PART 5


ANCHORING DECISIONS


You need to weigh several factors when you’re looking for a suitable place to anchor. Some of the information, such as depth of the water, type of bottom and effects of current, can be gleaned from your nautical charts. Use your powers of observation for other considerations, such as protection from wind and waves and how other boats anchored nearby will react to changes in wind and current.


ANCHORING FACTOR SOLUTION Depth of water


Bottom type Protection Room to swing Current


Water deep enough so boat can swing in a complete circle around the anchor at low tide. Not so deep that you won’t have enough anchor line.


Sandy bottoms are always good. Avoid long thick grass and soſt mud, as well as under- water cables and moorings.


Anchor downwind (in the lee) of land or a breakwater and be prepared for a wind shiſt. Don’t anchor near boat traffic.


Make sure your boat can swing a complete circle without hitting anything, such as a dock, breakwater or other boats.


Take into account the direction and strength of the current, which may change while you’re anchored.


Anchoring with other boats


Your anchor becomes the center of a circle about which your boat can rotate. Knowing how much anchor line and chain you have out tells you how big that circle will be. Changes in wind or current will cause your boat to swing, so try to anchor near similar types of boats and you’ll all swing together.


Boats with deep underbodies some- times react more to the current than to wind direction while anchored.


Boats with lots of windage react more to wind direction while


anchored.


Reactions to Wind and Current


Different types of boats swing differently at anchor. Powerboats and multihulls sit on top of the water and respond more to the wind. Sailboats with low freeboard and deep keels are more sensitive to the water passing underneath the surface, especially in light winds.


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