Swinging on One Anchor-Miserable Night

[David S]

First time ever anchored out at night on my O'day 22 with one anchor set about 2 AM , we would swing back and forth, and at the end of each swing we would be side ways to moderate Charlotte Harbor waves and the boat would rock back and forth and my friend said he had a miserable night and that his Soveral 37 would have rested quietly at anchor and could have gotten a good night sleep. I personally enjoyed the experience and went to sleep, guess I didn't know any better that I should have been miserable too. We did have a second anchor aboard but were extremely tired after fighting a very strong out going tide in the Boca Grande channel. What would you have done in this situation ?

Star Light on the Water David S

 

[Bill Roosa]

Have the same situation on Bardi Sea. Have found that "snug" harbors are much preferred as the waves are not an issue. Your boat WILL be different. Tried anchor riding sail, bimini up, bimini down, bridal on the anchor rode and stern anchor. The only thing that has worked is snug harbors and two stern anchors (9 lb danforths)

 

[Chuckbear]

David, Some boats just naturally "dance " at anchor, spend a night in windy conditions with a few Hunters, sorry owners but it's true. Others will rest reasonably still in the same anchorage. All boats will do this to some extent depending on wind strength. We have seen boats tack back and forth at anchor and when current is tossed into the mix, it can get interesting. Get as close in to shore, preferably with a high shoreline, for wind protection from expected wind directions. Get out of the current if you can. Try and find a protected anchorage out of any large bodies of water. Switch to either all chain rode or at least enough chain so the you will be on chain in most anchorages. Experiment. Chuck

 

[WayneH]

David, your friends Soveral 37 would most likely have a deep keel and not swing at anchor. My 21 foot weekend only had 22 inches of total draft and I could waterski behind her at anchor. ;D We bought an oversized riding sail for her and that would reduce her swings to 15-20 degrees and produce a great night's sleep. We also lashed the tiller down to provide more resistance to the swing.

Then we bought a BIG boat. Impetuous sits to the current which sometimes means you rock to the waves all night. Or, like we were a week ago, the current and wind were in opposition and we had waves slapping the stern all night with the occasional jerk as the wind blew us over the anchor to the other end of the rode. We set a stern anchor the next morning to stop that.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Either

1. Drop a stern anchor, doesn't have to be "set", just enough to scrape the bottom and keep you in position

2. Rig a bridle from the anchor line with a rolling hitch back to a jib winch and "cock" the boat at the desired angle (from one of Lin & Larry Pardey's books)

 

[watercolors II]

Like sailing, anchoring is a long learning experience. Many, many nights I’ve had to reset an anchor or move to a different spot in the area because of changing conditions.

Each time can be the night you always remember, for me of all places, next to the US Naval Academy, Annapolis MD.

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

Now Wayne- on that 21 footer-she isn't THAT bad at anchor

 

[Merlin Clark]

You might try rigging a "snotter" (line from other side of stem and made to the rode with a rolling hitch) to center the anchor rode with the hull, put the centerboard down half way, and center and secure the tiller. Try to make it act like a long keel boat.
You could also put a bucket in the water off the stern if there is a current or tide running.
To tame the rocking and rolling, you could make a couple "flopper stoppers" http://books-for-sail.com/diy-projects/33-flopper-stopper-how-to-make-a-simple-roll-reducer.html
I think a sheltered spot is best though.

 

[AnsleyS]

David,

Some time when you are in an anchorage try anchoring off the stern. Lash your tiller amidships and you will sit absolutely still.

Don't do it when there is a strong current running.

Try it. You will be amazed.

 

[joker460]

You might want to try an anchor sail. Some people swear by it.

http://www.sailrite.com/Anchor-Riding-Sail-Steadying-Sail-Demonstration-Video

 

[JerryA]

Try dropping another anchor off the bow. Just something to drag a bit to keep the bow from sailing off side to side. My P23 likes to sail at anchor in a breeze.

JerryA

 

[bocodeoro]

Hi guys. New to this site. Now with an 86 McGregor and previously with 37 hunter. Did the Ha Ha in 2011 and did a lot of swinging at anchor in high winds while in the Sea of Cortez. Noticed that some cruisers did not swing. Finally realized that it was all about the chain. Serious cruisers had all chain, and I'm talking heavy chain. All sat still in the most adverse conditions. Bottom line, increase the chain weight. BTW, now with McGregor due huge expense maintaining a non trailerable boat.

 

[Griffinroydonald]

I am lucky as we anchor where there is very little wind. I turn the bow into the wind and drop a second anchor off the stern. I do feel a little rocking but no problems. My problems are noise in the mast as posted but that will go away this weekend.

 

[Douglast]

I sometimes throw two anchors out front or often one front and back...depends on the situation..

I just ordered a sailrite sail anchor as well..

 

[tkanzler]

My 26X, a model notorious for anchor sailing, came with a vinyl-clad mushroom anchor. I use it once in a while off the stern to snub some of that. It's not perfect, but it does reduce it some, and isn't likely to snag anything on a sandy or weed bottom. FWIW. :neutral:

 

[RECESS]

When we owned our Oday 25, we swung on anchor and we enjoyed it. It feels like you are moving in a big swing, but if you look at it from shore, it is just a little left and right. Never tried to change it.


Our Pearson 323 settles in.

If you enjoy it, as we did, why change it?

 

[Ray Bowles]

I sail a San Juan 23 and anchor alot. I have a 14# Danforth with 30 feet of 5/16 chain and 150 feet nylon line. When we anchor we always lay down a scope of 7 to 1. In 15 feet of water plus 4 feet from the water to bow = 19 feet. 19 X7 = 133 feet. With this amount of rode out the boat swings very slowly. In a protected cove we drop the anchor and also run a stern line to shore. In this case a 5 to 1 scope works well.
Ray

 

[justsomeguy]

So, anchor swing is correlated to scope?

 

[Ray Bowles]

Justsomeguy, I don't know about any direct connection to scope. We have found that the longer the scope the greater the arc and rode weight. That tends to keep the boat centered and headed into the wind. Now the wind driven wave does not hit the boat from the side. We were live aboard cruisers for years on our 38 foot Island Packet and as such you learn to anchor properly every time.
When you using rope on your anchor the boat has a tendency to move about verses a chain as there is less weight. If you have a longer scope you also can use a kellet (which is an additional weight that can be slid down the anchor rode after the anchor is set) which helps hold the rode down to the bottom and helps keep the anchor set.
These are just my experences. They are worth a try if you have no other way to stop wave induced misery. There is nothing wrong with 3 strand nylon for anchors. It just acts differently than chain and a longer scope helps.
Ray

 

[justsomeguy]

Thanks.