Anchors and confirmation bias

One man's thoughts. I used to subscribe to Morning Cloud, but got more and more frustrated at the lack of understanding different ways of doing things, 'it's John's way or no way'.

As the Isles of Scilly event was highlight in the artical it was interesting to read another account, friends that were on Bora Bora, a boat that has cruised the Med and had two Adlantic crossings that I am aware of, had a hell of a night. She is a big boat with a big anchor. Their issue as with many other boats was the sudden wind shift. I wonder how anybody less experienced and enjoying a hot few weeks on the Isle of Silly would have coped with what our American friends calls weather bomb?
 
One man's thoughts. I used to subscribe to Morning Cloud, but got more and more frustrated at the lack of understanding different ways of doing things, 'it's John's way or no way'.

Is it? From that article I rather got the impression that John Harries was arguing that we should be prepared to change or modify our views, depending on the experience of others.
 
Is it? From that article I rather got the impression that John Harries was arguing that we should be prepared to change or modify our views, depending on the experience of others.
He must be mellowing with age. I spoke after being a subscriber for two years.
 
Interesting that though he was, refreshingly honestly, reporting on some negative aspects of anchors 'they' (I don't think its only John (the original Excel review was done by 'another') were not modifying their recommendations. Though he was making people aware of issues - his conclusions had not changed (so the experience of others was not sufficient to sway his conclusions).

Interestingly the anchors he is discussing are our primary anchors, except ours are aluminium and he was discussing steel and stainless version - though I don't think in terms of the issues the base metal is relevant.

Jonathan
 
Quite a few years ago a club cruise went to the Scilly Isles just in time for a full gale from the east. We were a mixed bunch, five boats ranging in size from 29 to 50 feet. Our anchors included Bruce, Delta and CQR. Being from North Wales we were all reasonably accomplished anchorers.

Overnight we witnessed scenes of anchoring carnage in New Grimsby Sound. Boats dragged constantly. Some, predominantly French, motored all night. Not one of us dragged although we all sat anchor watches, so great was the risk of being hit by another boat.

Anchored security is not only about anchor choice.
 
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