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hd002e · 29-06-2019, 16:05

I am at anchor in the Mediterranean and its blowing upto 40kts NW. I have 150 feet of chain and 60 of rode at 20’ depth. Bottom is soft sand and I have a 25# CQR. All seems well.

However, what do I do if my anchor drags? Start engine, retrieve anchor and retry?

Let it drag hoping it’ll catch again?

Go out and drift to sea until things calm down?

hd002e · 29-06-2019, 16:07

I got a 30’ boat that weighs less than 10’000 pounds. Reduced windage as much as possible. Chafe protection on. Rode tied to both bow cleats. We are swinging hard.

**boatman61** · 29-06-2019, 16:15

Start engine and sit it out on tick over, or at least till wind starts to ease.
Guessing your in Greece.

hd002e · 29-06-2019, 16:17

In Tasucu, Turkey.

Mike OReilly · 29-06-2019, 16:17

All depends on the situation. How fast are you dragging? Lee shore? Other boats that you are dragging on to? Sea condition?

Likely if a CQR starts dragging it’s not going to easily reset itself. If it’s a slow drag, and I’ not headed to anything nasty, I’d ease out more rode first. If that doesn’t show improvement, then starting the engine is a good step. You can try easing the pressure on the anchor, but you’ll probably need to relieve and reset.

Going out to sea can also be a wise choice. It will be rough, but the biggest danger for a well found boat is hard stuff.

hd002e · 29-06-2019, 16:18

Weather reports now say that it may be another 24 hours.

hd002e · 29-06-2019, 16:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

All depends on the situation. How fast are you dragging? Lee shore? Other boats that you are dragging on to? Sea condition?

Likely if a CQR starts dragging it’s not going to easily reset itself. If it’s a slow drag, and I’ not headed to anything nasty, I’d ease out more rode first. If that doesn’t show improvement, then starting the engine is a good step. You can try easing the pressure on the anchor, but you’ll probably need to relieve and reset.

Going out to sea can also be a wise choice. It will be rough, but the biggest danger for a well found boat is hard stuff.

Not dragging yet but weighing out my options IF I do. I am in a sheltered bay so waves are not a problem. The wind is coming from the land but I have a rocky peninsula just 300feet behind me. No other boats downwind, a few light motorboats upwind from me on moorings, nobody in them. There is a small village at the bay but they lost all power so I can no longer make out if any of the power boats are coming my way.

hd002e · 29-06-2019, 16:27

wingless · 29-06-2019, 16:30

That is a poor anchor if it dragged all the way from New Haven, CT to the Mediterranean...

The expected result is that the strong wind acting against the boat has driven the anchor well into the seabed, making dragging unlikely.

Under normal conditions does the anchor get fully buried, along with some of the chain rode? If so, then it is very unlikely that the anchor will drag. Instead it should just push deeper into the Earth's crust, towards the mantle.

My Fortress anchor works that way, just driving deeper and deeper, pulling more and more chain underground.

It is likely that getting going when all done will take some time. When I'm weighing anchor after a strong blow I pull my rode vertical, as tight as possible, then let normal minor wave action pull up the anchor slightly, then snug the rode tight again w/ the windlass, repeating the process until the anchor is free.

To your question, if the anchor drags, then I would pull the anchor, inspect for debris, then reset the anchor.

**boatman61** · 29-06-2019, 16:35

Well the good news is if you drag you have open water behind you in the main and the holding is aledgedly good.
You could tie a fender to your rode and cast off then heave to on a favourable tack and come back in when it dies down.. but personally with wind coming of the land I would stay put.

hd002e · 29-06-2019, 16:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by wingless

That is a poor anchor if it dragged all the way from New Haven, CT to the Mediterranean...

The expected result is that the strong wind acting against the boat has driven the anchor well into the seabed, making dragging unlikely.

Under normal conditions does the anchor get fully buried, along with some of the chain rode? If so, then it is very unlikely that the anchor will drag. Instead it should just push deeper into the Earth's crust, towards the mantle.

My Fortress anchor works that way, just driving deeper and deeper, pulling more and more chain underground.

It is likely that getting going when all done will take some time. When I'm weighing anchor after a strong blow I pull my rode vertical, as tight as possible, then let normal minor wave action pull up the anchor slightly, then snug the rode tight again w/ the windlass, repeating the process until the anchor is free.

To your question, if the anchor drags, then I would pull the anchor, inspect for debris, then reset the anchor.

Anchor head buries under normal conditions but I never had strong winds like this. I have about 100 pounds of chain lying on the seabed so I am hoping that is keeping the chain horizontal. I jever had the anchor drag but tonight I fear it may (may be irrational). I am just not used to seeing 40kts at anchor.

hd002e · 29-06-2019, 16:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by boatman61

Well the good news is if you drag you have open water behind you in the main and the holding is aledgedly good.
You could tie a fender to your rode and cast off then heave to on a favourable tack and come back in when it dies down.. but personally with wind coming of the land I would stay put.

Good point, I’ll get a fender ready, just in case.

**boatman61** · 29-06-2019, 16:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by hd002e

Attachment 194972

Ahhh, your in the bay at Bogsak..
Still well protected, ride her out.

model 10 · 29-06-2019, 16:41

If a CQR ever gets around to setting, it holds well. I would just stay up all night and watch out, but if you start to drag 300' from land, start the engine right away!