Anchoring

[Scillypete]

Sheeeesh! ! !

In such a glorious and settled summer it is amazing to hear so much bollards spouted on the vhf and the witterings of some that turn up on their massive 40 and whinge to their chums that all the huge boat moorings are taken and too close together for rafting and no I don't like using the anchor at the best of times . . . . Really! ! If you don't practice at all how will they cope if disabled off a lee shore.

Present conditions are settled enough to use a brick on a bog chain and still some are convinced they are dragging. . . . Marina life has changed the way people cruise I feel they have lost the sense of adventure and freedom to some degree.

Just had to get that off my chest before I head to a quiet anchorage with no facilities and rocks all around

 

[sarabande]

Pete

What anchor are you not using please ?

 

[Boathook]

I prefer to anchor if possible rather than a mooring buoy. Marinas are handy for a run ashore without having to worry about the dinghy journey after a few drinks …..

 

[Giblets]

It doesn't bear thinking about what the poor darlings in the crew will do with no shore power, no walkashore & no spacious showers!

 

[capnsensible]

Often its that over reliance on gps again. Boat moves more than a distance of three quarters of a gnats starboard knacker and its hands to panic stations.

Couple of beam transits and/or a HB compass bearing or two then its more like hands to bathe......

 

[Stemar]

Goody - another anchoring thread - popcorn's at the ready

I prefer to anchor if possible rather than a mooring buoy. Marinas are handy for a run ashore without having to worry about the dinghy journey after a few drinks …..

Me too. Marinas are OK for a short stay while I do my shopping before a few drinks and a barbie in a nice shallow bit where those big buggers can't get at me even when their lunch hook drags :encouragement:

 

[Neeves]

Frankly we like the idea that people want to stay in a marina or on a courtesy mooring - it leaves room for those of us who prefer to anchor. I also like the idea these same people are financing a marina and that the existence of the marina supports a chandler (that I might need to visit) and fuel dock (though I do baulk at fuel dock prices!). I am annoyed when the marina has been built such that it impose on what was an ideal anchorage.

Jonathan

 

[AngusMcDoon]

Sheeeesh! ! !

In such a glorious and settled summer it is amazing to hear so much bollards spouted on the vhf and the witterings of some that turn up on their massive 40 and whinge to their chums that all the huge boat moorings are taken and too close together for rafting and no I don't like using the anchor at the best of times . . . . Really! ! If you don't practice at all how will they cope if disabled off a lee shore.

Present conditions are settled enough to use a brick on a bog chain and still some are convinced they are dragging. . . . Marina life has changed the way people cruise I feel they have lost the sense of adventure and freedom to some degree.

Just had to get that off my chest before I head to a quiet anchorage with no facilities and rocks all around

Not everyone has the same level of confidence or knowledge. We can't all be salty old seadog types with a lifetime's experience. If some people are happier not anchoring then that's fine by me. We do this to enjoy ourselves in the way that works for each of us. Live & let live.

 

[RichardS]

I prefer to anchor if possible rather than a mooring buoy. Marinas are handy for a run ashore without having to worry about the dinghy journey after a few drinks …..

I don't mind using a mooring buoy if it's free.

Richard

 

[lpdsn]

Present conditions are settled enough to use a brick on a bog chain

I guess that counts as one of the older generation anchors. Maybe YM will perform some tests on it.

 

[capnsensible]

There are a number of types of bricks, though.....

 

[lpdsn]

There are a number of types of bricks, though.....

I'd trust YM would cover that off in the article. In fact looking forward to reading it. I may even buy that month's edition.

 

[ctva]

I'd trust YM would cover that off in the article. In fact looking forward to reading it. I may even buy that month's edition.

That’ll be the April edition...

We did not bad this year with 13 nights at anchor and 7 on moorings / pontoons so that’ll make my part salty.

 

[robertj]

Sheeeesh! ! !

In such a glorious and settled summer it is amazing to hear so much bollards spouted on the vhf and the witterings of some that turn up on their massive 40 and whinge to their chums that all the huge boat moorings are taken and too close together for rafting and no I don't like using the anchor at the best of times . . . . Really! ! If you don't practice at all how will they cope if disabled off a lee shore.

Present conditions are settled enough to use a brick on a bog chain and still some are convinced they are dragging. . . . Marina life has changed the way people cruise I feel they have lost the sense of adventure and freedom to some degree.

Just had to get that off my chest before I head to a quiet anchorage with no facilities and rocks all around

Don’t knock it Pete I love those who can’t anchor. The less who anchor the more room us hook users have

 

[oceanfroggie]

Your observation seems quite correct that "marina life" has limited how people perceive they can enjoy being on the water.

Personally we avoid marinas unless the weather dictates otherwise or there is some practical reason for short stay (e.g. big shop, bringing bicycles ashore, etc). Marinas are just urban caravan parks on the water - noisy, soulless and rather boring. There is no need to be an 'old sea dog' to be able to use an anchor with confidence, its not rocket science, very easy to understand the basics and most newbies well capable of learning it in their first season with a little guidance.

Pick stable weather for the first few overnights and before you know it you will be happy sheltering from a blow in some beautiful isolated anchorages and coves. Peace and quiet in beautiful tranquil surrounding without other noisy people. The complete opposite of 'marina life'. All boats nowadays well capable of running off 12v system for a few days and keeping batteries up using solar, wind, tow, etc. We seem to becoming soft with an irrational dependance of shore power and cleats. Each on to their own, but anchoring opens up a whole new world of cruising experiences not to mention the safety options anchoring offer, bolt holes, etc. 40 years ago there were very few marinas yet folk cruised with freedom and confidence.

 

[capnsensible]

Marinas are just urban caravan parks on the water - noisy, soulless and rather boring. Th

Wow you must have been really unlucky. Just about every marina Ive been to has been great!

 

[AngusMcDoon]

Your observation seems quite correct that "marina life" has limited how people perceive they can enjoy being on the water...

That's all great & wonderful, but you seem to be unable to recognise that other people have different priorities, experience & idea of what they like to do, so why criticise them for doing something different to you?

Some people like to go to noisy beach resorts for their holiday, others to head for the hills & get away from it all, others still to cities for culture. No-one would say one is better than the other, so why apply the same thinking to marinas or anchoring?

Some like marinas, others like anchoring, yet more a mix of both. Embrace it. Live & let live. Nobody will criticise you for choosing to anchor whenever you can.

 

[Yealm]

Also paradox with anchoring - getting back to nature but also causing some seabed environmental damage too?

 

[A1Sailor]

Sheeeesh! ! !

You Scilly Man.

 

[Aja]

Don’t knock it Pete I love those who can’t anchor. The less who anchor the more room us hook users have

Currently sitting at anchor in Gigha, the only person that is. Unfortunately what was once a dependable anchorage (except in easterlies) has now been reduced to a situation where you anchor where you can squeeze in. Not a good situation at all. But then again, I'm using the free wifi :encouragement:

Donald