Last weekend we anchored for a couple of nights in Little Narragansett Bay, right next to the little Rhode Island town of Watch Hill. A great little place. We arrived early on Saturday, so there was lots of room. The surprising thing was, by Saturday evening there was still tons of room. There was at least a quarter mile between the buoy that marked the northern edge of the anchorage and the closest boat. And, since there's no channel through the anchorage--it's like a cul-de-sac--there was absolutely no reason not to take advantage of the privacy. But instead of using all this wonderful space, boaters insisted on jamming themselves in between the boats already anchored, as if they somehow feared being all alone out there. One guy in a spankin new Beneteau 311 anchored within 20 feet of us. I admit I was too lazy to move. He eventually did, clearly a nice guy a little short on experience. Why do they do it?? One guy and his poor wife drove back and forth through the anchorage for an hour -- I am not exaggerating, one hour -- dropped a couple of times, but then aborted when they drifted unexpectedly close to their neighbors. And no windlass, what a good sport she was! If they had just headed out into the open area, they could have thrown their anchor over blindfolded and immediately started their happy hour. Somehow, we managed not to whack one another as we all swung completely around the compass over a 24-hour period when a low pressure system passed by. Next time, I'll just go straight to that buoy at the edge of the anchorage. Do you suppose other boats will crowd around me thinking that I need company? Paul sv Escape Artist h336
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Watch Hill and Little Narragansett Bay
Just checked where these places are you're talking about (see map link). I don't know whether this link will work or not. Maybe they thought you had a really salty looking boat and you knew all about the best place to anchor? Believe it or not, there are a lot of people who would prefer to live in the crowded city while others of us would prefer the country, or even the wilderness, where there is some distance between us and the next person. Being near the populated areas of New York and Connecticut maybe you're picking up on those city folk types???
Just checked where these places are you're talking about (see map link). I don't know whether this link will work or not. Maybe they thought you had a really salty looking boat and you knew all about the best place to anchor? Believe it or not, there are a lot of people who would prefer to live in the crowded city while others of us would prefer the country, or even the wilderness, where there is some distance between us and the next person. Being near the populated areas of New York and Connecticut maybe you're picking up on those city folk types???
what else do ya'll do for fun up there? haha
I think John's right about what kind of people they are (city vs. rural/wilderness). I just thought sailing was a better barrier to those who flock. I'll sail up there someday out of the wilderness....the tex mex border. Then maybe I can observe this first hand. Never happen around here in my lifetime! If nothing else, it was entertaining enough to share it with us, and it's great entertainment to think about. IslandJack Wysiwig H-27
I think John's right about what kind of people they are (city vs. rural/wilderness). I just thought sailing was a better barrier to those who flock. I'll sail up there someday out of the wilderness....the tex mex border. Then maybe I can observe this first hand. Never happen around here in my lifetime! If nothing else, it was entertaining enough to share it with us, and it's great entertainment to think about. IslandJack Wysiwig H-27
Magnet
Passing from Gunn Cay to Nassau, we often anchored overnight somewhere near the Northwest Chanel Marker (Bahama Bank). The exact spot would be arbitrarily chosen, but perhaps a ½ mile North of the “track” to/from “Momma Rhoda Rk”. We’d anchor alone (about 4:30-6:00 PM), but invariably wake up in the midst of a virtual raft-up. There might be as many of 8-10 boats anchored nearby (sometimes within 150 Ft) Understand, this location is out of sight of ANYTHING, with absolutely nothing to recommend it over anywhere else - it’s just where we were at cocktail time. I suppose, there may be safety in numbers(*), or the others think we “know something” - but we always found it humorous! (*) Undoubtably, a small forest of anchor lights will be more prominent than a single, lonely light. When in doubt, we all might tend towards blindly following the pack - an urge that should be resisted as much as possible. I’ve (stupidly) tried to follow a very large sailboat over a bar that (it turned out) I could not clear - but, board up, he could. I knew there was a bar there (somewhere...), daylight was failing, and I was too impatient, hurried, or just plain lazy to do my own chart work. Anyway, you raised an interesting phenomenon, which (hopefully) will be more often humorous than otherwise... Gord
Passing from Gunn Cay to Nassau, we often anchored overnight somewhere near the Northwest Chanel Marker (Bahama Bank). The exact spot would be arbitrarily chosen, but perhaps a ½ mile North of the “track” to/from “Momma Rhoda Rk”. We’d anchor alone (about 4:30-6:00 PM), but invariably wake up in the midst of a virtual raft-up. There might be as many of 8-10 boats anchored nearby (sometimes within 150 Ft) Understand, this location is out of sight of ANYTHING, with absolutely nothing to recommend it over anywhere else - it’s just where we were at cocktail time. I suppose, there may be safety in numbers(*), or the others think we “know something” - but we always found it humorous! (*) Undoubtably, a small forest of anchor lights will be more prominent than a single, lonely light. When in doubt, we all might tend towards blindly following the pack - an urge that should be resisted as much as possible. I’ve (stupidly) tried to follow a very large sailboat over a bar that (it turned out) I could not clear - but, board up, he could. I knew there was a bar there (somewhere...), daylight was failing, and I was too impatient, hurried, or just plain lazy to do my own chart work. Anyway, you raised an interesting phenomenon, which (hopefully) will be more often humorous than otherwise... Gord
Not with a name like that. . .
Perhaps they did think you needed company, Paul, but with a name like Escape Artist on the transom, you'd think they'd get the hint. I know who I'm escaping from on my boat: just about everybody who I didn't chose to bring with me. I have to admit that as a new sailor, I might be tempted to follow someone else's lead in choosing an anchorage in unfamiliar waters. But, as mentioned, there's no guarantee that the other person knows what the hell they are doing either, nor is there a guarantee that your boat is suited to do the same thing they are. Best to have your own plan before you get there.
Perhaps they did think you needed company, Paul, but with a name like Escape Artist on the transom, you'd think they'd get the hint. I know who I'm escaping from on my boat: just about everybody who I didn't chose to bring with me. I have to admit that as a new sailor, I might be tempted to follow someone else's lead in choosing an anchorage in unfamiliar waters. But, as mentioned, there's no guarantee that the other person knows what the hell they are doing either, nor is there a guarantee that your boat is suited to do the same thing they are. Best to have your own plan before you get there.
A lot of folks do play follow the leader!
A number of years ago we were on our way to a race. since my boat only draws 3'6" board up we routinely took a shortcut over a shoal. another boat in our club started to follow us. we frantically tryed to wave them off but they kept on following until they hit hard aground. the scary thing is they knew the waters. sometimes birds of a feather is not good to flock together.
A number of years ago we were on our way to a race. since my boat only draws 3'6" board up we routinely took a shortcut over a shoal. another boat in our club started to follow us. we frantically tryed to wave them off but they kept on following until they hit hard aground. the scary thing is they knew the waters. sometimes birds of a feather is not good to flock together.
Anchorage Squeeze
We were there two weekends ago, as well, and were probably the last boat to enter the anchorage. Your desccription of the area as a cul-de-sac is accurate. Being new to the area, we observed the cluster and could have probably moved outwards toward the channel as well as up-wind. Winds were strong, and you have a good point about proximity. Could it have been that there were many boats traveling together? I had a similar experience a month or so ago at Duck Island, but there were only four boats and we all very respectful of each other. Perhaps the safety in numbers syndrome diminishes as we become more confident in our skills and more familiar with our surroundings. Great place to visit, though, isn't it? Bill Coxe, O28 Kukulcán, New London, CT
We were there two weekends ago, as well, and were probably the last boat to enter the anchorage. Your desccription of the area as a cul-de-sac is accurate. Being new to the area, we observed the cluster and could have probably moved outwards toward the channel as well as up-wind. Winds were strong, and you have a good point about proximity. Could it have been that there were many boats traveling together? I had a similar experience a month or so ago at Duck Island, but there were only four boats and we all very respectful of each other. Perhaps the safety in numbers syndrome diminishes as we become more confident in our skills and more familiar with our surroundings. Great place to visit, though, isn't it? Bill Coxe, O28 Kukulcán, New London, CT
Good rule to follow(or not)
I used to do some road racing in my earlier years and the first rule for new drivers was "do not follow the car in front of you or you will follow them off the track". I have taken this rule and applied it to almost every aspect of my life. People make decisions based on many different criteria and it is best for you to make your own decisions based on what you know. Some studies have shown that people as a group usually make wrong decisions stemming from dominent personalities and compromise where when someone is left to make a decision on their own they do much better. Lastly, seeing how many people there are with large boats(sail and motor)that really don't have much boating experience I would say if you tend to follow then it is only a matter of time before you get yourself in really deep(pun intended). Get the education you need and stop following. PS. If you anchor too close to me I will kindly ask that you move(space permitting of course). We sail to escape. That is why I moored in Boothbay harbor once and only once. Reminded us of spring break. Flame suit on. My .02 Tim
I used to do some road racing in my earlier years and the first rule for new drivers was "do not follow the car in front of you or you will follow them off the track". I have taken this rule and applied it to almost every aspect of my life. People make decisions based on many different criteria and it is best for you to make your own decisions based on what you know. Some studies have shown that people as a group usually make wrong decisions stemming from dominent personalities and compromise where when someone is left to make a decision on their own they do much better. Lastly, seeing how many people there are with large boats(sail and motor)that really don't have much boating experience I would say if you tend to follow then it is only a matter of time before you get yourself in really deep(pun intended). Get the education you need and stop following. PS. If you anchor too close to me I will kindly ask that you move(space permitting of course). We sail to escape. That is why I moored in Boothbay harbor once and only once. Reminded us of spring break. Flame suit on. My .02 Tim
Personal space is personal
I have learned that what I consider to be a comfortable minimum distance to anchor from another boat is twice the distance others feel comfortable with. Frequently after I have anchored another boat will come in and anchor right between mine and the next closest boat and I was wondering if I had left enough room to be respectful when I anchored. Same sort of thing happens sometimes when I get in the check out line at the supermarket. I am the last person in line and standing 3 feet behind the person in front of me. Someone will come up and ask me if I am in line. If I am in a bad mood I will say "I was going to climb on top of the guy in front of me but I don't think that will speed up the checkout" Scott
I have learned that what I consider to be a comfortable minimum distance to anchor from another boat is twice the distance others feel comfortable with. Frequently after I have anchored another boat will come in and anchor right between mine and the next closest boat and I was wondering if I had left enough room to be respectful when I anchored. Same sort of thing happens sometimes when I get in the check out line at the supermarket. I am the last person in line and standing 3 feet behind the person in front of me. Someone will come up and ask me if I am in line. If I am in a bad mood I will say "I was going to climb on top of the guy in front of me but I don't think that will speed up the checkout" Scott
Christmas Cove
Tim, Go to Christmas Cove next time. Boothbay Harbor is a great place to visit but I wouldn't want to anchor there.
Tim, Go to Christmas Cove next time. Boothbay Harbor is a great place to visit but I wouldn't want to anchor there.
Thanks Norm
We were there last week and loved it. Taft's only gave it 3 stars but my wife and I agree it deserves 5. We picked up a slip at Coveside. I usually don't like slips because of privacy issues but it was quiet and uncrowded. I think we were the only ones who stayed on our boat. Most others seemed to be in the Inn. The resturant had great food. We also visited Seguin I, Monhegan I and Five Islands on the Sheepscott. It was a great week of cruising and Christmas Cove was a highlight. Tim
We were there last week and loved it. Taft's only gave it 3 stars but my wife and I agree it deserves 5. We picked up a slip at Coveside. I usually don't like slips because of privacy issues but it was quiet and uncrowded. I think we were the only ones who stayed on our boat. Most others seemed to be in the Inn. The resturant had great food. We also visited Seguin I, Monhegan I and Five Islands on the Sheepscott. It was a great week of cruising and Christmas Cove was a highlight. Tim
Well, I tried. . .
Anchored out in the Patuxent river this weekend for my first night aboard. There were 2 other sailboats already anchored in my area, so I remembered this thread and stayed as far as I could from them. At a minimum, I was 500 yards from them, so I think I did ok. But I didn't count on just how much the wind would shift overnight, and ended up much closer to shore, and the homes located there. I hope no one was offended by how close I ended up to their backyard. But they probably didn't even notice us over the noise coming from the bars across the river. Lets just hope the my outboard starting up at 7 didn't wake anyone. Lessons learned for next time. Including the one about anchoring at least 2 miles away from any bar, unless it's the one that I've been at that night.
Anchored out in the Patuxent river this weekend for my first night aboard. There were 2 other sailboats already anchored in my area, so I remembered this thread and stayed as far as I could from them. At a minimum, I was 500 yards from them, so I think I did ok. But I didn't count on just how much the wind would shift overnight, and ended up much closer to shore, and the homes located there. I hope no one was offended by how close I ended up to their backyard. But they probably didn't even notice us over the noise coming from the bars across the river. Lets just hope the my outboard starting up at 7 didn't wake anyone. Lessons learned for next time. Including the one about anchoring at least 2 miles away from any bar, unless it's the one that I've been at that night.
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