Flotsam said:
Stern anchors... OK, let's do this.

-- If upon approaching the dinghy dock it becomes apparent that a stern anchor may be warranted, there are several issues of importance to keep in mind to prevent your dingy from becoming an embarrassing menace to other craft:

First, even though deployed in this case as a secondary securing device, the proper size and type of anchor are not to be ignored. Most dingy anchors provided with charter boats are woefully inadequate for the task (cost savings?), so "trading up" may be required. Fortunately this is never difficult near a mooring field as there will be a good supply of large CQR or Rocna anchors conveniently located on any moored yacht's bow. Select and detach an appropriately sized model (55 lbs or larger is preferable), being careful to leave behind a thoughtful receipt such as a folded up dollar bill or better yet a piece of women's underwear.

Second consideration is diameter and material of the anchor line. Here again most charter companies fail miserably to provide sufficiently. Given the virtual certainty of your anchor line being run over by every other dingy approaching the dock, you'll need to use chain instead of the typical thin poly line provided. 1/2" to 3/8" galvanized should be considered minimum. Again, if none is provided, the yacht supplying the anchor can in all likelihood prove of further assistance in this regard as well.

Finally, as always, proper scope is critical, perhaps even more so in stern anchoring situations given the aforementioned certainty of attempted fouling by fellow seamen. 7 to 1 is considered minimum, with full points awarded for any length achieved in excess of this standard.