OK old thread, I know, but consider this one. Just anchored the other day with a friend in a popular cove at the Channel Islands (CA not UK.) The gentleman alone there in his large
Catalina called out "you planning on setting a stern hook?" Yes, it is pretty much the custom in our area for a few reasons. "You staying the night?" Yes. "Well stay clear, I have 250' of chain out and I am on one hook." He was anchored in 20' of
water. The math suggests his
anchoring strategy was not for
safety but to keep the riff-raff away and to lay claim to about a third of the best part of the cove. My friend, on his first trip out to the islands in his
boat innocently joked with him, "what? you think you own the place?" Not long after that an older gent singlehanded his large
Catalina in and jovially asked about our anchors and then proceeded to deftly place his
boat in a prime spot, clear of all, anchored bow and stern. He's been doing this for 40 years. No matter where you are or how long you've been sailing, it's always good to check with the residents about
customs and
anchor locations first. It sets a friendly tone and puts the new neighbors at ease!