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inchcailloch · 05-12-2015, 09:40

Anchoring theory is general but each yacht demands specifics which it teaches it's owner

brianlara 3 · 05-12-2015, 09:49

This isn't PhD stuff.
All the books were written before the days of Rocna/Manson Supreme right?
Very seriously now...your charter boat will NOT have a great hook. Before you cast off attach your own newly purchased PROPER hook of either make....sleep like a log even with reduced scope.
Where you return sell the hook to the charterer at 50% discount.
Inexpensive sleep IMHO.

DMCantor · 05-12-2015, 10:47

One important point that I haven't seen mentioned in this thread: if you aren't satisfied with where you lie, or with how the anchor is set, there is absolutely no shame in bringing the anchor up and trying again. In difficult anchorages, we have sometimes tried 3 or even 4 times before we're ready for our sundowners.

Speaking of which, another rule of thumb that has worked very well for us is to plan our trips so that we expect to be anchored by 3:00 pm. Nothing worse than looking desperately for a good spot while the sun is going down.

viking 1944 · 05-12-2015, 11:49

When I come into an anchorage I come in at an idle, put it into neutral, throw the anchor over with the apropriate slope, snug it off and let the momentum of the boat set the hook.
El Condor Pasa

monte · 05-12-2015, 13:43

Where are you headed yower? Local knowledge is always helpful.

Compass790 · 05-12-2015, 16:40

Good advice talking to your neighbours first . Also I'd add if possible anchor among similar design/size boats as they will behave in a similar fashion if on single hooks.

**Don C L** · 05-12-2015, 19:16

And of course there is the thing called scope, the main reason an anchor holds or not. Should be at least 7:1 I'd say, though you'll see many anchored with less. Since I usually anchor bow and stern, and occasionally will sail in to an anchorage, I round up to where I want the bow to be and drop the bow anchor, and sails of course, and let the breeze slowly push me back and I'll pay out at least twice the scope I need. (Be careful not to dump all the chain in a lump on the anchor!) Since I can't really set an anchor with just the breeze, as soon as I am over where I want the stern hook to be I pay it out. BUT while I am paying it out, I am taking up on the bow line so that the stern line doesn't just fall in a pile on the stern anchor. To set both anchors one needs only to pull one with as much strength, or windlass power, you got and they should both set very well. And if one doesn't, you'll feel it. If the bow doesn't set, start over. (ugh) and if stern hook won't set, let bow out and pull up the stern and wait till your stern is in the right place again and let it down again. Never throw it or just dump it. If the chain fouls on the anchor right away the anchor will not set properly. Diving on an anchor is nice and certainly will confirm a lot, but at least where I am the water is cold and visibility is not always great. Once the boat is ready for it, and you get the hang of it, this routine is easy and reliable. I have a 29 foot boat but I have done this on larger boats I've chartered.

Lizzy Belle · 05-12-2015, 19:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don C L

Should be at least 7:1 I'd say, though you'll see many anchored with less.

Probably because the max. scoop that'll actually do anything is about 8:1

Speaking in general, 5:1 is just fine, up to 8:1 under bad conditions.
I consider 3:1 an absolute minimum, only to be settled for when there is no other option (like a tree

).

CSY Man · 05-12-2015, 20:36

Anchoring is an art:

(As per the above advice)

Don't get close to another boat at anchor
Don't get close to another boat trying to anchor.
Go slow, sometimes circle around and look for good spot.
If crowded, go somewhere else to anchor even if you will miss the party.
Scope is king, plan for a squall.

As for the video: Been there, seen it: I was a liveaboard in the Virgin Islands and always stayed away from the charter boats, if one came close, I'd pull my hook and go somewhere else just to sleep good. Sometimes I raised hell, but they would not understand what the f... I was talking about.

Snowpetrel · 05-12-2015, 21:19

We don't have huge amounts of other boats around here, and when there is I generally head elsewhere, so I tend to anchor more with regards to weather and topography.

Defensive anchoring begins with assessing the risks and minimising them. I generally assume I will drag at the worse possible time, so I look at my run out space and options. If I can I like a big sandy beach behind me rather than Rocks, or better yet wide open ocean.

Look around at the topography and envisage how the wind will funnel around the land. The lean of the trees can be handy, and wind often whistles down a valley and around hills.

Watch the sounder and ideally plant the anchor in a hollow so it's always pulling uphill. Try to get clear of major currents or tidal flows. If not be aware of the changes and the state of tide.

Plan a midnight escape if needed, Or if that isn't possible make sure things are very bombproof, maybe Extra anchors or shorelines. Anticipate windshifts, swell making etc and have a plan ready. If things are dodgy I like to have the boat ready to go to sea, dink on deck, reef or three in the main. Maybe even an anchor watch, or doze at the chart table.

Then again other anchorages are very safe with no real bad consequences if the anchor drags, and I am happy to relax if the forecast is settled, with a good anchor drag alarm and and the snubber off (but ready) so I can hear the chain if the wind picks up or shifts.

model 10 · 05-12-2015, 21:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by YOWER

Come to think of it, it would be great if CF would allow for audio responses! .

YOWer

I have been officially warned not to do such things here on CF.

Kestle · 05-12-2015, 21:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guy

I have been officially warned not to do such things here on CF.

There are folks who will sail in to a fuel dock too.

If your motor works, always use your motor...the best approach IMHO.

El Pinguino · 05-12-2015, 21:48

Being the terrible sailor that I am I hate crowded anchorages... only ever been in one (Carrefore Bay, Papeete) and it was not a pleasant experience. Everyone sitting on 3:1 in 15 metres... whenever a stinking 15 knot gale came through every man and his dog were dragging.
That said my biggest problem has always been that I can't judge distances... hopeless at it...invariably end up anchored a lot further out than intended unless I really know the anchorage....