Anchoring Etiquette: How do peole pick their spot?

[Kings Gambit]

Anchoring Etiquette: How do people pick their spots?

This has been on my mind for awhile. Doubtless, it's been discussed here and maybe elsewhere before. But honestly, I cannot figure out what people are thinking while anchoring when there are other boats around, and also when they are not. Why would a boat come into a fairly open anchorage with lots of room, and then anchor (i.e., come to lie) 25' away from me? Just the two of us in that big 'ole place. I don't get it? And then try to put out a stern line when I'm on a single hook (sometimes).

 

[wetass]

You had your cocktail flag up and they wanted to be conveniently located next to the booze?

 

[wetass]

That wasn't nice of me..... Honestly, I think they think you know something they dont and you anchored in the BEST spot in the entire bay - They want to be near you so they dont wind up on the shoal they dont now about. My guess is they are just clueless and not trying to be rude. Whats tough is telling them to move, or that they are too close - i have a hard time doing that and usually end up just quietly fuming and complaining to my wife ;-)

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

Let Me Guess ...................................

................. the boat is most often a power boat.

After many years of seeing this, I have degenerated to the point of actually saying something to the boater about anchoring too close in a wide open anchorage. This often gets you little more than a one fingered salute. Most often, they are also the ones to have a noisy generator whining away all night. :cussing:

However, a couple of weeks ago I got the usual reaction from a power boater (anchoring beside me) in Port Graves here in B.C. A couple of hours later, it sounded as if he really got into it with his wife, other half, or what have you. I guess she'd had enough of his boorish behavior and said as much. They finally roared off into the darkness, and we were left to enjoy a most pleasant night.

Sometimes it pays to say something.

 

[wetass]

Ralph's my new hero.

 

[MrBee]

I ask very politely for them to move a little farther away and explain why. If that doesn't work I take more drastic measures. The nice thing about having an older, smallish boat is if I get really really close to them and their anchor, and their nice pretty boat they tend to get the idea that they may want to move. Sometimes ya just have to lower your standards and be more of an **s than they are !

Bee

 

[Bill Roosa]

An alternative explanation is you picked a good spot and they are using the same decision process and come up with the same conclusion. Course that does not explain the addition "someone is already on the good spot" factor so all we are left with is wetass's conclusion.
If you really want to stir the pot yell over to them and warn them that your boat is dragging anchor and for them to be on the watch cause you would not want the same to happen to their fine boat latter in the evening when they are asleep. Then say that you are going to go find a better holding spot. Be sure to take your time getting around to it.
Even if they don't leave he is going to be nagged by the Admerial all night long.

Yes, I know, I'm evil.

 

[njsail]

I never understood why people anchor so close without consideration to others already anchored. I usually anchor far away from the pack and this summer was no different. I dropped my hook at least 1/2 mile away from the pack and was "all alone" swinging nicely. A 40 foot sailboat motored in and actually anchored on TOP of my anchor ball. Yes I have a proper bright orange day ball attached to my anchor. I couldn't sail off my anchor like I normally do because I had to wait for him to swing to one side before powering quickly up to my ball with my windlass humming. As soon as the anchor broke free I had to jam it in reverse and leave before he slammed back into me on a reverse swing. The guy was actually BBQing during all of this without a single word. I had all sorts of descriptive adjectives ready but I didn't say a word. After re-anchoring far away a few drinks helped lower my blood pressure. I just don't get it.

 

[woodster]

I never understood why people anchor so close without consideration to others already anchored. I usually anchor far away from the pack and this summer was no different. I dropped my hook at least 1/2 mile away from the pack and was "all alone" swinging nicely. A 40 foot sailboat motored in and actually anchored on TOP of my anchor ball. Yes I have a proper bright orange day ball attached to my anchor. I couldn't sail off my anchor like I normally do because I had to wait for him to swing to one side before powering quickly up to my ball with my windlass humming. As soon as the anchor broke free I had to jam it in reverse and leave before he slammed back into me on a reverse swing. The guy was actually BBQing during all of this without a single word. I had all sorts of descriptive adjectives ready but I didn't say a word. After re-anchoring far away a few drinks helped lower my blood pressure. I just don't get it.

that sounds sooooo much like Pop Eye the sailor man and bluto

regards

woody

 

[Fly_H23]

My Dad used to simply start the old outboard and keep revving it up in neutral. Back then 2 stroke motors burned a lot more oil and our spewed clouds of smoke the first few minutes. It worked every time!

 

[31seahorse]

Several years ago after anchoring in Factory Bay at Marco Island in Fl I was considering whether I had settled into a spot too close to a large sailboat.

As I surveyed the situation from the bow the Captain of the other vessel called over to me. He said, "Welcome to the anchorage." when I told him that I was concerned about our location he explained his anchor and chain combination and further that his boat usually moved very little at anchor. Since our boat would likely swing more than his I decided to move a short distance and reanchor a bit further away.

No "loss of face" for either of us AND later he and his wife dinked to our boat and had a short chat before they went ashore.

 

[Ross]

Re: Anchoring Etiquette: How do people pick their spots?

I have never had that happen. I anchored one afternoon at Still pond and we took a nap. When we woke up later there were about a dozen boats in the area and all of them were spaced about 200 feet apart.

 

[Bob S]

We are weekend warriors.There are not many, if any, desolate areas within a 30 mile sail of my home. I'd love to find one. I have to be fair in saying my wife likes to travel to places that have great restaurants, and good music & dancing. I wish I could find an anchorage that isn't crazy crowded. This season I've developed more confidence in my skill and my boat. What I do is leave my port Friday night to get there early enough to find a place that has plenty of room. As Saturday progresses and more boats come in it can get ugly. If it's really crazy and I can't find a spot that's not a mile's commute by dinghy I'll just pay for a mooring. It's been a lot quieter around here as a lot of boats didn't re-launch after Irene.

 

[Merlin Clark]

My Dad used to simply start the old outboard and keep revving it up in neutral. Back then 2 stroke motors burned a lot more oil and our spewed clouds of smoke the first few minutes. It worked every time!

I like that one Fly! Maybe to get loose of other sailors, a set of earplugs for yourself and bad rap music played loudly? Or warm up with a set of bagpipes? Stinkpotters are harder to shake, they tend to enjoy obnoxious noises.

 

[Kings Gambit]

................. the boat is most often a power boat.

After many years of seeing this, I have degenerated to the point of actually saying something to the boater about anchoring too close in a wide open anchorage. This often gets you little more than a one fingered salute. Most often, they are also the ones to have a noisy generator whining away all night. .

Hey-- all of you guys are great! There's a real simpatico here (especially w/ this one)! Reading your responses has given me a few chuckles to go w/ my morning coffee!!

A few instances are well remembered. A couple of years ago I and the companion boat (Catalina 350) that I was sailing with anchored at Landing Cove at Santa Barbara Island. It's an open road-stead with lots of room. We were anchored "together" a comfortable 150 ft or so apart in perfect parallel (both on chain in about 30' depth), lying to the afternoon wind (true harmony). Close enough to hail each other by voice, but far enough away for comfort. My wife and I go over to his boat for afternoon cocktails. Another sailboat about 30' (although it usually is a powerboat) comes in and ANCHORS RIGHT BETWEEN US!!! There is vast area to anchor elsewhere. Trying to relax but feeling my blood pressure rising, we watch but say nothing. He finally gets settled in and about 30-40 min later comes over to the Catalina where we are, and starts a conversation with the skipper ABOUT ME! The wind is up a little and he's complaining that "that guy in the Bavaria needs to do something about his boat; it's swinging too close to me." Of course we're at least two G&Ts downstream by this point, but the skipper calmly introduces him to "that guy in the Bavaria." That guy (me) 'splained it to him why he needed to move his boat, etc., and he did--eventually. But...clueless has to be the answer; utter, total, and unmitigated cluelessness!! But can it be true always?

 

[sailaway78]

I think I'm fortunate

There are not a whole lot of sailboats in this area, no very large population centers, and a lot of nice anchorages. Miles and miles of barrier islands in Mississippi sound. Very rarely a problem with other boats. Also, sailing/boating is more of a year round endeavor than in areas farther north. Not as much activity during the peak summer months, as it's just plain too hot. The only places I know of that sometimes get crowded are Ingrams Bayou, and sometimes Big Lagoon over by Pennsacola. Someone coming up and dropping the hook very close to me with all this area would really piss me off.

 

[ishmael3]

I had enjoyed a rousing all day sail, entered My favorite cove and anchored, enjoyed a steak and hit the rack. EARLY next morning, I was wakened by voices. Confused, I sat up and rubbd My eyes, and still heard voices. "Look at that SOB, Charlie!" "Net Him, net Him!" "I AM, , dammit, give Me a second!" I climbed on deck, in My skivvies. A 16 foot bass boat WAS TIED OFF TO MY STERN CLEAT. The fishermen acted as if I didnt exsist. "Hows the fishing?" I asked. "Not bad." "can I get You a cup of coffe, or a Danish?" I asked. "Nah, We're good." I climbed back below and rummaged through My music collection. The two asshats were soon treated to a very loud rendition of Whole Lotta Love by Led Zeppelin. They were gone in two minutes.
When I returned to the Marina later that morning, I was accosted by the Lake Patrol. They said that two fisherman had reported that I "hassled them". I got off with a verbal warning.

 

[zeehag]

sounds like you allowed them to tie up to you, according to the wonderboys in the police boat.....need to present the popo with a pic of the offense.....

 

[Bill1565]

I never understood why people anchor so close without consideration to others already anchored. I had all sorts of descriptive adjectives ready but I didn't say a word. After re-anchoring far away a few drinks helped lower my blood pressure. I just don't get it.

It's ignorance, and they will stay ignorant if you don't 'splain it to them. If I see someone coming, the dog and I go up on the foredeck. If I think they are too close, I start yelling before the hook goes down. If the hook goes down anyway, I stir the dog up and we both yell.

 

[Fly_H23]

I believe I would have removed their rope from my cleat and cast them adrift. What idiots would do that?