Just when I think i have seen it all I saw something new yesterday.
The anchorage I am in is littered with large sharp rocks. A small cruising
boat arrived with a new generation
anchor, but very little chain.
His technique was quite simple he constantly, and do mean constantly, adjusted his
scope to keep the
rope off the bottom, but to provide adequate
scope for the
wind conditions.
In light
wind he went down to a bit below 2:1. In 10-15k he lengthened out to 3:1. In 25k up to 4:1.
Most cruising boats should be fitted with all chain IMHO. If however, you
lost all your main chain, techniques like this are worth considering.
I do occasional
anchor at less than 2:1, with a view to letting out more scope later (mainly to anchor in prime spot when I know other boats will be leaving before the evening) and its perfectly adequate in light conditions, even in shallowish
water (With someone on watch). I had, however, not considered this continual varying scope it as means to managing with only a small, amount of chain.
I have seen cruisers in the
South Pacific buoy their
rope rode to remove the potential for the
rode to be cut, but this is only viable when there are very few other boats about. So this is another technique for boats with inadequate chain for the anchorage, whether by design, or
accident.