I'm bareboating in San Juans (Washington) next month with 2 other boats. I'd like to raft up while anchored, but in the past when I've boated up there, the large tides can really swing your boat. Does anyone have some guidence for rafting 3 boats? I'm concerned about fouling anchors. Thanks, Bob F.
Anchoring while rafting up in San Juan Islands
- Thread starter rfrye1
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It is possible to raft up with other boats...
Rafting is not impossible in the San Juans and Gulf Islands. We have rafted with another boat for two weeks from the San Juans to Desolation Sound and we only used one anchor. On other occasions we have rafted with our small yacht club with as many as sixteen boats in our group (about four anchors spaced out). You need to have a least one good size anchor and some chain. The first boat needs to dig in the anchor and then the other two boats can come along side. All the boats do not need to anchor. With four boats, you probably would want the outside boats to have the anchors set. Tides are not the problem as you should leave enough scope as you would for a single boat and then some extra to compensate for additional boats. I don't recommend anchoring fore and aft as a raft up seems to have more windage and with wind on your beam, it does present more pull to your anchors. However, people have done the fore and aft anchors in secluded spots (Garrison Bay, Reid Harbor). You shouldn't have much of a problem rafting up. Good luck.
Rafting is not impossible in the San Juans and Gulf Islands. We have rafted with another boat for two weeks from the San Juans to Desolation Sound and we only used one anchor. On other occasions we have rafted with our small yacht club with as many as sixteen boats in our group (about four anchors spaced out). You need to have a least one good size anchor and some chain. The first boat needs to dig in the anchor and then the other two boats can come along side. All the boats do not need to anchor. With four boats, you probably would want the outside boats to have the anchors set. Tides are not the problem as you should leave enough scope as you would for a single boat and then some extra to compensate for additional boats. I don't recommend anchoring fore and aft as a raft up seems to have more windage and with wind on your beam, it does present more pull to your anchors. However, people have done the fore and aft anchors in secluded spots (Garrison Bay, Reid Harbor). You shouldn't have much of a problem rafting up. Good luck.
If you can't do it with one anchor, don't
Les has more experience than I, but here in my 2 cents. Some anchorages are well protected with sand/mud bottom and if condtions are calm and with maybe a sentinal weight added to the rode makes you feel sufficiently confident to raft 3 on one anchor overnight then go for it. You can't do the bow and stern anchor setup as you probably know since you will end up with 30 feet of slack at low time and the boats can swing and wrap the anchor lines around themselves or around the rudders, props etc. The state mooring buoys (I think) are rated for #2 27-30 feet or less boats to raft. Have fun, the crowds will be gone. One last tidbit, check the tide table, sometimes you get only a 3-4 foot tide during the 8 hours you are sleeping, if so I would think about bow and stern anchors.
Les has more experience than I, but here in my 2 cents. Some anchorages are well protected with sand/mud bottom and if condtions are calm and with maybe a sentinal weight added to the rode makes you feel sufficiently confident to raft 3 on one anchor overnight then go for it. You can't do the bow and stern anchor setup as you probably know since you will end up with 30 feet of slack at low time and the boats can swing and wrap the anchor lines around themselves or around the rudders, props etc. The state mooring buoys (I think) are rated for #2 27-30 feet or less boats to raft. Have fun, the crowds will be gone. One last tidbit, check the tide table, sometimes you get only a 3-4 foot tide during the 8 hours you are sleeping, if so I would think about bow and stern anchors.
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