Anchoring and storm question

[Bad Obsession]

How do you prepare for a storm while you are at anchor? What things do you fear and how do you calm your fear?I have always worried about dragging and I usually will stay up during the storm. A lot of time I run my engine in case I drag and I have to move the boat.What tips and tatics do you wish to pass on?

 

[garyk]

I'm scared too

I think it's the unknown that bothers us. Today I went out with a forecast of 5-15 MPH winds with the fog clearing at 1000. Shit, the fog never cleared and the wind went to 20-30 MPH. Glad I had a compass and was looking for the safe place that you had. Fortunately I found my port and made it home without incident. Next time put out two anchors at angles to give you an extra purchase when the wind changes rather than run the engine.

 

[Maine Sail]

These are the precautionary steps I take..

#1 I choose my location and holding ground very carefully and try to get protection from the storms wind direction by finding a cove that offers this. I also try to NEVER anchor behind another boat as I don't trust anyone else's gear or anchoring techniques#2 I make sure my primary anchor is set. I mean REALLY set. Full reverse throttle until I'm spun off axis by prop walk set.#3 I lay a min of 7:1 and as the wind increases I may even o to 10:1.#4 I apply my chafe gear to my rode#5 I set my GPS anchor alarm#6 I ready my storm anchor and rode for a quick deployment on the foredeck#7 I ready my search light and head lamp for middle of the night emergencies and double check my fore deck light.#8 I have chosen an anchor that works head and shoulders above anything I had ever used in the past and one that let's me sleep! and lastly I kick back and enjoy the storm..

 

[Terry Cox]

Adding to the previous comments...

our 40 pound Danforth has held in gale force winds before, but near impossible to sleep because of all the noise. I was solo at the time with three other boats and none of us drug that I could tell. At least our Loran anchor watch never went off. That night I spent more time on anchor watch than sleep.In addition to the 50 feet of chain and 150 of rope that I had out I also deployed a 20 pound kellet to help with catenary. We were in about 25 feet of water at the time. I always use the kellet regardless of conditions. Terry

 

[sailaway78]

Good information from Maine Sail

Everything he listed is necessary. The only possible exception I might make is more scope. I am assuming he has an all chain rode, and with all chain 7 to 1 is probably more than sufficient. I do not use all chain, and if I am expecting it to get nasty, I am going to have at least 10 to 1 scope out, maybe more it I have the swinging room. Good subject by the way.

 

[newly anonymous]

make a solemn vow...

...that in the future, the very near future, you're going to switch to an all-chain rode.

 

[sailaway78]

newly

Hey, wasn't newly the name of one of the characters on gunsmoke. As far as an all chain rode. My normal anchor is a danforth. I have 20' of 3/8 chain and a couple of hundred feet of 5/8 Nylon rode. At 70 years of age, with a screwed up back and no windlass, an all chain rode is out of the question for me. A windlass is on the list, although not too close to the top, but till then it will be the Danforth and nylon. Our bottoms in this area are 99% sand/mud. Lots of people around here have never seen a rock. Very good holding. Have never had a problem with an anchor dragging. Even with another boat rafted up on me. I do have a big plow for a storm anchor that I keep in an easy to get to place, but it has never been wet.

 

[Landsend]

my 2 cents

Set your largest anchor.Let out additional rode on the anchor line.perhaps set two anchors if neededMake sure everything is well lashed down on deckRemove any loose items on deckHave your keys ready if you need to start the engineSet your anchor alarm or have a visual bearings to tell if your anchor is draggingHave rain gear, flashlight and tethers at hand for two peopleset an anchor watch if needed for the storm durationpre-prepare food or beverages prior to storm, if storm is of a long durationHave emergency gear ready in case of troubleHave a plan in case of emergency, such as who will call on the VHF, who will start the engine, who will go on the foredeck and reset the anchor.I personally, like to watch a storm sometimes in the cockpit with rain gear on and a watery rum and coke in hand and sometimes from inside the companionway, looking out the hatch, as I find nature in it's fury truly magnificent. My wife however, likes to be snug inside the cabin.

 

[Roger]

Weary

Right now, I'm sitting it out in a small Marina, wanting to get home so bad i can taste it. I've been away two weeks, solo. Reading all of the above makes me wonder if I haven't past my prime? Two days of slogging where there's no choice--that i could see--but to pound on into the waves until getting into a port. One thing that REALLY is bugging me is traveling at 5 mph! But I know about hull-speed... Anyway, there is some solace sensing the anxieties of others. Misery loves company. But, so does happiness, right? "Don't worry, be happy..."I'm two hours/10 miles from the river's mouth and calm waters... Life is good! Roger

 

[Joseph Shirley]

I do pretty much that the others have suggested and

I have an all chain rode and my anchor deploys off my bowsprit. I don't use all chain to my chain stopper (which happens to be on my windlass) however. Instead, i use a nylon bridle from the chain with a moused chain hook, to the cleats on either side of the bow. This provides a shock absorber to relieve the strain on the all chain rode. There are times when I suspect that the storm is going to be very bad, that I take the Nylon bridle aft through a shackle fairlead on each side toe rail, just forward of the shrouds, before I secure it ( a big enough shackle to accommodate chaffing gear). When I do this, I often take the bitter ends of the bridle aft to a sheet winches to secure, The Idea here is to stream the rode from a point on the boat which has the least vertical motion. That creates the least yanking on the rode, as the boat pitches up and over the waves which always come with a bad storm. It allows the boat to ride the waves much more smoothly than if the rode were streamed from the bow (or in my case from the bowsprit).Some cruisers use a single nylon pennant from the chain to an attachment at their stem at the waterline to provide both shock absorption and reduce the force of the wave on the rode. It's a good system that I never got around to installing. Have funJoe S

 

[RichH]

Also do most of what the other poster list; plus .....

in super high winds forecast and when no significant shift is expected, I usually set two anchors at 45 degrees. (its nice to have an electric windlass.)Until I discovered the 'modern' anchors (Spade in my case), I have in the past been known to set 2 anchors in tandem --- two anchors, one rode with a short length of chain between them.

 

[Warren Milberg]

I personally cannot imagine

using an all chain anchor rode on relatively small (Phil: something ate the rest of my post here. Any thoughts? Warren

 

[MoonSailer]

What Kind of Storm??????

If you are talking about a major storm forcast days in advance then you should be in a very secure anchorage. But if you are talking about a thunderstorm that comes up suddenly and is over in a few hours it is another matter. The anchorage is the most important factor for riding out a storm. Good bottom preferrably deep in a cove with protection from all directions. We drug one night during a large thunderstorm in an open anchorage. The wind went around 360 degrees and both anchors a plow and a danforth broke out and failed to reset. Fortunately we were blown out into the bay and awakened before hitting the far shore. Along the gulf coast a thunderstorm can develope almost any time during the summer months. If you try to avoid such storms you never anchor out!!!!! Our plow failed to reset due to grass and the danforth failed to reset because it speared a large conch. I have since bought a "Claw" anchor that has always reset!!!! The Claw is a knockoff of a Bruce. My plow has been in the garage since it failed to reset. We have ridden out several thunderstorms over the years with no problems. On the night that we drug it was clear and very pleasant when we went to sleep. About 2 am the storm came in and was no problem when the wind was from the south as we were protected by a barrier island. But as it went around the clock it got very choppy in the bay especially when it was out of the west where the fetch was greatest. Fortunately my wife got up on deck after the rain and noticed that we were dragging both anchors. YES the anchors had been securely set back backing down full power!!!! The Danforth's biggest problem is spearing stuff. I have pulled it up with a soda can stuck on the tips. I keep it on board as it is unbeatable in sand or mud when the wind doesn't shift.

 

[sailaway78]

FWIW

For those who tout all the newest and greatet technology, and think they have to have it. My danforth held my boat snug and safe through Katrina, without an all chain rode, and being set by "backing down" only using a winch. The eye of Katrina went almost directly over my house. Granted I use a much larger one than is recommended and the way I had it tied off it couldn't swing, and there is no grass in the canal, but I could only get out about a 4 to 1 scope. In sand/mud bottoms a danforth will hold about as good as anything. If you have a problem with grass, or rocks, then you should use a plow or one of the new miracle anchors. But for everyday use, in this area, my danforth works very well. And yes, I do have a great big plow as a storm anchor, but I would have to call for help to get that puppy out if I ever have to use it. On the same subject is there anyone else who sleeps like I do when on a boat. I can be sound asleep, and if the anchor drags I will feel it. There is usually a slight shock when an anchor lets go, and the motion of the boat changes. This will wake me up instantly.

 

[mseifert]

Great Topic... What about if you're in Open Water?

This is a great topic and very interesting... What about if you are in open water and don't have the option to anchor. What do you do in this situation to be prepared for it and be safe? (Ex: crossing Lake Mich.)--mike

 

[AXEL]

Keep a big knife handy..

Lots of good advice so far. I have a backup plan that hasn't been mentioned yet. If I am unfortunate enough to drag in high winds and seas where retrieval is not an option I’ll cut the anchor free. Prior to the storm I tie a small buoy float to the anchor line. If I have to cut the anchor I can go back after the storm and retrieve it. After I cut the anchor the plan would be to either motor into the wind, head out for sea room or try and set a second (spare anchor). Fortunately I have never had to execute this plan but I had a good friend drag 2 anchors in the Keys during a huge storm. When he tried to motor up he fouled his prop in the anchor lines. When I suggested my plan to him of cutting off the two anchors he agreed that would have worked for him.

 

[David in Sandusky]

Added Ideas

Here are some other things we do:1. Set up a couple of ranges ashore that are visible even at night to allow a quick check of drift from the cockpit.2. Set up the anchor alarm on our GPS, and change the batteries to last through the night.3. Set a "bridle" to the anchor rode. I tie one of the bowlines to the rode about 12 feet off the bow with a tautline hitch. then I take the slack out so that it shares the load equally with the rode as the boat swings through the wind. This halves the wear on the rode, and provides a back-up if the rode parts.4. One of the toughest cases for anchoring is the passing of a front, or thunder cell. These events may bring a 180 degree shift in high winds. When one may happen, we may set a second anchor "bermuda" style, or tie off the stern to the shore as appropriate. During such an event I will maintain a watch on my ranges in the cockpit, or through a hatch.5. Be alert to changed motion of the boat, and go on deck to investigate one when it occurs. (Again, checking my ranges and GPS first.)DavidLady Lillie

 

[Ctskip]

I don't sleep thru one of mothers natures shows

Never could. I have been known to go down to the shore just to witness the awesome power and force of mother nature. I respect her power and will always do so. I think lightning storms and thunder are wonders of the world. Just like tornadoes. I know they are the most deadly, but one must appreciate the force and shear determination of mother nature herself. Absolutely the most powerful thing on earth.  I'd tighten all hatches and double the anchors with lots of rode. I like the float idea should you lose an anchor. Leave the key for the motor within easy reach and keep the motor at ready. Lash down the mainsail and take in the jib. Keep the life jackets at the ready and some warm goodies for an all nighter. How on earth can anyone sleep on a boat in a storm? I'll never figure that one out. I know I couldn't. Way to much excitement going on to miss out. Lots of food for thought here. Great subject. I would follow Joseph Shirley's advice and tie up aft of him. Keep it up, Ctskip

 

[MoonSailer]

Anchor Float

I always use an anchor float. I found a fishing float on the beach. This is connected to my primary anchor using about 20' of line. This has saved my anchor several times when it fouled on something on the bottom. It also shows where the anchor is set to myself and any other boat that might want to anchor nearby. The line is stout enough to pull up the anchor if fouled. I use about 20' as I try to never anchor in deeper water. With 150' of 1/2" line and 20' of chain I can get about a 7:1 scope in 20' of water. Since my boat draws 4.5' I try to anchor in about 10' of water. Being on a lake right now I don't have to worry about tides. Even on the gulf the tides were not much about 1-2'. But in South Carolina a 6' tide can really change your scope. I'd bet that a lot of boats drag during named storms due to a surge reducing their scope. If you have say 10:1 scope in 10' of water a surge of 10' would reduce that to 5:1.

 

[Craig Smith]

Stu - tandem anchoring

The tandem set-up that Evans outlines in that Cruising World article is essentially completely wrong, and quite dangerous with the Bruce and Delta pictured. One should NOT attach the tandem anchor to what are the TRIP LINE attachment points of the primary anchor. In addition to not being strong enough, they're in completely the wrong place.I believe I managed to convince Evans of this, in a debate over at SA. But clearly that article was submitted earlier.Not that it's to be recommended in general. But follow the link to a comprehensive article on tandem anchoring.