anchoring at sea

[Andrew_Fanner]

Johnny.

Its well worth talking to local boaters and indeed any local fishermen. They will have a collective set of knowledge about tidal ranges, good anchoring sports and which, of the numerous types of anchor, works best in which locale. The grapnel you describe sounds like one of those folding jobs to me, not too bulkin in a 5.5m boat, definately OK if you dig it in yourself, less so if left to its own devices, so a beach hook rather than anything else. If you are using it while constantly afloat I would consider sticking a lot of chain on it with rope primarily as a shock absorber and for peace and quiet.

Where are you located?

 

[Searush]

Fairy Nuff, Arny, but there are hundreds of "How to do it" books in the shops & libraries. I read something like one a week when I got my first boat, & tried out the ideas at home & when I went afloat.

After a short time you are in a position to know what works & what doesn't & then you get annoyed with the half of the books that you don't agree with! Just read a couple of books & MOST of it becomes commonsense. But then, I'm a long standing professional trainer, used to writing & presenting courses, so I don't see much benefit in going on someone else's training courses!
/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Nick_H]

[ QUOTE ]
& tried out the ideas at home & when I went afloat

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Wow. Doesn't the anchor make a mess of the shag pile? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Searush]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
& tried out the ideas at home & when I went afloat

[/ QUOTE ]

Wow. Doesn't the anchor make a mess of the shag pile? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Not half as much as when I painted the inflatable in the lounge while SWMBO was away for a few days. I've got a set of wash boards varnished to the chest freezer in the hall at the moment & the dining table is covered with sails & a sewing machine.

Doesn't everybody play with boaty stuff at home?

 

[tico]

SWMBO has never forgiven me for having an old Johnson 50 o/board stripped down, in pieces all over the kitchen floor for a week or so while I waited for spares!

 

[colingr]

If it's any help I have 5 metres of chain and 30 metres of rope attached to a Danforth. Not sure offhand how heavy it is. It holds very well around the Solent in mud and shingle and stores easily.

Also good for holding off a beach.

Ok up to 5-7 metres depth. I try for 6 x depth but can get away with 5 x depth if relatively calm and not too much tide.

That's on an 18ft Larson.

 

[SnaxMuppet]

That is fine for you Searush and I am glad self help like that works for you... it works for me too.

But for many it doesn't. Many people, if they have to find things out for themselves and learn from books and from the internet, just don't feel comfortable and many won't do it if that is the only option.

I do agree with you... if you can do it then do it and learn for yourself. For the rest a course will help.

 

[johnny_h]

Hey, thanks for all the advice. I know I must sound a bit green. I have done the level 2 PB course and convered anchoring in that, and I've read some books but to be honest I still feel like I'm not 100% sure what I'm doing!! Don't worry, as a result I'm not taking the boat out to sea until I can try things out in a "safe-ish environment". I've talked to and been out with a knowledgable local, but like anything you're not used to I'm still finding my feet on this. To be honest I'm trying to behave responsibly and find out what I should be doing rather than just giving it a go and hoping for the best.

I do think, like many activities, there is a degree of over-complication and also over-simplification and neither of these help one access a new activity that easily.

I did do a bit of chart work on the PB course, but it's not something I feel confident with at the moment. Does that mean I shouldn't be out on the water? I'm not sure how to get better unless I start doing some of this, though!

I've made enquiries about an RYA course for navigation so hopefully that'll help too.

 

[SnaxMuppet]

I certainly have no problem with your question... it wasn't that long ago I was in the same position of having just done PB2 and was moving on to bigger things and I too asked a lot of questions... that is a great way to learn!

It is great that you asked it and as you can see many people here want to help.

You have my help anytime.

 

[Sultans_Kapitein]

Yes creating a 'Passage Plan' can be daunting, but take heart. We are not talking about plotting your course here, we are talking about getting to know your 'backyard'. If you buy a chart of your intended area of use and sit at home staring at all the symbols, you will see after a while that you will understand what depth of water there is or will be where ever you might wish to go. Also you will get to understand what dangers may be lurking on the sea bed, wrecks, pipelines mud etc. It is only by becomig familar with charts that you will get to understand them. I have done the courses and know what you mean about having the confidence to use the knowledge from the course, but only by reading a chart will you be able get to know your area.
What ever you do, don't get put off by this. Enjoy your boat, and get out on the water.

Mal

 

[Major Catastrophe]

My best advice to you is to go out for a day - with a crew member - do 'a bit of anchoring' in a known depth. Practice deploying and weighing the anchor, especially in a tidal stream, were you may need to use a bit of engine power to take the strain off your arms.

Practice makes perfect and it is better to practice under your conditions that have to do it in a howling gale in an emergency.

Be prepared, be practiced.

 

[lenseman]

Whereabouts in the world do you live and keep your boat?

I am sure there are folk on here who would meet you and give freely of their time and give you one-on-one training for the day?

It might cost you a beer though? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif