Bahamian Mooring

[Geri]

Can someone please give me the correct procedure on how to do a Bahamian Mooring (1 anchor from the Bow and 1 anchor from the Stern) so that the boat does not swing and is secured during the night. Thank you. Geri

 

[Alan]

Set out your bow anchor and back down 100' more than you need to. Drop your stern anchor and ease your way forward. Set the stern anchor and snug both lines. You're done.

 

[michaelanthony]

... if I moored my boat in Nassau Harbor
like that it would probably be scuttled!!!

 

[Geri]

Dear Alan:
Thank you so much for your response.

Geri

 

[Benny]

The mooring practiced in tight anchorages in the Bahamas is two anchors of the bow at right angles with the purpose of confining swing area while allowing the boat to swing around and face the wind. Bow and stern anchoring is considered poor manners in most places.

 

[shemandr]

I think there's a good discussion of double anchor technique on the Rocna website. Look in either the knowledge base or articles. In any event they don't like it for the most part. http://www.petersmith.net.nz/boat-anchors/ Look under two to tandum.

 

[Alan]

Hey guys

Give Geri a break!! He was only asking for the procedure to do a Bahamian mooring not looking for judgment calls of anchor etiquette. geeeese

 

[Franklin]

And I think what he was saying is that Bahamian Mooring is not having one off the stern, so he is giving advice as to how to property do it.

 

[Benny]

Yes, "poor manners" is probably a rather lame analogy. The ill results of improper anchoring will probably yield more violent results. I have used bow/stern anchoring perhaps once or twice in special situations and have used double anchoring and Bahamian moorings in others but I generally go with local custom and follow suit in unfamiliar anchorages. By all means familiarize yourself with the different anchoring procedures and there is a wealth of information in the web.

 

[Steve Kamp]

Follow local custom; we spent four months in the Abacos over the winter 2007/2008 on one hook and 90 feet of chain, as did all the other boats in the various harbors where anchoring was the preferred method.. When visiting settlements that used mooring balls (Black Sound in Green Turtle, Hope Town, and Settlement Harbor on Great Guana Cay) we joined the group and paid for the mooring. Man O War Cay had both systems going on. At no time did anyone use the "Bahamian Mooring" double anchor method. Anchoring bow and stern is fine IF you can be assured of a 180 change in current with no cross wind and you are the only boat in the anchorage. Otherwise, as the old song goes, you aint got a thing if you don't have that swing.
Steve