Setting 2 Anchors Out Front

[David S]

Comments please on setting 2 anchors on the bow, with and w/o motor assist, with sail, and angle between anchor lines, type of anchors, I have 3 traditional ( west marine term...) anchors, single hand and with 2 persons aboard, and on board an O'day 22.

Joyful sailing to all, David S

 

[Bill Roosa]

What is the situation? hurricane coming, anchoring in tidal stream and holding stinks, something else?
The basic question is why, the basic configurations are anchors in parallel and anchors in series. Parallel are kinda a pain to set as they have a common attachment point to the rode and HAVE to be placed to get an angle (rode looks like a Y when finished). Series are much easier to deploy but tend to foul in a tidal stream if left for several days. It really depends on the holding. and the design of the anchor nearest the boat.
With all that said you should be able to anchor on one anchor in all but storm conditions. Even then you should be seeking a more protected harbor and can anchor on one.
That is why you should have different types of anchors as a cruiser so you always have the right anchor for the bottom conditions

 

[Chuckbear]

David. IMO the only time you need two anchors is in preparation for a Tropical Storm or Hurricane, where everyone else in a tight harbor is on two anchors or anchors fore and aft in a narrow anchorage with current and wind shifts. Otherwise it's just an unnecessary pain in the...well you know. Anchor properly with the right ground tackle for your boat and the bottom conditions and save yourself a lot of hassle, not to mention the twisted mess you will probably have to deal with when your ready to haul up both anchors. This is from someone who is by no means an expert but that has anchored many thousands of times in about ever condition imaginable over the last few decades. Chuck

 

[darnoldone]

A Bahamian moor ( 2 anchors set at an approx. 40 to 50 degree angle from the bow) is not merely for added holding. If you find yourself in a crowded anchorage it limits your swing radius as each individual anchor receives the load. If you've experienced being awakened by a neighbor's vessel contacting yours when the tide changes, its a skill you'll wish everyone possessed. If you leave the vessel moored in this fashion for an extended period you will encounter twisting of both rodes together and will have to periodically untangle the mess. This anchoring method is not only very useful but absolutely needed from time to time. Every sailor should possess this simple technique in their bag of ground tackle tricks.

Highest regards,
Darrell

 

[Chuckbear]

A Bahamian moor ( 2 anchors set at an approx. 40 to 50 degree angle from the bow) is not merely for added holding. If you find yourself in a crowded anchorage it limits your swing radius as each individual anchor receives the load. If you've experienced being awakened by a neighbor's vessel contacting yours when the tide changes, its a skill you'll wish everyone possessed. If you leave the vessel moored in this fashion for an extended period you will encounter twisting of both rodes together and will have to periodically untangle the mess. This anchoring method is not only very useful but absolutely needed from time to time. Every sailor should possess this simple technique in their bag of ground tackle tricks.

Highest regards,
Darrell

In our 21 years of cruising, including several trips to the Bahamas, we have found the Bahamanian Moor to be of little value in 98% of our anchorages. Do keep in mind that if you come into a crowded anchorage and drop two anchors while everyone else is on one anchor, you will be the most unpopular boat in the anchorage. You have lots of options to consider. I'm not saying that there aren't times when it's useful, just that those times will be seldom. Chuck

 

[Stu Jackson]

Yup, it's really REALLY dangerous to anchor in a different way than your new neighbors.

If you're the first in, well maybe, but if the "tradition" (or the water/wave/current conditions) in that anchorage is single rode, then you're gonna have issues even with folks who come in later, 'cuz most, if not all of them will use single rodes.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...=10001&page=Anchoring-Techniques#.Udg9pm3fL_I

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

Two anchors at 45-50 degrees off the bow is NOT a Bahama Moor. A Bahama Moor is two anchors set 180 degrees apart, both led to the bow. Limits the swing to just over two boat lengths.

Here's a link to a current ongoing discussion on TSBB on this exact subject-

http://bbs.trailersailor.com/forums/trailersailor/index.cgi/read/876862

 

[Roger Long]

Yup, it's really REALLY dangerous to anchor in a different way than your new neighbors.http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...=10001&page=Anchoring-Techniques#.Udg9pm3fL_I

Therefore necessary to anchor dangerously and insecurely in many places. Amazing how many people don't know how to anchor.

 

[Roger Long]

we have found the Bahamanian Moor to be of little value in 98% of our anchorages.

I, on the other hand, use it frequently and have found it of great value in strong reversing current portions of the ICW. I've had a few occasions when a combination of strong wind blowing in the same direction that the reversing current st trying to reset the anchor has moved me farther than I would like before it took hold again.

It has a lot to do with bottom consistency but I'm not sure what the bottom will be like in a new place until I get the anchor(s) up in the morning. I sleep a lot better with an anchor well set and dug in both upstream and downstream and knowing that neither will be at risk of "mudballing" on reset.

Mudballing is when the anchor holds fine but the mud comes up in a big ball around it. It then skims along the bottom like you were trying to anchor with a sapling tree from the nursery and the rode tied to the top of the trunk. Until enough mud gets knocked off that the anchor flukes can dig in again, it just skims along the bottom.

Maybe my new Mantus will be better than my current Delta but the roll bar makes me think it may be even more prone to mudballing.

I usually anchor in more remote places and move south and north ahead of the crowd so I can usually get away with two anchor sets.

 

[Chuckbear]

Roger, Your comments reinforce the fact that each of us has our own comfort levels, which is why most anchorage threads get long and passionate. We have traveled the ICW, well I have lost count but maybe 20 or 30 times, and have use two anchors in 3 circumstances. All 3 tropical storms or hurricanes. We anchor a lot and I do mean a lot. In Georgia or South Carolina in narrow creeks with strong currents we have not ever had a problem, even in cross winds and narrow creeks. But that's us and everyone has to do whatever lets them sleep at night. Chuck

 

[zeehag]

this week from zihuatenejo to cabo corrientes, folks at anchor are using 2 bow anchors and tying into mangroves.... we have a furycame named erick. not a nice boy. he is 60 miles offshore, only, and creating quite a sensation here, on land, as well as close to land.

some chose to add 2 more anchors astern, as well a s tying to mangroves......

 

[dscribner]

Dave,

I don't see your questions answered.
You will probably rarely need two anchors but if you choose to use them, set them about 20 feet apart, back until both lines are taunt with a good scope then back them in. This is not an officially sanctioned anchoring method, but it's easy, twice as secure and you'll sleep better. The boat will still swing and you may have a couple of tangled lines to contend with in the morning. But your boat will act just like the 40 footer next to you and you won't collide at night.

Under sail, drop and hang on. When it sets you'll know it.

Single handed, I've heard of folk running the anchor line to the cockpit, through blocks so you can set without leaving the helm. Once set, be sure to cleat the line at the bow normally.

If you grab a mooring, do the same but have the mooring clip back in the cockpit. Motor up next to it, grab the pendant and clip it, then pull the line so the bow is at the ball. Then go forward and attach things right.

If you have a friend along, send them forward and speak kindly while you give instructions. Have him/her use hand signals to tell you where to go. Don't YELLL! You'll look like an ass who isn't really in control. Then you ship mate will use hand signals to tell you where to go.

Don

 

[Sumner]

Originally Posted by Chuckbear we have found the Bahamanian Moor to be of little value in 98% of our anchorages.

I, on the other hand, use it (Bahamian moor) frequently and....

We also have used the Bahamian Moor a number of times. Besides working in a channel with currents we have used it to get us in tight to shore lines with no fear of swinging on anchor with a wind shift or to keep us from swinging into an area that other boats are using. It allows you to anchor places that you wouldn't be able too if you were swinging on anchor.

The main negative is if you are on anchor for a couple days or maybe even one the lines can tangle if the boat has swung 360 degrees on them a couple times. The Mac is light so I found out the easiest way to undo that was to keep the dinghy tied to the side and use the outboard on it to swing the boat back around and untwist things. That probably won't work on the Endeavour so we will probably anchor in this manner less with her. She also doesn't sail on anchor like the Mac does and you can anchor in choppier water with her and not feel it so the need to anchor in closer isn't as great.

With two people putting two anchors down regardless if they are out there in a "V" or using a Bahamian Moor can go very quickly once you have done it a couple times.

I really like the challenge of deciding the best anchoring technique for a new anchorage,

Sum


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[Douglast]

sure glad we are remote and never have company anchoring ....