I intend to anchor out for weekends this year so I've been doing some research into "picking anchorages". For the purpose of this question let's assume that the bottom is good and the anchor will hold. I've been looking at primarily wind patterns. In my area during the sailing season the wind primarily comes out of the southwest. Its a seabreeze and can get quite strong. So prudence would dictate that I anchor on the lee side of a land mass assuming that currents and tides are not monsterous considerations. After dark, when the land cools down and especially just before dawn, there is often a land breeze or off shore breeze which often can be quite strong. What was a good anchoring spot for the prevailing daylight seabreeze gets to be kinda bumpy at night. I have studied 24 hour wind directions and I see that it is not unusual, as a matter of fact its downright common for the wind to shift often and come from just about every direction through a 24 hour period of time. So the question comes down to this. In the REAL sailing world, how often do you actually find an anchorage that stays smooth for 24 hours as opposed to getting choppy or downright rough for some time during that 24 hour period? I'm not talking about an unexpected blast that comes in where you may have to weigh anchor and go to another spot. I guess I'm trying to find out how to pick that "perfect anchorage" that stays smooth just about all the time. I guess with few well known exceptions, which means crowds, there is no such thing and you have to be prepared for chop even in normal weather. Any advice would be welcome. If I'm going to convince my wife that weekend cruising can open up some new sailing worlds, I can't have her gettin' seasick in the middle of the night!
Thanks,
Warren Kaplan
Sine Qua Non
CD27
Oyster Bay Harbor, NY
Setsail728@aol.com
Picking Overnight Anchorages
Moderator: Jim Walsh
-
len
Re: Picking Overnight Anchorages
warren
unless you are in an incredibly sheltered spot on a very quiet night, for peace of mind set a second anchor either off the stern or, if you can be sure which way the boat will lie, off the bow at 45 degrees or more from the primary anchor
it's also worth considering harbors where you can pick up a mooring - even though other boats are around, they are usually empty and quiet
have fun
len
md.frel@nwh.org
unless you are in an incredibly sheltered spot on a very quiet night, for peace of mind set a second anchor either off the stern or, if you can be sure which way the boat will lie, off the bow at 45 degrees or more from the primary anchor
it's also worth considering harbors where you can pick up a mooring - even though other boats are around, they are usually empty and quiet
have fun
len
md.frel@nwh.org
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Kevin LeMans
Re: Picking Overnight Anchorages
If you're trying to limit movement, Len's advice is going in the right direction.
A second anchor is your best security from swinging around too much, but it will not reduce the effects of a swell. Your best anchorage would be relatively narrow, reducing fetch from any particular direction. Two anchors will limit swing and maybe add a sense of security, however, I would advise against an anchor off the stern unless you need to limit swing. Your motion can get very jerky if you're restrained at both bow and stern. Along the lines of Len's 45 degree suggestion, two anchors off the bow would be better if you have some room to swing. I would recommend the "bahamian moor" technique however, where the two anchors are opposed 180 degrees - providing the greatest lattitude in terms of protection from wind and tidal shifts. Most of the standard texts on sailing include an explanation of this technique.
Personally, I prefer one anchor. We anchored out in Drake's Bay two weeks ago, and the wind backed around 180 degrees during the night. I set a 35lb. CQR with 40 feet of 3/8" chain, another 100 ft. of 9/16 nylon rode, and sleep like a baby. The motion is realy more gentle on a single rode with lots of scope. Of course, we were practically alone in the anchorage, so swing wasn't an issue.
FWIW
Kevin LeMans
CD30 Raconteur
San Francisco
lemans@gte.net
A second anchor is your best security from swinging around too much, but it will not reduce the effects of a swell. Your best anchorage would be relatively narrow, reducing fetch from any particular direction. Two anchors will limit swing and maybe add a sense of security, however, I would advise against an anchor off the stern unless you need to limit swing. Your motion can get very jerky if you're restrained at both bow and stern. Along the lines of Len's 45 degree suggestion, two anchors off the bow would be better if you have some room to swing. I would recommend the "bahamian moor" technique however, where the two anchors are opposed 180 degrees - providing the greatest lattitude in terms of protection from wind and tidal shifts. Most of the standard texts on sailing include an explanation of this technique.
Personally, I prefer one anchor. We anchored out in Drake's Bay two weeks ago, and the wind backed around 180 degrees during the night. I set a 35lb. CQR with 40 feet of 3/8" chain, another 100 ft. of 9/16 nylon rode, and sleep like a baby. The motion is realy more gentle on a single rode with lots of scope. Of course, we were practically alone in the anchorage, so swing wasn't an issue.
FWIW
Kevin LeMans
CD30 Raconteur
San Francisco
lemans@gte.net
-
Jim Westpfahl
Re: Picking Overnight Anchorages
Well, Warren I live on the opposite side of Long Island and a little east of you folks in Oyster Bay in Lindenhurst (Town of Babylon). My ideal anchorage is in a relatively small cove between the Great South Bay and the thin barrier island(s) that separate the bay from the ocean. Indead, the daytime winds do tend to come out of the soutwest sometime after 0900 hours and seem often to swing to the westerly by evening. On average the breeze hovers between 8 and 12 knots during the day. Generally, the wind/breeze will settle down by nightfall or shortly after.
The cove by name on the charts is Hemlock Cove. Its about 400 meters wide (north to south) and perhaps 3/4 long. It sits west of Cedar Beech by 1 mile. The bottom is between 12 and 20 feet deep and has snady bottom along the shore. The anchoring is superb. While weekdays are best for a trip, one can usually anchor with no problem during the weekends (except for July 4th). I taught my two children to swim in the foot deep water, the same place by parents taught me.
Anchoring for me with my 25D comes down to a bow anchor to windward and one out the stern. Should the weather promise a storm, I rown my raft out with an addition anchor.
The Great South Bay Cruising Club and many other sailing groups use the cove for raft ups, etc during the season.
Oh, by the way, the water is usually in the high 70s in the mid summer and its a relatively easy walk over the parkway to the ocean side.
Why not drive over the Meadowbrook or Wantagh Parkway and take a look.
Hope to see you there this summer.
Jim Westpfahl
JamesW7644@AOL.COM
The cove by name on the charts is Hemlock Cove. Its about 400 meters wide (north to south) and perhaps 3/4 long. It sits west of Cedar Beech by 1 mile. The bottom is between 12 and 20 feet deep and has snady bottom along the shore. The anchoring is superb. While weekdays are best for a trip, one can usually anchor with no problem during the weekends (except for July 4th). I taught my two children to swim in the foot deep water, the same place by parents taught me.
Anchoring for me with my 25D comes down to a bow anchor to windward and one out the stern. Should the weather promise a storm, I rown my raft out with an addition anchor.
The Great South Bay Cruising Club and many other sailing groups use the cove for raft ups, etc during the season.
Oh, by the way, the water is usually in the high 70s in the mid summer and its a relatively easy walk over the parkway to the ocean side.
Why not drive over the Meadowbrook or Wantagh Parkway and take a look.
Hope to see you there this summer.
Jim Westpfahl
JamesW7644@AOL.COM
-
Tom
Re: Picking Overnight Anchorages
There's an old sailor's addage that goes "The wind goes down with the sun". Usually at night, although the wind blows from every which way, it seldom blows stongly. There are local exceptions, of course, and it can blow down certain canyons. Most often the wind is not a factor at night. Current can roll you about though. When the tide changes you often get tossed for awhile with the changing tide. If the wind does not go down with the sun but continues after dark, it doesn't matter where you are it's not going to be pleasant probably. Let out some extra scope and be sure of your anchors.
As far as studying the charts and finding the "perfect" anchorage where it's always dead calm, the weather never changes, anchors never drag and no idiots come in and anchor on top of you -- forget it! I've never found such a spot, but if you find one you can bet there will be 100 other boats in there all mashed up against you making noise.
The nature of cruising is that it is never the same twice even in the same location. You have to be prepared to alter your plans, move in the middle of the night, get out if the weather comes up, etc. That's the fun of cruising if you're going to be a person that enjoys it. If you're thinking that by studying everything and asking a million questions you're going to find the perfect spot and have the perfect experience every time, I don't think cruising is going to be your thing. It's not like you can plan and control things enough that you are assured of 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep in a perfectly quiet and dead calm anchorage every time out.
While that does happen from time to time, it's rather the exception than the rule and you savor it all the more on the rare occassions when it does happen for that very reason. With a little experience you'll figure out that anchorage X is a bitch when the wind is out of the North, South, East or West. And it's lumpy in anchorage Y after a front has passed. And anchorage Z looks good on the chart, but the waves refract around the point and roll you all night. So there are just things that you can't find out from studying charts. Talk to the local experienced sailors in the area where you plan to sail. Better you should ask I'm sailing to Island Who-knows-which next weekend- what anchorages do you like there? Or is Snug Harbor quiet at night and what's the bottom like? Those are the kinds of questions that any experienced local sailor can answer for you. But probably no one can answer the question: How do you study any chart and find a perfect anchorage in all weather conditions? If there's an answer to that one I look forward to hearing it. As far as I know, there are none on the coast of the Western United States. Some are better than others in certain kinds of weather, but the weather guessers have a way of crossing you up with bad guesses too.
TomCambria@mindspring.com
As far as studying the charts and finding the "perfect" anchorage where it's always dead calm, the weather never changes, anchors never drag and no idiots come in and anchor on top of you -- forget it! I've never found such a spot, but if you find one you can bet there will be 100 other boats in there all mashed up against you making noise.
The nature of cruising is that it is never the same twice even in the same location. You have to be prepared to alter your plans, move in the middle of the night, get out if the weather comes up, etc. That's the fun of cruising if you're going to be a person that enjoys it. If you're thinking that by studying everything and asking a million questions you're going to find the perfect spot and have the perfect experience every time, I don't think cruising is going to be your thing. It's not like you can plan and control things enough that you are assured of 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep in a perfectly quiet and dead calm anchorage every time out.
While that does happen from time to time, it's rather the exception than the rule and you savor it all the more on the rare occassions when it does happen for that very reason. With a little experience you'll figure out that anchorage X is a bitch when the wind is out of the North, South, East or West. And it's lumpy in anchorage Y after a front has passed. And anchorage Z looks good on the chart, but the waves refract around the point and roll you all night. So there are just things that you can't find out from studying charts. Talk to the local experienced sailors in the area where you plan to sail. Better you should ask I'm sailing to Island Who-knows-which next weekend- what anchorages do you like there? Or is Snug Harbor quiet at night and what's the bottom like? Those are the kinds of questions that any experienced local sailor can answer for you. But probably no one can answer the question: How do you study any chart and find a perfect anchorage in all weather conditions? If there's an answer to that one I look forward to hearing it. As far as I know, there are none on the coast of the Western United States. Some are better than others in certain kinds of weather, but the weather guessers have a way of crossing you up with bad guesses too.
Warren Kaplan wrote: I intend to anchor out for weekends this year so I've been doing some research into "picking anchorages". For the purpose of this question let's assume that the bottom is good and the anchor will hold. I've been looking at primarily wind patterns. In my area during the sailing season the wind primarily comes out of the southwest. Its a seabreeze and can get quite strong. So prudence would dictate that I anchor on the lee side of a land mass assuming that currents and tides are not monsterous considerations. After dark, when the land cools down and especially just before dawn, there is often a land breeze or off shore breeze which often can be quite strong. What was a good anchoring spot for the prevailing daylight seabreeze gets to be kinda bumpy at night. I have studied 24 hour wind directions and I see that it is not unusual, as a matter of fact its downright common for the wind to shift often and come from just about every direction through a 24 hour period of time. So the question comes down to this. In the REAL sailing world, how often do you actually find an anchorage that stays smooth for 24 hours as opposed to getting choppy or downright rough for some time during that 24 hour period? I'm not talking about an unexpected blast that comes in where you may have to weigh anchor and go to another spot. I guess I'm trying to find out how to pick that "perfect anchorage" that stays smooth just about all the time. I guess with few well known exceptions, which means crowds, there is no such thing and you have to be prepared for chop even in normal weather. Any advice would be welcome. If I'm going to convince my wife that weekend cruising can open up some new sailing worlds, I can't have her gettin' seasick in the middle of the night!
Thanks,
Warren Kaplan
Sine Qua Non
CD27
Oyster Bay Harbor, NY
TomCambria@mindspring.com
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Jerry axler
Re: Picking Overnight Anchorages
Although I sail out of the Chesapeake Bay, where it is the common practice to anchor out each night, I have anchored my boat in your area on my way back from New England. I try to pick a spot to anchor that is out of the primary wind direction and not worry about the land breeze that may occur in the morning, since it is the fetch that gives the size of the waves a chance to build. Since you are at this point close to land, the fetch will be quite short and the wave action minimal. It is more important to be anchored in a spot where the predicted wind will not have a long fetch than to worry about a land breeze that will have e very short fetch. It always amazes me that the water is so calm behind even the smallest land mass, as long as you are in it's lee.Warren Kaplan wrote: I intend to anchor out for weekends this year so I've been doing some research into "picking anchorages". For the purpose of this question let's assume that the bottom is good and the anchor will hold. I've been looking at primarily wind patterns. In my area during the sailing season the wind primarily comes out of the southwest. Its a seabreeze and can get quite strong. So prudence would dictate that I anchor on the lee side of a land mass assuming that currents and tides are not monsterous considerations. After dark, when the land cools down and especially just before dawn, there is often a land breeze or off shore breeze which often can be quite strong. What was a good anchoring spot for the prevailing daylight seabreeze gets to be kinda bumpy at night. I have studied 24 hour wind directions and I see that it is not unusual, as a matter of fact its downright common for the wind to shift often and come from just about every direction through a 24 hour period of time. So the question comes down to this. In the REAL sailing world, how often do you actually find an anchorage that stays smooth for 24 hours as opposed to getting choppy or downright rough for some time during that 24 hour period? I'm not talking about an unexpected blast that comes in where you may have to weigh anchor and go to another spot. I guess I'm trying to find out how to pick that "perfect anchorage" that stays smooth just about all the time. I guess with few well known exceptions, which means crowds, there is no such thing and you have to be prepared for chop even in normal weather. Any advice would be welcome. If I'm going to convince my wife that weekend cruising can open up some new sailing worlds, I can't have her gettin' seasick in the middle of the night!
Thanks,
Warren Kaplan
Sine Qua Non
CD27
Oyster Bay Harbor, NY
The only exception that I have seen is if a tidal surge is present and then the lee may not be the best place to be. However, I have not run into that situation on LI sound.
As the commercials say, "Just do it".
Let us know how things went.
Jerry
Shana CD36
cutter36@erols.com
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Ken Coit
Re: Picking Overnight Anchorages
Warren,
One the most popular anchorages around here is Cape Lookout Bight. However, as you will see from the info at the link below, it can be bad news under some conditions even though it is nearly totally enclosed from open water.
Keep on sailing,
Ken Coit
CD/36 Parfait
Hailing Port: Raleigh, NC
Sailing from: Beaufort, NC
[img]http://www.icw-net.com/maps/nc/nc-cc1.gif[/img]
parfaitNOSPAM@nc.rr.com
One the most popular anchorages around here is Cape Lookout Bight. However, as you will see from the info at the link below, it can be bad news under some conditions even though it is nearly totally enclosed from open water.
Keep on sailing,
Ken Coit
CD/36 Parfait
Hailing Port: Raleigh, NC
Sailing from: Beaufort, NC
Warren Kaplan wrote: I intend to anchor out for weekends this year so I've been doing some research into "picking anchorages". For the purpose of this question let's assume that the bottom is good and the anchor will hold. I've been looking at primarily wind patterns. In my area during the sailing season the wind primarily comes out of the southwest. Its a seabreeze and can get quite strong. So prudence would dictate that I anchor on the lee side of a land mass assuming that currents and tides are not monsterous considerations. After dark, when the land cools down and especially just before dawn, there is often a land breeze or off shore breeze which often can be quite strong. What was a good anchoring spot for the prevailing daylight seabreeze gets to be kinda bumpy at night. I have studied 24 hour wind directions and I see that it is not unusual, as a matter of fact its downright common for the wind to shift often and come from just about every direction through a 24 hour period of time. So the question comes down to this. In the REAL sailing world, how often do you actually find an anchorage that stays smooth for 24 hours as opposed to getting choppy or downright rough for some time during that 24 hour period? I'm not talking about an unexpected blast that comes in where you may have to weigh anchor and go to another spot. I guess I'm trying to find out how to pick that "perfect anchorage" that stays smooth just about all the time. I guess with few well known exceptions, which means crowds, there is no such thing and you have to be prepared for chop even in normal weather. Any advice would be welcome. If I'm going to convince my wife that weekend cruising can open up some new sailing worlds, I can't have her gettin' seasick in the middle of the night!
Thanks,
Warren Kaplan
Sine Qua Non
CD27
Oyster Bay Harbor, NY
[img]http://www.icw-net.com/maps/nc/nc-cc1.gif[/img]
parfaitNOSPAM@nc.rr.com
-
Warren Kaplan
Hemlock Cove
Jim,Jim Westpfahl wrote: Well, Warren I live on the opposite side of Long Island and a little east of you folks in Oyster Bay in Lindenhurst (Town of Babylon). My ideal anchorage is in a relatively small cove between the Great South Bay and the thin barrier island(s) that separate the bay from the ocean. Indead, the daytime winds do tend to come out of the soutwest sometime after 0900 hours and seem often to swing to the westerly by evening. On average the breeze hovers between 8 and 12 knots during the day. Generally, the wind/breeze will settle down by nightfall or shortly after.
The cove by name on the charts is Hemlock Cove. Its about 400 meters wide (north to south) and perhaps 3/4 long. It sits west of Cedar Beech by 1 mile. The bottom is between 12 and 20 feet deep and has snady bottom along the shore. The anchoring is superb. While weekdays are best for a trip, one can usually anchor with no problem during the weekends (except for July 4th). I taught my two children to swim in the foot deep water, the same place by parents taught me.
Anchoring for me with my 25D comes down to a bow anchor to windward and one out the stern. Should the weather promise a storm, I rown my raft out with an addition anchor.
The Great South Bay Cruising Club and many other sailing groups use the cove for raft ups, etc during the season.
Oh, by the way, the water is usually in the high 70s in the mid summer and its a relatively easy walk over the parkway to the ocean side.
Why not drive over the Meadowbrook or Wantagh Parkway and take a look.
Hope to see you there this summer.
Jim Westpfahl
I know Hemlock Cove well although I've never anchored there. Until this year I sailed out of Bayshore and sailed all over Great South Bay. I've often seen GSB Cruising Club's raft ups. Don't know if I'll get down that way this year as I want to give the Sound a try. But I drive on Ocean Parkway almost every day (from work) and I can spot a Cape Dory a long distance away. If I see you there I'll stop and say hello.
Warren Kaplan
SEtsail728@aol.com
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Will W.
Re: Picking Overnight Anchorages
Hi Warren
I know what you mean about getting the wife to come along and enjoy herself. I'm still trying to figure that one out. She is very understanding about my love for sailing and does not complain very much about the time I spend; and it is a lot, on boating and related activities. One thing I am going to try this year is doing a long day sail to someplace that we can dock and stay in an Inn. My wife is a creature of comfort and even though she wants to be adventurous, I have to be realistic about her wants etc. Plus the 25 is a bit small.
Here's a funny story that helped my wife become resigned to a future of sailing. She had a Psychic reading done recently and without being promted during the session, the psychic asked her if her husband was a sailor. She replied that I was and why did she ask. The psychic said that she saw us with a boat. Suzi replied that we did have a boat. The psychic immediatly replied " no, I see a BIGGER boat ". Acooding to this wonderful psychic, I will live mostly on the boat ( I envision a pretty nice boat ) and my wife will live with me on weekends, mostly.
So if you need some help convincing the wife to enjoy sailing, I can try to get you that psychic's number. Of course, there was no time set for this dream. But at least the wife is thinking more about joining me this year.
Good luck with the search, and happy sailing.
Will Wheatley
Suzi Q
CD25
Sailing from Chesapeake Beach, MD
willwheatley@starpower.net
I know what you mean about getting the wife to come along and enjoy herself. I'm still trying to figure that one out. She is very understanding about my love for sailing and does not complain very much about the time I spend; and it is a lot, on boating and related activities. One thing I am going to try this year is doing a long day sail to someplace that we can dock and stay in an Inn. My wife is a creature of comfort and even though she wants to be adventurous, I have to be realistic about her wants etc. Plus the 25 is a bit small.
Here's a funny story that helped my wife become resigned to a future of sailing. She had a Psychic reading done recently and without being promted during the session, the psychic asked her if her husband was a sailor. She replied that I was and why did she ask. The psychic said that she saw us with a boat. Suzi replied that we did have a boat. The psychic immediatly replied " no, I see a BIGGER boat ". Acooding to this wonderful psychic, I will live mostly on the boat ( I envision a pretty nice boat ) and my wife will live with me on weekends, mostly.
So if you need some help convincing the wife to enjoy sailing, I can try to get you that psychic's number. Of course, there was no time set for this dream. But at least the wife is thinking more about joining me this year.
Good luck with the search, and happy sailing.
Will Wheatley
Suzi Q
CD25
Sailing from Chesapeake Beach, MD
Warren Kaplan wrote: I intend to anchor out for weekends this year so I've been doing some research into "picking anchorages". For the purpose of this question let's assume that the bottom is good and the anchor will hold. I've been looking at primarily wind patterns. In my area during the sailing season the wind primarily comes out of the southwest. Its a seabreeze and can get quite strong. So prudence would dictate that I anchor on the lee side of a land mass assuming that currents and tides are not monsterous considerations. After dark, when the land cools down and especially just before dawn, there is often a land breeze or off shore breeze which often can be quite strong. What was a good anchoring spot for the prevailing daylight seabreeze gets to be kinda bumpy at night. I have studied 24 hour wind directions and I see that it is not unusual, as a matter of fact its downright common for the wind to shift often and come from just about every direction through a 24 hour period of time. So the question comes down to this. In the REAL sailing world, how often do you actually find an anchorage that stays smooth for 24 hours as opposed to getting choppy or downright rough for some time during that 24 hour period? I'm not talking about an unexpected blast that comes in where you may have to weigh anchor and go to another spot. I guess I'm trying to find out how to pick that "perfect anchorage" that stays smooth just about all the time. I guess with few well known exceptions, which means crowds, there is no such thing and you have to be prepared for chop even in normal weather. Any advice would be welcome. If I'm going to convince my wife that weekend cruising can open up some new sailing worlds, I can't have her gettin' seasick in the middle of the night!
Thanks,
Warren Kaplan
Sine Qua Non
CD27
Oyster Bay Harbor, NY
willwheatley@starpower.net
-
Warren Kaplan
Re: Picking Overnight Anchorages
Say Will,Will W. wrote: Hi Warren
I know what you mean about getting the wife to come along and enjoy herself. I'm still trying to figure that one out. She is very understanding about my love for sailing and does not complain very much about the time I spend; and it is a lot, on boating and related activities. One thing I am going to try this year is doing a long day sail to someplace that we can dock and stay in an Inn. My wife is a creature of comfort and even though she wants to be adventurous, I have to be realistic about her wants etc. Plus the 25 is a bit small.
Here's a funny story that helped my wife become resigned to a future of sailing. She had a Psychic reading done recently and without being promted during the session, the psychic asked her if her husband was a sailor. She replied that I was and why did she ask. The psychic said that she saw us with a boat. Suzi replied that we did have a boat. The psychic immediatly replied " no, I see a BIGGER boat ". Acooding to this wonderful psychic, I will live mostly on the boat ( I envision a pretty nice boat ) and my wife will live with me on weekends, mostly.
So if you need some help convincing the wife to enjoy sailing, I can try to get you that psychic's number. Of course, there was no time set for this dream. But at least the wife is thinking more about joining me this year.
Good luck with the search, and happy sailing.
Will Wheatley
Suzi Q
CD25
Sailing from Chesapeake Beach, MD
That psychic's crystal ball didn't happen to see which larger boat is in your future did it?? (HA!) That would really get me excited especially if it told me where I was gonna' get the money to pay for it!!
My wife really likes to "go sailing". She likes the ride. She's not particularly into the technicalities of sailing, but she likes going. Like you and your wife, we are aware of the realities of this. We too will plan ahead to stay at some marinas that have motels close by on longer trips. My CD27 really isn't set up for living aboard on longer trips. It could be, but it isn't now. My posting was more about taking off on a Friday afternoon and maybe spending Friday night and Saturday night on the hook in various anchorages. That we'd both enjoy but I know if we wind up bouncing around all night each weekend the idea of anchoring out is gonna' get "old" very fast. I know that probably won't happen but that's why I'm looking at different anchorages and wind patterns to see if I can find the most "predictable" anchorages. Nothing is guaranteed of course but it doesn't hurt to try a find the best spot.
I hope you get your bigger boat soon!
Setsail728@aol.com
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John MacArthur
Re: Picking Overnight Anchorages
I strongly second what Kevin said: Using an anchor 1-2 sizes bigger than what is recommended for your boat, and at least 2 boatlengths of heavier than needed chain (*don't* forget the chain) does wonders for your sleep. In most places with any reasonable cover, the night breezes shouldn't kick up much chop, even if they are from the opposite direction than the wind was when you set your anchor. A riding sail goes a long way towards preventing rolling, which is one of the biggest sleep-robbers.Warren Kaplan wrote: Any advice would be welcome. If I'm going to convince my wife that weekend cruising can open up some new sailing worlds, I can't have her gettin' seasick in the middle of the night!
Thanks,
Warren Kaplan
Sine Qua Non
CD27
Oyster Bay Harbor, NY
Johnny MacArthur
CD-30 "Stork"
Taos NM
jmac@laplaza.org
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Larry DeMers
Re: Picking Overnight Anchorages
Tom,
While it is true that a person should not expect to find the perfect anchorage by studying the charts alone; and asking questions on the net is not going to give one *all* of the answers needed to have a quiet night at anchor every time..I do believe you were a tad strident in your answer to Warren, which is rather unfortunate.
I would much rather see someone "ask a million questions" from more experienced sailors and study the charts carefully before starting a new phase of their sailing life, than proceeding blindly into the unknown, with a wife who is not used to sailing much, and certainly not all that comfortable with anchoring out at night etc.
The process of exploring an unknown takes many forms Tom. Everyone starts at the beginning and progresses towards their own goals. How did you start out sailing? (rthetorically asked) I assume you talked with friends that were sailors, and you did some exploring on your own, finding out what worked and what didn't. It is certainly the way most people do it.
I think that Warrens asking questions about anchoring shows several things about him. He is a careful sailor, who does not want to harm his little sweety..-or his wife! ;^) He also askes questions that are on the mind of probably half the people reading the articles he writes. He is an inquisitive person which I pick up from his questions, which I find to be well thought out and to have a purpose to them. I think these types of questions are to be encouraged, not discouraged as your unfortunately worded statement seems to do.
Think about it once. If Warrens wife has a few bad experiences while out anchoring, she may very well decide to give up going with Warren, which then entirely changes his whole sailing situation; no second hand to help sail, no wifely companionship and comfort, time spent apart from each other rather than with each other etc. His stakes are fairly robust for this evdeavor, so any information he gathers is likely to help his situation.
So because of these things, I will have to disagree with your assumptions and conclusion. Answers to his questions will help him make a choice of anchorage, and prime him for what to expect and how to react should plans go awry, thus protecting the two things he values highest in his life..his wife and his boat. Not a bad approach at all, and one I praise.
Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30
Sailing Lake Superior
demers@sgi.com
While it is true that a person should not expect to find the perfect anchorage by studying the charts alone; and asking questions on the net is not going to give one *all* of the answers needed to have a quiet night at anchor every time..I do believe you were a tad strident in your answer to Warren, which is rather unfortunate.
I would much rather see someone "ask a million questions" from more experienced sailors and study the charts carefully before starting a new phase of their sailing life, than proceeding blindly into the unknown, with a wife who is not used to sailing much, and certainly not all that comfortable with anchoring out at night etc.
The process of exploring an unknown takes many forms Tom. Everyone starts at the beginning and progresses towards their own goals. How did you start out sailing? (rthetorically asked) I assume you talked with friends that were sailors, and you did some exploring on your own, finding out what worked and what didn't. It is certainly the way most people do it.
I think that Warrens asking questions about anchoring shows several things about him. He is a careful sailor, who does not want to harm his little sweety..-or his wife! ;^) He also askes questions that are on the mind of probably half the people reading the articles he writes. He is an inquisitive person which I pick up from his questions, which I find to be well thought out and to have a purpose to them. I think these types of questions are to be encouraged, not discouraged as your unfortunately worded statement seems to do.
Think about it once. If Warrens wife has a few bad experiences while out anchoring, she may very well decide to give up going with Warren, which then entirely changes his whole sailing situation; no second hand to help sail, no wifely companionship and comfort, time spent apart from each other rather than with each other etc. His stakes are fairly robust for this evdeavor, so any information he gathers is likely to help his situation.
So because of these things, I will have to disagree with your assumptions and conclusion. Answers to his questions will help him make a choice of anchorage, and prime him for what to expect and how to react should plans go awry, thus protecting the two things he values highest in his life..his wife and his boat. Not a bad approach at all, and one I praise.
Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30
Sailing Lake Superior
Tom wrote: If you're thinking that by studying everything and asking a million questions you're going to find the perfect spot and have the perfect experience every time, I don't think cruising is going to be your thing. It's not like you can plan and control things enough that you are assured of 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep in a perfectly quiet and dead calm anchorage every time out.
demers@sgi.com
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Eric
Re: Picking Overnight Anchorages -- Two Anchors?
I question the wisdom of an anchor off the bow and one off the stern. All that will do is force the boat to remain in one position, which may or may not be desireable. If the wind shifts 90 degrees you will be taking wind and waves abeam, which is no way to sleep and is not how anchors are designed to keep hold. maybe I'm missing something, but when I see a boat with an anchor off the stern I assume I'm looking at a cowboy and keep my distance.
The key, as noted before, is having plenty of weight in your anchor and chain, picking the right spot (the best tools for that are your eyes) and setting plenty of scope.
Please educate me if I'm wrong.
ew
The key, as noted before, is having plenty of weight in your anchor and chain, picking the right spot (the best tools for that are your eyes) and setting plenty of scope.
Please educate me if I'm wrong.
ew
Warren Kaplan wrote: I intend to anchor out for weekends this year so I've been doing some research into "picking anchorages". For the purpose of this question let's assume that the bottom is good and the anchor will hold. I've been looking at primarily wind patterns. In my area during the sailing season the wind primarily comes out of the southwest. Its a seabreeze and can get quite strong. So prudence would dictate that I anchor on the lee side of a land mass assuming that currents and tides are not monsterous considerations. After dark, when the land cools down and especially just before dawn, there is often a land breeze or off shore breeze which often can be quite strong. What was a good anchoring spot for the prevailing daylight seabreeze gets to be kinda bumpy at night. I have studied 24 hour wind directions and I see that it is not unusual, as a matter of fact its downright common for the wind to shift often and come from just about every direction through a 24 hour period of time. So the question comes down to this. In the REAL sailing world, how often do you actually find an anchorage that stays smooth for 24 hours as opposed to getting choppy or downright rough for some time during that 24 hour period? I'm not talking about an unexpected blast that comes in where you may have to weigh anchor and go to another spot. I guess I'm trying to find out how to pick that "perfect anchorage" that stays smooth just about all the time. I guess with few well known exceptions, which means crowds, there is no such thing and you have to be prepared for chop even in normal weather. Any advice would be welcome. If I'm going to convince my wife that weekend cruising can open up some new sailing worlds, I can't have her gettin' seasick in the middle of the night!
Thanks,
Warren Kaplan
Sine Qua Non
CD27
Oyster Bay Harbor, NY
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Michael Greenberg
Re: Picking Overnight Anchorages
Warren....I still remember the first time I anchored out overnight. I was up on deck every hour or so, checking the anchor line, making sure I wasn't drifting out to sea, etc., etc. What you have to do, is just do it. It takes a little getting used to, but the more you do it the more confident you become. And I promise you this....you will find anchoring out overnight is one of the premier pleasures of cruising. Nothing beats sleeping on a boat lying at anchor.
mikegre1@bellatlantic.net
mikegre1@bellatlantic.net
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Clay Stalker
Re: Picking Overnight Anchorages
Hi Warren:Warren Kaplan wrote: I intend to anchor out for weekends this year so I've been doing some research into "picking anchorages". For the purpose of this question let's assume that the bottom is good and the anchor will hold. I've been looking at primarily wind patterns. In my area during the sailing season the wind primarily comes out of the southwest. Its a seabreeze and can get quite strong. So prudence would dictate that I anchor on the lee side of a land mass assuming that currents and tides are not monsterous considerations. After dark, when the land cools down and especially just before dawn, there is often a land breeze or off shore breeze which often can be quite strong. What was a good anchoring spot for the prevailing daylight seabreeze gets to be kinda bumpy at night. I have studied 24 hour wind directions and I see that it is not unusual, as a matter of fact its downright common for the wind to shift often and come from just about every direction through a 24 hour period of time. So the question comes down to this. In the REAL sailing world, how often do you actually find an anchorage that stays smooth for 24 hours as opposed to getting choppy or downright rough for some time during that 24 hour period? I'm not talking about an unexpected blast that comes in where you may have to weigh anchor and go to another spot. I guess I'm trying to find out how to pick that "perfect anchorage" that stays smooth just about all the time. I guess with few well known exceptions, which means crowds, there is no such thing and you have to be prepared for chop even in normal weather. Any advice would be welcome. If I'm going to convince my wife that weekend cruising can open up some new sailing worlds, I can't have her gettin' seasick in the middle of the night!
Thanks,
Warren Kaplan
Sine Qua Non
CD27
Oyster Bay Harbor, NY
I have the same issue with the wife thing....smooth is good. I anchor frequently around Narragansett Bay...primarily sand and mud, and use an FX-16 Fortress....this anchor is sized for a 33-36' boat, so holds my CD27 real well. I have 30' of chain and 200' of nylon rode....have never come loose or dragged (yet). Have fun!
Clay Stalker
CD27 Salsa #247
Bristol, Rhode Island
cstalker@cheshire.net