Stock

The crosspiece fitted at right angles to an anchor’s shank that helps the anchor turn onto its side so a fluke can dig into the seabed.

The stock’s job is to control how the anchor lands when it reaches the seabed. By holding one side up, it prevents the anchor lying flat and encourages one fluke to bite quickly into sand or mud. This improves initial setting and reduces the chance of dragging. Stocks are common on traditional anchors such as Admiralty and Fisherman types, where reliable setting matters more than compact stowage. Many modern anchors achieve the same effect through weight distribution and shape, which is why they often have no stock at all.