Visit our Popular Forums

thinwater · 30-06-2018, 10:24

I'd just like to hear the story. I'm just thinking, that in 30 years, three times I've had to anchor in a hurry due to engine failure, and not once would a stern anchor have been my first choice. It made more sense to use the momentum I had to turn and head into a better position.

1. Between jetties. I headed to the windward side and dropped the hook, Had I not dropped near the windward jetty I would have hit the leeward jetty. (Forgot to open fuel valve after changing filters--dumb).

2. Dockline in the props coming out of a fairway with a strong tide from side. I was able to coast out of the fairway and farther from danger than if I had use the stern anchor, which might have let me bang some boats.
3. Between jetties with sails up. Had to spin into the wind to get the main down. Waited until I was in the harbor basin, no problem. (Clogged carb.)

Your experiences?

thinwater · 30-06-2018, 17:12

So I should assume none of your have actually done this?

The idea of dropping an anchor off the back, then waiting, without doing anything for 20-30 seconds (~100 feet) is challenging. Remember that when it takes it will have lot of momentum to arrest, like a storm load, so it better set well and needs long scope (since it probably on rope). Too bad so many marinas are soft mud on the bottom.

belizesailor · 30-06-2018, 17:23

Never done it. I have anchored under sail many times, sometimes due to engine failure/fouled prop(s...got em both on a cat once!), but always at slow speed, dropped from bow, and swung around.

44'cruisingcat · 30-06-2018, 17:24

I doubt you're going to get many replies.

We keep our stern anchor and rode in a locker.

I can't see any situation where it would be faster to get it out, rig it then throw it overboard than it would be to drop the main anchor.

Group9 · 30-06-2018, 17:36

I took a girlfriend out for the frst time in my Islander 32. As we were entering the slip at a good three knots, the engine died. I quickly made a miraculous lasso that I successfully threw at the piling as we went by and wrapped it around a sheet winch. It stopped inches from hitting the dock. My girlfriend, nonplussed, looked at me and asked, “When you do that, have you ever missed and not lassoed the piling?”.

gmakhs · 30-06-2018, 18:06

Everytime I anchor med moor style ...... (Have to protect my rudder )

belizesailor · 30-06-2018, 18:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Group9

I took a girlfriend out for the frst time in my Islander 32. As we were entering the slip at a good three knots, the engine died. I quickly made a miraculous lasso that I successfully threw at the piling as we went by and wrapped it around a sheet winch. It stopped inches from hitting the dock. My girlfriend, nonplussed, looked at me and asked, “When you do that, have you ever missed and not lassoed the piling?”.

Reminds me of watching someone coming in really hot to a slip once...they were counting on slamming it into reverse...engine died when the did...they hit the floating dock at a good clip...bow slid up on top of the dock and boat continued forward until forward edge of keel contacted dock...not hard...sliding up the dock had taken off a lot of momentum
...the boat paused for a moment with the bow high in the air over the dock...then slid backwards into the slip and stopped....dead perfect in the middle of the slip...like they planned it that way. All they had to do was step off and secure the dock lines. [emoji41]

This was on about a 40' boat so it was pretty visually impressive.

belizesailor · 30-06-2018, 18:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmakhs

Everytime I anchor med moor style ...... (Have to protect my rudder )

You use a stern anchor to stop the boat on approach to med moor? Walk me thru that please...

Pelagic · 30-06-2018, 18:52

This technique was a lot more popular in the 70's when boats were pure sailors and/or the skipper did not trust his underpowered auxiliary.

I have used stern anchor for docking straight down wind when no engine was available, but not in an emergency.

janice142 · 30-06-2018, 19:05

I did once. The engine cut out and were it not for my ready-to-deploy stop anchor in the cockpit I would have hit the river bank.

gmakhs · 30-06-2018, 19:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by belizesailor

You use a stern anchor to stop the boat on approach to med moor? Walk me thru that please...

Exactly the same way as with med moor , you just come with the bow , I deploy the anchor by hand while steering the boat , being solo is easier that way .

belizesailor · 30-06-2018, 19:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmakhs

Exactly the same way as with med moor , you just come with the bow , I deploy the anchor by hand while steering the boat , being solo is easier that way .

Ah OK, bow first med moor.