How Do You Anchor In Deep Ocean?

[buzzstar]

Originally Posted by FLJim

I get this question surprisingly often from land-based people. When I'm feeling nice, I simply say it's too deep to anchor, and we sail all night. When I'm mischievous, I tell them there are Motel 6's stationed every 100 miles or so in the ocean and we tie up there, then I wait to see how long before they call me on that.

I've tried. They are always fully booked, but then the Hiltons are too. And then my wake up alarm goes off.

[TheThunderbird]

Most futile thread ever

Please dismiss..

[RedHerring]

> and that internet discussions will not much influence these decisions

Actually, if anyone has compiled and/or computed any numbers on the risks involved, I would be interested to read that.

My own back of envelope estimates suggest that 10-20 miles away from shore and shipping lines, the probability of colliding with something you could see and avoid becomes acceptably low. As in, not more likely than getting killed while commuting to work by car. Even if nobody ever looks around and has no AIS/radar alarms at all. My math may be wrong though.

I feel much more concerned about something breaking on the boat, or weather conditions rapidly changing, or something like this, while I'm asleep and cannot react quickly enough, than about a mid-ocean collision.

By the way, so far I've not done any singlehanded offshore passages, and we are doing 360 horizon scans every 15 minutes, and keep AIS collision alarm turned on.

[SV THIRD DAY]

Originally Posted by nicholastanguma

Newb question: in making a solo ocean crossing one needs to sleep at night, presumably. But oceans are deep; how could one possibly spool enough chain for an anchor to hit the ocean floor thousands of feet below?

Just how does a solo sailor anchor at night in deep ocean?

I think you guys have just been "Rick Rolled" as the kids say today.

[hoppy]

In a perfect world with everyone following collregs and maintaining proper watch, there will be no collisions. Throw in some sleeping solo sailors then there will still be no collisions as the crewed boats will follow the colregs and avoid them. In a perfect world the only collisions should be between sleeping solo sailors.

In the real world sleeping solo sailors colliding with each other seems to be a rare event and when it happens, it's between 2 skippers who knew the risks and made the decision that the risk was worth it. Everyone else should just accept people sleep Solo and maintain a proper watch.

It takes two to collide but it only takes one to avoid a collision.


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[RedHerring]

Originally Posted by hoppy

sleeping solo sailors colliding with each other seems to be a rare event

How many of these do you know about?

[hoppy]

Originally Posted by RedHerring

How many of these do you know about?

Approximately 0.... pretty rare 😜


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[Ironman162]

A decent size sea anchor or drogue will hold the boat from drifting too far if that helps.
Mine is essentially a 1 meter inverted parrashute and it has saved my bacon a few times. Easy to store as it folds down and quick to deploy in an emergency.
Im not saying its the answer to your question but it goes a long way towards getting control of the vessel in adverse conditions.
You wont catch me without mine on board right next to the anchor, thats for sure!

[jackdale]

Anyone contemplating single handing should read:

FindACase™ | GRANHOLM v. THE VESSEL TFL EXPRESS

[hoppy]

Originally Posted by jackdale

Anyone contemplating single handing should read:

FindACase™ | GRANHOLM v. THE VESSEL TFL EXPRESS

Good suggestion. Reading it should get anyone nodding off nice and quickly

[Delancey]

Originally Posted by Bleemus

This is a joke right?

No. The OP seems to have no experience boating or any inkling about passage making and I believe him to be asking an honest question he does not know the answer to.

[Scotty Kiwi]

Originally Posted by Seighlor

It had been my strategy to take a nap at dawn and sleep as much as possible during daylight hours. Better enabled me to maintain a watch during hours of darkness.

Glad you said this. Good habit for the nightclubs too. Also nap if the wind dies pre dawn. Was beginning to wonder if I was the only one.

[hzcruiser]

Originally Posted by buzzstar

Maybe I've missed an option[...], but assuming the query is serious, no one has mentioned being hove to. [...]

Yes, you have. It's been mentioned a few times so far.

[hzcruiser]

Originally Posted by FLJim

I get this question surprisingly often from land-based people.

Me too. Even more surprising to find it here as well.

Originally Posted by FLJim

When I'm mischievous, I tell them there are Motel 6's stationed every 100 miles or so in the ocean and we tie up there, then I wait to see how long before they call me on that.

That's a good one! Will give it a try next time.

[hpeer]

Originally Posted by Scotty Kiwi

Glad you said this. Good habit for the nightclubs too. Also nap if the wind dies pre dawn. Was beginning to wonder if I was the only one.

Make it three. When you solo sleeping is part of you job. Even double handed.