I have been sailing all my life and have just recently moved up to a cruising boat. I have never left an anchored boat unattended and am a little nervous doing so. I know about scope and using the proper anchor for the bottom type. This weekend we plan on visiting some islands in Casco bay where we will anchor, row ashore and explore. Any advice to easy my nervousness. Tim
- Status
Me too
I know I would look silly with our Cat 22 pulled up on the beach...but still... I am glad you asked and I look forword to learning from reading the responses. Thanks
I know I would look silly with our Cat 22 pulled up on the beach...but still... I am glad you asked and I look forword to learning from reading the responses. Thanks
Leaving the boat
Tim If you're experienced at anchoring, you'll know when the anchor is properly set. Other than that, lots has to do with the conditions where you anchor. Weather, currents, wind, and bottom, plus the type of anchor you've chosen to use. If you anchor and conditions are fine, watch the weather for sudden changes. Anchor, set it with your engine and check the ranges, all the ususual stuff. Consider staying aboard for a little longer to assure that you're really set. Consider using two anchors if the anchorage and swinging room with other boats allows (because if everyone is on one anchor and you're on two the swinging room radius will change drastically). Then go have fun. Stu
Tim If you're experienced at anchoring, you'll know when the anchor is properly set. Other than that, lots has to do with the conditions where you anchor. Weather, currents, wind, and bottom, plus the type of anchor you've chosen to use. If you anchor and conditions are fine, watch the weather for sudden changes. Anchor, set it with your engine and check the ranges, all the ususual stuff. Consider staying aboard for a little longer to assure that you're really set. Consider using two anchors if the anchorage and swinging room with other boats allows (because if everyone is on one anchor and you're on two the swinging room radius will change drastically). Then go have fun. Stu
hang tight!
Well get to your ancorage a bit earlier than planned have a meal or chill. Once set, back down with your engine a bit (about 10 seconds maybe) to check drag if your nervous. Pick 2 bearing points on land, not another boat. Check to see if you are dragging, drifting, or just swinging. As long as the conditions don't change too much with a 7 to 1 you should be quite tidy in your spot for the night. have a GPS with an anchor alarm? When you get to shore, find a vantage point you can view the boat, and if you're really nervous, come check at that same point and see if the boat is in the area, could be on a swing! Still nervous ask any neighbors anchored around to keep an eye on it for you? Tell them your german shepard gets nervous when you leave!!!! Relax, you have insurance don't you?!!!! enjoy.
Well get to your ancorage a bit earlier than planned have a meal or chill. Once set, back down with your engine a bit (about 10 seconds maybe) to check drag if your nervous. Pick 2 bearing points on land, not another boat. Check to see if you are dragging, drifting, or just swinging. As long as the conditions don't change too much with a 7 to 1 you should be quite tidy in your spot for the night. have a GPS with an anchor alarm? When you get to shore, find a vantage point you can view the boat, and if you're really nervous, come check at that same point and see if the boat is in the area, could be on a swing! Still nervous ask any neighbors anchored around to keep an eye on it for you? Tell them your german shepard gets nervous when you leave!!!! Relax, you have insurance don't you?!!!! enjoy.
Check Your GPS
You can also check you GPS (depending on model) to see if you're drifting on anchor. Many models have an alarm feature to warn you of drift. Like the previous post mentioned, get there early, hang out for awhile and make sure you're set. Good luck.
You can also check you GPS (depending on model) to see if you're drifting on anchor. Many models have an alarm feature to warn you of drift. Like the previous post mentioned, get there early, hang out for awhile and make sure you're set. Good luck.
Thanks
I do have a GPS with an anchor alarm. I will plan on sitting for about 30 minutes with the alarm set. I will also check for tide and wind changes that might occur when ashore. i already know what type of anchor to use for the spot I plan on setting. Tim
I do have a GPS with an anchor alarm. I will plan on sitting for about 30 minutes with the alarm set. I will also check for tide and wind changes that might occur when ashore. i already know what type of anchor to use for the spot I plan on setting. Tim
Dive the Anchor
If possible, dive the anchor to gain some confidence. In the BVI I always snorkel down to the anchor after I set it. There, the tides are low, and the wind is pretty constant so you don't usually have to worry about flipping around and having the anchor trip out... so it's a pretty easy place to anchor. But, I'm nervous anyway, so I always dive the anchor, and if it's not set well enough, I set it by hand by shaking it into the sand. This works pretty well on anchors sized for boats up to 40-feet, and in water depths less than 20-feet. So far, in 5 weeks of cruising the BVI, I've never had an anchor pull out on me. If you're going this route it helps to be able to hold your breath for a long time! I'm more nervous at night than during the day. At night I'm always worried that I'll wake up when I hear the first crunch on the reef, so I'm always getting up several times a night and taking bearings on close-by landmarks to make sure I'm not dragging. Picking landmarks durning the day that you can also see at night is tricky, but part of the game! The miracle of GPS has gotta have taken some of the 'fun' out of this. During the day I'm usually still in sight of the boat, so I can just visually check once in a while to make sure it's still where I left it!
If possible, dive the anchor to gain some confidence. In the BVI I always snorkel down to the anchor after I set it. There, the tides are low, and the wind is pretty constant so you don't usually have to worry about flipping around and having the anchor trip out... so it's a pretty easy place to anchor. But, I'm nervous anyway, so I always dive the anchor, and if it's not set well enough, I set it by hand by shaking it into the sand. This works pretty well on anchors sized for boats up to 40-feet, and in water depths less than 20-feet. So far, in 5 weeks of cruising the BVI, I've never had an anchor pull out on me. If you're going this route it helps to be able to hold your breath for a long time! I'm more nervous at night than during the day. At night I'm always worried that I'll wake up when I hear the first crunch on the reef, so I'm always getting up several times a night and taking bearings on close-by landmarks to make sure I'm not dragging. Picking landmarks durning the day that you can also see at night is tricky, but part of the game! The miracle of GPS has gotta have taken some of the 'fun' out of this. During the day I'm usually still in sight of the boat, so I can just visually check once in a while to make sure it's still where I left it!
Setting you anchor
This works for me. After you lower the anchor to the bottom, snub it up and drag it a foot or two to get it pointing in the right direction. Then as the boat drifts back let out your rhode. keep a little tension on it so it does not wind up in a pile on the bottom. When you get to the proper scope, secure the rhode. Put the boat in reverse and just as the rhode gets tight, put it in neutral, which will put a slight tug on the anchor. Repeat this proceedure several times, which will cause the anchor to dig in. Next, go into reverse idle and put a little more strain on the rhode. Check all the while that you are not dragging. Lastly, once you are convinced that you are set, go into reverse once again, and when the rhode gets tight, back down on it about 1500 to 2000rpm. Go to this speed gradually, you do not want to suddenly jerk the anchor out. If you can back down at high rpm, chances are you are set well. Now relax and observe. If you are in, the only thing that could dislodge you is a wind shift, or high winds. Good luck!
This works for me. After you lower the anchor to the bottom, snub it up and drag it a foot or two to get it pointing in the right direction. Then as the boat drifts back let out your rhode. keep a little tension on it so it does not wind up in a pile on the bottom. When you get to the proper scope, secure the rhode. Put the boat in reverse and just as the rhode gets tight, put it in neutral, which will put a slight tug on the anchor. Repeat this proceedure several times, which will cause the anchor to dig in. Next, go into reverse idle and put a little more strain on the rhode. Check all the while that you are not dragging. Lastly, once you are convinced that you are set, go into reverse once again, and when the rhode gets tight, back down on it about 1500 to 2000rpm. Go to this speed gradually, you do not want to suddenly jerk the anchor out. If you can back down at high rpm, chances are you are set well. Now relax and observe. If you are in, the only thing that could dislodge you is a wind shift, or high winds. Good luck!
Two anchors..
I like the idea of setting two anchors, one to windward the other to leeward. That way if the wind and or current change your not as likely to drag. I've done this many times as I leave my boat anchored out all the time. Also I close all my thru-hulls when I leave the boat.
I like the idea of setting two anchors, one to windward the other to leeward. That way if the wind and or current change your not as likely to drag. I've done this many times as I leave my boat anchored out all the time. Also I close all my thru-hulls when I leave the boat.
all good advice, suggest you create some hand
signals. After anchoring all over the BVI's for 3 years and our home sailing area of N. FL., my wife (The Admiral) & I have developed some hand signals to avoid having to yell over the engine & wind noise. Believe me, this will save a fight or two: I'm on the bow, she's got the helm, motoring up to where I want to drop the hook. Closed fist = Neutral. Thumb up = forward. Thumb down = reverse. Moving thumb up or down = increase rpm's in forward or reverse. In addition, I point with my index finger where I want her to steer, which can be really helpful when moving up on the anchor to raise it. Not having to yell instructions reduces the # of interested spectators as well as discouraging my wife from using her own special hand signal
Good Luck.
signals. After anchoring all over the BVI's for 3 years and our home sailing area of N. FL., my wife (The Admiral) & I have developed some hand signals to avoid having to yell over the engine & wind noise. Believe me, this will save a fight or two: I'm on the bow, she's got the helm, motoring up to where I want to drop the hook. Closed fist = Neutral. Thumb up = forward. Thumb down = reverse. Moving thumb up or down = increase rpm's in forward or reverse. In addition, I point with my index finger where I want her to steer, which can be really helpful when moving up on the anchor to raise it. Not having to yell instructions reduces the # of interested spectators as well as discouraging my wife from using her own special hand signal
Good Luck.FRS radios work well too...
My wife and I were able to pick up a couple of the FRS radios pretty cheap and they have been great. They work well when docking in the marina where you can have even more of an audience.
My wife and I were able to pick up a couple of the FRS radios pretty cheap and they have been great. They work well when docking in the marina where you can have even more of an audience.
- Status