Anchorage Mannors

Rick Sylvester · May 22, 2009

Well, yeah, it makes me nervous

but not nearly as nervous as it makes the admiral. That's who I answer to.

You don't provide much in the way of specifics, but to answer with some generalities, I'd assess the likelihood of going bump in the night (spacing, holding, weather, currents, blah, blah, blah.) I'd certainly do what you did and hail them. If they answer, I'd become their best friend and after telling them what a beautiful boat they have and how competent they were in getting the hook down I'd casually mention that crab pot that I avoided that they wouldn't want to deal with in the middle of the night. As an aside, it could be an imaginary crab pot that I THOUGHT I'd seen

Confrontations almost NEVER work and would usually make me (appear to be) the bigger ass-hole, even if he was the one who was wrong. I'm getting too old to be pissed off much anymore anyway.

If I couldn't get anybody on deck I'd stay or move as I felt necessary.

Once again, if the admiral squawks, ALL bets are off and if there's room we'll not only move, but I'll do it with as little animosity as I can muster.

Ross · May 22, 2009

I don't believe that I have experienced a crowded anchorage. This was Swan Creek, Rock Hall Tuesday at sundown.

Ross · May 22, 2009

A 12 gauge through the hull below the W.L. will work.

higgs · May 22, 2009

i can't discern how close to you they ended up.

Stu Jackson · May 22, 2009

Rick Sylvester said:
...I'd become their best friend and after telling them what a beautiful boat they have and how competent they were in getting the hook down

I'd casually mention that crab pot that I avoided that they wouldn't want to deal with in the middle of the night. As an aside, it could be an imaginary crab pot that I THOUGHT I'd seen

If I couldn't get anybody on deck I'd stay or move as I felt necessary.

Amazing ways how you CAN make new friends.

Heck, make it a "Columbo Moment" -- say that only as you're quietly rowing away from them on the way back to your boat. Assume you've been plied with your favorite beverage by the gracious host, your new friend.

I wouldn't move -- you were there first. Repeat the first two paragraphs as many times as necessary...

synchronicity · May 22, 2009

Ross said:
A 12 gauge through the hull below the W.L. will work.

I was taught to "double tap".

Bob V · May 22, 2009

If it's just you and one other boat

You might be able to get some relief by adjusting your stereo. For greatest effect you could tape some generator noise and play that at high volume.

Ross · May 22, 2009

higgs said:
i can't discern how close to you they ended up.

The distance was probably 300 feet. The depth there is 6 feet. I was the third boat in that night and anchored between the other two.

Sequitur · May 22, 2009

Ross said:
The distance was probably 300 feet. The depth there is 6 feet. I was the third boat in that night and anchored between the other two.

Unless you're both on a scope of 15:1, he's not at all close. At 300 feet he's extremely far away for the 6 foot depth in the anchorage. Besides, if you really need more than 5:1 scope to anchor in only 6 feet of water, the waves will likely be giving you a keel pounding on the bottom.

Ross · May 23, 2009

Sequitur said:
Unless you're both on a scope of 15:1, he's not at all close. At 300 feet he's extremely far away for the 6 foot depth in the anchorage. Besides, if you really need more than 5:1 scope to anchor in only 6 feet of water, the waves will likely be giving you a keel pounding on the bottom.

Wavesw? What waves? look at that water surface. We were in that same anchor the week before when it was blowing 20-25 and the waves were at least 1 foot.

bffatcat · May 23, 2009

close anchor neighbors

There is really no point in arguing or need for discussion about who was there first, or bee bee guns, sling shots , diplomacy etc: Just move to a quieter roomier spot ASAP

Stu Jackson · May 23, 2009

Anchoring: "firsties"

bffatcat said:
There is really no point in arguing or need for discussion about who was there first, or bee bee guns, sling shots , diplomacy etc: Just move to a quieter roomier spot ASAP

I agree with the non-combative approaches. But, I have great difficulty with the "just move..." idea. While possible in some circumstances, and assuming there is room, I would like for you all to consider the unforeseen consequences of that action...

Lets say all the Idiots in the world read this message board. They hear that us "Good Guys" are now considering moving every time an Idiot comes in and anchors next to them improperly, instead of asking the Idiots, nicely of course, to move, including "You are aware, sir, that we were anchored first, and common courtesy, etc., etc,..."

So sooner rather than later, all the Idiots get to know that they can be as jerky as ever, and, WOW, all the God Guys will move if we Idiots continue to act like jerks and anchor right over them, and whoopee, we will then get all the good anchoring spots!!!

Yes, Good Guys, they ARE that stupid, or else we Good Guys wouldn't call them Idiots to begin with.

I am very concerned that if the Good Guys begin to abrogate their responsibilities for the few remaining acts of courtesy, culture, and good taste, that the Idiots will have their way in anchorages all over the place.

Be calm, be cool, follow suggestions already given on this board about how to approach (carefully) and negotiate (carefully) with the Idiots, but please, please, don't recommend giving up your anchoring spots because of the Idiots.

The word might get out...

Chuckbear · May 23, 2009

Close can be in the eyes of the beholder. We have been in anchorages where one boat will confront anyone that anchors within 200 feet of them. Having a 200 foot cushion is great but in most anchorages not possible. Many times we have felt someone might be a bit close, but when we set off in the dinghy it was obvious there was plenty of room and we were glad we did not make an issue. The stereo does work, we had one boat anchor withing striking distance of us. They looked like the classical music type so some very loud heavy metal for about a half hour on the cockpit speakers sent them packing. We did not have to say a word. Chuck

catsailor · May 23, 2009

Sometimes a second anchor can solve the swing isues...

and can even move your boat a bit. If the new comer is close in from, and I am concerned that I might swing into them when the wind clocks, I will drop an anchor off the the stern (but connected to the chain at the bow). A short (50') rode is good for this, since you avoid tangles if you spin.

But I do not disagree with the other postings.

Chuckbear · May 23, 2009

catsailor said:
and can even move your boat a bit. If the new comer is close in from, and I am concerned that I might swing into them when the wind clocks, I will drop an anchor off the the stern (but connected to the chain at the bow). A short (50') rode is good for this, since you avoid tangles if you spin.

But I do not disagree with the other postings.

As soon as you drop a second anchor in an anchorage with other boats that are all on one anchor, you become a problem for everyone. Now they all swing in the same direction with wind and current changes and you do not. Chuck

Ross · May 23, 2009

In the anchorage in my earlier posted picture there were three boats performing a very slow ballet. we all swung on our anchors in unison.

Anchor Down · May 23, 2009

Anchoring Is Fun

200 feet is not close enough to fret about, in my book. Y'all are spoiled.

To Stu: while I agree in spirit, sometimes discretion is the greater part of valor; so to, is concession sometimes the greater part of gentlemanly courtesy. Your post seems just a bit paranoid, as if the Idiots Club meets on Thursdays and shares news about what the Good Guys Club did on Tuesday, then plans its strategies for further undermining civilization, bwa-ha-ha. The truth you forget is that the Idiots don't know they're members of the Idiot Sailing Club. Would you fly that burgee?

You can visit, you can be friendly, you can suggest, i.e., treat him as a Good Guy. Then you can try to make yourself a disagreeable neighbor by turning up your music, or running around naked, or something: whatever your rolled-up newspaper is to swat him on the nose; i.e., treat him like an Idiot. But now you're using Idiot tactics, and someone watching from the shore will have a great show. Bottom line: you can't make an Idiot into a Good Guy.

If he doesn't want to move, and you can't compromise your principles, then you must accept responsibility for the situation, because he sure as hell won't. Put out strategically-placed fenders, keep an anchor watch, and be ready with your air horn in case you must wake him up after the 3 AM windshift and his stern wants to do the rumba with your beam.

catsailor · May 23, 2009

Absoutly right Chuckbear. This is a method to be used only when there is no one to leeward.

Chuckbear said:
As soon as you drop a second anchor in an anchorage with other boats that are all on one anchor, you become a problem for everyone. Now they all swing in the same direction with wind and current changes and you do not. Chuck

Since my boat is relatively shallow draft, I am generally clear on one side because there is only mud to that side.

This is NOT a tool to use in the middle of anchorage - only if you are in a corner, to keep you in the corner. Used that way - quite handy.

Really, when close anchoring bothers me is not wide-open bays where we all can move together; it is tiny creeks, where boats feel tide and wind differently and point differing directions. Quite hard to predict.

Anchorage Mannors

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