SolentBoat
Well-Known Member
I've never done this. Even when going ashore for a picnic, I've always left someone (me) on board. But the liveaboard guys must do it all the time. Am I overly nervous?
Leaving anchored boat unattended
- Thread starter SolentBoat
- Start date
snowleopard
Well-Known Member
Yes, we've often left the boat at anchor when away cruising. It's really a question of confidence. Once you know your anchor is well dug in you should be OK. The only time I'd be concerned is leaving her over the turn of tide in e.g. a river where there is a strong reversal of current.
The only time we've had a problem was when a French boat anchored too close and collided while we were ashore.
The only time we've had a problem was when a French boat anchored too close and collided while we were ashore.
H
highandry
Guest
As a singlehander I very often leave my boat unattended at anchor, with good ground tackle, provided the weather doesn't get up there shouldn't be a problem. The aspect that is foremost in my mind when I leave her is people boarding her with villainy in mind. I never leave her for extended periods anyway, usually just to buy store etc: If I'm going to do the tourist act for a few hours I'll find somewhere to lay alongside/marina etc:
mikehibb
Well-Known Member
It all depends on your anchoring experience.
If not experienced, I would call it sensible, If more experienced maybe possibly verging on overly cautious rather than nervous.
The first few times that we anchored I was constantly checking for any drag etc. I would always have some one aboard (usually me too)
Now with more experience at anchoring I am happy to pop ashore for a picnic etc. But always in view of the boat.( and a max of a couple of minutes motoring in the tender away)
Whether we are at anchor on the boat in a bay, or if we have popped ashore, I always keep an eye out on the weather, looking at the sea condtions outside the "protected bay" rather than inside it. I am looking for wind shifts and white horses that might indicate that the conditions where I anchored earlier are about to change.
Sound like you are at the stage that I was a couple of years ago ie very cautious. Nothing wrong with that in my boat. We all have to learn and gain experience, not all forum members have been living on the hook for 20years.
If not experienced, I would call it sensible, If more experienced maybe possibly verging on overly cautious rather than nervous.
The first few times that we anchored I was constantly checking for any drag etc. I would always have some one aboard (usually me too)
Now with more experience at anchoring I am happy to pop ashore for a picnic etc. But always in view of the boat.( and a max of a couple of minutes motoring in the tender away)
Whether we are at anchor on the boat in a bay, or if we have popped ashore, I always keep an eye out on the weather, looking at the sea condtions outside the "protected bay" rather than inside it. I am looking for wind shifts and white horses that might indicate that the conditions where I anchored earlier are about to change.
Sound like you are at the stage that I was a couple of years ago ie very cautious. Nothing wrong with that in my boat. We all have to learn and gain experience, not all forum members have been living on the hook for 20years.
shmoo
Well-Known Member
Yup, done it quite a bit when away cruising. As has been mentioned, good tackle helps. Frankly, I've usually been more concerned about the dinghy and outboard left on the beach - did I really drag it far enough up?
After all we sleep on the anchor.
After all we sleep on the anchor.
snooks
Well-Known Member
Hopefully ths won't go down he road of a what anchor thread 
Anyway, if I can sleep at anchor I'll happily leave Pixie anchored for the day while we go off walking or whatever.
If you trust your ground tackle you can leave your boat, how long it takes you to gain that trust is something only you know when you are happy. Once you have left her for X hours then it will be what wind strength will you happily leave her.
If your anchor holds and you're happy with how it's holding then there should be no reason why you shouldn't you boat.
Ok, when it's been blowing 30 odd knots during the day you do sometime wonder when you're out and about. But I'm happy our technique, ground tackle, anchor (not telling cos I don't want to degrade this into a type of anchor thread), chain (50m of grade 40 8mm) and connector (kong) are all more than up to the job of keeping Pixie where she should be. And we always give her a long
sustained period of astern at cruising revs to
make sure.
Anyway, if I can sleep at anchor I'll happily leave Pixie anchored for the day while we go off walking or whatever.
If you trust your ground tackle you can leave your boat, how long it takes you to gain that trust is something only you know when you are happy. Once you have left her for X hours then it will be what wind strength will you happily leave her.
If your anchor holds and you're happy with how it's holding then there should be no reason why you shouldn't you boat.
Ok, when it's been blowing 30 odd knots during the day you do sometime wonder when you're out and about. But I'm happy our technique, ground tackle, anchor (not telling cos I don't want to degrade this into a type of anchor thread), chain (50m of grade 40 8mm) and connector (kong) are all more than up to the job of keeping Pixie where she should be. And we always give her a long
sustained period of astern at cruising revs to
make sure.
Searush
Well-Known Member
There are times when I take the family ashore & I stay on board, but mostly, once I am happy she is settled, I am happy to go ashore with them, but I will normally not be too far away so I can have a look at her now & again.
Just once, I left her on too short a scope & she dragged into deeper water. I had a frantic row after her leaving the family worrying on a deserted island beach. In the end, no probs, I caught her, got aboard & re-anchored properly. But I haven't forgotten the experience.
Just once, I left her on too short a scope & she dragged into deeper water. I had a frantic row after her leaving the family worrying on a deserted island beach. In the end, no probs, I caught her, got aboard & re-anchored properly. But I haven't forgotten the experience.
Adonnante
Well-Known Member
One of the biggest problems can be not being able to return to the boat due to the sea or even river becoming too rough to use the tender. We were unable to get back on board due to high wind when we anchored near the road bridge in Kinsale, fortunately a kind local was able to deliver us back in his powerful rib. Some years ago a friend anchored off the south of the IOW and took his family ashore for a meal. On their return the swell had increased so much that it was impossible to return; they spent a very uncomfortable night kipping in a disable loo. The daughters don't seem to sail much now;-)
Peter.
Peter.
Shuggy
Well-Known Member
Happy to go ashore for long(ish) periods of time out of sight of the boat (2-3 hours) but learnt a lesson when we rescued a boat this summer whose owner had left her at anchor for 2 days & had returned to a grounded vessel. He ridiculed a fellow boat owner for re-setting his anchor 5 times in a very sheltered anchorage (Puilladobhrain)... glass houses? We always give it 2 mins at 2000 rpm astern until we're happy. That approach has only failed us once, when we had 2 boats (13 tonnes & 9 tonnes) hanging off 1 32lb CQR in hard sand in a force 6 with 2 of us on deck watch... we were kind of expecting it.
webcraft
Well-Known Member
mcframe
Well-Known Member
<erects straw man>
If you can't leave the boat for (10/current Beaufort) * 4 hours, then you can't anchor.
</esm>
Anchor type and scope are outwith the scope of this discussion.
TQA
Well-Known Member
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I have a big anchor all chain rode and once it has marinated for a day I am usually happy to leave for the daylight hours. Longer than that I would ask someone nearby to keep an eye on it.
The above presumes that the forecast is reasonably settled.
The above presumes that the forecast is reasonably settled.
Mudisox
Well-Known Member
The worry.
Even after almost 50 years experience of safe and sound anchoring in all sorts of weather and places, when I have been away, out of sight, I always have a few pangs of distrust that all is OK until I see her, again. And that also applies when she's on the mooring!!
It is quite normal to worry.
Just do as much as you feel you need and then try it. Theft and villainy is more of a worry for me in strange places.
Even after almost 50 years experience of safe and sound anchoring in all sorts of weather and places, when I have been away, out of sight, I always have a few pangs of distrust that all is OK until I see her, again. And that also applies when she's on the mooring!!
It is quite normal to worry.
Just do as much as you feel you need and then try it. Theft and villainy is more of a worry for me in strange places.
D
Deleted member 36384
Guest
I leave the boat unattended at anchor. If I will be out of sight then I rig my kedge from the bow as a simple running mooring if there is any current that will change direction, or as a second bower, if no tide. All rope rode except for 10 m of chain at the kedge.
I dont find this a hassle if I am using my dinghy anyway.
Like most though, I dont bother if its just faffing about on the beach or going shopping. Evening meals and pub visits I would only rig the kedge if wind and tide dictated, otherwise it's single anchor à la faffing style.
If you take into account the wind, tide and currents and available swinging room, then you can set up your boat confidently to be secure. Just plan for the variables.
I dont find this a hassle if I am using my dinghy anyway.
Like most though, I dont bother if its just faffing about on the beach or going shopping. Evening meals and pub visits I would only rig the kedge if wind and tide dictated, otherwise it's single anchor à la faffing style.
If you take into account the wind, tide and currents and available swinging room, then you can set up your boat confidently to be secure. Just plan for the variables.
Last edited by a moderator:
SolentBoat
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the comments.
If the weather brightens up maybe I'll gird my loins and row ashore for a picnic before the summer's out. I'll leave actually going out of sight of the boat until next summer.
If the weather brightens up maybe I'll gird my loins and row ashore for a picnic before the summer's out. I'll leave actually going out of sight of the boat until next summer.
webcraft
Well-Known Member
.
I know people have said anchor type is irrelevant, but I think that having confidence in your anchor's ability to reset if the wind or current reverses is important when leaving your boat for any length of time.
- W
I know people have said anchor type is irrelevant, but I think that having confidence in your anchor's ability to reset if the wind or current reverses is important when leaving your boat for any length of time.
- W
Col-it-is
Member
Lessons learned at Herm
I once left a charter boat (many years ago) anchored at Herm while crew and I went for walk round the Ireland. Returning along the South coast about 3 hrs later, ice cream in hand, I was surprised to be able to see the top of my mast over a close by hillock much earlier than expected. It wasn't long before I realised it was because it was now drifting out into open water towards Jethou. A rush for the dinghy and panicky rowing (no outboard) followed. Fortunately one of the local trip boats had seen what was happening and came to take me on board, with dinghy, and out to rescue yacht. We rustled up all the cash we had between us and give him about £50 for his trouble.
Lessons learned:
- There are very big tides in the channel isles
- Multiply chain requirement by high tide depth, not actual depth at time of anchoring
- Don't leave the boat unattended unless SURE anchor is secure; for me this certainly means motoring reasonably hard astern after settting, checking high water depth, and (if tidal) experiencing a tide change before leaving
I once left a charter boat (many years ago) anchored at Herm while crew and I went for walk round the Ireland. Returning along the South coast about 3 hrs later, ice cream in hand, I was surprised to be able to see the top of my mast over a close by hillock much earlier than expected. It wasn't long before I realised it was because it was now drifting out into open water towards Jethou. A rush for the dinghy and panicky rowing (no outboard) followed. Fortunately one of the local trip boats had seen what was happening and came to take me on board, with dinghy, and out to rescue yacht. We rustled up all the cash we had between us and give him about £50 for his trouble.
Lessons learned:
- There are very big tides in the channel isles
- Multiply chain requirement by high tide depth, not actual depth at time of anchoring
- Don't leave the boat unattended unless SURE anchor is secure; for me this certainly means motoring reasonably hard astern after settting, checking high water depth, and (if tidal) experiencing a tide change before leaving
KellysEye
Well-Known Member
You mentioned liveaboads I've been one for over six years if that's relevant. We regularly leave the boat unattended but not before we have made certain the anchor is set. We usually leave her for between two and ten hours out of sight. Most we've left her was two days and we put out a second anchor before leaving.
As others have said it's all about confidence in your anchor set which comes with experience. We must have anchored many hundreds of times but we began leaving the boat long before that. If you have any doubts but really want to get off the boat a second anchor would give peace of mind.
Another option we used is if there is a boat anchored nearby ask them to keep an eye on her and give them a spare ignition key, I don't like leaving one in the ignition for obvious reasons.
As others have said it's all about confidence in your anchor set which comes with experience. We must have anchored many hundreds of times but we began leaving the boat long before that. If you have any doubts but really want to get off the boat a second anchor would give peace of mind.
Another option we used is if there is a boat anchored nearby ask them to keep an eye on her and give them a spare ignition key, I don't like leaving one in the ignition for obvious reasons.
D
DogWatch
Guest
Quite an achievement, did you take a fridge?
Col-it-is
Member
Well spotted; I got my "islands" confused with my "Irelands" - easily done at my age and with the percentage of alcohol in my blood!
