Definition:
In nautical usage, scope refers to the ratio of the length of anchor rode to the vertical drop of the anchor (from the boat’s bow to the water bottom). For example, a scope of 7 to 1 means that with a water depth of 17 feet and the boat’s bow 3 feet above the water (total vertical drop of 20 feet), 140 feet of anchor rode would be let out.
See also How to Anchor a Sailboat.
