Beep Beep

[Franklin]

While I was finishing up my tasks after picking an anchor spot and setting into it, a powerboat went and anchored about 130 yards upwind of me. Thought it was totally rediculous that they would be anchoring right in behind (20 yards) the rocks of RedFish Island but figured...oh well...wind shouldn't change until the morning. Then I thought...if they are that close to the rocks, they can't be putting much anchor out. Then I thought...well...only supposed to be 2 knots tonight. So I continue on with my chores and let them do their thing.Later on I realized sometime while I was busy, a large sailboat and another large power cruiser came and rafted up. It was already dark and they were partying and I was re-thinking my decision of not saying anything to them. I came to the conclusion that it shouldn't be a problem and I know I'm going to get shit if I warn them. It was a crowded anchorage and I had one of the best spots...if not the best spot so I didn't want to move either.A couple hours later I was trying to logon to the web but my data cable broke. Then I had the bright idea of checking the weather by my cellphone. As it turns out, all that decision did for me was cause me to lose some sleep and others as well. The new weather report had the wind changing directions overnight. I use a Danforth which we all know doesn't reset well so I decided to sleep in the cockpit with the gps anchor alarm on.About 1:30 am the wind changed directions (Anchor alarm woke me up due to the shift). At about 3 am the wind picked up to 15, gusting to 18. I was a little worried because I couldn't tell if I was still on the original anchor set or if it had already reset itself so when I herd an anchor alarm, I woke up quickly because I didn't have much room before I would be barring down on another boat. My boat still hadn't moved at all but those 3 rafted up boats were dragging at about a knot. I put my very bright spotlight on them and blew the horn. I think everybody in the whole anchorage woke up except for the drifters. I saw many boat owners checking their anchors and nerviously watching the drifters to see where they were going to go. Luckly, all downwind boats were missed. They may have hit an old oil pump pole; couldn't tell they were about a mile away, but they finally woke up and seperated and drove off one by one.I went back to sleep in the cockpit and woke up 2 hours later when the sun came up. My boat still hadn't moved but the wind was still strong. I figured if it held that long, it will hold the rest of the time so I went down below and back to sleep. Finally was able to get some good sleep thinking that if I don't hear the anchor alarm and I do drag, somebody will see it and wake me. At 10 am when I woke up, boat still didn't move from it's shift after the wind changed. I still don't know if the anchor reset or it was still holding off the original set I put in. In any case, all is well on my end but others had a bigger scare then I did; thanks to the wind shifting directions before it picked up.From now on, if I see a knucklehead, I'm going to tell them they are a knucklehead

 

[Stu Jackson]

Nice story, and thanks

One generic question, for you and others who live where tides change, currents change and the bloody winds switch 180 degrees every hour or so.WHY DO YOU USE DANFORTH ANCHORS?Ever?Aren't they KNOWN to not reset when things switch?I've been here for the last eight to 20 years (yeah, before they invented the Internet, or whoever claimed that), but this is the first time I've had the nerve to ask this basic question.Stu

 

[Jack2438]

Franklin and Stu

Franklin, That was a good story and it read like a book, you should write a sailing, adventure novel.Stu, I have enjoyed reading your responses and you have seldom asked a question, try not to beat me up too much if you don't like my answer. Being a novice at overnight anchoring or anchoring in general I purchased a "danforth" because of advertisement, size, weight, ease of use, ease of storing and money, also it looked like most everyone has one hanging form their bow rail. It is only from the knowledge that I have learned from this web site {and from people like you} that the Danforth has its limits. From the story that Frankiln wrote it is obvious that he is also aware of the Danforths limits. It is mostly when I overnight that I drag the 25 lb bruce knock off from the locker and use it for piece of mind. Why Franklin used a Danforth for an overnight anchor in a tide area only he can answer. It may be that he is like me, learning as we go and buying things as the family budget lets us. Come on Stu, your a smart guy, you knew the answer to this too, didn't you? Jack

 

[Stu Jackson]

Nope, I really didn't

which is why I asked.I have a friend who cruises the east coast for two six weeks stints each year. He always uses his Bruce 35# with a 15# sentinel.Know I know why.Thanks,Stu

 

[Franklin]

Danforths

Well...first off...it came with the boat. I've been looking at anchors and I'm kind of fond of the Bulwagga anchor and plan on getting one this winter or spring at the latest.As for the Danforth...I've never actually had it drag on me but once when I didn't get it set right and didn't use enough scope (forgot to add the bow height). The wind didn't change direction at all that time...just increased to 25 knots.My danforth has worked great for me including this time. I believe that I got it set so well that even with a 150 degree turn and then back to 60 degrees with 15 knots, it still held with the original setting. It also held up in a 50 knot storm last year when many other anchors failed. That's what I do like about danforths...nothing holds like them.BUT...the WORD is that IF they do trip, they MAY not reset and that is enough for me to put getting a new anchor on my list of wants. Lets face it, when there is only 100' or less between you and another boat, you don't have much room for things to go wrong.So that's my story on Danforths.

 

[Franklin]

Jack

Thanks for the compliment. I just might write a book someday after I sail around the world...or during. If I do, it will be full of pictures so even those who don't like to read will enjoy it.