ANCHORING

[akopac]

<div>OK... I'm new to sailing so everybody go ahead and get your
chuckles out of the way up front. Anyway, I sailed out to a
barrier island off the MS Gulf Coast and dropped the hook on the
south side. A steady 15-18kt wind was blowing out of the
northwest due to a frontal passage. I deployed the anchor in
10ft of water with a 6:1 scope and went about working on the
boat. When I checked on the anchor the boat had gotten UPWIND of
it!! East-west counter-current you say? I tend to think not.
This area is not known for strong near-shore currents. When I
finally got the anchor up, with the bow pointed dead down wind,
the boat turned its nose to the south or southwest, wind on the
starboard beam, and started sailing about 90 degrees off the
wind. This is without sails mind you. I even had a little
rudder control. I suppose I could have controled this situation
by setting both a bow and stern anchor, but I really expected the
boat to point into the wind BEHIND its anchor. My question is
this-- is it normal for sailboats to sail themselves and get
upwind of their anchors in higher winds? Stop laughing now and
send me some explanations.Eric Peterson
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[don]

Check a tide table for the day and time this incident occurred and I'll bet you'll find you were in a strong tidal flow, probably a rising tide pushing up toward the island and flowing around it. Then when you're at anchor in a breeze put your sails up and try to sail up to your anchor. I think you'll convince yourself that a boat with no sails up certainly won't do it.

 

[bobclark]

Eric,
I agree with Jack, it has to be current. If not current some big fish is playing a joke on you and moving your boat around. You don't think so? So, it has to be current. A boat will move from either the wind or the current, which ever is stronger.
It is normal for a boat to go beam to wind when not being held by the anchor at the bow. That explains what happened once the anchor was up.
I would also use more scope, say a least 7 to 1 or more like 10 to 1. It would not prevent movement from current, but once things settle down you will sleep more secure on longer scope.
Did you notice other boats anchored near you? What happened to them at that time?
Asking is the best way to learn. It is to your credit that you have the intelligence to ask. Nobody is laughing.
Larry

 

[akopac]

<div>Larry,I was the only boat anchored out there that day so I have no reference. I was on the anchor at 0930 and pulled up about 1300. 28 Feb had a full moon so low tide was early morning and high tide was later that night about 2100-2130 I think. That would make sense though, if there was an incoming tide that morning, but I'm pretty sure it was slack. I don't have the tables handy, but I'll check them later. Now, when the anchor was up and wind on the beam the boat should blow dead down wind to the souteast-- I guess. But, the boat seemed to be making headway to the south, southwest. Could this have been a product of resistance of the keel to a side-ways motion?Thanks for your encouraging words, but I did look pretty silly turning circles out there. Good thing I WAS by myself. Thanks again.Eric
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[bobclark]

Eric,
Most boats will present their beam to the wind when not tethered. They will drift downwind, with the hull profile facing into the wind. That is also how you can tell whether your anchor is holding or not. If an anchor breaks loose and is draging on the bottom, your hull will lay beam to wind, rather than nose to wind.
Some local currents are not found recorded on charts. The locals know about them from experience. It is refered to as "local knowledge".
Larry

 

[zaldog]

<div>Eric,I agree with the others. Most likely it's current. Remember sail boats work in two media (water and air)and water is denser. It doesn't take much current to over come wind for that reason. In tidal situations,on the east coast atleast, we use 2 anchors both set off the bow - one up current and one down. This assures that you are always "hanging" on one well set anchor - not to mention it cuts down the swinging room. ...although there was this one time a Cape Lookout whrere nothing made much sense when a sea turtle took me for a little tour but that's another story. No. I'm not laughing either. Sounds like you are well on your way to collecting your own sea stories.Fairwinds and Rum drinks,Vic Copelan
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[bbeach]

This is very interesting. Agree with the current/tide theory. The dancing on the hook is my follow-up question. Our 382's like to dance. Do any of you have experience how to reduce it? I was told it does that because of the high freeboard, hull config and heavy aft end. Comments? I thought of adding a riding sail but haven't done it yet.

 

[aurora2]

Anyone interested should read a great book on the subject called, "The Complete Book of Anchoring and Mooring" by Earl Hinz. It should be required reading for anyone owning a boat.

 

[aistqm]

I anchor with about 66% chain and 33% nylon rode. I don't "dance" if I understand your term correctly. If the anchorage is exposed and the wind builds to over 15 knots I may swing a little depending on the current and the frequence of the waves. I attribute my sucess to the 3/8 inch chain portion of my anchor rode.