Sailing off the anchor

L

longjohnsadler

Well-Known Member
Joined
14 Nov 2002
Messages
2,080
Location
NW Ireland
Visit site
I have done this fairly regularly recently but have not come across a cast iron way of heading off on the tack of my choice every time. Occasionally factors seem to conspire to confuse the issue. Normally I am anchored in north or west Ireland where the anchorages are generous and the nearest boat to me is 2 miles away so it's not really a problem.
So what's the answer?
 
Try having a bit of jib/genoa unrolled. Dont need much and back the jib to head off in the right direction.

(Nearly) always works for me.

Donald
 
If you are laying to the wind then its easy, unfurl a bit of genny and back it or fill it by hand on the foredeck to push the nose your preferred direction.....

If you are laying more to the tide, then sometime you haven't got a choice.... although there is always an option to end for end the boat, and then draw the anchor in off the stern to allow you to take the other tack..... a lot easier off a buoy though as if its a big anchor, or well set in, then its not always easy to raise without the windlass...
 
Anderson and Cunliffe suggest with wind against tide 'haul up the hook and sail away under headsail', so presumable backing the headsail could help your choice of tack? With wind against tide and lying head to wind you could try tacking up to the hook under main alone and then bear away?
 
Was just thinking smartar...then noticed the word 'nearly' ;-)
If you have a bit of wind and a little tide the boat can be 'yawing' a bit as you shorten the anchor chain and difficult to predict as you make your manouevre. I reckon 75 - 80% success tho I may just be a bit impatient - er or incompetent.
 
I've been in the position where a cleverly timed haul in of the last 10 meters of chain has all gone wrong.

Going backwards was not in the plan!

;o)))

Donald
 
If lying head to wind backing the headsail usually does it. If lying to the tide with lots of sea room I tend to heave up with no sail set then hoist the main followed by the foresail unrolled.

If in a tight spot then theres no stock answer ,you have to weigh up (no pun intended) all the forces acting on your boat.Usually if other boats are close by I would at least have the engine running even if it doesnt need to be put in gear.

Sometimes I sail off my swinging mooring. Biggest cock up so far was letting go then discovering the tiller was still securely lashed amidships. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
I have to confess I have never tried 'tacking up to the hook'. In tricky do or die situations, the engine comes on.
But presumably before the times of 'auxilliaries' it was no big deal.
 
[ QUOTE ]
. In tricky do or die situations, the engine comes on.


[/ QUOTE ]
couldnt agree more. If theres even the remotest chance of bumping someones pride and joy (or heading towards a rocky shore) its daft not to.
 
Oh thats a very wussy sort of an attitude if you don't mind me saying so. If life isn't about having the courage of our convictions then what is there left?
You have to want it to work, then it will.
Donald has it - back the jib and send the boat off on it - the foredeckhandyperson who is tending to the anchor can do this as it only takes a tug on the sheet from the foredeck to initiate the turn.
Anyway - Longjohnsadler is always banging on about what good sailing vessels Sadlers are.....
 
Yes I admit to being a wuss. especially if being a Wuss stops me putting someone elses pride and joy into the boat yard for the rest of the season.Then theres all the insurance forms to fill in etc etc .On balance I like being a Wuss /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
If you're in an uncrowded anchorage, does it matter if you have to put in another tack?

We do it often, but I'm the one on the foredeck trying to stow the anchor, and am only aware there's been a quick tack/gybe when the genoa wraps itself round my ears.
 
Precisely what happened to me trying to leave one of the little bays, North end of Bute after a lunch stop.
I got half the chain up and started to go backwards, luckily it was an offshore wind and there was no traffic behind.
The rest of the chain came up considerably faster!
Fortunately the motor was running in neutral and I could get back to the cockpit before it became an issue.
I will learn to do it properly.
 
I cannot understand how people can work on the fore deck on the anchor and have the genoa/jib up at the same time.

My method is to hoist the main and once it is up and flapping happily, head to wind, start to winch in the anchor chain - this actually allows you with the rudder to choose which tack as the boat pulls forward... or 'force' the main slightly to port or starboard to 'catch' the wind.. You need to keep the speed of advance down so that you do not over run the chain and anchor but that is easily controlled by spilling the wind out of the main and letting her fall back again... then the last bit as described off on the chosen tack - stow the anchor and hoist/unfurl the head-sail..

works for me - most of the time!!

Michael
 
[ QUOTE ]
I cannot understand how people can work on the fore deck on the anchor and have the genoa/jib up at the same time.


[/ QUOTE ]
It only requires a very small amount of genoa, not usually enough to impede you on the foredeck.
In head to wind situations though I would also use the main. Tacking up to the anchor does work. Using a very small amount of genoa to back at the appropriate moment in tight situations.
To see if you are doing it right try hauling the anchor by hand.
In stern to wind situations then a little haedsail is easy to control and will not be in the way anyway.
At least, thats how I do it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top