Anchor Spring Lines

[GordMay]

ANCHOR SPRING LINES:

Often, you anchor where the Wind and the Water work at cross-purposes. Some anchorages may have a strong current running through them, or sometimes experience a strong surge or groundswell. Even a smaller current or surge can set your boat to rocking - and you know how uncomfortable a rolling boat can be. A really fast current or big swell can make the harbor untenable.

Fortunately, there's an easy way to alleviate all that by the use of a forward quarter spring line to the anchor rode, a technique called "springing the rode".

To understand how Anchor Spring Lines work, it will be helpful to visualize the conditions that call for it. Suppose you're anchored in a harbor where the wind is blowing from the east. Lying to her anchor, your boat will point east into the wind. Now, suppose there's a surge rolling into the harbor from the north (or a current running South). It could be a ground swell generated by some distant storm, or just a remnant of seas outside the harbor bending around the headland. Whatever the source, waves from the north will strike your boat on the port beam and she'll rock-n-roll.

But if the vessel were turned 90 Degrees to port, pointed into the waves rather than into the wind, the effect would be a much reduced, fore-and-aft motion, i.e., pitching instead of rolling. By comparison, pitching in these circumstances is hardly noticeable unless it becomes really extreme. So, how best to point the boat into the surge is the key to comfort in this harbor.

Most sailors will immediately think of setting a second anchor from the stern. In this scenario of an east wind and northerly wave action, the stern anchor would be set well out to the southeast. Then, by hauling in on the rode aft the boat can be made to face north. There's nothing really wrong with this solution, except that
(a) It is more work than necessary, carrying out and later retrieving the second hook, and
(b) The boat can no longer swing with other boats nearby that are laying to only one anchor. This may create spacing problems if the wind shifts.
(c) You are constrained by two anchors, which would delay your departure in the event circumstances necessitate a rapid escape.

A much easier, more efficient solution can be accomplished using the bow anchor that is already set and a spring line. Simply tie a long dock line to the bow anchor's rode or chain at the bow of your boat. A roving hitch works well for this. Lead the line aft alongside the hull to (in this case) the starboard cockpit sheet winch. On a center cockpit boat it would be best to pass the line through a stern quarter turning block before leading it to the winch. Check that the line is running outboard of the bow pulpit, stanchions, and shrouds.

Next, pay out the anchor rode, about 1/3 to 1/2 of a boat length. Finally, take up on the spring line until there's roughly equal pull on the rode and the spring. The boat will swing broadside to the wind and will face the swell. It's as simple as one-two-three!

Our example illustrates a perpendicular wave (or current) to wind angle. But you can adjust the vessel's heading to suit other conditions: If the waves are forward of the beam, feed out less of the rode and/or take in less on the spring line. To head her further off, slack the anchor rode more and/or haul in some more on the spring. A little experimentation and you'll easily master this useful technique.

Here are a few other pointers:

If the waves are abaft the beam it may be equally comfortable to lay your boat's stern to face them rather than the bow. This will require less line adjustment than swinging the bow all the way around.

Remember: To turn the bow to port, use a starboard forward quarter spring line; to turn to starboard, use a port spring.

If the wind gets to blowing harder and you feel uneasy about the strain your boat's beam-on position is putting on the anchor, you can instantly return to the normal anchor mode - bow to the wind - just by releasing the spring line. The boat will quickly swing to the breeze. The spring line can be recovered later when you weigh anchor.

This technique does rely on a fairly consistent breeze. If the wind shifts, you'll have to readjust the boat's angle. If the breeze dies altogether, deploying a stern anchor may be the only way to hold your boat end-on to the waves.

Explanatory diagrams available (sorry, by fax only) - email your facsimile number to:
Gord@BoatPro.zzn.com

E. & O. E

Enjoy your more comfortable mooring,

[CSY Man]

Good Advise Mr. GordMay.

I have been in th above situation several times and have always used a stern anchor, with good results, but as you say, more work involved.

Next time I will "spring the rode".

[Stede]

Excellent advise and technique,Gord!

One time I had the opportunity to sail aboard a nice sloop in the Abacos as crew.It was late in the day when we made our way into a nice quaint anchorage on the island of Abaco,called "Little Harbor." We were suppose to meet another boat there. With a call via the VHF,we found out that the skipper of the other boat had decided to travel further South and anchor at a place called "Cherokee Point".We were all aware through our guide books that the area was known to sometimes have a bad surge coming into it. Anyway,the skipper of the boat I was on decided (against the input of the crew) to leave the "Golden Pond" anchorage we were in,to go down to Cherokee point.When we got there,the anchorage provided some protection, but there was a nasty surge coming in from the East.Our boat rolled like there was no tomorrow once we got the hook set.The crew was ready to mutiny.Luckily, the skipper knew the anchor spring line technique,and immediately rigged it.That was the first time I had ever seen the technique used.It didn't completly stop all of the rolling, but it sure did help.The event taught me two lessons.

(1) The anchor spring line technique is very useful to know.

(2) Companionship is great, but when you're already in a great anchorage at the end of the day, don't leave the safety of it on a wild hair to go somewhere else that you know is probably going to be less desirable, just to be with your buddies.

[GordMay]

Just in case anyone missed Stede's point:

Companionship is great, but when you're already in a great anchorage at the end of the day, don't leave the safety of it on a wild hair to go somewhere else that you know is probably going to be less desirable, just to be with your buddies

or any other (non-compelling) reason.

Gord