How to stop swing on mooring

[hdhr289]

When overnighting on a mooring, our boat gently oscillates over the course of 2 to 3 minutes from one side to another around the mooring. In the absence of a current, instead of hanging relatively straight downwind from the mooring and having less obvious movement, the boat swings slowly moving through approximately 90 to 120 degrees from one side to the other and then back again. It seems other boats around us hang straight back from their moorings or at least do not swing back and forth to the degree or at the frequency we do.There is no significant current or windage "driving" the boat. I've tried experimenting with unfurling the main slightly in hopes of using it as a vane to keep boat pointed into whatever breeze may exist, have tried locking rudder in different positions and have also tried shortening and lengthening the painter holding dinghy off transom for drag but boat continues to swing back and forth. When tied to mooring, I've also tried tying off penant by using each of the forward cleats on either side and also straight off the bow over the anchor roller. Any other sugestions that might lessen the oscillating. It gets annoying and sometimes makes me nervous sitting in the cockpit moving too close from a neighbor on one side and then another on the other side.

 

[centerline]

use two anchors... there are a few different way that they can be deployed that will prevent the swinging... and it also depends on if you are in standing water or in tidewater, but it sounds like for the situation you describe, once you are on your anchor and swinging side to side, let out another 50ft of rode and wait until the boat reaches the apex of a swing then pitch out the second anchor. it can be cleated off at the stern or the bow. then draw the extra 50ft of rode from your main anchor back in.
that should hold you in position....

another method if you have close neighbors is to let out a lot of rode on the main anchor and back way down on it after setting the anchor, and then pitch the second anchor directly out behind your boat, then run up on your main rode while taking up the slack, and letting out rode on anchor #2, until your in position halfway between both anchors, set your rear anchor then snug the rodes down....

 

[David in Sandusky]

Riding sail

You can buy a little riding sail that you mount on your topping lift or a spare halyard at the back of the boom.

Search the forums for "riding sail" for more description.

We just enjoy the ride!

 

[Bill Roosa]

welcome to the wonderful world of Hunter boats that gallop while on the hook. Good news is she will also sail bare masted fairly well if need be.
I've found the just dropping a 9 lb dingy anchor over the stern when she is lined up with the wind and taking most of the slack out (2:1 scope) kill the galloping. Does not work in winds over 15 knots though.

 

[Spindrift NH]

The swinging at anchor is not just a Hunter phenomenon, my Catalina does it as well and I have seen many brands that swing. There really isn't a problem with it as long as other boats around you are swinging as well. It's when the wind kicks up that it begins to be a problem. Last year we experienced a 45 knot gust that heeled our boat right over(no sails up) and when we reached the end of our rode, put so much force on the anchor that we pulled the anchor right out and dragged, fast, right towards a couple of cruisers. There area a couple of solutions, a riding sail(never tried), multiple anchors, or a method I've experimented with this year: Set your anchor and rode as normal, take an extra line and attach it to your rode about 5-7 feet off the bow with a friction hitch(prusik, taught line, Blake, or any other you like), run the other end of the line back to something solid near the stern(I use my primary) then tension the line. This will force the bow of your boat to be off-set from the direction of the wind forcing it to face in only one direction.
I have been experimenting with this with great success in moderate winds <15 knots, I have not yet experienced stronger winds while at anchor. I believe the Pardey's use this with a sea anchor. At least that's where I read about the technique.

 

[Bob 04 H260]

I have used a small mushroom anchor off the stern to slow and limit the anchor sailing. Some use a bucket off the stern. I used a riding sail on a previous boat and found it was not effective at all. It seems they work on some boats and not on others.

One experienced sailor recommends anchoring only from the stern to completely eliminate sailing and he thinks it is a safer way to anchor in a storm, he has good explanation of why a boat sails on the anchor as well......
http://www.jordanseriesdrogue.com/pdf/AnchorJordan52006.pdf

Bob

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Using an anchor can be dangerous if you are not paying attention or are off the boat. Other boats will swing when the wind changes direction and yours won't. Bang!

Try using either a riding sail or toss the biggest bucket you can find over the stern after drilling a bunch of holes in it. The latter option is easier but will only slow the motion.

 

[Sailgunner]

I stopped worrying about it and let it swing. Power cruisers are worse yet.

 

[hdhr289]

Thanks all.

 

[Stu Jackson]

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f74/anchor-spring-lines-653.html

 

[wufibugs]

Spin, seems like your technique approximates the heaving to maneuver described in the very useful little book Storm Tactics. In this situation, the anchor operates as a drogue or chute and the stern line causes the boat to set up at a comfortable angle to the wind and seas.

 

[quadrille38]

Several threads on this. Do a search on sailing at anchor or various combinations of that.

Our 38 sails so wildly and erratically that it can make you nauseous. Worse is that it can sail in circles and counter to other boats anchored there.
Have a Banner Bay Fin Delta and it helps significantly.

 

[Spindrift NH]

Spin, seems like your technique approximates the heaving to maneuver described in the very useful little book Storm Tactics. In this situation, the anchor operates as a drogue or chute and the stern line causes the boat to set up at a comfortable angle to the wind and seas.

Though I do not have that book, I believe that is the technique I am referring to. Also see Stu's link above, that may be where I gained the info.

Love the great info on this site!

 

[Bill Roosa]

I'd agree with Don about the use of multiple anchors and being away from the boat. A light dingy anchor on short scope damps out the swing but does let the boat swing when the wind changes.

 

[John Hamilton]

Welcome to Hunter ownership! Our 38 swings all over the place on the hook or mooring. After 4 years of trying everything 30 years of sailing has taught me, I broke down and bought a Fin Delta #2 from Banner Bay Marine four weeks ago. I tested it in the Great Salt Pond on Block Island a week later, hands down the best investment I've made for boat's sailing equipment! We were swinging less than the "normal" boats around us!

 

[quadrille38]

Welcome to Hunter ownership! Our 38 swings all over the place on the hook or mooring. After 4 years of trying everything 30 years of sailing has taught me, I broke down and bought a Fin Delta #2 from Banner Bay Marine four weeks ago. I tested it in the Great Salt Pond on Block Island a week later, hands down the best investment I've made for boat's sailing equipment! We were swinging less than the "normal" boats around us!

John

Same experience here.

 

[Mark48]

A long time sailor and my go to guy to resolve problems recommends tying up by the stern. The one downside is that if it rains with higher wind it can drive rain through the companionway vents.

 

[capta]

For those of you using chain/rode anchor set ups, like Spindrift NH, this could be a lot of your problem. All chain will keep the "sailing" at anchor to a minimum on most boats. There are some, well, these are things you don't learn on a sea trial before purchase. As to a second anchor, even a small one is a terrible idea unless you are prepared to lose it. If swinging with a wind or current change, it could foul another boat's anchor, then if the line didn't break; disaster!
I have seen the riding sails used on some sloops and cutters down here in the Caribbean and those boats seem to swing much as we do; not excessively. There are kits or pre-made ones available.
You could send a weight down your rode to lessen the apparent scope; it might help?

Just a little point; I would be much more worried about my anchor braking free in a 45 knot gust than how much I sailed around on the anchor. That is NOT acceptable!

 

[Mark Price]

I have found that if I engage the Hydrovane when the boat starts to sail at anchor that it keeps the motion down and the boat will swing in a much reduced arc, but I can not stop it all together. Just the way Hunters are I guess.

 

[Anonymous 121765]

HD,

My C30 does the same swing at anchor.

In calm weather, protected anchorage & low current, I usually loosen the wheel friction knob. Under the right conditions, the boat swing neutralizes more. You can also set bungees off your wheel to limit movement.

Having a tender aft can also add to your swing as they are prone to swinging when set on a longer line. Try tying it close to your stern if a soft dingy.

CR