What factor primarily determines an anchor's holding capability?

The primary factor that determines an anchor's holding capability is its ability to bury itself in the sea bottom. When an anchor sets properly, it digs into the substrate and locks itself in place, greatly enhancing its holding power. The effectiveness of an anchor is significantly influenced by how well it can penetrate different types of seabed materials like sand, mud, gravel, or rock.

For instance, in softer substrates, an anchor that can bury deeper will have much greater holding power than one that merely rests on the surface. Conversely, in rockier bottoms, an anchor might not need to bury deeply but rather needs to grip effectively to hold fast. The shape and design of the anchor also play crucial roles in how well it can dig into or hold onto the seabed, but ultimately, the ability to bury itself is the defining characteristic of its holding capability.

While factors like weight, the type of anchoring line, and length of the anchor chain can influence the general behavior and deployment of the anchor, they do not primarily determine how well the anchor holds in place once deployed. Thus, the anchor's ability to achieve a proper set is the critical aspect for effective anchoring.