Anchor proximity to other boats?

[CaptainBob]

We were one of two boats anchored in a large anchorage. About 60m from our stern to the bow of the other boat.

Another boat just arrived, stopped 10m to port of our bow, dropped their anchor, and are now slotted neatly into the space between us and the other boat.

Forgetting the fact that they could have anchored 100s of meters away from both of us (perhaps they get lonely), I always thought you were meant to drop anchor off the stern of the boat in front, not the bow?

Shall I set my alarm for turn of tide, or will we be ok? (Wind is light all night, but it's springs, so we will definitely all move when the tide turns)

 

[sailorman]

Have yer pointy galvo boat hook ready

 

[wazza]

Depends on what type of rode they have, as well as how much they have laid down....
I personally hate anchoring too close to someone else as I think it's common curtesy to give ample room to the boat nearest to you. Even though I feel we give slit of room, when finally lay back more often than not I think we are too close until I take the dingy ashore then I see there's a shed load of room in between us.!!

 

[Rigger Mortice]

It depends on how much line you both have out, but there is nothing inherently wrong with what he has done. It's a quiet night and you'll both be swinging when the tide is light so the worst that will happen is that you very gently touch. Keep an eye on it when the tide turns; if he gets too close ask him to move. Odds are everything will be fine.

Boats are like cars though. If you park in an empty car park, somebody will always park next to you. It's the same with boats. Odd, isn't it?

 

[Seajet]

My boat uses a mostly rope rode for weight carrying reasons; I don't often anchor in crowded places but it can cause problems when people aren't clued up enough to look and check what we have deployed so they drop their hook too close to us.

The longer and lighter rope rode gives us a much larger swinging circle and slightly different swinging characteristics; the kedge used as an angel halfway down the bower warp greatly helps reduce our swinging radius and in normal conditions allows us to use a shorter rode than would otherwise be the case, it also keeps the warp clear of wrapping beside our keel which can happen in light wind over tide conditions.

 

[CaptainBob]

Thanks for the replies. They actually departed an hour before tide turn so it wasn't a problem at all. Sounds like it wouldn't have been anyway.

 

[michael_w]

For some reason the Quebecois love to snuggle up when anchoring. Rather than move, they tend to put fenders out. I wanted a lever which would cause Bodacia type spikes to appear from my topsides to discourage such behaviour.

I'ts worst when on is the first boat to an anchorage. Aka the velcro boat.

 

[Seajet]

michael_w,

when an idiot tried to moor stupidly close to my boat and got snotty about moving ( I'd been there 30 years, he'd picked up the wrong chain, an old defunct one, I supplied photo's of the boats colliding ) I said ' I'm sure as you say there's no problem you won't mind me fitting steel spikes and barbed wire around my topsides then '.

He had the impression I wasn't joking so it did the trick and he cleared off; and no I wasn't joking !

 

[RupertW]

We've tried to relax and always have fenders out when anchoring although we rarely get bumped once another boat has settled. The only real issues come when a boat anchors with too long a scope for a crowded anchorage (even if they are there first) and causes mayhem as they swing around or if the wind rises and they stretch out their rode.

 

[Stemar]

We've tried to relax and always have fenders out when anchoring although we rarely get bumped once another boat has settled. The only real issues come when a boat anchors with too long a scope for a crowded anchorage (even if they are there first) and causes mayhem as they swing around or if the wind rises and they stretch out their rode.

I'd venture to suggest that the first boat has the right to put out as much scope as they reasonably see fit and it's up to everyone else to keep out of their way. In places like Newton Creek & East Head where there's a strong current and the bottom's constantly churned up by anchors, I'll always have a minimum of 5 to 1 out, based on depth at HW, so I get distinctly twitchy when someone comes in just before low and parks on 2:1 close by.

steel spikes and barbed wire around my topsides

Hmm... I feel a project coming on

 

[RupertW]

I'd venture to suggest that the first boat has the right to put out as much scope as they reasonably see fit and it's up to everyone else to keep out of their way.

Ah well, we will have to agree to differ. No boat has the right to take over an anchorage - it's all about sharing. I don't see 5:1 as particularly selfish although it would be too much is some anchorages I use, but a few boats go well above that even in calm weather then get surprised at the tangles that result as they get surrounded by 3:1 boats.

The worst piece of advice (except in extreme weather in an empty anchorage) is "if its still in your chain locker it's a waste"

Fenders for me - its a communal thing not a war.

 

[JumbleDuck]

I think the etiquette for choosing and anchoring spot is precisely the same as the etiquette for choosing a urinal. Ends first, then middles of the gaps, and no peeking.

 

[Rigger Mortice]

Ah well, we will have to agree to differ. No boat has the right to take over an anchorage - it's all about sharing. I don't see 5:1 as particularly selfish although it would be too much is some anchorages I use, but a few boats go well above that even in calm weather then get surprised at the tangles that result as they get surrounded by 3:1 boats.

The worst piece of advice (except in extreme weather in an empty anchorage) is "if its still in your chain locker it's a waste"

Fenders for me - its a communal thing not a war.

If there isn't sufficient space surely it's up to the late arrivals to go elsewhere rather than expect the early birds to bunch up tighter and tighter?

 

[RupertW]

If there isn't sufficient space surely it's up to the late arrivals to go elsewhere rather than expect the early birds to bunch up tighter and tighter?

Of course but its about the early birds being reasonable in the first place - mostly you know that a particular anchorage which is free at 10am, say, will be very busy by late afternoon so should set scope accordingly, to balance holding and weather with likely proximity.

And then if late arrivals can't find room then of course they need to go elsewhere (or in my neck of the woods, raft up to a friendly boat in calm weather, or tie to shore out of the way of the swingers)

 

[CaptainBob]

We had a boat there a week or so ago, right in the middle, with 6 times depth out, and they'd buoyed their anchor. Everyone else was chuntering about it.

Love the urinal etiquette policy! Genius.