How confident are you when anchoring?

[mjf]

Re: \"feel\" the anchor

Yes, but even on very big boats in strong winds/tides you can visually see the cable being brought up when anchored properly.

 

[DavidJ]

Some manufacturers (eg Sealine) skimp on anchor sizes

Some manufacturers (eg Sealine) skimp on anchor sizes

I've noticed that the new S38 has got the next size up anchor to the S37 (and they are exactly the same length)

Maybe it's the same upgrade throughout the range now.

David

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Well put. I would just add that I dont like to see the anchor chain taut because if it's taut you are relying only on the holding power of the anchor. I feel safest when the chain is slack and it is the catenary effect of the chain itself which is holding the boat rather than the anchor.
I agree with you about gently motoring or drifting in reverse to let the chain out. In the Med you see boats zooming backwards whilst paying out the chain and I do wonder what would happen if the anchor suddenly snagged on a rock or something. Possibly the force could damage the windlass or even rip it off its mountings. At best all you're doing is dragging the anchor across the seabed

 

[Wiggo]

Re: Some manufacturers (eg Sealine) skimp on anchor sizes

They all skimp, IMHO. Oddly, we had four boats out last year off Blackppol Sands - and F37, S37, F43 and a Targa 39. The Sealines all had Deltas, but Hagrid had the standard Fairline Fortress pattern. The Deltas all dug in first time, but Hagrid's Fortress just didn't want to know.

That said, I'd be happier with a bigger Delta...

 

[Snazzy]

o%. Tried and failed last summer and we nearly lost our boat onto the rocks /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif. The hook dragging slowed us enough to rescue the situation though. Since then, we only anchor and stay onboard /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif. This is a real shame as our intention was to get away from the marina environment more and enjoy some of the peace that only a secluded anchorage can provide. Reading the above posts has renewed my enthusiasm (better of not telling SWMBO yet) for anchoring. A good start is to mark the chain (this weekend) and follow that up with some practice at the various methods mentioned above.
Sorry Wiggo, I thing I will leave your method until I get my confidence back /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif.
Stuart

 

[Wiggo]

Mostly, Stuart, it's about knowing the ground. Local knowledge is what you need to find, of course. And if the bay is completely deserted, there may just be a reason...

 

[Snazzy]

Agreed and to start with, we can practice in an area nearby which is always full of anchored yachts in the summer /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Stuart.

 

[Guest]

Re: \"feel\" the anchor

I think it applies to any size of boat. What I mean by 'feel' is get a good sense from the way that the anchor and chain has paid out, the behaviour of the boat against wind and tide, the angle of the cable, how quickly it appears to have dug in. etc. to get an intuitive sense of what the anchor is doing on the seabed and how the chain lies in relation to it.

For example, if you've had the feeling it skated a bit before stopping, this indicates athat it just might have become semi-fouled with seawead and then caught on something, so I might consider resetting it.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Re: Some manufacturers (eg Sealine) skimp on anchor sizes

Pleased to see it. I had a Sealine 410 which only had a 10kg Bruce anchor fitted and it dragged regularly. I looked at fitting a larger anchor but the beaky thing at the bow precluded it
I think fitting a decent anchor system only reflects how we use our boats. Lets face it, what most of us do is zoom out of the marina, find a good anchorage for the day and zoom back again before dark

 

[LittleShip]

My first night many years ago at anchore and the guy I was sharing a cabin with leaned over and kissed me on the cheek!!!!! "Goodnight dear heart " he said and I spent the night watching the anchor.
He however had a great nights sleep. Didnt fall for it the second night............
Kissed him first.

/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[PhilF]

first time anchored in Newtown Creek, fell asleep okay and work up at 3 am to an almighty bang. The wind had picked up and the chain was rolling over the capstan thing. Stayed up til 6 am, at which point we broke loose and drifted into another boat.

another time anchored at low tide, hung around for a coupla hours and then went for a dingy ride, tide rose, boat run off, you know the rest.

Good lessons, but generally I hate anchoring, even in the Med. I would now never leave the Boat unattended and am on edge all the time.

What a hobby!!!!

 

[Guest]

Newton Creek is a 'special case scenario' owing to (in summer) the close proximity of lots of other boats, many of whom will be inexperienced. Many just drop the anchor, pay out a load of chain, and think that that's it. They will drag in the night and in Newton Creek will take others with them. It is therefore a difficult anchorage, except outside the season, when it's great. You can improve the odds by trying to anchor near other boats with a similarish underwater profile (eg. if a Mobo anchors near a deep keeled yacht, the formers swing will be dictated by wind, the latter by tide, and they will swing in different directions and collide in the night).

 

[gcwhite]

Well several points there. You shouldn't leave a boat unattended at anchor. You need at least 3 times depth minimum. (not 2 as suggested) if using chain, so your 15m would only allow you to anchor in 5m at high tide.

/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[Wiggo]

Define 'unattended'. Is 'on the beach' leaving the boat unattended? Certainly wouldn't go away and leave it overnight on the pick, but an hour or two ashore, and a walk round town is OK, no?

 

[Guest]

2x scope should never be used for any purpose whatsoever. It is impossible to get an anchor to dig in with a 2x scope. With a 3x scope you have a 50:50 chance of getting it to grip if the bottom provides good holding, but the anchor will rip out of the ground if much pressure is applied to it. If you use 4x scope it will grip first time 9 times out of ten, and if you dig it in properly will hold in a gale. That is why, even if you HAVE to use a 3x scope, you should dig it in at 4x, then shorten it. Life will be much easier that way - saves all that dropping, raising, dropping, raising etc. I have a manual windlass, so like to minimise that sort of thing /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

In the vast majority of situations I am happy to leave my boat unattended at anchor because I know the anchor is well set. The exception is if she will be on an exposed lee shore with no land to windward if the wind changes direction and starts to blow. If you want to leave your boat unattended at anchor for weeks at a time then I would recommend having a look at Eric Hiscock's book "Cruising Under Sail" - he describes some excellent anchoring techniques for doing this with confidence.

 

[jerryat]

Very! Been doing it full time while cruising for over seven years in the Med/Caribbean and only dragged (a few yards) once. Maybe luck, but also down to diving on the anchor to check it's set properly, at least where the water's warm and not TOO deep!!

We sleep well when in an anchorage with few boats, but when there's many and we haven't seen them check their anchors, a bit lighter!!

Cheers Jerry

 

[tcm]

Re: 1-2 hours round town

yeah, i think so, provide you haven't of course just anchored and run off without waiting to see it's ok for 10mins or so. Insurance issue for some, i unnerstand tho. Depends on conditions of course.

 

[kindredspirit]

Thanks for everyone's input, particularly SimonCr.

"Don't be miserly on the tackle you have and don't be miserly on the scope." would seem to be good basics.

 

[longjohnsilver]

Yep you're right hlb, mind you I have complete confidence in my anchor, chain and warp. A few years back during Dartmouth regatta, big spring tides had a sailing boat trip the anchor of another anchored yacht 2 ahead of me which then drifted into the boat in front of me and also tripped his anchor. I ended up with a yacht about the same size as me broadside on with the other along side me. Only dragged very slowly so now know that what I have works well. Never dragged since and am happy to go ashore for extended periods. Only difficult time is when there are lots of others at anchor when the tide turns, especially when it's windy.

I love anchoring and getting away from the crowds. Will always do it where and when I can.

 

[kindredspirit]

P.S. Does anyone use a "Bugelanker" or Bugelanker copy or even a "Sarca"?

It would be interesting to hear views on them. I have a "Delta" but the "Spade" might be better and the "Bugelanker" might be better again.