Anchoring

[claymore]

I find a cruising shute SO much easier to control in such confined spaces.

Thats as maybe but think of all the fun you are missing and anyway - whats all this 'Control' you seek? Anchoring is best done without any control at all if we are to keep the fun in sailing

 

[Storyline]

Thats as maybe but think of all the fun you are missing and anyway - whats all this 'Control' you seek? Anchoring is best done without any control at all if we are to keep the fun in sailing

Chinese sailors would appreciate your approach, they are forever trying to find ways to check their luck.

 

[dunedin]

I wouldn't want to put you off anchoring under sail but be aware that if you snub an anchor whilst sailing over it the chain is likely to come up hard against the topsides around the bow. Do it at too high a speed and you may well end up with scrapes and scratches..

yes, might be all right with a boat from the 50s to 90s, which tend to have cut away bows. But a bad plan with a traditional or modern straight stem

 

[Storyline]

yes, might be all right with a boat from the 50s to 90s, which tend to have cut away bows. But a bad plan with a traditional or modern straight stem

They did not think about anchoring when they designed boats with a vertical stem. They may offer a longer waterline but at the expense of having to use marinas. Even worse are using them on a mooring judging by the variety of bow shaped fenders/enclosures you see.

 

[KellysEye]

I checked the depth, then used chain 10x depth in up to 10 meters, 7 x depth in 15 metres, 4x depth in 20 meters, 3x depth in 25 metres, then set the anchor using low revs and check it at higher revs. If it's not holding move somewhere else and try again. What I am doing is using the catenary to hold the boat and the anchor is the back up if the wind gets up. I also used a riding sail to cut down the snatch loads it cuts the swing from 45 degrees 25 degrees. If strong winds were forecast I put out a second anchor with 50/50 length of chain and rope in a V-shape

 

[ghostlymoron]

I wouldn't want to put you off anchoring under sail but be aware that if you snub an anchor whilst sailing over it the chain is likely to come up hard against the topsides around the bow. Do it at too high a speed and you may well end up with scrapes and scratches.

Agree with others to let the anchor 'stew' for 10 mins or more before testing/setting with the engine.

I've only got 5m of chain so it would only be the warp that scrapes my bow. My bow's not that pretty anyway.

 

[JumbleDuck]

I checked the depth, then used chain 10x depth in up to 10 meters ...

Ten times depth? Good grief. Bet you're a popular man in busy anchorages.

 

[sailaboutvic]

Oh I do love these anchoring forums .
this one will keep me coming back time and time again .
keep it going guys , it a good laugh .

www.bluewatersailorcroatia.webs.com

 

[Trop Cher]

Ten times depth? Good grief. Bet you're a popular man in busy anchorages.

Big +1

Don't understand why someone chooses x10 in less than ten metres but x3 in more than 25 metres as a matter of course, just doesn't seem logical to me.

 

[chrishelen]

All depends on if you have a power winch I suppose.

 

[Stemar]

In ideal conditions, to anchor under sail, I'd come in on a close reach under main alone then turn into wind. Lower the anchor as the boat loses way and, when things go perfectly, the anchor touches the bottom as we come to a halt. Ease the sheet to allow the boat to drop back as I pay out my chosen scope, which is already made off on the samson post. As the line tightens, it digs the anchor in. Sail down, ball up, kettle on.

Easy innit - in ideal conditions

 

[oldbilbo]

In ideal conditions.... Easy innit - in ideal conditions

Just to add some more 'grist to the mill'.... in late evening of the day we left Port Ellen ( see above ) with a dead engine-gearbox, after a gentle sail with the flood and a decent sea breeze up the Sound of Jura in full brill sun, we found we could just make Loch Crinan and, with the very last of the zephyrs and playing the sheets of the hairy-arrised old Rival 34 like a dinghy, we fetched up - motionless - here....

...in about 5 metres of water. But how to anchor for the night....?

The baro was high and steady. There wasn't a breath of breeze, and the midges were homing in. Not a second to lose....!

The anchoring techique this time was a bit different. This consisted of lowering the 35lb CQR down onto the sand-seabed, where we could see it lying on its side. Then we lowered about 40 metres of chain right on top of it. We rationalised that A) we again had Hobson's choice, B) we would hear any chain rumbling if a land-breeze started up in the night, and come up on deck pdq to 'consider our options', C) we had serious need of a cold beer, and we don't drink while under way.

Of course we sketched anchor bearings, and planned a 'night exit strategy' - more for something to discuss than otherwise. Of course we didn't move more than a metre or two all night.

Howeffer, coaxing the ould Rival through the Dorus Mhor next morning in the first puffs of breeze, sideways, was another exercise in 'dinghy sailing'....

 

[charles_reed]

One thing that I like to do and I don't think has be mentioned, is to have a delay between laying out the anchor and digging in with the engine. Once I've laid out the chain, I'll sometimes wait five minutes before I'll engaging reverse to dig it in, this allows everything time to settle in and the anchor to start digging in.

Teabreak

 

[Davy_S]

I think the criticism of Italian mooring is very unjust and uncalled for. They are masters of bow or stern too mooring. If you simply want to go ashore for a meal or drinks, why bother with an anchor, it is completely over the top, what you do is this, put all your fenders over the side, yes, both of them! then carefully nudge in between two suitable boats, make sure that you can clamber over your bow to the bar, this is the important bit, now tie to the boats each side of you, making sure that when your extra load drags their anchors, your bow does not hit the wall, but your neighbours boat do, thus saving any damage to your own bow. when you have enjoyed your meal ashore, discretely untie your boat and pi$$ off, job done

 

[vyv_cox]

I think the criticism of Italian mooring is very unjust and uncalled for. They are masters of bow or stern too mooring. If you simply want to go ashore for a meal or drinks, why bother with an anchor, it is completely over the top, what you do is this, put all your fenders over the side, yes, both of them! then carefully nudge in between two suitable boats, make sure that you can clamber over your bow to the bar, this is the important bit, now tie to the boats each side of you, making sure that when your extra load drags their anchors, your bow does not hit the wall, but your neighbours boat do, thus saving any damage to your own bow. when you have enjoyed your meal ashore, discretely untie your boat and pi$$ off, job done

I totally disagree. The words 'carefully nudge' do not exist in Italian.

 

[charles_reed]

My tactics as well. Sometimes after 15 minutes or so I don't even bother digging in if all is good and holding. How many of us carry out the "use engine to dig in" procedure when the tide turns and the anchor re-sets in the middle of the night?

Many of us anchor in non-tidal waters, where gusting winds F5 -7 are the real bugbears. Once you've dug in a CQR it will keep down and change direction perfectly well - from the detail photos Noelex is doing so do most "new age" anchors. Possible failures at resetting are Danforth/Fortress/Delta. Though I've hung on a 6kg Danforth in F7 meltemi for 3 days, without it moving.
If your faith in your anchor's holding was supported by diving over it and checking one might be able to accept your rash assertion.

 

[dslittle]

I totally disagree. The words 'carefully nudge' do not exist in Italian.

It all became clear to me when I went to Venice and saw them take their Rivas between the posts to moor up!!!

 

[GHA]

How many of us carry out the "use engine to dig in" procedure when the tide turns and the anchor re-sets in the middle of the night?

Probably none. But if you give a good blast of reverse you get a handle on how good the holding is so sleep better. IMHO.

 

[Downsman]

" I can see that its quite possible to drop anchor from the bow whilst sailing forwards."

Indeed it is, and at speed too...

Sailing up the Spanish Med coast I had been anchored for 24 hours or so in the lee of Cabo de Palos. On leaving I realised that I had a major engine problem as I cleared the Cape. In a strengthening wind I decided to continue on to Torreveija, fiddling with the engine on passage. No luck getting it to start and by now there was a significant sea running, so I decided to sail into Torreveija Harbour and anchor..
An impressive swell was running shorewards across the harbour entrance and I thought that if I reduced sail too early I would lose way and get washed up the beach, so I kept all sail up and ran for the entrance. As soon as the bow was inside I frantically hauled on the heads'l furler, dived out of the cockpit and threw the main Halyard turns off the mast cleat letting the main tumble down in a heap. Kicked the brake off the windlass (Simpson Lawrence manual) and let the chain run. I noticed the faces of locals anchored in their day boats in the bight of the breakwater looked very pale..for Spaniards... as I applied the windlass brake and held my breath.
The boat slowed and her stern swung round and she came to rest a respectable distance from the nearest anchored local. Breathing a sigh of relief and soaked in sweat I was amused when the young crew of a Norwegian flagged yacht gave a loud cheer and applause. They laughed even more later when I told them I wasn't showing off, my engine was kaputt. Later they kindly put their big rib alongside and moved me into a berth in the Marina Salinas. The Marina wanted a mortgage to tow me, so the Norskis saved me quite a few Euros.
35lb Delta, soft/hard sand and a scrape on the anti-fouling on the forefoot. Old fashioned boat so no stem damage...and a few more grey hairs..

 

[charles_reed]

" I can see that its quite possible to drop anchor from the bow whilst sailing forwards."

Indeed it is, and at speed too...

Sailing up the Spanish Med coast I had been anchored for 24 hours or so in the lee of Cabo de Palos. On leaving I realised that I had a major engine problem as I cleared the Cape. In a strengthening wind I decided to continue on to Torreveija, fiddling with the engine on passage. No luck getting it to start and by now there was a significant sea running, so I decided to sail into Torreveija Harbour and anchor..
An impressive swell was running shorewards across the harbour entrance and I thought that if I reduced sail too early I would lose way and get washed up the beach, so I kept all sail up and ran for the entrance. As soon as the bow was inside I frantically hauled on the heads'l furler, dived out of the cockpit and threw the main Halyard turns off the mast cleat letting the main tumble down in a heap. Kicked the brake off the windlass (Simpson Lawrence manual) and let the chain run. I noticed the faces of locals anchored in their day boats in the bight of the breakwater looked very pale..for Spaniards... as I applied the windlass brake and held my breath.
The boat slowed and her stern swung round and she came to rest a respectable distance from the nearest anchored local. Breathing a sigh of relief and soaked in sweat I was amused when the young crew of a Norwegian flagged yacht gave a loud cheer and applause. They laughed even more later when I told them I wasn't showing off, my engine was kaputt. Later they kindly put their big rib alongside and moved me into a berth in the Marina Salinas. The Marina wanted a mortgage to tow me, so the Norskis saved me quite a few Euros.
35lb Delta, soft/hard sand and a scrape on the anti-fouling on the forefoot. Old fashioned boat so no stem damage...and a few more grey hairs..

Thanks for that confirmation - I'd prefer to have the main down and use the foresail as the drive. Despite the naysayer, fewer gelcoat chips than recovering the anchor normally. My boat with a 29'10" LWL on a 31'0" LOA has no retroussé stem. Needs practicing regularly though, because it can go amiss.