Blue Anchor Bay

[Molteni]

I've anchored 4 times about 3/4 mile east of the mouth of Lynmouth, below the North Devon Coastal Path. The second time, a non forecast 25-30kt northeasterly came in overnight and the anchor dragged, very scary. The forecast had been a sheltered south east gentle wind.
A couple of weeks ago, I anchored again in calm conditions but the wind again picked up but no anchor drag. But had a couple of hours with eyes glued to the plotter for peace of mind before it all calmed down!
The following night I anchored at Blue Anchor Bay where the holding has always been excellent.

 

[Peter Stanfield]

What are peoples thoughts on Blue Anchor Bay to sit out the tide? I'm planning on a longer trip later in the year. I'm down the boat Monday with the thought of a short hop to Cardiff but and from Newport it looks like an ideal place so was thinking about having a potter down.

I know if I left Cardiff early enough I could push out of the flood to the Mumbles or Oxwich but that means getting from Newport to Cardiff beforehand and having to sit out a tide anyway. From BAB I can get back to Cardiff on the flood, Watchet or Swansea if the weather turns.

Any thoughts or other suggestions?

Tom

I've anchored in Blue Anchor Bay a dozen times or so and found the holding variable. With my 22' one tonne yacht I had no problems with a 5kgs Danforth with 10 meters of light chain then rope. Since moving to a 27', 3 tonne yacht I've struggled to hold ground with a 15kgs CQR Anchor, 20 meters heavy chain plus Anchor rope when the current is running and/or in anything over a force 4 wind. I think the ground is variable; I don't find mud, but often gravel or pebbles (my anchor and chain come up polished).I've tried the east side, middle and west side dropping Anchor in depths from 9-4 meters. The best holding I've had is around the anchor point marked on the chart but that's quite far out and I assume for larger ships. Any advice as to coordinates for where you guys have found mud would be appreciated because I like making 2-tide trips from Burnham-on-Sea to Blue Anchor Bay for lunch, swimming (on a line) and fishing.

 

[Peter Stanfield]

FYI. I'm increasing the chain length to 35 meters to see if that helps.

 

[oldmanofthehills]

FYI. I'm increasing the chain length to 35 meters to see if that helps.

You have to tuck right in near the chart drying ground, perhaps just near the fishing stakes. Its still about 1m at LAT and normally one can get at least 1.5m at LT (depending on your chart that is due south of the anchor symbol, and where the chart shows M for Mud) High Tide takes one to a bit more than 10m at HT so 30m of chain is sensible minimum if waiting over HT, however the holding is so good even if waiting for actual high tide on a blow I have never use five times depth. (Obviously if merely waiting for return tide to Watchet one needs less)

Mind you I used genuine Bruce in the Bristol Channel as CQRs being plough anchors will tend to plough a bit as their blade is not broad enough

 

[Peter Stanfield]

Thanks for this. Ill take your advice and tuck further in next time. I realise now that I'm probably trying to hook on rocky ground rather than gravel or pebbles for which the CQR is useless. I usually arrive 4-5 hours after high and wait till an hour after low before heading back. The 30m chain is the first part of the rode with plenty of warp after that.
I am though, as you recommend, looking for a Bruce anchor!

 

[Allan]

Thanks for this. Ill take your advice and tuck further in next time. I realise now that I'm probably trying to hook on rocky ground rather than gravel or pebbles for which the CQR is useless. I usually arrive 4-5 hours after high and wait till an hour after low before heading back. The 30m chain is the first part of the rode with plenty of warp after that.
I am though, as you recommend, looking for a Bruce anchor!

First, a warning. I once went to Minehead with a Bruce anchor and dropped it off the big white spot that marks the anchorage. I'd deliberately drifted close in and realised it was a little too close. Picking up the anchor I realised I had a large rock stuck in it! It took about half an hour to remove it, luckily I had my son on board to help me.
A small trick on anchoring that I try to use every time. If you make sure to 1. Have a good idea of the depth, and 2. Carefully mark the chain length close to the anchor. You can then lower the anchor to just touch the seabed. It's interesting how much you can feel. As you drop the anchor down onto the surface sand and mud feel similar but lift it a little and mud has more grip. The more you do it, the better you become at identifying seabeds.
Once you are happy the surface is suitable, you can feel that the anchor is laying correctly. As the boat starts to drift a little, if you lift and drop the chain and the shank of the anchor a little it will encourage the point to dig in.
Allan

 

[Molteni]

FYI. I'm increasing the chain length to 35 meters to see if that helps.

There's plenty of swinging room at Blue Anchor Bay so I always use 50m of chain.