agurney
Well-Known Member
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Anchoring the West Coast of Scotland - how much chain?
- Thread starter dylanwinter
- Start date
JumbleDuck
Well-Known Member
True dat. I think it's because they are often placed in quite deep water to make them suitable for bigger boats. For example, the CMAL visitors moorings at Arinagour on Coll are a long way out and quite exposed and you can tuck in much closer if you anchor ... particularly if you anchor in 5m or less at HW.
Yes, that's the place. Luckily the wind was offshore, but it was swinging constantly between SW and SE, which combined with boats veering around to make things very interesting. Sometimes I was 50' from my neighbour and sometimes 150'. As I wrote, I buggered off at first light, had a wild ride across to Eigg and then a nice nap and the best burger I have eaten in Scotland.
The rocks to the north east of Gallanach are a bit interesting too. I went in at dusk ("Sod it. We've been cooped up in Loch Moidart for three days of storms. The wind's dropping. Let's go somewhere") and you need to know where those bad boys are, what with them being unlit, unmarked and not much more than awash.
brainstorm
Well-Known Member
Well said Aquaplane you talk common sense! ( we met in Ardfern this year enjoying the awful weather that persisted there this year! ) 30 m chain is plenty with a c q r or similar . If you need more chain you should be anchoring in shallow water in a nice sheltered bay. We have carried a spare anchor for 23 years and have never needed to use it. That includes several years cruising the West coast of Scotland.
richardsn9
Well-Known Member
As mentioned, the trickiest anchorages are those with kelp. The anchor to avoid in these conditions is a Bruce, which does not dig down through it. Hard won experience, involving the boat suddenly taking off downwind on Canna! It was great in gloopy mud, however!
One of the deepest spots used to be Tobermory, before the new pontoons came in. If you have to anchor there, and need to anchor outside the moorings, you are looking at up to 15m, which needs at least 40m of chain.
One of the deepest spots used to be Tobermory, before the new pontoons came in. If you have to anchor there, and need to anchor outside the moorings, you are looking at up to 15m, which needs at least 40m of chain.
FWB
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JimBrown
Well-Known Member
Theoretically interesting, but practically irrelevant. As long as the angle between the two rodes is less than 120°, the loading on each is equal to or less, than the load on a single rode with constant loading.
But the big difference is if the boat veers around either by 'sailing on her hook' or with gusts coming from differing directions. In these cases with a single rode, there is an opportunity for the boat to gather way and come up abruptly on the rode at the limit of its 'veer', putting a shock load on the anchor. This is much less likely to happen with anchors in a V, and even lightweight boats sit more quietly.
Anyone whose anchored in winds of 100mph plus, has never thought "I wish I had fewer anchors out'!
NormanS
Well-Known Member
Please excuse the Fred Drift but this may be of interest re using two anchors ....
Anyone conversant with the slinging of loads, or indeed anyone with a basic understanding of mechanics, will be well aware of the increase of loads if the anchor rodes are diverging as much as shown in the article. Most of us, when setting two anchors, in a blow, probably aim to have them set about 30° to 40° from each other, so benefit from the extra holding, without putting any extra loading on the gear.
It is, however relevant with a Bahamian Moor, when it is a mistake to stretch out the two anchors tightly. Like most things in boating, and in life, it is a compromise.
Neeves
Well-Known Member
GHA
Well-Known Member
They do at 3 in the morning when trying to get out to go somewhere more sheltered...
noelex
Well-Known Member
100mph + is a lot of wind
.As a general statement for stronger wind I usually only have one anchor out so I would agree with this
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Brimbleboat
New Member
I wouldn't suggest changing your anchor but if you are would suggest a Spade or Rocna. In respect to chain, what I have done is bought some anchor line to extend my chain. This is useful if you need to kedge round as well.
NormanS
Well-Known Member
I've been anchored in 74 knots (85mph) in Loch Seaforth, in the Outer Hebrides, in the month of June. I did put out a second anchor, but just as GHA says, at 0300, when I would like to have moved to a more sheltered part of the Loch, the thought of handling the second anchor, a 140lb Danforth, was a bit daunting. Since then, I have always put a tripping line and buoy on any second anchor, partly so that I have some idea where it is, but mainly so that if necessary I can just slip it, and concentrate on lifting the bower.
Amulet
Well-Known Member
I have 50m on a 26 footer. I seldom use more than 30m, but it is comforting to have it.
Neeves
Well-Known Member
As this thread develops high in my mind is Dylan's back - I think he needs to lift what he deploys by hand so I might be thinking of 6mm if 50m is the right answer.
Jonathan
Jonathan
dylanwinter
Well-Known Member
there is always that factor
I have to say that the plough and the 30m of chain I have is a tough haul at the moment. I do have an anchor warp so I can extend things if needed. I am well used to running a second anchor down the one chain to act as an anchor weight (chum).
2legged
New Member
Even a Delta would be much better than a CQR.
Ludd
Well-Known Member
Electric windlass ----best thing since sliced bread. Spend the money, you know it makes sense!
Seriously, single handing my boat on the west coast, that transformed my life. 45lb CQR at the time, and 50 metres of 10 mm chain. Loch Seaforth with sustained 60 knot gusts, was good to know I could have retrieved the anchor while motoring ahead if I had dragged.
Seriously, single handing my boat on the west coast, that transformed my life. 45lb CQR at the time, and 50 metres of 10 mm chain. Loch Seaforth with sustained 60 knot gusts, was good to know I could have retrieved the anchor while motoring ahead if I had dragged.
dylanwinter
Well-Known Member
Kelpie
Well-Known Member
I'm sure it would be lovely, but an extravagance on a 26ftr.
We got on just fine on our Vega with no windlass at all (10 kg anchor, 10mm chain), new boat has a manual windlass (16kg anchor) which is certainly nice to have.
On the Vega, I always meant to get around to fitting a pawl- seems to be a poor man's windlass in many respects.
Neeves
Well-Known Member
I've forgotten the pleasures of anchoring on Scotland's west coast, or I recall the nice parts.
But I am getting mixed messages from the replies. Many are suggesting 50m of chain (chain size not mentioned), some are suggesting 10m of chain (again size not mentioned) and nylon rode. Both cannot be right. Is there real need for heavy chain (and lots of it) for a shallow draft yacht with no windlass. In shallow water catenary is not much use - so why the heavy chain (10mm on a small yacht looks overkill).
Recalling that you sail on a minimalist budget - I'd suggest a Kobra (but both CQR and Delta have stood the test of time, just need a bit more patience).
Jonathan