Anchored out for the first time over New Years weekend. Lessons learned.

[Captaink73]

I've had my fair share of waking up in the middle of the night to strange noises, usually something stupid. Sleeping on the boat is still some of the best sleep I get, probably the rhythmic rocking and the soft lapping of the water. It's a whole lot better than being on land.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by CaptTom

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You can, but those are the new-fangled, nanny-state, "safe" versions which leave a trickle running so you don't forget to turn off the shower. If you're smart enough to operate a shower all by yourself, buy the one I linked to, above. It is a "true" shutoff; just check the glowing reviews from people who've suffered through the "trickle" versions in the past.

Different views on the trickle. I like mine (a trickle) because during the time it is "off" some water is running through it, keeping the pump cycling (light), and keeping the hot water moving through the pipe/hose from the heater. If a completely off, non-trickle is used, it is possible that the first slug of water coming out when re-engaged could be cold if your hoses are long, close to the hull and you're floating in cold ambient water.

Your boat, your choice.

PS - Where live now, we're on a well with a fresh water system just like on our boats. My shower is the furthest from the pump system, runs underground in the cold earth, and I would opt for a trickle here, too. If you're on a city water system with essentially constant pressure and your pipes are all indoors and insulated, then a full shut off would work.

[MV Wanderlust]

Originally Posted by canyonbat

I am assuming the first 120 gallons of water went toward filling the hot tub?

Yeah. And the water slide from the bridge to the fore deck uses a surprising amount!

[Bill Creadon]

Thanks for sharing. Boat life is what it's all about. Enjoy and keep on anchoring out. It doesn't get much better than that!!!

[hamburking]

I love when the sun goes down, and the boat becomes your world. You get to enjoy the lights, the stove, the comfy bunks. Its wonderful, especially if you can share it with loved ones.

Before dark, I prepare the boat for "emergency". The decks are clear, and everything put away. The engine is set for starting, the anchor ready to haul if needed. I keep a handheld gps in my bunk, and sleep well. However, it is nice to wake up in the night to be rewarded with a sky full of stars like you would never see in a city.

I would rate the success of the sailing season by how many nights aboard. At least 20 was my goal. When the number of nights was fewer than the fingers on one hand, it was time to sell the boat. I much prefer anchoring to being tied up.

[RichandHelen]

I STRONGLY suggest that your wife (nor anyone else) stand up in your dink while you are at 3/4 throttle and getting up on plane. The results have been known to be horrific.

[tuffr2]

Just curious, are alligators active at night? Would they bother a boat anchored at night?

[markpierce]

Wonder what Natalie Wood would say about anchoring out?

[senormechanico]

Originally Posted by hamburking

Before dark, I prepare the boat for "emergency". The decks are clear, and everything put away. The engine is set for starting, the anchor ready to haul if needed.

I also have all the sail trim settings ready for close hauled, no matter where we're anchored. Jib cars etc are all at those settings.
That way, if we need to sail off the hook, the worst case we are ready to beat to weather. Any other point of sail, we can sail with poor sail trim if needed.

[UNCIVILIZED]

Nice story. Thanks for sharing it. Times like you described are why most of us like to hang out on the water.

A tip for when you're out past sunset & have to find the mother ship, is to put pieces of SOLAS reflective tape the size of a playing card just below the gunwale every 8' or so around the perimeter of the boat. And then do the same somewhere high up on her structure, again, on all sides. It helps even if you know where she is, but especially if she decides to move on her own while you're gone. Also, do the same to the dink, & outboard.

[MV Wanderlust]

Originally Posted by UNCIVILIZED

put pieces of SOLAS reflective tape the size of a playing card just below the gunwale every 8' or so around the perimeter of the boat. And then do the same somewhere high up on her structure, again, on all sides. It helps even if you know where she is, but especially if she decides to move on her own while you're gone. Also, do the same to the dink, & outboard.

A good tip. Thanks. Something we may look into.

[MV Wanderlust]

Originally Posted by tuffr2

Just curious, are alligators active at night? Would they bother a boat anchored at night?

Alligators are quite active at night. On some freshwater lakes, it's not uncommon to shine a flashlight at night and see the reflections from dozens of pairs of eyes poking up out of the water. However, they're more commonly found in freshwater, not as much in salt water. Not impossible, just not common. Highly unlikely they would bother a salt water-anchored boat at night.

[Seighlor]

Reading the caption, I hadn't anticipated the story that followed.

Happy for you.

[cottonsail]

Congrats!

[IntoMyHealth]

Originally Posted by markpierce

Wonder what Natalie Wood would say about anchoring out?

Too soon