Med mooring with an anchor - judging the distance

[tudorsailor]

So here we are, cruising the Adriatic. Unlike the rest of the med, many quays do not have "lazy lines" and we have to drop the anchor and motor back

How do people judge the right distance to make the drop? Is there a gadget to make life easier??

Thanks

TudorSailor
Currently in Cavtat, Croatia

 

[mikecontessa26]

So here we are, cruising the Adriatic. Unlike the rest of the med, many quays do not have "lazy lines" and we have to drop the anchor and motor back

How do people judge the right distance to make the drop? Is there a gadget to make life easier??

Thanks

TudorSailor
Currently in Cavtat, Croatia

Trial and error, helps if you have plenty chain, I usually use lengths of my boat, (about 10m) , normally drop the anchor into the exposed wind direction then do a semi circle backwards (hoping the next person will do the same to avoid a tangle)

 

[jordanbasset]

We normally dropped at 3-4 boat lengths away from the quay. Any more than 4 boat lengths and we would be on rope and prefer to have chain when boats are motoring past. Mostly we were dropping in 4-8 metres so not a problem re holding.

 

[Halcyon Yachts]

So here we are, cruising the Adriatic. Unlike the rest of the med, many quays do not have "lazy lines" and we have to drop the anchor and motor back

How do people judge the right distance to make the drop? Is there a gadget to make life easier??

Thanks

TudorSailor
Currently in Cavtat, Croatia

I tend to go for three boat lengths. If you are coming in alongside other boats (of a similar size) then as you approach just wait until you think the stern is one boat length from the bow of the neighbouring vessel. Depending on your speed and the speed of your crew you may need to call the drop a few metres before you actually want the hook to go down!

Pete

 

[marklucas]

As stated, 3 boat lengths is a minimum guideline in a shoal harbour. It gives you sufficient horizontal holding whilst minimising the risk of another boat catching your line (by anchor or keel). But if the harbour has a very steep contour e.g. Symi, you might be dropping at 6 boat lengths in order to gain any holding. As ever look at the charts.

Also, if you have a strong cross-wind, you want to drop your anchor upwind, but you also have to consider any boats already moored, you mustn't anchor over them. But if someone tries to anchor straight over your upwind anchor you need to shout as they may not have seen this idea before.

Finally, once moored, if there is a strong cross wind, take a warp through your leeward fairlead and then secure it upwind. With anchor and stern secure up wind you won't drift downwind. Getting your upwind neighbours to do the same can be a challenge.

Practice makes perfect.

 

[Tranona]

Gadget is Mk1 eyeball - 3-4 boat lengths which on my 11m boat means usually keeps within the range of the 50m of chain so the windlass can handle both laying and retrieving without the uncertainty of the change from chain to rope.

 

[tudorsailor]

Thanks

I do find judging 60 metres to be tricky. I guess practice makes perfect. Certainly overdid it today, lucky I have lots of chain! Now have to wait to see if am I across a big motor cruisers chain.

TudorSailor