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Old 16-03-2011, 16:51   #1
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Clearance under keel for hurricane anchoring?

How much room (water) do we need under our keels to weather a hurricane?

2 feet?
4 feet?

I know we should have as much as we can get but what should be the "minimum"?

I have a large shrimp boat anchor that I'd like to set but at my choice area I would hardly have 2 feet of water between my keel and the sand.
And then theres that darn "upright" fluke that would tickle my iron keel.

I have other areas of greater depth to consider, I would just like to be as shallow as can be safe.

Thanks
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Old 16-03-2011, 17:16   #2
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pirate Re: Clearance under keel for hurricane anchoring?

I'd say twice as much as the biggest wave you've ever seen there... and another metre for luck....
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Old 16-03-2011, 17:20   #3
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Re: Clearance under keel for hurricane anchoring?

Quote:
Originally Posted by endoftheroad View Post
How much room (water) do we need under our keels to weather a hurricane?

2 feet?
4 feet?

I know we should have as much as we can get but what should be the "minimum"?

I have a large shrimp boat anchor that I'd like to set but at my choice area I would hardly have 2 feet of water between my keel and the sand.
And then theres that darn "upright" fluke that would tickle my iron keel.

I have other areas of greater depth to consider, I would just like to be as shallow as can be safe.

Thanks
It kind'a depends upon which way the winds are expected to blow. On shore they'll be a major surge. Off shore, the water will be blow out. Each situation is different and depends upon where the center of rotation is with respect to your anchorage.

FWIW...
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Old 16-03-2011, 17:40   #4
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Re: Clearance under keel for hurricane anchoring?

Would depend where you are anchoring.

In a mangrove creek hole would be OK however if exposed to waves as Boatman says.
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Old 16-03-2011, 17:40   #5
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Re: Clearance under keel for hurricane anchoring?

Quote:
How much room (water) do we need under our keels to weather a hurricane?
As indicated there isn't a rule of thumb. The water level, may go up or down in any extreme and then the other way. That might be considered typical. Deeper water requires more rode. You may also face the debris being blown away from shore could collide with your boat and yet again if it comes back. Ain't no rules with hurricanes.
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Old 16-03-2011, 17:48   #6
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Re: Clearance under keel for hurricane anchoring?

in 41 kt winds,we were slammed into a spoils bank thaT IS NORMALLY 2-3 FT DEPTH-- THE DEPTH OF THE TROUGHS BETWEEN THE 4 FT SEAS WAS ONLY 4 INCHES. did no favors for the boat. wasnt even a hurrycame.
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Old 16-03-2011, 17:49   #7
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Re: Clearance under keel for hurricane anchoring?

Looks like you’re in the FL, Keys. Anything more than a 6 or 8 ft. surge is going to wreak havoc on any thing around you. That said 8’ ft. under the keel during those times SHOULD be OK but watch for your neighbors. If it’s a Cat. 1-2 or less you would probably be OK with less but do you want to chance it?
Sounds like you’re putting in a mooring, if not forget this post.
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Old 16-03-2011, 18:01   #8
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Re: Clearance under keel for hurricane anchoring?

Quote:
Originally Posted by endoftheroad View Post
How much room (water) do we need under our keels to weather a hurricane?

2 feet?
4 feet?

I know we should have as much as we can get but what should be the "minimum"?
Minimum? 1 inch
Normal? Not applicable
Guarantee? Not available

John
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Old 16-03-2011, 18:17   #9
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Re: Clearance under keel for hurricane anchoring?

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Originally Posted by knotnow View Post
Looks like you’re in the FL, Keys. Anything more than a 6 or 8 ft. surge is going to wreak havoc on any thing around you. That said 8’ ft. under the keel during those times SHOULD be OK but watch for your neighbors. If it’s a Cat. 1-2 or less you would probably be OK with less but do you want to chance it?
Sounds like you’re putting in a mooring, if not forget this post.
I am setting a shrimp boat anchor and figure I may as well put it somewhere proper as it's getting time to start thinking about those things..
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Old 16-03-2011, 18:46   #10
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Re: Clearance under keel for hurricane anchoring?

To many variables to give any recommendation at all. Others have pointed out some of the issues but another factor will be which side of the eye you are on. If you are on the side with onshore winds and the tide is high then the water in your spot could be many feet deeper. If the eye passes so you are on the side with offshore winds and low tide a spot that is normally many feet deep could be mud.

Other factors, is your spot open in any direction so you could have a long fetch into your anchorage? Is it a close harbor or channel between two islands.
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Old 16-03-2011, 19:35   #11
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Re: Clearance under keel for hurricane anchoring?

There are other considerations when choosing anchor depth:

  • The deeper the water the more effective the anchor chain catenary will be to act as a shock absorber in preventing break away loads.

  • Much better to find a deep hole to drop the anchor so that you are dragging upwards in all directions, as the wind changes
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Old 17-03-2011, 07:21   #12
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Re: Clearance under keel for hurricane anchoring?

What's a "shrimp boat anchor"?
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Old 17-03-2011, 07:25   #13
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Re: Clearance under keel for hurricane anchoring?

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What's a "shrimp boat anchor"?
A home built big ol' honking anchor... We're loaded with them in KW
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Old 17-03-2011, 07:40   #14
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Re: Clearance under keel for hurricane anchoring?

I thought it was an anchor for a really, really small boat....

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A home built big ol' honking anchor... We're loaded with them in KW
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Old 17-03-2011, 07:41   #15
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Re: Clearance under keel for hurricane anchoring?

Quote:
Originally Posted by endoftheroad View Post
How much room (water) do we need under our keels to weather a hurricane?

2 feet?
4 feet?

I know we should have as much as we can get but what should be the "minimum"?

I have a large shrimp boat anchor that I'd like to set but at my choice area I would hardly have 2 feet of water between my keel and the sand.
And then theres that darn "upright" fluke that would tickle my iron keel.

I have other areas of greater depth to consider, I would just like to be as shallow as can be safe.

Thanks
I've been through 4 hurricanes in KW, all in Garrison Bight. Wilma was the only one that had much surge. Where are you moored?
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