Anchoring overnight or beaching

[Dave M26D]

Hey John, all in fun...

I also only drink after I dock or anchor as the case may be...sailing is enough of a high for me.However, when I first found that site, I contacted the Australian engineer who put it together. I don't think he made it up...he actually used science...but, then again, they still believe in science in Australia...and we probably will too again in a few years.Anyway, please don't be ashamed just because you're landlocked...I'm sure it's not your fault (just so you know, I love Idaho, but I could never live away from man water).Plus you make pretty good points...except here in man water it's about 30 miles or more between safe harbors...we anchor all the time and often many, many miles away from the trailer, and often not because we choose to.Oh yeah, you're right, I suck at math when I'm drunk.

 

[John S]

Aussy Site

I ran across the web site you referenced last year. I waded through a lot of the technical jargon, then I thought about all the sailors in the past who did not have the advantage of that great great website that deals with your kind of science. I use science every day, but it better make sense or I discard it. I maintain that anchoring should be about what works, not what might work. All right, you are an ridiculous snob. You think that having a body of water with a shallow depth does not create a whole new set of problems for the inland sailor? You probably think that fast approaching weather in the mountain states is nothing for you salty, experienced sailors. Again, a load of crap. And by the way, I began sailing in San Diego, did a tour in the USN, and worked on outfitting yachts on Shelter Island. None of that experience in the salt water, was really like the sailing up here. I do not characterize the water I sail on by gender. I just sail- a lot. John S (a sissy)

 

[Dave M26D]

Gee John, I must have struck a nerve...

sorry dude. I served too...but not in the USN...actually, we had a special name for them...but service is service...I've got to give you that.When I said "science", I wasn't referring to balancing your checkbook. I got my masters in Marine Biology and spent a fair amount of time on big salty too. Probably am a ridiculous snob...ridiculous for sure! I know scarey stuff happens even on sissy water and the mere fact that you're a sissy water sailor does not reduce my respect for your opinions in any way; nor should the fact that I'm a man water sailor elevate your opinion of my opinions in any way either.By the way...does your keyboard have an enter key?

 

[John S]

Nerves

Well, you did mention the man thing in two posts. I have to wonder about those who characterise what they do as manly or unmanly. But enough. You can imagine what we called Marine Biologists back in the old days in the USN. Here is the point I hit the enter key.As with the fact that you sail in the salty water, I won't hold it against you that you were college trained, as some that I know would hold you in suspicion. My own education did not reach your elevated height, but it did include a lot of practical application of someone else's science. By that, I mean that I have seen many so-called educated people who could run figures to justify their actions, but the result did not work in the real world. That is why I keep mentioning that the only anchoring advice that should be given to a new sailor is that advice that actually works. Sure, I can run equations and speak science with the best of self proclaimed manly salt water sailors, but I really prefer to only preach about that which actually works. My check book is balanced online. John S

 

[Dave M26D]

Okay, Okay...you are wearing me down...

but before I go, just so you know, the only reason I got a masters is because I was to lazy to work and the govment paid for it...although they didn't actually know they were paying for it at the time.I suppose when you make your career out of science, you get a little protective of it...plus, I've also found it useful from time to time (although my girlfriend balances my checkbook...but I don't think that has anything to do with my math abilities...more to do with my trustworthiness).Some of the best Marine Biologists who ever practiced were USN...I worked with some of them at the EPA and they were top notch.And as a parting shot, that reference about manhood is a good one...way over used and way too easy, but a good one.

 

[Ryan]

two anchors is a bad idea

So Andy you think that using two Danforth anchors is a bad idea. I was thinking that if one fails the other would pick up. I also have a mushroom anchor tied to the chain in front of the danforth in an attempt to keep the angle down. What do you think? I'd rather untangle the chain than crash into something. hmmm what do you think about using one of those stretchy rope thingy's.

 

[Steve Paul]

Set your anchors

There's nothing wrong with two anchors at all. It's recommended in many situations to reduce swinging especially in a storm or rough anchorage. I suspect your using the wrong anchors for the bottom you have. Is it grassy, muddy, rocky? You'll need to know this to use the correct anchor. The more chain on the rode the better. We were taught at sailing school to use all chain rode if possible, it really works to keep movement down.Don't forget to "set" your anchors too, that may be why you're moving.Steve

 

[GregS]

OK OK

Damn, I guess I'm the only dumb ass that can't get into the photobucket site to look at Johns pics. I really don't want to give my info out for more spam by signing up.....And for some reason I feel compelled to say that I am former USN, with a B.S. in Physics and a MBA. Something else is compelling me to spout off about how I use to do martial arts in my younger day as well. Probably because I live in a land locked state now and that sissy thing is looming over my head.Ah, you two guys crack me up. I'd have a drink with ya both. But I'm just a serious novice in a land locked state with few and far between sailors trying to learn all I can and then remember it when I need it. Sometimes that is a bigger trick.

 

[Andy26M]

Not necessarily bad ...

Ryan -I did not say that 2 danforth's would be bad - I said I would be very careful. You have not told us a few key items:What model of boat are you sailing? The 26C/D/S models have far less "windage" at anchor than my 26M does, as well as less overall displacement. As Greg S points out, the 26C/D/S do not necessarily have the anchor locker in the fo'c's'le that the X and M have. (Incidentally, most of the 26C/D/S models I've sailed with keep their anchor on a bracket at the bow pulpit, with the chain in a bag or small bucket mounted nearby on a stanchion or rail, and the rope rode led back to a locker in the cockpit).Where are you anchoring? Is it on an inland lake with no tide? In a river where the current always goes one way? Or in a saltwater bay where the current changes direction twice a day?When you say you always wind up in a different spot, how far off are you? Remember that if you put out 100' of rode in the evening, and the wind/current swing you at night, then in the morning you can be up to 200' from where you started (Yes, John and Dave, I realize there is trigonometry to take into account, and this is dependent on water depth), but the anchor has not dragged.What type of bottom is it where you tend to anchor? As Steve points out above, the problem may be that your conditions are not good for a danforth type anchor, and all you problems would be solved by getting a different type.- Andy26M

 

[Ryan]

Sand , gravel, rock

Well I sail a 26s, the bottom of Lake Mohave, and Lake Mead is mainly gravel, rock sometimes grassy. and there is usually alot of wind like today its gusting up to 45 mph. But it shifts from the south to the west at night sometimes.

 

[Ryan]

all conditions

well I 'd like to be able to eventually learn how to anchor in the ocean as I would like to go out to Catalina Island one of these day's.

 

[Steve Paul]

Honest at least

As Andy points out the right anchor is always a hard choice until you know what's on the bottom. I haven't been to Catalina Island but was with a couple who go there last week. Seems there's a lot of grass but I believe they mentioned there are pick up buoys so investigate that before you go.We have on our boat two anchors of different type. We have a Danforth and a plough. Their use is quite different. So drop the danforth and see if it comes up grassy and then change to the plough if you need to.These guys crack me up too, I like 'em all. All seem to be honest sincere, er. scratch that sincere part, good guys.Steve

 

[Steve Paul]

"X" marks the spot

I forgot to mention we always mark an "X" on the side of the boat when we anchor, that way we know if we move or not..... Steve

 

[NevadaCityBob]

Lost

I sail my Mac 25 on lakes that vary in elelvation as much as 180' over the year. The lakes I sail are man-made and the trees were cut and left where they fell for fish habitat. Last summer when the water was low, I found a cheap anchor buried in a small stream, cleaned it up and used it as my lunch anchor. The last trip of the year, I lost it. My assumption is that it got caught in waterlogged stumps and trees ( I've pulled up some pretty good sized branches from 100 ' down). I use a danforth style which seems to work OK (I've found rocks, sand, mud and grass in the same lake). Does anyone have a surefire way to retrieve a fouled anchor set deep? Is another style less inclined to get hung up in brush and such? The picture shows some of the stumps that appear at low water.

 

[Steve Paul]

That does sound problematic

This is a challenge for sure. There are a couple of products out there for pulling a stuck anchor.One I've seen is a heavy ring that you lower on a separate line, then pull in the opposite direction from which the anchor appears set. The intent is to pull it out backward.Another scheme I've seen is to use a trip line attached to the anchor base so you can pull it out. At least that's the plan.If you tend to anchor in the same places perhaps a concrete block and a line attached to a small float would do. You could use it like a pickup buoy if no-one else figures it out. just leave it there.I'd suggest looking through some of the sailing books by Nigel Caulder and others. Lots of good stuff in there. You never know when you'll need something that just caught your eye once.Steve

 

[Steve Paul]

Solid rock?

You know Ryan, you may be trying to anchor on solid rock. They do make a keel protector which is like a polyethylene sheet that goes on your keel just below the bow break and on back. I suppose if you used this as a sacrificial gel coat protector you might be just as well of beaching the boat. You could them position a couple of cheap fenders to keep the boat from rubbing with wave action. Just thinking.How about two lines ashore and one out to keep you in place?Steve

 

[NavadaCityBob]

Shore Lines

I've pissed off a few bass fishermen with shore lines. They fish in the dark sometimes. If I hear them coming I shine a spot on my lines, but when they are drifting along the shore with an electric trolling motor... Pictured are some anchor eaters in NorCal

 

[Ramblin' Rod - Mac 26D - SeaQuell]

Sure-Fire Anchor Method

Step 1: Find a sheltered location with a suitable bottom of mud, clay, or hard packed sand. (Your chart should tell you this.)Step 2: Measure the water depth where you wish to anchor. Example = 12 feet.Step 3: Flake out enough rode for 7:1 scope. Example = 84 feet (so use 100).Step 4: Motor in a circle with a radius of your scope length around the point you intend to anchor. Ensure you have sufficient depth for waves and tides.Step 5: Motor head to wind slowly to the center of the anchoring area.Step 6: Stop at the center and lower the anchor (don't just drop it and toss the rode overboard.)Step 7: Start backing up while feeding out, and keeping a little tension, on the rode.Step 8: At 5:1 scope (example 60 feet) snub the anchor rode fast on the bow cleat.Step 9: Feel the anchor set and the boat come to a hard stop.Step 10: Feed out the rest of the scope, and make fast. Feel the boat stop hard again.Step 11: Sleep soundly.Has worked for us for at least 250 overnights, with only 3 drags, all due to impossible holding (thin layer of mud over bedrock).