Sailing Around the Anchor Problem

[Channel Sailor]

When anchored in a breeze my 9m fractional rigged sloop yacht swings around rather excessively, to a point where it can become beam on to the wind! It is the design of the underwater sections which causes it, spade rudder, fin keel and no forefoot. When there is a tide running it is better and I have a large builders rubble bucket I can use as a drogue to help too. But when there is no tide the drogue idea does not work. Please any other ideas? Has anyone tried tying a warp few metres down the anchor chain and tying onto an aft cleat, then setting the boat at angle to the wind? What angle works OK?

 

[Baggywrinkle]

Try a bridle .....

Using a snubber

Once the anchor is adequatly dug in, attaching a bridle or snubber (indicated in red) to the anchor rode will create a sacrificial layer and reduces strain on the bow roller and winch. It also reduces swaying and yawing and the noise of the chain.

Anchoring techniques

 

[JumbleDuck]

When anchored in a breeze my 9m fractional rigged sloop yacht swings around rather excessively, to a point where it can become beam on to the wind! It is the design of the underwater sections which causes it, spade rudder, fin keel and no forefoot.

I have similar issues in a very different boat: 8m, masthead, long keel (albeit cutaway forefoot) sternpost rudder. In my case I think it's the high bows which are the problem. I've not found a cure, but I have found two ways of reducing the problem.

First of all, don't have too much chain out. This is of course a problem itself, because it's only in F4+ that I have an issue and that's not a time to skimp on the chain, but even then 4x depth works fine with my CQR. If the wind gets strong enough to justify more the problem generally doesn't apply, as by F6 she's riding nice and stably again.

Second, try biassing the attachment to one side. I don't have any issue with snatching, but I do have a rope with a chain hook which I can attach a metre or so from the bow and then tighten through a fairlead. That slight offset results in the boat sitting at an angle to the wind and gusts tend to increase and decrease that angle rather than giving wild swoops from side to side.

 

[Catalina36]

Try a heavy lead angel (or a kedge anchor if you haven't an angel) lowered to the bottom of the chain under the stem. The anchor takes the load but the angel stops the bow walking about, or at least slows it down so it doesn't go so far. It's the bow blowing off, not the stern. The stern just follows it.

 

[Roberto]

and I have a large builders rubble bucket I can use as a drogue to help too.

In terms of forces acting to make the boat swing or "sail" at anchor, with no significant current and mainly wind the bucket should be put at the bow, try attaching it at the anchor cable somewhere near the surface.
Another option is a riding sail, there are a number of discussions here on ybw.

 

[GHA]

Please any other ideas?

You could could buy this well researched and written offering from an ever helpful forumite..
Rigging Modern Anchors eBook: Frye, Drew: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store
Chapter on sailing around the hook. And many other chapters just as interesting.

 

[[70521]]

Rig a riding sail

Google Image Result for https://i.pinimg.com/originals/33/e1/d6/33e1d6397d93f707eb2a4bd93be05c6c.jpg