Many of us enjoy anchoring out on occasion for peace and solitude rather than staying in marinas. Do you prefer the quiet at anchor or the security of a dock? How often do you anchor for lunch or overnight stops? Do you typically deploy more or less than 7:1 scope ratio? How do you handle crowded areas with limited space? Do you ever use more than one anchor, a stern line or a kellet? Give us you input on your local ground tackle and share you thoughts on techniques that work for you. (Discussion topic and quiz by Trevor MacLachlan)
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Anchor all the time
We cruise six months of the year in our B393. From November to June. We anchor all the time except for a couple of days in the marina in Nassau while we clear in. Our cruising grounds are east coast US and the Bahamas. In the Bahamas we usually anchor in 10 feet or less and always put out at least 100 ft of 3/8 chain, properly snubbed with 5/8 nylon. My primary anchor is a 45# Manson Supreme which replaced the 44# Bruce I used to use. The Bruce is now our secondary. I have not used two anchors for the past four years. Prior to that, on my old boat, I used to put two out in a blow because that boat (CS 36 Merlin with a wing keel) used to sail all over the anchorage. My main ground tackle is the Manson, 200 ft. 3/8 chain and 200 ft. 5/8 nylon. So far I've not had to put it all out. In severe conditions I've had 130' of chain out. I got 200 ft so I can end for end it in a few years. I've attached a pic of the boat behind me during a blow.
We cruise six months of the year in our B393. From November to June. We anchor all the time except for a couple of days in the marina in Nassau while we clear in. Our cruising grounds are east coast US and the Bahamas. In the Bahamas we usually anchor in 10 feet or less and always put out at least 100 ft of 3/8 chain, properly snubbed with 5/8 nylon. My primary anchor is a 45# Manson Supreme which replaced the 44# Bruce I used to use. The Bruce is now our secondary. I have not used two anchors for the past four years. Prior to that, on my old boat, I used to put two out in a blow because that boat (CS 36 Merlin with a wing keel) used to sail all over the anchorage. My main ground tackle is the Manson, 200 ft. 3/8 chain and 200 ft. 5/8 nylon. So far I've not had to put it all out. In severe conditions I've had 130' of chain out. I got 200 ft so I can end for end it in a few years. I've attached a pic of the boat behind me during a blow.
Hi Trevor, about the only reason...
I go into a marina is for water and other provisions, otherwise, we prefer to anchor out. Our 40 pound Danforth with 50 feet of chain and a 20 pound kellet always holds well in PNW waters. When we experience tight quarters, such as Smuggler Cove in B.C., we stern tie. I've never used two anchors and prefer not to; risk of getting things tangled up or breaking due to wind forces. Terry
I go into a marina is for water and other provisions, otherwise, we prefer to anchor out. Our 40 pound Danforth with 50 feet of chain and a 20 pound kellet always holds well in PNW waters. When we experience tight quarters, such as Smuggler Cove in B.C., we stern tie. I've never used two anchors and prefer not to; risk of getting things tangled up or breaking due to wind forces. Terry
I prefer anchoring, too.
Other than tied to our pier at home (and the occasional fuel dock or lunch at the marina) we have never overnighted in a slip. We can always find a relatively secluded cove somewhere. We usually don't anchor for lunch, just lower the cockpit table and engage the autopilot. We have a 20# danforth and a 20# CQR, each with 50 feet of chain and 100 feet of nylon, plus a 10# danforth (lunch-hook). We always use at least 10 to 1 scope, rarely over 10 feet of water, with sand or sandy mud. I have used both larger anchors while anchored in Mississippi Sound during a pretty good blow, at about 60 degrees spread off the bow. We have never had either of the larger anchors drag (knock on wood), even in a 4-5 knot tidal flow at the mouth of Mobile Bay. That's probably due to the 10 to 1 scope and the composition of the bottom.
Other than tied to our pier at home (and the occasional fuel dock or lunch at the marina) we have never overnighted in a slip. We can always find a relatively secluded cove somewhere. We usually don't anchor for lunch, just lower the cockpit table and engage the autopilot. We have a 20# danforth and a 20# CQR, each with 50 feet of chain and 100 feet of nylon, plus a 10# danforth (lunch-hook). We always use at least 10 to 1 scope, rarely over 10 feet of water, with sand or sandy mud. I have used both larger anchors while anchored in Mississippi Sound during a pretty good blow, at about 60 degrees spread off the bow. We have never had either of the larger anchors drag (knock on wood), even in a 4-5 knot tidal flow at the mouth of Mobile Bay. That's probably due to the 10 to 1 scope and the composition of the bottom.
Well...
Rick great picture! I notice the CQR is on the bow which is a good place for it in those conditions. We too anchor mostly but in certain harbors pick up a rental mooring due to lack of room for anchoring. Things that makes sense when anchoring: 1) Always set on a 7:1 or greater scope! 2) Always measure scope at max tide plus the height of the bow from the water. 3) Always properly set the anchor by backing down at or near full throttle until you don't move. 4) Shorten scope to 5:1 if necessary (in benign conditions 4:1) only after all of the above have been done. 5) The more chain the better 6) Use a good anchor and one that can re-set on a wind tide shift 7) Know the bottom conditions 8) Use the anchor alarm on your GPS 9) In rough weather snub directly to the bow cleat and do not use the anchor roller. 10) If everyone else is using a stern anchor then you should too. 11) If everyone else is bow anchored only DON'T use a stern anchor. 12) Use similar scope to those around you in tight quarters or move elsewhere. 13) Mark your rode so you know how much is out there! 14) Properly set your anchor! 15) Properly set your anchor! 16) Properly set your anchor! 17) Buy a Rocna or a Manson Supreme!!!!! We counted less than 10% of boaters perform a proper set this sailing season and six dragging incidences all in less than 20 knots of wind!
Rick great picture! I notice the CQR is on the bow which is a good place for it in those conditions. We too anchor mostly but in certain harbors pick up a rental mooring due to lack of room for anchoring. Things that makes sense when anchoring: 1) Always set on a 7:1 or greater scope! 2) Always measure scope at max tide plus the height of the bow from the water. 3) Always properly set the anchor by backing down at or near full throttle until you don't move. 4) Shorten scope to 5:1 if necessary (in benign conditions 4:1) only after all of the above have been done. 5) The more chain the better 6) Use a good anchor and one that can re-set on a wind tide shift 7) Know the bottom conditions 8) Use the anchor alarm on your GPS 9) In rough weather snub directly to the bow cleat and do not use the anchor roller. 10) If everyone else is using a stern anchor then you should too. 11) If everyone else is bow anchored only DON'T use a stern anchor. 12) Use similar scope to those around you in tight quarters or move elsewhere. 13) Mark your rode so you know how much is out there! 14) Properly set your anchor! 15) Properly set your anchor! 16) Properly set your anchor! 17) Buy a Rocna or a Manson Supreme!!!!! We counted less than 10% of boaters perform a proper set this sailing season and six dragging incidences all in less than 20 knots of wind!
Anchored
Here in the west there are not a lot of places to anchor, but there are some. The Channel Islands, Catalina Island come to mind, then there's Newport, Dana Point, San Diego. Most of these, besides the Channel Islands and Catalina, are fairly benign, and the biggest threat is some not-a-clue powerboat anchoring too close upwind. A BIG powerboat dragged down on me and broke my bow light once. That's why, when we go to Newport, we always try to get the upwind corner of the anchorage and anchor bow and stern. I anchored in a few places in Mexico (Turtle Bay, Bahia Santa Margarita, Cabo San Lucas) with my standard 33lb Bruce and all-chain rode. Dragged once in Newport, but there were two boats on one hook in afternoon winds.
Here in the west there are not a lot of places to anchor, but there are some. The Channel Islands, Catalina Island come to mind, then there's Newport, Dana Point, San Diego. Most of these, besides the Channel Islands and Catalina, are fairly benign, and the biggest threat is some not-a-clue powerboat anchoring too close upwind. A BIG powerboat dragged down on me and broke my bow light once. That's why, when we go to Newport, we always try to get the upwind corner of the anchorage and anchor bow and stern. I anchored in a few places in Mexico (Turtle Bay, Bahia Santa Margarita, Cabo San Lucas) with my standard 33lb Bruce and all-chain rode. Dragged once in Newport, but there were two boats on one hook in afternoon winds.
Bulwagga Anchor
Several years ago, I switched the ground tackle on my heavy displacement motorsailer (1978 Fisher 25) from a 35# GQR to a 17# Bulwagga. The Bulwagga is a much better anchor than the CQR; it sticks in almost anything and I get the same holding at a scope of 5/1 than I did with the CQR at 7/1.
Several years ago, I switched the ground tackle on my heavy displacement motorsailer (1978 Fisher 25) from a 35# GQR to a 17# Bulwagga. The Bulwagga is a much better anchor than the CQR; it sticks in almost anything and I get the same holding at a scope of 5/1 than I did with the CQR at 7/1.
always on some hook
I hate slips and docks. I ususaly sleep on my boat on a mooring away from everyone and where my boat will point into the wind. When I want to overnight elsewhere I have a fortress anchor 30 feet of chain and I try for 10-1 scope on the correct size rhode with chafing gear . its heaven to feel the water and waves and not be tied up in some spiderweb with my boat stressed from 4 dirctions....early in the season I have to stay in a slip for about a month until the moorings are out and I hate it. if there are other boats close to me on the water when I anchor then I move away from them.........smitroe
I hate slips and docks. I ususaly sleep on my boat on a mooring away from everyone and where my boat will point into the wind. When I want to overnight elsewhere I have a fortress anchor 30 feet of chain and I try for 10-1 scope on the correct size rhode with chafing gear . its heaven to feel the water and waves and not be tied up in some spiderweb with my boat stressed from 4 dirctions....early in the season I have to stay in a slip for about a month until the moorings are out and I hate it. if there are other boats close to me on the water when I anchor then I move away from them.........smitroe
16tons what do I get?
I have a Columbia 45. My primary is a #45 CQR with 100' of 5/16 HT and 300' of 3/4 nylon. I set with almost no reverse movement, then slowly increase the throttle on the Perkins 4-236 to 1/2. I have had to work it out a few times, but mostly it comes out with little coaxing. I aloso almost never leave less than 4-1 out. I set with 7-1 or better, then shorten. I wouldn't want to end up on a lee shore of rocks. Overkill and extra scope is a good sleep aid for me.
I have a Columbia 45. My primary is a #45 CQR with 100' of 5/16 HT and 300' of 3/4 nylon. I set with almost no reverse movement, then slowly increase the throttle on the Perkins 4-236 to 1/2. I have had to work it out a few times, but mostly it comes out with little coaxing. I aloso almost never leave less than 4-1 out. I set with 7-1 or better, then shorten. I wouldn't want to end up on a lee shore of rocks. Overkill and extra scope is a good sleep aid for me.
For years my primary was a Fortress
Here in the Great South Bay with mud and sand conditions and never had a problem but always had that little doubt that with a huge wind shift it may not reset. Soooo after lots of research and this forum I settled on a 33# Genuine Bruce with 40 feet of 5/16 chain and have the Fortress put away as a backup or stern anchor. I always anchor overnight with a min. of 7:1 I always back down with the engine I always look at the gps and wait 10 mins B4 shutting the engine that has been in reverse while I get settled in I always set the anchor alarm on the gps I always deploy my riding sail to keep me from moving side to side Oh BTW we never go to a marina cause the power boaters with there AC systems and all the other creature comforts make too much noise and there are few and far marinas to dock at so we anchor all over the place and use the dink to get to shore
Here in the Great South Bay with mud and sand conditions and never had a problem but always had that little doubt that with a huge wind shift it may not reset. Soooo after lots of research and this forum I settled on a 33# Genuine Bruce with 40 feet of 5/16 chain and have the Fortress put away as a backup or stern anchor. I always anchor overnight with a min. of 7:1 I always back down with the engine I always look at the gps and wait 10 mins B4 shutting the engine that has been in reverse while I get settled in I always set the anchor alarm on the gps I always deploy my riding sail to keep me from moving side to side Oh BTW we never go to a marina cause the power boaters with there AC systems and all the other creature comforts make too much noise and there are few and far marinas to dock at so we anchor all over the place and use the dink to get to shore
I'm "anchor-ignorant."
I keep my boat at a typical Great Lakes Marina with dock slips. The conveniance is welcome - but the downside is the lack of isolation. My boat came with a Fortress and 10 feet of chain attached to about 200 feet of rode. I've used it twice - both times for stopping for a swim. I'm missing a whole segment of boating fun by not anchoring out once in awhile. Bill on STARGAZER
I keep my boat at a typical Great Lakes Marina with dock slips. The conveniance is welcome - but the downside is the lack of isolation. My boat came with a Fortress and 10 feet of chain attached to about 200 feet of rode. I've used it twice - both times for stopping for a swim. I'm missing a whole segment of boating fun by not anchoring out once in awhile. Bill on STARGAZER
Slips Have Their Benefits
We anchor out but slips have their benefits. Walk over to the lodge for the breakfast buffet!!! Unlimited hot water for showering. Not to mention just getting out for a nice walk around the park. The biggest problem for us anchoring out is no access to shore except using the dinghy. Even then the shore is often private property or all grown up with thick vegetation. We have a 33# Claw that has severed us well with about 20' of chain on a 150# 1/2" rode. We have used two anchors with mixed results and I've started just using one. Nice anchorages where I can get out the fly rod and catch some fish are always good and we have a favorite on Wilson Lake that is deep and narrow so that we are protected 360 degrees. I usually anchor there with the bow pointing out and the stern tied to a tree. On a recent trip of 5 days we spent 5 days on the boat with one night at a lodge one night tied in a slip and two nights at anchor. One night at anchor the fish were biting and I had great fun with teh fly rod catching bass and bream. The second night the bugs were biting and we were tired so just grilled steaks and watched a thunderstorm come in during the evening. I always love being snug down below on a cool night with rain making it's noise on the decks. We are planning a simular trip the second week of October. The water should be cool but warm enough for swimming!!!!
We anchor out but slips have their benefits. Walk over to the lodge for the breakfast buffet!!! Unlimited hot water for showering. Not to mention just getting out for a nice walk around the park. The biggest problem for us anchoring out is no access to shore except using the dinghy. Even then the shore is often private property or all grown up with thick vegetation. We have a 33# Claw that has severed us well with about 20' of chain on a 150# 1/2" rode. We have used two anchors with mixed results and I've started just using one. Nice anchorages where I can get out the fly rod and catch some fish are always good and we have a favorite on Wilson Lake that is deep and narrow so that we are protected 360 degrees. I usually anchor there with the bow pointing out and the stern tied to a tree. On a recent trip of 5 days we spent 5 days on the boat with one night at a lodge one night tied in a slip and two nights at anchor. One night at anchor the fish were biting and I had great fun with teh fly rod catching bass and bream. The second night the bugs were biting and we were tired so just grilled steaks and watched a thunderstorm come in during the evening. I always love being snug down below on a cool night with rain making it's noise on the decks. We are planning a simular trip the second week of October. The water should be cool but warm enough for swimming!!!!
Prefer Anchor unless absolutely need AC
Under normal conditions (less than 85 degrees at night with 80% humidity) we prefer anchoring out. We have several options and although they aren't always secluded, they are still peaceful once the powerboaters run to shore. We have a 35lb delta with 50 feet 5/16 HT chain and 200 ft of 9/16 rope. I haven't used a kellet yet (still looking for a suitable one) for haven't had any issues (also knowcking on wood) with dragging yet. I use either 7-1 or 10-1 if room allows, but have gone as low as 5-1 in St Mikes behind the museaum without any problems. If the weather conditions are less than idea, than nothing beats a slip and running the AC - sorry no generator!
Under normal conditions (less than 85 degrees at night with 80% humidity) we prefer anchoring out. We have several options and although they aren't always secluded, they are still peaceful once the powerboaters run to shore. We have a 35lb delta with 50 feet 5/16 HT chain and 200 ft of 9/16 rope. I haven't used a kellet yet (still looking for a suitable one) for haven't had any issues (also knowcking on wood) with dragging yet. I use either 7-1 or 10-1 if room allows, but have gone as low as 5-1 in St Mikes behind the museaum without any problems. If the weather conditions are less than idea, than nothing beats a slip and running the AC - sorry no generator!
Demoted my Delta to a Secondary Anchor
My H49 came with an 18kg Delta, and based on experience with my previous boats, this has been demoted to secondary. It is on 15m of 9.5mm hi-test and 80m of 19mm laid nylon. My primary anchor is a 40kg Rocna with 100m of 9.5mm hi-test. It has never failed to set first time, and love the way it holds or re-sets in current and wind shifts. I generally use a 5:1 scope unless the forcast is for winds above 20, when I let out more as room allows.
My H49 came with an 18kg Delta, and based on experience with my previous boats, this has been demoted to secondary. It is on 15m of 9.5mm hi-test and 80m of 19mm laid nylon. My primary anchor is a 40kg Rocna with 100m of 9.5mm hi-test. It has never failed to set first time, and love the way it holds or re-sets in current and wind shifts. I generally use a 5:1 scope unless the forcast is for winds above 20, when I let out more as room allows.
Whenever possible and reasonable
we prefer a dock. One time we are coming up Hawcks Channel in the Florida Keys and called a marina for a slip and after exchanging the info on size of boat, draft and beam we were curteously told it would be $350 for the night. Needless to say we decided to pass. We lay out scope according to the weather. Any increase in winds at night will have me on deck adjusting scope. On a congested anchorage is tricky as there is usually not room to deploy proper scope. I apply the rule that if the holding is not very good and there is no room for adequate scope just move on. Not long ago I pulled into an anchorage which was pretty much protected from water and wind. The water was calm and the wind at 5 knots and a depth of 10'. We dropped anchor for lunch and space was at a premium so we ended up about 100 ft upwind from an out of town boat that was anchored there. The fellow sailor came up on deck yelled for us to move as he had laid 150 ft of rode. I politely told him that we were there temporarily for lunch and that unless he was getting ready to pull anchor at this time that there was no necesity for either of us to move. I further advised him that it was not customary to use so much rode in this anchorage as a courtesy to the other boaters and that long term anchoring was not permitted. It is a good practice when going into an unfamiliar anchorage to ask other boaters about holding conditions and the scope utilized. If you are going to be anchoring for an extended period of time the use of two anchors is recommended.
we prefer a dock. One time we are coming up Hawcks Channel in the Florida Keys and called a marina for a slip and after exchanging the info on size of boat, draft and beam we were curteously told it would be $350 for the night. Needless to say we decided to pass. We lay out scope according to the weather. Any increase in winds at night will have me on deck adjusting scope. On a congested anchorage is tricky as there is usually not room to deploy proper scope. I apply the rule that if the holding is not very good and there is no room for adequate scope just move on. Not long ago I pulled into an anchorage which was pretty much protected from water and wind. The water was calm and the wind at 5 knots and a depth of 10'. We dropped anchor for lunch and space was at a premium so we ended up about 100 ft upwind from an out of town boat that was anchored there. The fellow sailor came up on deck yelled for us to move as he had laid 150 ft of rode. I politely told him that we were there temporarily for lunch and that unless he was getting ready to pull anchor at this time that there was no necesity for either of us to move. I further advised him that it was not customary to use so much rode in this anchorage as a courtesy to the other boaters and that long term anchoring was not permitted. It is a good practice when going into an unfamiliar anchorage to ask other boaters about holding conditions and the scope utilized. If you are going to be anchoring for an extended period of time the use of two anchors is recommended.
Use CQR and Danforth
I have settled on these two anchors over the years. I have had both drag on me but not since I have gone to 50 feet of chain on each. I used both in a Hurricane in Georgetown Bahamas. The CQR was a super performer and was down in the sand 3-5 feet after the hurricane. The Danforth held but did not have to dig in as that wind direction was never as bad. Danforths are very critical to how they balance. If you have one check it out in clear water to make sure it digs in evenly. I use 7:1 scope most of the time and if anchorage is to tight move on to a less crowded area. During the hurricane I used 20 to 1 scope on both anchors.
I have settled on these two anchors over the years. I have had both drag on me but not since I have gone to 50 feet of chain on each. I used both in a Hurricane in Georgetown Bahamas. The CQR was a super performer and was down in the sand 3-5 feet after the hurricane. The Danforth held but did not have to dig in as that wind direction was never as bad. Danforths are very critical to how they balance. If you have one check it out in clear water to make sure it digs in evenly. I use 7:1 scope most of the time and if anchorage is to tight move on to a less crowded area. During the hurricane I used 20 to 1 scope on both anchors.
Anchorologist
We greatly prefer to anchor our O'Day 37 and will dock only in rare circumstances when anchoring is not an option. We cruise the benign Gulf Islands and Desolation Sound and the more rigorous west coast of Vancouver Island including some very steep fjords up coast that present few anchoring opportunities. We use a 45# N.Zealand forged CQR clone as primary with 10m of 5/16 chain and 100m of nylon as this is easy to handle with our ABI manual windlass. We will set at 6:1 and if necessary due to lack of space take up to 4:1 in calm conditions. We carry a 30# Danforth secondary as a mud/sand hook. We carry in bilge anchor locker our "storm" rode, which is actually more substantial than our primary rode and used for challenging conditions: 50m of 5/16 chain and 100m of nylon. We also carry spare chain, buckets of rope and a 25# CQR and a 22# Danforth to use as spares or stern anchors taken out with the dingy. When anchoring in steep fjords, the only holding ground is sometimes in the very small submerged alluvial fans of creeks that come down the mountainous valley sides. We set the anchor backing "uphill" into the steep coarse gravel fan and then take two stern lines ashore and tie them off with a 45 degree separation to keep the anchor pulling "up" the fan and to partially counteract the inflow and outflow winds which are taken on the beam. If we expect strong winds and want to sleep better, then we set two anchors at an angle to each other in the fan to better resist the beam-on winds. We set one and then leave slack on the rode while we set the other and then take up the rodes to the correct orientation. Needless to say, we keep a weather eye as this set can still be easily defeated.
We greatly prefer to anchor our O'Day 37 and will dock only in rare circumstances when anchoring is not an option. We cruise the benign Gulf Islands and Desolation Sound and the more rigorous west coast of Vancouver Island including some very steep fjords up coast that present few anchoring opportunities. We use a 45# N.Zealand forged CQR clone as primary with 10m of 5/16 chain and 100m of nylon as this is easy to handle with our ABI manual windlass. We will set at 6:1 and if necessary due to lack of space take up to 4:1 in calm conditions. We carry a 30# Danforth secondary as a mud/sand hook. We carry in bilge anchor locker our "storm" rode, which is actually more substantial than our primary rode and used for challenging conditions: 50m of 5/16 chain and 100m of nylon. We also carry spare chain, buckets of rope and a 25# CQR and a 22# Danforth to use as spares or stern anchors taken out with the dingy. When anchoring in steep fjords, the only holding ground is sometimes in the very small submerged alluvial fans of creeks that come down the mountainous valley sides. We set the anchor backing "uphill" into the steep coarse gravel fan and then take two stern lines ashore and tie them off with a 45 degree separation to keep the anchor pulling "up" the fan and to partially counteract the inflow and outflow winds which are taken on the beam. If we expect strong winds and want to sleep better, then we set two anchors at an angle to each other in the fan to better resist the beam-on winds. We set one and then leave slack on the rode while we set the other and then take up the rodes to the correct orientation. Needless to say, we keep a weather eye as this set can still be easily defeated.
What is a kellet?
I love to anchor out on the myraid of creeks and water ways around Charleston, SC. In this mostly hard and soft mud, I use a 22 # danforth with 35' 5/16 chain at usually 7:1 scope. A 35# cqr is the storm anchor with 70' of chain and 300 ft of 3/4 nylon. You write "Do you ever use more than one anchor, a stern line or a kellet? Searched the web and could find nothing about a kellet. What is a kellet? Thanks, Jerry
I love to anchor out on the myraid of creeks and water ways around Charleston, SC. In this mostly hard and soft mud, I use a 22 # danforth with 35' 5/16 chain at usually 7:1 scope. A 35# cqr is the storm anchor with 70' of chain and 300 ft of 3/4 nylon. You write "Do you ever use more than one anchor, a stern line or a kellet? Searched the web and could find nothing about a kellet. What is a kellet? Thanks, Jerry
Kellet is a fancy name for my chain isn't heavy
enough so I am attaching some extra weight to my anchor rode. Usually 20-30 pounds of bronze or cast iron shackled to a large shackle and allowed to slide down the rode to the chain while being attached to a separate retrieval line. These is a bit of debate concerning the value of a kellet versus a larger chain.
enough so I am attaching some extra weight to my anchor rode. Usually 20-30 pounds of bronze or cast iron shackled to a large shackle and allowed to slide down the rode to the chain while being attached to a separate retrieval line. These is a bit of debate concerning the value of a kellet versus a larger chain.
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