Anchoring the Easy Way: A Three-Part Series
Part I—Preparation
Anchoring is a topic over which much ink, more rum, and even some blood has been spilled. A surefire way to elicit a robust argument amongst any group of sea-going folk is to bring up any topic of anchoring. Like many topics in sailing, everyone has their own opinion, and most are mostly correct, but below I’ll try to stick to the cold hard truths in anchoring, though forgive me if I slip a little “wisdom” of my own. If you think my take is too long, too short, or too silly, check out Cap’n Fatty Goodlander’s book Creative Anchoring. It will change your life (or at least the way you anchor).
It’s helpful to split anchoring into three steps: (1) scoping an anchorage, (2) anchoring, and (3) departure. This first article will discuss preparation (with the next two articles discussing the other steps, rounding out the series). As with many things, the more effort put into preparation, the easier the latter steps will be, and with more practice, the entire process will soon become easier than docking. (“How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice.”) Indeed, many cruisers prefer “anchoring out” to pulling into a slip as it is easier after a long passage to just drop the hook then deal with maneuvering the boat into a marina, then into a slip, securing dock lines, and dealing with the marina manager all to enjoy less breeze, more bugs, and a (sometimes) hefty nightly fee. So let’s learn how to join these salty sea dogs anchored out there past the surf!
The most important step is scoping the anchorage. As students learn in the Basic Coastal Cruising (BCC) ASA course, there are four things a sailor should consider in a good anchorage, in order: (1) depth, (2) shelter, (3) bottom, and (4) swing. First a sailor must consider how much water will be under the keel AT LOW TIDE. An anchorage that puts you aground at low tide is unsuitable in most cases (pipe down there every sailor in England). It’s also beneficial, though not necessary, to find an anchorage that has a relatively shallow slope underwater. A steeply sloped bottom may make it hard to set the anchor.
Next, the anchorage must be sheltered from waves, traffic, wind, and current, in that order. If there is any more than a slight swell in an anchorage, a peaceful evening will turn into a gymnastics event with broken glass and upset stomachs as prizes. Ditto for one with traffic, especially large ferry traffic (common in island countries that may rely on ferries as their only connection to the mainland). Up to 15-20 knots, wind may actually be desirable in the lower latitudes as it keeps the boat cool in the afternoon. Above 20 knots however, it tends to cause most boats to “search” back and forth on their rode, sometimes being jerked around abruptly, as well as making the deck unpleasant for sundowners (or much else for that matter).
If the anchorage has both depth and shelter, the sailor can next consider the bottom type. Nearly all bottoms can be anchored in, but the type will determine what anchor will perform best. Firm mud and sand create the best “holding ground,” with loose rocks, shells, seaweed, and silt being harder to anchor in. Danforth type anchors tend to do best in the sand and mud, with claw anchors doing well in most everything but rocks. I’ve never had luck with plow or CQR type anchors (why would you want to till the ocean floor? Planting some aquatic crops?), but some people swear by them. (However, it is my humble opinion that an appropriately sized Rocna or Mantus type anchor will hold in anything, anywhere, anytime. If you doubt this, I’ll happily drink a few fingers of rum with you and convince you otherwise.) Finally, an anchorage should have ample swing room. Swing room is just the circle a boat would make if pulled around her anchor. In a crowded anchorage, it may be hard to find space—don’t be that guy who comes in at 8 PM, anchors right in the middle of everyone, and ruins everyone’s evening. Follow the first come, first choice rule—if you’re late, get out that extra line, take a deeper spot further out, and next time wake up earlier