Surveying an anchorage to pick a spot can be like a zebra at a watering hole filled with crocodiles. Heads slowly emerge from below; all eyes remain fixed upon you.


other and the one captain admitted he was having one of those days. Overwhelmingly anchorage neighbors help without prejudice, albeit maybe with a hint of mirth. Unfortunately, we’ve witnessed a few occasions of boaters ignoring, mocking, or insulting fellow boaters during dragging events. Whether the cause is a sudden squall or poor technique, don’t make the situation worse. That’s like an ER doc not helping an injured driver because their poor driving caused a car accident. Offer to help if you safely can. Once stabilized, then show your mastery by explaining why a 1:1 scope ratio can


quickly turn a boat into an artificial reef.


Being anchored is dynamic. Ever


changing environmental conditions and proximity to other boats can quickly change. Even a light air wind shift can send the picture perfect anchorage into disarray. A boat behind yours with 10:1 scope to your 4:1 will get uncomfortably close as you rotate around. Maybe it’s ludicrous to have 10:1 scope. Or, maybe this anchorage is different and you don’t know it yet. In the lagoon at Barre de Navidad, Mexico the water depth is just 10 feet. Still the bottom composition and wind tunnel like land feature necessitate using 100’ of anchor rode; and still many boats drag there. This gets to the next point: neighbor relations Imagine being at a dance were


everyone is blind-folded. Play slow music for awkwardness; fast music will yield chaos and injury. If you have the presence before starting to communicate with thy neighbor the risks go down. Uncrowded anchorages are great, but can be hard to come by. So even as a regular in a particular anchorage, other boats nearby mean


you are blind to some variables that affect you. Consequently, there are several considerations to keeping things right. Herd mentality – just because


one or more anchored boats are in a particular area doesn’t mean that must be your spot. Maybe they were on the outskirts and boats in the best spots left. Maybe they’re a loud group and wanted separation. Consider your spot well, and if there is room, take advantage of it instead of crowding others. The stare down – one may be


gifted at anchoring. Yet surveying an anchorage to pick a spot can be like a zebra at a watering hole filled with crocodiles. Heads slowly emerge from below; all eyes remain fixed upon you. Approach too close and crocs move up to the deck with hands on hips and a disgusted look. Oh please, stop! If you want to insure that someone, skilled or not, will do a poor job of anchoring, by all means give them the evil eye. I also believe that this causes one of the most common anchoring mistakes. The “it’s good enough because I don’t want to look like a fool” mistake. Even after


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48° NORTH, SEPTEMBER 2011 PAGE 50


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