Sleeping whilst at anchor?

[Bouba]

Hi Jonathan, most of the noise coming from the wind when it's windy! Otherwise, we get good sleep when it's calm. Good you mention the snubber ropes, I always set them up once the anchor is dropped, otherwise the chain load strains the bowsprit and the windlass. Not all boaters do this and they just leave it on the windlass. I think it is a good practice. The exception is all catamarans do use a snubber going from one hull to the other ( obviously to protect the hulls from chain chafing?)

I also use a stubber but I’ve heard the argument that you shouldn’t because if there’s an emergency it will slow you down, and add to the danger, when you remove the stubber so you can retrieve the anchor

 

[geem]

I also use a stubber but I’ve heard the argument that you shouldn’t because if there’s an emergency it will slow you down, and add to the danger, when you remove the stubber so you can retrieve the anchor

How do you work that out? What emergency are you envisaging? A snubber can always be cut with a knife but I can never imagine a scenario where I would do this

 

[Bouba]

How do you work that out? What emergency are you envisaging? A snubber can always be cut with a knife but I can never imagine a scenario where I would do this

Yes, but it means going to the foredeck, a lot of boats you can raise the anchor from the helm. But, thinking of a tornado or a large boat heading your way

 

[smithy]

I never used to get a great nights sleep at anchor. I started to use anchor pro on my phone but that didn't work as I used to worry that the battery would go flat. I put a charging point next to my bunk and I now sleep soundly, guess I just ran out of worries.

 

[Neeves]

Hi Jonathan, most of the noise coming from the wind when it's windy! Otherwise, we get good sleep when it's calm. Good you mention the snubber ropes, I always set them up once the anchor is dropped, otherwise the chain load strains the bowsprit and the windlass. Not all boaters do this and they just leave it on the windlass. I think it is a good practice. The exception is all catamarans do use a snubber going from one hull to the other ( obviously to protect the hulls from chain chafing?)

Chain chafing on the hulls might be an issue but the main reason for 2 snubbers is that a bridle reduces veering. Bridles are a bit like (or its the same practical answer) as anchoring with 2 anchors in a 'V' to reduce veering and works best if you can develop a wideish angle. Possible but not so easy on a monohulls. Most multihulls now have their hulls set quite far apart and are shallow draft o so chafe should only be an issue under extreme conditions (not impossible).

Jonathan

 

[Neeves]

Yes, but it means going to the foredeck, a lot of boats you can raise the anchor from the helm. But, thinking of a tornado or a large boat heading your way

If you are using a sensible amount of chain, don't touch the anchor - simply motor out of the way, far quicker than trying to raise an anchor. Unless the yacht dragging toward you is more than 30m long - you should be quite safe.

But if its a tornado - anchoring without some form of 'protection' of the windlass is simply asking for trouble. I'd rather the inconvenience of cutting a snubber than the clutch slip, all the chain deploys dropping you back onto the boat behind you. The snatch loads on the windlass - might take the windlass out and will do no good to the bearings and seals on the windlass. Snubbers need to be thin, or they do not offer elasticity - they would be easy to cut with a decent deck knife.

Weighing up the options - we would always use a snubber (with a back up snubber). We have a windlass control and both helm and bow.

Jonathan

 

[Neeves]

I never used to get a great nights sleep at anchor. I started to use anchor pro on my phone but that didn't work as I used to worry that the battery would go flat. I put a charging point next to my bunk and I now sleep soundly, guess I just ran out of worries.

I think the 'worries' are the greatest challenge with anchoring - and anchor threads and many of the posts seem designed to increase the worries.

If you anchor frequently you soon learn to tune your anchoring technique - and then you wonder why you ever worried.



Jonathan

 

[Sgeir]

We usually anchor between 60 and 90 nights a year, so far without incident. Just take care that your anchor is well set - and then have a good night's sleep.

Apart from the anchor light, we turn off all the electrics, although in recent years we have started to use an Android mobile phone app called Anchor Pro which certainly gives extra peace of mind.

 

[thinwater]

This talk of snubbers being a problem in an emergency reminds me of people (dumb asses IMO) that don't wear a seat belt because it is safer to be ejected from a car in the case of a serious accident. Yes, there are theoretical downsides, but they don't actually happen, or so rarely that the seat belt/snubber comes way out ahead in terms of real safety.

As a multihull sailor I've used a bridle every night. I have left in a hurry a few times, and removing the snubber took only seconds and was part of the routine. About the only time I don't use a snubber is fishing, when I know I will be moving frequently and don't really care if I drag. Then not having a snubber saves some time.

 

[MADRIGAL]

I think the 'worries' are the greatest challenge with anchoring - and anchor threads and many of the posts seem designed to increase the worries.

If you anchor frequently you soon learn to tune your anchoring technique - and then you wonder why you ever worried.



Jonathan

Exhaustion after a short handed passage and the ritual meal of a pint with ham, eggs, and chips keeps anchor worries at bay. Only the call of the heads disturbs the skipper’s slumber.

 

[Neeves]

I agree with the sentiments - but not the ham, egg and chips (it smacks of camping) and I prefer roast leg of lamb, steamed, freshly caught tuna or crayfish with garlic.

Jonathan

 

[geem]

Yes, but it means going to the foredeck, a lot of boats you can raise the anchor from the helm. But, thinking of a tornado or a large boat heading your way

I still don't see your problem. What are you going to do if a million to one chance of being by a tornado happens that not having a snubber on will make all the difference? You think having the chain sat on you windlass and being damaged by snatching is better?
If a boat is dragging down on you you bess bet is to try and motor to one side so it can pass you. If you pull your chain up you will just speed up the collision process.

 

[oldmanofthehills]

Having anticipated F7/ 8, I was pleased to try out my Mansom Supreme which bit well, but though I worried a tiny bit about load on cleats and whether my snubber was long enough, only the racket of the 37kt wind disturbed me and the squeaking of the snubber. I have anchored fine in F7+ just with my Bruce further by Tresco and really only tried my big boy due to lack of drag room in Port Conger

However that was exceptional and normally anchoring is a lot less dramatic once one has found the sweet spot, and the only time I ever had actual trouble was in Barry Harbour where I had run up the mud on falling half tide but not given enough scope to allow for the high tide, so had to dash out on deck in my jamas in the rain as we drifted toward the lock gate - pure complacency in a familiar water.

 

[Neeves]

You put on JimJams to go out on deck? We had wondered what they were for.



Jonathan

 

[rotrax]

Only the call of the heads disturbs the skipper’s slumber.

And gives a chance to check if all is well.

That is when I take the oppertunity for a quick scan around anyway.

 

[MagicalArmchair]

I used to worry to the point it put me off anchoring in anything but flat calm conditions. The antidote to the worry was understanding, lots of conversations with Rocna at the time and an understanding of all the forces at work on my old boat, Triola (Albin Ballad 30).

Rocna anchoring solution - Triola - Albin Ballad #50

On my new boat (Bavaria 40) I was equally worried so I posted on here about my new Knox anchor, and I was recommended to read the below from the responses, which is a great read stuffed full of useful facts.

Rigging Modern Anchors Rigging Modern Anchors eBook: Frye, Drew: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

Beware of what you read here also, as there will be those (and they are lovely, well meaning folk) that will insist that 3:1 everywhere is fine (my father was one of these, and yup, he never dragged apart from when we acidentally lay to about 1.5:1 on the CQR we had ?) and as above, re snubbers; talk to the experts and they will dispel this for you and give you the facts. Snubbers protect against massive snatching loads, protect your windlass and make it more comfortable at anchor. I would never anchor without one.

I use an anchoring app (Anchor Alarm) to help, I set the guard zone radius to twice the length of chain, else the false alarms will drive you crazy (consider, your boat is 12 meters, as you wander about it with your phone, it is easy to set the alarm off if your guard area is too small). 20 meters of chain out, 40m, or ever 50m guard zone. I have a portable battery bank I carry around to make sure my phone doesn't die when I am in the fore cabin.

As with everything, as as said before, the way to gain comfort once you have understanding, is to anchor over, and over, and over again. Having purchased Mirage just before the first lockdown, I have, thus far, anchored her only four times so, to be frank, it still holds worry for me and there will be plenty of occasions, in the middle of the night, I will be leaping onto deck in just my pants!

To drift the thread a bit more, those who use a snubber bridle, do you just thread it through the chain and then back to the boat? One end going through the port fairlead, one end going through the starboard one? Or do you hook/tie the middle of the bridle on?

 

[noelex]

I use an anchoring app (Anchor Alarm) to help, I set the guard zone radius to twice the length of chain, else the false alarms will drive you crazy (consider, your boat is 12 meters, as you wander about it with your phone, it is easy to set the alarm off if your guard area is too small). 20 meters of chain out, 40m, or ever 50m guard zone. I have a portable battery bank I carry around to make sure my phone doesn't die when I am in the fore cabin.

In many anchorages a large alarm radius is perfectly adequate, but in some locations nearby hazards dictate that the alarm radius needs to quite tight to be of any use.

It is possible to set a much tighter alarm radius than you are indicating without any false positives .

The alarm radius needs to centred over the anchor. Most people get this wrong. If you press the “set now” button when you drop the anchor, the alarm centre point will be incorrect by approximately the distance between the bow roller and GPS antenna. On many boats this creates an error close to length of the boat. The second requirement is the need for a modern GPS chip in the plotter and the aerial should have a very good view of the sky.

 

[Bobc]

OK here I go;

Some rules of engagment/ ground rules first if you like;

1 - Its not about types of anchors
2- Its not about snubbers
3 - Its not about anchoring technique
4 - No arguing please

OK - I have started to anchor alot overnight in prep for my trip south. I have a Raymarine Axiom CP, a Samsung tablet and phone with Anchor Pro app and Navionics on.

My current anchoring modus operandi is to drop the pick, set it, prove its dug in and go below for a cuppa. I set an alarm on my phone and tablet, 3 position fix on paper chart and go to sleep for an hour. Wake up and visually check outside bearings etc to ensure all is well and Im still where I planned to be. Repeat every hour (well try anyway).

It sounds all good but where it falls down is that I cant seem to sleep well at all! Im convinced Im going to drag and end up on the beach/rocks with someone from here posting a photo of the carnage alongside some smart arse comments

Im trying to achive a good nights sleep and letting my tablet/phone take care of the watch - am I missing anything else that may help? What does everybody else who anchors overnight do to achieve a good nights sleep?

Thanks

Gin.

 

[Bouba]

Ok, this is me right now! I’m at anchor in shallow water. There is my stubber, it’s a chain hook on a bridle with dog bones. And you can see my 20 kg Rocna. I hope to sleep well tonight, if I don’t, no problem, because we are the only ones here in this beautiful bay on this beautiful evening and it is a full moon. Should you really sleep through it ??‍????

 

[oldmanofthehills]

Ok, this is me right now! I’m at anchor in shallow water. There is my stubber, it’s a chain hook on a bridle with dog bones. And you can see my 20 kg Rocna. I hope to sleep well tonight, if I don’t, no problem, because we are the only ones here in this beautiful bay on this beautiful evening and it is a full moon. Should you really sleep through it ??‍????

Your water is transparent, it gives me vertigo! Give me the solid grey of English Channel or Bristol Channel anyday.