Tortugas 2016... I was planning to anchor up here...

[PetePetePete]

Have a few questions... but I'll start with this one.

We're making the trip to the Fort and we've been told that anchoring right where my pen is pointing would be allowed and would enable us to do what we're trying to do.

We'd like to be able to drop anchor in the deeper area to the right of the pen point, and then motor back until our stern is in around 3-4' of water. Boat only needs less than 2' of water... then stern anchor but NOT ON THE BEACH (we've been told that any exposed anchors cause the rangers to throw a fit).

Is this acceptable. The idea being able we'd like to be able to board the boat from the stern.

Crazy or right? If crazy... let's hear you.

Thanks,
Pete

[a64pilot]

Not sure where that is pointing, but the main anchorage right by the fort and dock, the one the seaplanes come and go from is deep right up to very close to the beach, I anchored maybe 50 ' off the beach with a 5' draft boat and never worried, was in deep water.
In the afternoon all the center console fishermen show up and sort of med mood with an anchor off the bow and something off the stern holding the boat stern in two ft of water, say 10 ft off the beach, I though it was a stern anchor on the beach, but am not sure.


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[a64pilot]

See if this picture helps, it was taken with us standing on the fort



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[the_alpine]

So that spot where your pen is is not a sandy beach. It's covered with brick pieces and rock and other debris. Also, it's directly down wind of the prevailing trade winds and quite smelly from the nesting birds.

But ya, you can anchor there.



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[PetePetePete]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

See if this picture helps, it was taken with us standing on the fort



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That pic would be great too... can you post up where on a chart it is?

[YachtBroker]

I was just there and I believe the planes dock there to the north of the pier. They will run you off. I would be cautious going stern in as I saw a lot of big rocks close to shore. But I think south of the pier and between the pier and the old pilings left over from the steamboat dock, you could anchor there. That is where most dingys land (and where we landed). I saw other boats there. It'll become real obvious when you get there.

[a64pilot]

I'm the sailboat in the picture, the Airplanes back up to the beach about 50 yds to the right in that picture, Airplanes guys are really good guys, forgotten the owners name, but he used to fly bush in Ak.
Don't know how to show a chart online, but it will be obvious, just go slow, charts are not so good about depth, in that picture I had deep water all the way to the beach, but if I went 50 yds to what looked like open water, I would run aground, I know cause I did in the dinghy.

If your in the boat I think your in, why not do just like the CC boats in the picture?

This your boat?
http://worldcat.com/models/320ec-express-cabin/

[PetePetePete]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

I'm the sailboat in the picture, the Airplanes back up to the beach about 50 yds to the right in that picture, Airplanes guys are really good guys, forgotten the owners name, but he used to fly bush in Ak.
Don't know how to show a chart online, but it will be obvious, just go slow, charts are not so good about depth, in that picture I had deep water all the way to the beach, but if I went 50 yds to what looked like open water, I would run aground, I know cause I did in the dinghy.

If your in the boat I think your in, why not do just like the CC boats in the picture?

This your boat?
320EC Express Cabin | World Cat

Yup. That's my boat...

Ok. Thanks for all the help guys! I'm going to go over this email and figure it out.

[Dulcesuenos]

Not just smelly but very loud from the birds. Most drop the hook shallow water across from the main dock, and then let scope out to be over deeper water. The fishing is better that way 😉 it's very calm and very well protected there. Have fun!

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