Which factor affects the holding power of an anchor the most?

The holding power of an anchor is primarily influenced by the bottom composition. This factor is crucial because different types of seabeds can significantly affect how well an anchor can grip or embed itself. For example, soft mud or sand allows anchors to dig in more effectively, whereas a rocky or hard bottom can prevent the anchor from setting properly.

While the weight of the anchor, type of anchor, and length of the anchor chain are also important considerations, they are not as directly impactful on the anchor's ability to hold as the characteristics of the seabed. A heavy anchor will have more mass but may still fail to hold if the bottom material is unsuitable. Similarly, while different anchor designs perform better in various conditions, the substrate itself ultimately dictates the extent to which an anchor can secure a vessel. The length of the chain can help with scope and stability, but again, it cannot compensate for a poor grip in unsuitable bottom conditions. Therefore, understanding and evaluating the bottom composition is vital for effective anchoring.