All I can say, when coming into an anchorage in a blow, I will drop the anchor and pay out the appropriate amount of rode. Wind will catch the bow and swing away from the drop location until the rode slack tensions, the Danforth sets hard, the bow stops moving and the stern will swing around and align with the bow. Works every time and even when there is no wind, I will back down until the anchor sets hard. Then I know we're good for the night regardless of wind conditions.
Many years ago our flotilla anchored in Cocktail Cove on Lasqueti Island in calm conditions, but as evening approached, we prepared for a Gale that arrived from Alaska. Tried to sleep, but the wind caused such a racket, was unable to, so spent several hours on deck just experiencing the weather as it jostled the boat. Next morning after the gale had passed and it was time for us to cast off, our windlass struggled to lift the Danforth out of the mud bottom, likely almost to China. One of many experiences.
Many years ago our flotilla anchored in Cocktail Cove on Lasqueti Island in calm conditions, but as evening approached, we prepared for a Gale that arrived from Alaska. Tried to sleep, but the wind caused such a racket, was unable to, so spent several hours on deck just experiencing the weather as it jostled the boat. Next morning after the gale had passed and it was time for us to cast off, our windlass struggled to lift the Danforth out of the mud bottom, likely almost to China. One of many experiences.