Why is it usual to anchor off the bow instead of off the stern ?

[bigwow]

no more pointy ends ?

oh, btw it just won the 650 Mini Transat

That looks like a "cut and shut" to me

 

[grumpy_o_g]

Yachts do lie more stably when anchored from the stern. The reduced sheering helps reduce the load on the anchor, but the windage and wave resistance is much higher. So most boats are less likely to drag when anchored from the bow and I would not advocate anchoring from the stern in strong conditions.

Its worth considering anchoring from the stern occasionally , however, for all sorts of reasons such as a better view, more privacy, different breeze, or the sun being at a more comfortable angle or even better angle for the solar panels.

The main problem is that every boat that enters the anchorage wants to know " what the problem is", but they do tend to anchor further away from the strange boat with the mad skipper.

A lot of the Scandies seem anchor from the stern too. In Denmark a lot of boats have a rather dubious looking set up consisting of a sort of giant fly reel with nylon webbing as the anchor rode. I've seen more than one simply clamped to the pushpit. Many of the Scandinavian powerboats, including Botnia's and other rufty-tufty stuff have a neat set-up with the anchor roller in the bathing platform. Not a lot of tide round there though.

 

[grumpy_o_g]

no more pointy ends ?

oh, btw it just won the 650 Mini Transat

I don't think he quite understood when they said "nothing goes to windward better than a 747".....

 

[prv]

A lot of the Scandies seem anchor from the stern too. In Denmark a lot of boats have a rather dubious looking set up consisting of a sort of giant fly reel with nylon webbing as the anchor rode. I've seen more than one simply clamped to the pushpit. Many of the Scandinavian powerboats, including Botnia's and other rufty-tufty stuff have a neat set-up with the anchor roller in the bathing platform. Not a lot of tide round there though.

I've seen the webbing reels in the Med, where they're used for mooring bows-to a quay. Sure the Scandiwegian ones aren't for the same purpose? Most of the moorings I've known there have been box-berths with piles and a jetty, but maybe in some places they do it Med-style too?

Pete

 

[noelex]

A lot of the Scandies seem anchor from the stern too. In Denmark a lot of boats have a rather dubious looking set up consisting of a sort of giant fly reel with nylon webbing as the anchor rode. I've seen more than one simply clamped to the pushpit. Many of the Scandinavian powerboats, including Botnia's and other rufty-tufty stuff have a neat set-up with the anchor roller in the bathing platform. Not a lot of tide round there though.

The rope reels are a good way to store a lot of line in a small space. The are most commonly used in this part of the world as a long line to tie to a rock on shore, but the line can be used for a stern anchor as you point out.
Using a stern anchor to hold you off a pier or quay is quite common in the Med. Some boats prefer to tie up bows in,so a dedicated stern anchor is normally used.

It is very rare to see a boat that is free swinging at an anchorage to be anchored by the stern.
Most of the time, free swinging at anchor, the bow is better, but there are occasions when stern anchoring would be more pleasant and I think its an option that should be considered.

On most boats the bow anchor can still be used. There is no necissity for a dedicated stern anchor, if you want to use it while free swinging. Anchor normally and lead a snubber from the stern with a long, loose bight of chain from the bow and the boat will slowly swing around 180 degrees.

 

[grumpy_o_g]

The rope reels are a good way to store a lot of line in a small space. The are most commonly used in this part of the world as a long line to tie to a rock on shore, but the line can be used for a stern anchor as you point out.....

That would make sense, thanks....

 

[Bajansailor]

That'll be me, then..!

And me too...... we have often anchored by the stern when cruising.
The anchor still lives on the bow roller, but after chucking it out in the usual fashion, I tie a rope to it and take that to the stern, and swing the boat round.
This makes a lot of sense out here in the Windies where the prevailing winds are easterly, and most anchorages are on the west side of the islands - we have an aft cockpit, and this way we get more cool breeze and less afternoon sun coming in (compared to if we were anchored bow to the wind).

And as Patrick says, other folk do tend to be a bit wary of that oddball boat pointing the 'wrong' way, and stay clear........

If we do have to weigh anchor in a hurry, it is a simple matter to just release the stern rope, let the boat swing round and then crank it in.

 

[William_H]

Mini Transat650

That boat just looks 'orrible. It should be put out of its obvious misery. Boats need a pointy front. The last one to look like that was HMBark Endeavour. (and its newer replica) But they are excusable. olewill

 

[Elessar]

Hi,

Q.a.t. : it's normal to the point of being universal for yachts to anchor off the bows not the stern ? (Note: I know people Yacht Havens Ltd
King's Saltern Road
Lymington
Hampshire
SO41 3QD

often moor with a stern anchor and sometimes have both bower and kedge out, but ordinarily we anchor off the bows.)

There are problems with this arrangement like sailing to the anchor, having to go forward to do it etc. In addition, people who know say that it is better in stormy conditions to lie with the stern to the weather and waves in preference to the bows as most yachts are more directionally stable in that orientation. Add to that the fact that boats usualy have loads more room in the stern for the cable and anchor and it's hard to see why we do it off the bows at all.

So my question is : what is the reason we anchor off the bows instead of off the stern ?

Thanks,

Boo2

The only real downside you come up with to anchoring off the bow is going forward. I don't go forward, I press a button.
The cockpit is then cosy as I am usually head to wind.
Water isn't going down the companionway.
Sharp bows rather than a fat arse take the waves.
Whats not to like?

 

[Deleted member 36384]

.... Sharp bows rather than a fat arse take the waves.
Whats not to like?

Well for some in certain wind strengths the shear on the bow can be significant enough to break out the anchor. I have read accounts where the only yachts to survive a hurricane (in a bolt hole) had all anchored by the stern to reduce shear. They had all deployed maximum scope as well. After reading about this, and owning a yacht that likes to shear, plus having a centre cockpit, I have found anchoring by the stern quite satisfying at times. The stern slap from my experience also happens when anchored bow too on a lot of boats.

 

[SvenglishTommy]

The rope reels are a good way to store a lot of line in a small space. The are most commonly used in this part of the world as a long line to tie to a rock on shore, but the line can be used for a stern anchor as you point out.
Using a stern anchor to hold you off a pier or quay is quite common in the Med. Some boats prefer to tie up bows in,so a dedicated stern anchor is normally used.

It is very rare to see a boat that is free swinging at an anchorage to be anchored by the stern.

Absolutely, you will hardly ever see a boat in the Baltic without one, and it's often the main anchor, but I have never seen anyone in the Baltic anchor from the stern in an anchorage.

 

[NormanS]

If Marmite was the bow anchor and Vegemite was the ketch, although both do a similar job we like to go with what feels right and of course in that would be the Marmite option.

We dont have a ketch anchor it would be nice to have one but then where would the gas bottles go.

Please explain what that is all about.

 

[grumpy_o_g]

Please explain what that is all about.

I think ketch = kedge Confused me at first too.....

 

[alahol2]

I assumed it was something to do with ketchup to go with his marmite/vegemite.

 

[bbg]

That boat just looks 'orrible. It should be put out of its obvious misery. Boats need a pointy front. The last one to look like that was HMBark Endeavour. (and its newer replica) But they are excusable. olewill

It looks pretty good sitting in the first spot on the dock here in Salvador. I have to walk past it a few times a day to get to mine.

And it is definitely not cut and shut as someone else said. Purpose-designed for doing one thing - which it achieved.