Anchoring etiquette questions...

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by eheffa

Thank you.

This helps clarify the etiquette question.

We try to get further North in summertime and well away from the crowds. We’ve been quite spoiled for a wealth of empty anchorages for the past 6 weeks.

Getting closer to population centers and the press of boats is a bit of a shock but, I thought that given available room, it should be common courtesy to at least attempt to stay well away from other boats.

Go North, young man.


I've been cruising Norway and the Shetland Islands this summer and only shared an anchorage with even one other boat --- once.


There are few yacht harbours (you wouldn't call them "marinas") in the Shetlands, but one of them wants £5 to berth a 54' boat. For a week.


Sail where you need a sweater in summer and everything is great, and you won't see Beneteau mass raft-ups. Nothing against Beneteaus as boats, of course.

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

Go North, young man.

I've been cruising Norway and the Shetland Islands this summer and only shared an anchorage with even one other boat --- once.

Yes! Or try Newfoundland, or most Canadian Maritime waters.Or if you’re a Great Lakes sailor, head to the north shore of Lake Superior. We rarely share an anchorage with anyone. I’ve gone entire seasons being the only one in the anchorage.

Of course, I spent enough time in busy places, like the North Channel (Georgian Bay) and the 1000 Islands (Lake Ontario) to know how to anchor in a crowd. I prefer places a bit off the beaten path.

[thinwater]

Often there seems to be some sort of crowd mentality. "If the first boat anchored over there, that must be the best place."


Obviously, you should give as much space as practical. One more minute in the dink is nothing and it will be quieter.


Finally, you should do what you can to damp yawing, both to increase the security of your anchor and to calm everybody. Perhaps you shouldn't keep the dinghy on the bow and perhaps the reacher should come down (reduce windage forward). If you have a rope rode, consider using a kellet (15-20 feet of old chain looped on a sling works well) to reduce the swing. Sometimes a hammerlock moor or even the kellet on a rope just long enough to scrape on the bottom works miracles. Very boat-specific. Rather than arguing which method is best, expereiment with your boat. I hate it when boats swing wildly, including both others and me.

[barnakiel]

Disputing ethics with charter boats is casting pearls.


And it is hard to judge mine or my neighbour's swing before we start swinging hard.


for what it is worth


b.

[eheffa]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

Yes! Or try Newfoundland, or most Canadian Maritime waters.Or if you’re a Great Lakes sailor, head to the north shore of Lake Superior. We rarely share an anchorage with anyone. I’ve gone entire seasons being the only one in the anchorage.

Of course, I spent enough time in busy places, like the North Channel (Georgian Bay) and the 1000 Islands (Lake Ontario) to know how to anchor in a crowd. I prefer places a bit off the beaten path.

The B.C. Coast North of Cape Caution is vast and replete with a wealth of spectacular and virtually empty anchorages; but, we live in Victoria and have to eventually make our way back.

Shoulder season, even June or September sees way fewer boats out locally but you can’t always pick your dates.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

Yes! Or try Newfoundland, or most Canadian Maritime waters.Or if you’re a Great Lakes sailor, head to the north shore of Lake Superior. We rarely share an anchorage with anyone. I’ve gone entire seasons being the only one in the anchorage.

Of course, I spent enough time in busy places, like the North Channel (Georgian Bay) and the 1000 Islands (Lake Ontario) to know how to anchor in a crowd. I prefer places a bit off the beaten path.

My "other boat" (actually my friend's, but I skippered her across the Atlantic two years ago) is in Newfoundland right now. Being prepositioned for our crossing next year from Labrador to Ireland.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

Disputing ethics with charter boats is casting pearls.
.

Absolutely right.



Total waste of time and nerves.


The good news is they all have insurance. So have another G&T and relax. Or better yet, pull up the anchor and go somewhere the charterers don't.

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

My "other boat" (actually my friend's, but I skippered her across the Atlantic two years ago) is in Newfoundland right now. Being prepositioned for our crossing next year from Labrador to Ireland.

Where’s she at? If you likely have to pass by my current home port if you’re heading to Labrador.

[Macblaze]

It can actually be quite the shock can't it? We usually sail April/May Desolation and points north. This year it was the southern Gulf Islands in late June and it was quite the culture shock. Hopefully we can get back to the old way next year and avoid the "weekend warriors"

Originally Posted by eheffa

Thank you.

This helps clarify the etiquette question.

We try to get further North in summertime and well away from the crowds. We’ve been quite spoiled for a wealth of empty anchorages for the past 6 weeks.

Getting closer to population centers and the press of boats is a bit of a shock but, I thought that given available room, it should be common courtesy to at least attempt to stay well away from other boats.

[kmacdonald]

If you are concerned someone anchored too close to you, then you move. If the other boat thinks he is a safe distance then why would he move?

[eheffa]

Yes.

We do a lot of winter cruising & try to get away from the crowds in summer.

But, still, it’s better than trying to secure terrestrial campsites 3 months ahead of time.

The ‘weekend warriors’ as you say may have quite variable skills or understandings of what is reasonable or courteous.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

... And it is hard to judge mine ....

Compass?

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

Where’s she at? If you likely have to pass by my current home port if you’re heading to Labrador.

You and the owner would like each other. I'll ping him and find out. Where are you now?

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by kmacdonald

If you are concerned someone anchored too close to you, then you move. If the other boat thinks he is a safe distance then why would he move?

Indeed. That's exactly the right approach.


Because you are responsible for your own boat and the people on board in any case. If you judge that the situation is unsafe you don't even have the right to stay there. The other guy's being wrong doesn't change this.

[eheffa]

That’s a good summary.

I’d rather move than deal with the fallout from a damaging incident and the subsequent finger pointing.