Anchoring

[zeehag]

before you anchor out in caribbean you should have experience at anchoring a boat. that just takes practice.
ypou havce 3 ?? lessons under your belt??
you have many to go .
enjoy and have fun learning then go out anchoiring.
practice practice practice.
you need not worry about pirates of the caribbean until you are proficient enough to leave your port.
read and research.

[Cheechako]

Anchoring: I assume from your comment about the carribean that you are talking about anchoring there. Almost everyone does it. So don't worry be happy! As mentioned how secure you are depends on how "enclosed" the anchorage is. If it's protected from all directions that's great. If not then you have to watch the weather predictions closely and have a backup plan.
Storms: Hurricane season in the Caribe is a concern for storms. All bets are off if you are hit by a hurricane. Regardless if enclosed bay or not. Get out of the hurricane zone during that season.
Fog: I've not seen much in the Caribe.
Darkness: Yes, don't anchor in a high traffic area, especially where the local fisherman go out early am etc.
Pirates: most of this is local knowledge, keep in the loop with other cruisers where you go. Lock up at night. Assume it will be stolen if not secured... whether it's a propane tank or whole boat. (it likely wont but work from that standpoint)

[zeehag]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

Anchoring: I assume from your comment about the carribean that you are talking about anchoring there. Almost everyone does it. So don't worry be happy! As mentioned how secure you are depends on how "enclosed" the anchorage is. If it's protected from all directions that's great. If not then you have to watch the weather predictions closely and have a backup plan.
Storms: Hurricane season in the Caribe is a concern for storms. All bets are off if you are hit by a hurricane. Regardless if enclosed bay or not. Get out of the hurricane zone during that season.
Fog: I've not seen much in the Caribe.
Darkness: Yes, don't anchor in a high traffic area, especially where the local fisherman go out early am etc.
Pirates: most of this is local knowledge, keep in the loop with other cruisers where you go. Lock up at night. Assume it will be stolen if not secured... whether it's a propane tank or whole boat. (it likely wont but work from that standpoint)

this is part of the common sense stuff you will learn as you learn your new hobby/lifestyle potential. as of now you are hobbying.
you will find local knowledge and information everywhere and is up to you to pick the good stuff from the bad stuff. cheechako is smart..lol so am i. many others as well.
goodluck. keep learning.

[Jimmy-Kim]

Thanks


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[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by Jimmy-Kim

I'm attracted to saving money by anchoring out but concerned about storms.If I anchor properly can I weather most storms?

Also is it a huge concern that we get run into in fog or dark?

The final concern is pirating, are there any areas of the Caribbean that anchoring is not advisable?

In the bottom right hand corner of the CF web screen is a word cloud. The biggest word there is ANCHOR. Which means it is the most frequently used word on CF.

Click that word. Read some of the 10,000,000 posts about anchoring and then go practice.

I am a big fan of individual tailored discussions and of course I have the option to NOT read another anchor thread but, there ya go and then you are...

[goincruisin]

Originally Posted by rwidman

I'm assuming that you don't have a lot of boating experience. I suggest buying a copy of Chapman Piloting & Seamanship and studying it seriously.

That's a start. Now go out and anchor your boat. Practice.

Jimmy-Kim:
There are also plenty of practical and online courses that you might wish to partake of over the winter - you can never get enough education. Once you have learned the theory it is time to practice, practice, practice. The more mistakes you make the more you will (hopefully) learn.
At the very bottom of our home page you will find some education resources:
http://www.coastalboating.net
I believe BoatUS and the US Power squadron would be good resources.

We have a number of useful articles on anchoring (excerpted from our book) published here, which you are free to peruse:
Anchoring basics

[SkiprJohn]

Anchor? What's that?

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by SkiprJohn

Anchor? What's that?

I was thinking the same. I don't know why and now wonder if I should be worried.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Jimmy-Kim

I'm attracted to saving money by anchoring out but concerned about storms.If I anchor properly can I weather most storms?
Possibly, but theres no absolutes, your level of experience will affect the outcome significantly

Also is it a huge concern that we get run into in fog or dark?

not generally an issue, getting dragged down on in a crowded anchorage in a storm is a bit of an issue


The final concern is pirating, are there any areas of the Caribbean that anchoring is not advisable?
Hard to define, but like porn , you'll know them when you see them

best of luck
dave

[Boatyarddog]

The best teacher there is experience, you'll know when your hooked in tight.
And, as importantly, how to get unhooked.
Practice in open water, not crowded areas, and learn to anchor and weigh anchor without the engine.
You'll need that someday, I promise.


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