On the anchor tonight

[oceanfroggie]

I still haven't managed a night at anchor. Not so worried about staying put it's the slap, slap, slap noise I wouldn't like.

Actually I used to find the wavelets lapping against the bow very soothing and it helped me sleep like a baby. Our current boat is an aft cabin so no more lapping noises.

 

[AndieMac]

I still haven't managed a night at anchor. Not so worried about staying put it's the slap, slap, slap noise I wouldn't like.

Try and find a location, when anchoring overnight, that creates a 'wind shadow' from the prevailing weather. This will usually be close inshore and quite obvious as you slowly motor into a bay or section of a river, looking closely at the surface for the flattest water. Unless there is an unpredicted change in wind direction, or a dramatic increase in strength you should be fine.
Mostly during the night the wind (sea breezes) will ease off anyway, even if the afternoon was a bit blowy.

If all else fails, there is always ear-plugs.

 

[oceanfroggie]

Try and find a location, when anchoring overnight, that creates a 'wind shadow' from the prevailing weather. This will usually be close inshore and quite obvious as you slowly motor into a bay or section of a river, looking closely at the surface for the flattest water. Unless there is an unpredicted change in wind direction, or a dramatic increase in strength you should be fine.
Mostly during the night the wind (sea breezes) will ease off anyway, even if the afternoon was a bit blowy.

If all else fails, there is always ear-plugs.

+1

Ricky if you pick the right conditions you will really enjoy your first night on the hook. If you are worried about dragging, try your anchor out during a day when there is a reasonable breeze. Get it well dug in with loads of chain out and relax there for a few hours verifying she is not moving using gps or transits. Then on your first night with light wind you will have confidence in your ground tackle. For added peace of mind you could always set the anchor drag alarm on a HH gps or smartphone app for same. I usual set my alarm for a 50m radius which allows for wind direction change during the night.