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The next consideration you’ll want to think about when choosing an anchor type is the recommended scope.
The recommended length of line between the source of the drag force (such as your array) and the properly embedded anchor on the bottom. It’s calculated as a ratio of length to depth; the deeper your site, the longer your scope will be. Depth refers to the vertical distance from the surface to the seafloor, measured at Mean High Water (MHW). Note that you may have to make some adjustments if you live in an area with extreme tidal variation.
Anchor Scope = Length : Depth
This diagram shows the scopes recommended for use with different types of anchors. For example, a helical anchor only requires a 2:1 scope, but a fluke anchor requires a 5:1 scope.
Remember the larger your scope, the larger your gear footprint, site area, and ultimately lease fees will be. Review the lesson Consider Site Area for an in-depth walkthrough on how these two factors correspond. Or use the Farm Design Tool and adjust the scope in the Anchor Details section to see how a change in this variable impacts your total gear area.