Letting out anchor going forward or backwards?

[Wild Weasel]

Hi all,

First season with a bigger boat here in the med.

When transferring the boat we hired a captain for 2 weeks to learn handling the boat and help with the transfer and he taught me that when anchoring to drop the anchor and let out chain going forward making a 180 turn at the end. My broker basically told me the same thing and ideally to make a ? maneuver so starting off in the opposite direction and let the anchor out again going forward making a turn still letting anchor until at the final position then do a 180. They both said to test the holding by going reverse when in position.

So that is how we anchored the few times we had the opportunity. However, last time in a crowded bay we got friendly advise to not let the anchor out going forward but just reverse in to position. This is also what I see everyone else doing.

Is there a right/wrong way?

After thinking about it the anchor is shaped to best hold when being dredged in reverse.

Thanks and apologies if this is obvious, but both the captain and the broker seemed to be experienced but going against convention.

WW

 

[kashurst]

I've never seen anyone do it that way. Also there is a small risk of getting the chain around your props if you go forward too fast, or turn 180 too quick. Usual way is to reverse away from the anchor, to lay the chain out along the sea bed. Let out 5x depth or more, let it settle on the bottom, than gentle reverse to dig it in.

 

[MapisM]

After thinking about it the anchor is shaped to best hold when being dredged in reverse.

LOL, I'm afraid you thought about it too much!
The anchor and the chain are totally unaware of the boat orientation: as long as you pull the chain, any properly designed anchor must lay correctly on the bottom.
And if/when it doesn't, surely it isn't because of the boat direction.

Re. whether there's a right or wrong way, I don't think so.
Reversing avoids the risk of scratching the hull with the chain (and that's what I do, fwiw), but other than that. whatever works for you. :encouragement:

 

[petem]

Reversing would be my preference too for the hull scratching reason that MM cites.

Thinking about it, might the drive over chain method not run the risk of damaging a skin fitting too?

 

[guernseyman]

It would make sense if laying the anchor from the stern. Otherwise, not.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I've seen boats anchoring in the Med quite often using this technique but to be honest I don't understand what advantage it gives over the traditional method of dropping the anchor and reversing. I suppose it might be a little quicker than the traditional method. In fact I can only see disadvantages in terms of running over your own chain if you don't let it out fast enough and placing the anchor on the seabed facing the wrong way; it makes it essential that you set the anchor properly. There's nothing wrong with anchoring in the traditional way

 

[prv]

I can only think of one reason to set the anchor by going forwards and running over the chain, and that's in a sailing boat! Otherwise it just seems awkward and risking minor but unsightly damage.

Pete

 

[Greg2]

I can only think of one reason to set the anchor by going forwards and running over the chain, and that's in a sailing boat! Otherwise it just seems awkward and risking minor but unsightly damage.

Pete

+1
Seems like an odd way to go bout anchoring a mobo and quite contraty to everything I have been taught over the years (RN and Yachtmaser). Still, always prepared to learn new techniques

 

[prv]

Seems like an odd way to go bout anchoring a mobo and quite contraty to everything I have been taught over the years (RN and Yachtmaser). Still, always prepared to learn new techniques

It's a technique for setting the anchor under sail - basically chuck it over the bow with plenty of chain while still sailing along forwards, the idea being that your forward speed will drag it into the ground, then the chain going taut will whip the boat round head-to-wind and stop the sails drawing. I've never tried it - it always sounded rather dramatic and risky - so when I anchored under sail I used to do it more like I would under power and rely on wind and/or tide pushing me backwards to set the hook.

Pete

 

[Greg2]

Interesting Pete. I can see that there is probably less risk of damage to stern gear on a yacht but as you say, sounds as though things could get a bit fraught very quickly!

 

[Wild Weasel]

Thank you for your replies everyone. Risk of chain hitting bow and risk of chain fouling props are both good arguments against dropping anchor going forward. Will drop anchor and reverse to position from now on (next year sadly).

WW

 

[KevB]

Funny this should be brought up. Last week at east head I saw a fishing boat drop his anchor whilst going forwards then turn the boat. A friend on board mentioned that they do it that way a lot in the med where he is based.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Funny this should be brought up. Last week at east head I saw a fishing boat drop his anchor whilst going forwards then turn the boat. A friend on board mentioned that they do it that way a lot in the med where he is based.

Yup I've seen trip boats in the Med anchor this way. In fact it can be very impressive to watch them zoom into a crowded anchorage at full speed, drop the anchor about 50m from the shore, continue at full speed to the shore before the chain pulls them up with a lurch and swings them around 180deg. Before the boat has stopped shuddering, the plank is on the shore and the trippers shooed off the boat. I often wondered what would happen if the anchor didn't set precisely where it was expected to; I guess once in a while a trip boat full of trippers ends up halfway up the beach