GREETINGS FELLOW SAILORS.THIS YEAR I SHALL ,FOR THE FIRST TIME, OVERNIGHT AT ANCHOR.I UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPT OF SCOPE,THE RULE OF TWELVETHS AS IT APPLIES TO TIDAL RISING AND FALLING,BUT I AM UNCLEAR ON TWO POINTS.SUPPOSING I AM GOING TO SLEEP FOR EIGHT HOURS, DO I PRE-SCOPE FOR THE MAXIMUM DEPTH UNDER MY KEEL DURING THAT CYCLE?I UNDERSTAND THAT SCOPE WILL ONLY INCREASE AS THE TIDE GOES OUT.THAT HAS TO BE A GOOD THING RATHER THAN BAD. THE OTHER THING IM WONDERING ABOUT IS THE TIDAL CURRENT.IS THERE A RULE OF THUMB TO FIGURE OUT WHETHER THE CURRENT WILL TAKE ME INTO SHALLOW OR DEEPER WATER?IS IT POSSIBLE TO DRIFT COMPLETELY IN THE OPOSITE DIRECTION THE FULL LENGHTH RODE AND IN TO SHALLOW WATER? (IM TALKING LONG ISLAND SOUND HERE AND NOT THE BAY OF FUNDY)ANCHORING IN TWENTY FEET OF WATER WITH A SCOPE OF 6 GIVES YOU 120 FEET.DO YOU HAVE TO FIND THE CHART DEPTHS FOR 120 FEET AROUND YOU ? I AM SURE THESE QUESTIONS ARE SIMPLE TO SOME BUT I WILL REST EASIER KNOWING I WILL HEAR THE SLAP OF WATER AGAINST MY HULL AND NOT THE CRUNCH OF ROCK.
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Tim Schaaf
safe anchoring
Yes, you can swing all the way when the tide changes, although it is less likely if you happen to be using all chain. So, yes, you need to find a place where you can safely swing through the whole circle. You need to calculate scope for when the tide is highest and the water deepest, and you need to include the height from the waterline to wherever the anchor is attached, the roller, for example. And, your anchor can come loose when you swing! The best anchors to avoid this risk are plows, CQRs and Bruces, that sort of thing. Danforths are notorious for not re-setting. If you have a GPS with anchor watch, it is not a bad idea to activate it. If you sleep lightly (quite likely, I am guessing!), it will wake you up if you drag or when you swing. That way, you can check to see that the anchor has re-set. Of course, if you use two anchors (bow and stern, for example) you avoid the swinging issue. But it is way more complicated to set and retrieve two anchors. If you haven't done this yet, you might want to postpone this wrinkle until you are more comfortable anchoring. The good news is that done correctly, and with the right equipment, you should have no worries. You will sleep well. Life at anchor is great...enjoy!
Yes, you can swing all the way when the tide changes, although it is less likely if you happen to be using all chain. So, yes, you need to find a place where you can safely swing through the whole circle. You need to calculate scope for when the tide is highest and the water deepest, and you need to include the height from the waterline to wherever the anchor is attached, the roller, for example. And, your anchor can come loose when you swing! The best anchors to avoid this risk are plows, CQRs and Bruces, that sort of thing. Danforths are notorious for not re-setting. If you have a GPS with anchor watch, it is not a bad idea to activate it. If you sleep lightly (quite likely, I am guessing!), it will wake you up if you drag or when you swing. That way, you can check to see that the anchor has re-set. Of course, if you use two anchors (bow and stern, for example) you avoid the swinging issue. But it is way more complicated to set and retrieve two anchors. If you haven't done this yet, you might want to postpone this wrinkle until you are more comfortable anchoring. The good news is that done correctly, and with the right equipment, you should have no worries. You will sleep well. Life at anchor is great...enjoy!
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david lewis
anchoring questions
where do you intend to anchor in the sound? I'm sure others can give you specific advice depending on your location. one thing to watch for is setting anchor in a high tidal current versus wind direction and having the boat swing and getting the anchor line wrapped on the keel or rudder or prop. it sounds hard to do but i've seen it happen. sitting on a mooring or at anchor is way better than at a slip, the boat sits head into the wind and you always have a nice breeze blowing thru the boat, plus you're not subject to dozens of drunken neighbors at the docks. Try it you'll love it. let us know your destination! dave
where do you intend to anchor in the sound? I'm sure others can give you specific advice depending on your location. one thing to watch for is setting anchor in a high tidal current versus wind direction and having the boat swing and getting the anchor line wrapped on the keel or rudder or prop. it sounds hard to do but i've seen it happen. sitting on a mooring or at anchor is way better than at a slip, the boat sits head into the wind and you always have a nice breeze blowing thru the boat, plus you're not subject to dozens of drunken neighbors at the docks. Try it you'll love it. let us know your destination! dave
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Larry Watkins
Anchoring
Lloyd; You might want to invest a few bucks and a little time in a Sailing and Seamanship Course from your local Power Squadron or Coast Guard Auxilliary, and QUIT USING ALL CAPS!
Lloyd; You might want to invest a few bucks and a little time in a Sailing and Seamanship Course from your local Power Squadron or Coast Guard Auxilliary, and QUIT USING ALL CAPS!
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Jim McCue
GPS alarm?
Isn't there a model of GPS that can be set for a certain range of a coordinate and if you are , say dragging anchor, the GPS alarm will sound?? Jim McCue
Isn't there a model of GPS that can be set for a certain range of a coordinate and if you are , say dragging anchor, the GPS alarm will sound?? Jim McCue
Tim pretty much hit the nail on the head.
LLoyd: Please do turn off your CAPS lock. Tim pretty much wrapped it up. I take exception regarding the danforth anchors not resetting. We used one of 'real' danforths for years and never experienced any problems with them resetting (when in the proper bottom) sand/mud. This is also why you should have multiple anchors aboard. A danforth type and a plow type make a good combination. OUR experience dicatates that the Plow types (delta) are much better in a grassy bottom. The single point allows the anchor to penetrate the grass/weeds and seems to set quickly. We also find that in the sand/mud of the area that we anchor the danforth digs in so deep that they are difficult to lift when departing our anchorage. You should also have a fair amount of chain, 10-15ft is a good place to start. More is better but becomes impractical in a smaller boat. Good luck, you gonna love it.
LLoyd: Please do turn off your CAPS lock. Tim pretty much wrapped it up. I take exception regarding the danforth anchors not resetting. We used one of 'real' danforths for years and never experienced any problems with them resetting (when in the proper bottom) sand/mud. This is also why you should have multiple anchors aboard. A danforth type and a plow type make a good combination. OUR experience dicatates that the Plow types (delta) are much better in a grassy bottom. The single point allows the anchor to penetrate the grass/weeds and seems to set quickly. We also find that in the sand/mud of the area that we anchor the danforth digs in so deep that they are difficult to lift when departing our anchorage. You should also have a fair amount of chain, 10-15ft is a good place to start. More is better but becomes impractical in a smaller boat. Good luck, you gonna love it.
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