Apeak Meaning in Sailing

Apeak describes the position of an anchor rope when it is perfectly vertical in water. This occurs just before the anchor breaks free from the sandy or muddy bottom. The boat must sit directly over the anchor for the crew to pull it up. A sailor yells apeak to inform the captain that the anchor is ready to lift. At this moment, the weight of the boat helps pull the metal out of the ground. The engine usually stays in neutral to avoid putting stress on the vertical anchor line. Once the anchor is apeak, the crew can quickly bring it onto the deck surface. This term helps the team coordinate the final steps of leaving a harbor safely.