Anchoring etiquette questions...

[Johan Leopard51]

Originally Posted by kmacdonald

If there is no protected anchorage in severe conditions you need to ride it out offshore. If not, you will most likely lose your boat. Offshore in severe conditions really isn't that bad once you get used to it. Set the autopilot and go below.

I would not use autopilot and go below as I find I need to continuously read and adjust speed and direction based on the three or four swells ahead of me. A bit like a surf launch in a small boat into four waves breaking before you get out.

We’re lucky that climate is the tropics, so being up there not a problem.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by Greg K

That's really a non-starter for most folks cruising in the Balearics in August when the EU is on summer vacation. If you have a boat in the Med anywhere within an overnight sail to the islands, that's where you're going, crowded or not.

A more realistic caution that may be of practical use for cruisers is not to put slavish trust in weather forecasts. This Mistral was forecast well in advance and I would venture to say everyone anchored in Saona knew it was coming. Saona is protected NE up to around N and I'm guessing they thought they would be fine because probably the forecast indicated that in would not go NNW-NW and, to their horror, it did. So the lesson here is: expect the forecast direction to be off by 10-20 degrees and up to 1.5 times the intensity, and ask yourself if you will still be safe in your chosen anchorage. If not, go elsewhere.

It's basic seamanship to consider weather scenarios which vary from the forecast, and this post is a useful reminder.


But I will stick to my point that cruising at all in an area where the anchorages are so crowded that you can't anchor in a way you consider to be safe, which at the very same time is an area subject to sudden, violent storms, is simply not a good idea.


What concerns forecasts -- the models do a good job at predicting gradient winds, which dominate offshore. But thermal weather, and all storms, have at least some winds which are not gradient winds and thus not well forecasted. Another reason to prefer to be at sea.

[Greg K]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

It's basic seamanship to consider weather scenarios which vary from the forecast, and this post is a useful reminder.


But I will stick to my point that cruising at all in an area where the anchorages are so crowded that you can't anchor in a way you consider to be safe, which at the very same time is an area subject to sudden, violent storms, is simply not a good idea.


What concerns forecasts -- the models do a good job at predicting gradient winds, which dominate offshore. But thermal weather, and all storms, have at least some winds which are not gradient winds and thus not well forecasted. Another reason to prefer to be at sea.

I'd say that's somewhat of an exaggeration. But, hey, if a little scaremongering keeps the idiots away from my favorite cruising grounds, I thank you for your comment.

[kmacdonald]

If you're one of the people that put out 200 feet of chain in 10 feet of water, in a crowded anchorage, because they are calling for 15 to 20 mph winds, you are going to be verry disappointed with the welcome you get.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by Greg K

I'd say that's somewhat of an exaggeration. But, hey, if a little scaremongering keeps the idiots away from my favorite cruising grounds, I thank you for your comment.

Well, I'm taking it from your own words. You said the anchorage was too crowded in summer to anchor without someone being too close for safety. AND you said that you get sudden, unpredicted, violent storms, and even gave a current example, with a harrowing video of mayhem with boats on the rocks. So :shrug:

[Greg K]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

Well, I'm taking it from your own words. You said the anchorage was too crowded in summer to anchor without someone being too close for safety. AND you said that you get sudden, unpredicted, violent storms, and even gave a current example, with a harrowing video of mayhem with boats on the rocks. So :shrug:

The Mistral was forecast well in advance. You're still distorting what I said, counsellor. Not a complaint. Like I said, whatever helps to keep the idiots away works for me

[Sabado]

If someone anchors at a distance that we believe is too close, we move.

If we anchor and are within about 3 boat lengths but we feel comfortable, we go over to let them know our scope, anchor alarm situation, and to make sure they are comfortable. If they aren't, we move.

[Fuss]

ok, but after 8 pages, is this really the best we can come up with for calm forecasts.

for bad weather, sure, we must move, but for calm, nearly never.
Sabado, your 3 boat length problems will be solved for ever.
Get you clothes off and wander around on the deck, hey, rumour has it that you can even come in last and space will be made.,
Give it a go, you only live once and you just might learn something…

[Sabado]

Originally Posted by Fuss

ok, but after 8 pages, is this really the best we can come up with for calm forecasts.

for bad weather, sure, we must move, but for calm, nearly never.
Sabado, your 3 boat length problems will be solved for ever.
Get you clothes off and wander around on the deck, hey, rumour has it that you can even come in last and space will be made.,
Give it a go, you only live once and you just might learn something…

Good advice!

Three boat lengths is just our rough guide for ourselves. Honestly, an anchorage with wind gives me less concern than one with no wind. 20 knots (what we have right now) with a solid hold, is pretty easy since everyone's chain is stretched out.

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by Sabado

If someone anchors at a distance that we believe is too close, we move.

If we anchor and are within about 3 boat lengths but we feel comfortable, we go over to let them know our scope, anchor alarm situation, and to make sure they are comfortable. If they aren't, we move.

I think your approach is an excellent one Sabado. Shows a level of respect, responsibility and maturity that we could all learn from.

[Sabado]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

I think your approach is an excellent one Sabado. Shows a level of respect, responsibility and maturity that we could all learn from.

And it's super easy.

[Mike OReilly]

The main thing you demonstrate Sabado is that a little communication can go a long way to preempting, and/or mitigating, many perceived anchoring conflicts. The vast majority of the time, if you try and talk to your neighbour, instead of giving them the stink-eye, carping on about “I WAS FIRST!” or dangling the family jewels, you can usually resolve any perceived problems like adults.

Reasonable people can usually reach reasonable compromises. When you encounter an unreasonable situation, the only thing you can ultimately do is move.

[Sabado]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

The main thing you demonstrate Sabado is that a little communication can go a long way to preempting, and/or mitigating, many perceived anchoring conflicts. The vast majority of the time, if you try and talk to your neighbour, instead of giving them the stink-eye, carping on about “I WAS FIRST!” or dangling the family jewels, you can usually resolve any perceived problems like adults.

Reasonable people can usually reach reasonable compromises. When you encounter an unreasonable situation, the only thing you can ultimately do is move.

Often it ends with sundowners with new friends too.

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by :thumb:Sabado

Often it ends with sundowners with new friends too.

Exactly.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by noelex 77

Thanks for posting.

These type of conditions are not common, but they do occur and these videos accurately convey the mayhem.

This is when you are glad you have purchased a quality, large anchor.

And glad you don't anchor with silly 3-1 or 5-1 scope..
Ridden out winds like that on a Bruce with 3 x boat length plus depth all chain in Andrax.. mind I did always make sure the hook was in a crevasse of which there were more than several running across the anchorage.
Know your gear and as important, know your bottom.