overnight anchor

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jabro

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I was just wondering how many of you exeprienced overnighters are totally confident about setting your anchor and going to bed onboard for the night. Do you set an alarm (GPS?) incase it drags? Do you use a different kind of anchor? I'm new to this but this question has always bothered me. I don't think I'd get a wink for worrying all night.
Any insights/solutions very welcome
Thanks
 
I anchored last autumn for a night and got up at least six times in the night to check if we were still holding OK!!!!!! Ended up waking for the last time to find we'd beached on the mud at a strange angle when the tide had completely gone out....slept really well after that as I was sure would couldn't move for for a while!!!! Teach me to anchor too close and not check my charts beforehand!
Felt shite all the next day due to lack of sleep /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
Best thing is build up confidence in your anchor and your anchoring by doing lots of days at anchor. If after loads of days spent on the hook, you haven't dragged a single time, you will feel much happier about doing it overnight.

GPS anchor alarm is a good idea if it is loud enough, many aren't.

Make sure you have the best kind of anchor for the bottom you are anchoring in.

Make sure the anchor is the right size for the boat. Many boats have under specced anchors.

Let out enough scope + a bit more if room allows, plus allow for any rise in tide overnight.

The biggest danger is the turn of the tide. If you are going to drag, it is most likely over this period. Maybe pick a day when the turn of the tide doesn't happen at three o/c in the morning /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Make sure the weather is settled with no chance of a blow overnight if possible.

Just a few of my thoughts.

Enjoy, it can be a great experience.
 
Don't let your fears close you off to one of the greatest joys of boating. care is needed as per the advice already given, but if done properly - anchor dragging is very uncommon. its happened to us twice in 10 years - both times in the middle of the day. I awake naturally sveral times during a night at anchor and always have to satisfy myself with a glance out of the porthole next to my face, that we are still in the same place.
 
If using the anchor alarm function on your plotter, then set your location at the moment you drop the anchor, so that it is in the centre of the circle you will swing through.
 
First time I anchored overnight as skipper/owner was in a little bay in Majorca - nervous wasnt the word. Up and down all night, checking transits, and plotter.

After 70 nights or so, I learned to retire calmly, but would still get up every 2 or 3 hours to check all was OK.

GPS alarms arent much use as, every now and then, you get an erroneous position, which sets the alarm off. Also, IIRC, the fact that you swing around the anchor means an alarm circle that is too big for many anchorages i.e. if the alarm goes off in anger, you are probably aground /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Havent done it in tidal waters, but would probably get up for the turn, and might even dig the anchor in again after the turn.
 
Dont loose sight of the positive points

no matter how the wind picks up, you will not damage anything when you leave.

You will not get blocked in a large raft.

You can not be blockaded by the French

You will not be awakened by drunks brawling on the pontoon outside your boat

Its free /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Just make sure it is set , preferably wait for the tide to swing and watch the sunset /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
If we're overnighting I'll try and get there so there's a change of tide before we go to bed, so if its held then, it should be alright.
 
Good point
We did once.......
when I lifted the anchor something disgusting came up with it, no idea what it was but it wasn't moving, never again . /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
I have often wondered the same thing. I'd love to anchor one night.
Is there anywhere in Poole harbour thats safe for an overnight anchor? How about Studland Bay, anyone done there?
I'm thinking Poole is mainly sand and mud isn't it, would a Danforth be best for that material?
Si
 
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I'm thinking Poole is mainly sand and mud isn't it, would a Danforth be best for that material?

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Have you got an anchor? What type and weight is it?

In sand and mud, even my "crappy" CQR holds like it's bolted down /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif, provided I set it right.

For fear of starting an anchor thread, if you havent got an anchor, and you think you might get used to spending nights at anchor, I would seriously consider one of the new generation anchors - dare I say it? - like a Rocna. I'm sure there will be stockists not far from Poole, being a big Southern boating centre.

Whilst not many come out and say it, those who have got Rocnas are delighted with them. Same seems to go for Spades and Manson Supremes, on the whole.

I can honestly say that there is nothing quite like being at anchor for a few days, (or even weeks), in a nice spot.

Richard
 
I've anchored many times overnight in the Med and I will admit that I never sleep as well as when we berth in a marina, particularly when there's a bit of wind and the anchor chain is grinding a bit. Mind you, we have never dragged, even during one memorable night anchored off Ibiza when an unexpected and rather strong onshore wind blew up and I spent most of the night sitting on the flybridge. Agree with the others. If you are going to spend days or nights at anchor, you will get a certain peace of mind by upgrading the anchor and chain. A GPS anchor watch is useful but I definitely can't hear the alarm from my cabin. Another tip would be to ensure that the boat is ready to go if you have to weigh anchor in a hurry. That means lifting the dinghy and stowing any gear on deck before turning in and, importantly, having a route already programmed into the plotter to take you safely out to sea from the anchorage
 
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Is there anywhere in Poole harbour thats safe for an overnight anchor?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep, loads of places. South Deep is extremely protected, even in a real blow, and even if you dragged, you'd end up on shallow muddy banks with no real danger. It's a quiet place to sit on your boat and reflect, as there's nowhere to go, except a v small private "beach" that people seem to use anyway.
 
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... <span style="color:blue"> .how many of you exeprienced overnighters are totally confident about setting your anchor and going to bed onboard for the night...</span>

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As a full time living aboard for more than 15 years!... I’ve spent countless nights at anchor and slept very well. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Modern anchors, are by far more efficient than the « old generation » of anchor, they set fast and well... in nearly all types of sea bottoms and hold perfectly...

Have a good night! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

João
 
Have anchored in South Deep - good holding for CQR and Danforth. When a forecast gale finally arrrived, I went up to see that we were OK, but other boats were dragging past us! Fortunately none were in line, but a mobo was on the mud the following morning.

Pottery Pier is good too.

Usually I get up for a tide turn or when wind increases. If you use a GPS alarm make sure you can hear it, some are inaudible from more than a yard away.
 
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