embed itself under load.
Keep Pivot Pin Clean and Lubed	The Hall’s rotating shank relies on the pivot pin for smooth operation. Salt buildup and corrosion here can limit movement and reduce effective set. Clean and inspect it quarterly.
Hall May Rock in Mixed Bottoms	In gravel-over-clay or sand-over-rock beds, Hall anchors have been known to partially reset or rock free during shifting tides. This anchor performs best when it can fully embed.
Use as a Baseline for Anchor Tests	Many engineers use Hall anchors as the reference point when comparing performance of newer HHP types. If you're switching to an HHP anchor later, it’s useful to benchmark against Hall performance for your vessel size and seabeds.