Anchoring etiquette

[JPA Cate]

Steel sails,

Can't really answer your question, because not having been there, it's hard to say whether you "gave" the smaller vessel time to complete his circling. Many skippers like to do a swinging room circle appropriate to the length of scope they want to use, to check the bottom is flat, not wreck or rock laden, or too close to a shelf or bank, before they let go their hook, so you can expect that behavior, and it always takes a while.

What we would do is await developments. He clearly arrived at the anchorage first. Why not let him get his hook down, then decide where you want to go? At 50 ft., you have a big swinging circle. Why not let the little guys anchor closer to shore and us bigger guys stay out further?


Once anchored, it's a different story, we defend our spot or leave depending on circumstances. It's not about being first, or ought not to be, IMO, but about seamanship, and letting the other guy do his due diligence.

Hope this helps.

Ann