Idiot Needs Anchoring Advice ( Please )

[Hud3]

As Auspicious said, mooring fields are just about everywhere in the BVI. Save yourself the angst and just pick up moorings.

[Lowcountry]

At $20 a night for a mooring, I'd rather anchor.

[sdeese]

I agree... and I will def be using mooring balls for a few of the nights. The advantage to them in my (amature) opinion is that they allow me to go to shore (or sleep) in peace. Leaving a boat unattended on anchor still seams scary to me!

[senormechanico]

Did somebody happen to make a movie of you in the BVI's?
Just wondering...

"Ode to the Credit Card Captains" on Vimeo

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by Hud3

As Auspicious said, mooring fields are just about everywhere in the BVI. Save yourself the angst and just pick up moorings.

But, if you do this you will NEVER become a competent anchorer, and hence never a competent sailor/cruiser

Originally Posted by senormechanico

Did somebody happen to make a movie of you in the BVI's?
Just wondering...

"Ode to the Credit Card Captains" on Vimeo

Hey, back off, mate! This guy is asking reasonable questions ahead of time, trying to avoid being the goat in a utube sensational flick. Seems to me that he should be encouraged, not made fun of.

Cheers

[sdeese]

No... fortunately... my first bareboat was in Croatia.

The first night I pulled into this little cove with 2 other boats. The depths were in the mid 20' range. I failed to set the anchor after a few attempts and ended up hooking someone else's rode (bear in mind we are all very close to shore). After 10 mins of shorting (I partially understand Croatian.... glad to not know more at that moment), pulling, coming VERY close to shallow water, and pulling the snagged boat with me.. I finally broke free. All the while, there was a dock full of people enjoying the show. It was LATE sunset and I left the cove regardless due to shear embarrassment (one of the 2 boats assessed my lack of anchoring prowess and left 15 min earlier out of shear fear). I decided it would be better to spend the night in the open ocean than endure more ridicule in that cove!

We had a few other anchoring attempts fail on the trip as well... none quite as colorful.. thankfully.

I have seen a video of it on youtube (yet)

[sdeese]

Originally Posted by senormechanico

Did somebody happen to make a movie of you in the BVI's?
Just wondering...

"Ode to the Credit Card Captains" on Vimeo

Haha... that wasn't me.. but essentially the same thing in Croatia... we didn't hit anyone but we almost grounded ourselves and the boat we drug...

[avb3]

Is there a rule of thumb one can use for how much chain is part of the rode before it changes to rope? As example 2 boat lengths chain, rest rope? Or is it a "by guess and by gar" ???

[zeehag]

i use all chain.

[Vasco]

Practice and coordination between anchorer and helmsperson. Get your hand signals together, make sure the helmsperson watches the anchor person all the time so that there is no need to turn towards the helm and yell.

Choosing your spot will be the most difficult part. This takes years of experience and then occasionally it's still screwed up. Approach the spot slowly from downwind (ignore this in strong tidal waters, or wind opposing the current,that's another story altogether). Stop and coasts to the spot, lower your anchor to the bottom and pay out some chain. Let the wind do the work and drop the boat back, you may go broadside but that's not a problem. When you've sufficient chain out stop paying it out. The anchor should set and the bow should come to wind. Pay out more chain till you have sufficient scope. Put the engine astern and run up a few thousand revs. This should be done with the snubber on. I have deliberately not stated any amounts of chain. This will depend on depths.

I anchor mostly in the Bahamas, usually in good sand. Usually in less than ten feet of water. I drop the hook with about 20 feet of chain out, in anything under 15 knots the boat will come around and the hook will set. I then pay out the rest- usually 100 feet as the wind take me back( I like to sleep at night). In stronger winds I will pay out about 40 feet before I snub and set. Many times in these winds I know my hook is set good and don't bother to run up the engine to make sure.

Have fun anchoring. When done properly it is a delight to see. When not done properly it is even more of a delight to watch, as long as it's not you being the idiot.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by sdeese

Do people really motor up and ask "how much rode you have out?" Is that normal?

I do.

I noramlly do a 'drive by' and have a look at the anchorage for spots that look OK.
If there is someone on their boat or in their cockpit I will often stop next to them and ask how's the holding? Whatcha got out? Wheres your pick? (As in compared to his bow as in light winds the chain may not move much).
Then I might say something like 'I'm gunna drop it right behind you and lay back 30 meters (etc)'. That makes them a bit more comfortable. But if they are real ratbags I drop off their stern and turn up the stereo.

Then I'll drop a boat length behind the target and put out 3:1 and let the wind pull me back.

Then after a few minutes I will put reverse on at idle and slowly (over a few mins) bring it right up to 2,000rpms....

Then I normally watch for half an hour. And then maybe go talk to the new neighbours

But it never phases me to pull up the anchor and try a second or 3rd time. It can take a few goes to put the pick right in the right spot.


But, remember: talking to other boats is good! often asking 'Hows the holding?" will open up a great conversation about any obstructions etc.

The other trick I do is sometimes to park outside everyone else and come in and have a look/chat in the dinghy.
And if anyone leaves who is in a better spot....ZAP! I'm into it!


Mark

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by Vasco

The anchor should set and the bow should come to wind.

In any sort of wind you should feel it when it does. It feels like a little jerk. If you stand on the balls of your feet you'll feel the jerk a bit easier.

Get to know and love your boat and it often will talk to you



.

[boasun]

And before you drop your hook, be sure that the bitter end of your anchor rode is secured to a cleat. You don't want both ends going over the side

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

I

Get to know and love your boat and it often will talk to you



.

Yeah, mine keeps on saying "Put more money in me!"

[SkiprJohn]

Hey Boasun, How'd you learn that one?

I've heard many stories, some bad, and some just plain hilarious. I've never lost an anchor or rode that way but have met a few folks that have.

kind regards,