Anchorage etiquette

[rslifkin]

OK but think how crowded Montague Harbor would be if everyone was on their own rode.

Definitely an issue in some places. Maybe we should all just carry 1000 lb screw anchors with the ability to screw them into the bottom so we can anchor on something like 1.2:1 scope?

 

[lipets]

Al

A friend of mine was so pissed at people who anchored close to him he went into his shop and put some thin tin in his vice and took a hack saw and recorded that whining, raspy horrendous sound. He then made a loop of it and increased the volume. When he anchored and someone got to close he got out his tape and hooked it to a directional speaker and turned it on. Raised the volume. I can tell you it was terrible, he played it for me and about 20 seconds is all I could take. You know how raking your fingers on a chalk board sounds, this was worse. I think he could make big bucks by selling a CD of the sound.

See you in Ft Pierce.

I guess the drug store was closed

 

[ghost]

Sometimes I wish I had a powered barge and could just drop a pile or two to hold in place.

 

[CaptTom]

Sometimes I wish I had a powered barge and could just drop a pile or two to hold in place.

I notice in some inland areas the recreational fishing boats are now being fitted with spuds. Even some cruisers. It's a great idea. Not sure how practical it is in coastal areas, but perfect for brown water.

 

[Nomad Willy]

I wouldn’t think a spud would be very effective on anything but a real soft bottom.

And the wind would make the spud act like a tree blowing over and pull the spud out.

 

[Capitaine R]

I notice in some inland areas the recreational fishing boats are now being fitted with spuds. Even some cruisers. It's a great idea. Not sure how practical it is in coastal areas, but perfect for brown water.

Are we talking about power poles? If so, they are used here to hold the flats/fishing boat while fishing. They are easily brought back up so you can move to the next fishing spot and push it back into the soft bottom. My son in law has two on the back of his 24' flats boat.

 

[rslifkin]

I wouldn’t think a spud would be very effective on anything but a real soft bottom.

And the wind would make the spud act like a tree blowing over and pull the spud out.

I wouldn't be surprised if someone could come up with a design that could basically be augered down into the bottom. So as long as the bottom isn't rocky or otherwise truly hard, it could be dug in enough to work.

 

[psneeld]

In my experience, it is hard bottoms that are diifficult to spud down in.

Obviously spud length and botton consistency/water depth go hand in hand.

 

[Alisske]

Power and sail hulls lay differently to wind and current. If those forces oppose, they could swing in opposite directions. Likewise in very light wind and current conditions, where the boats just move around randomly. Unless each is well inside a non-overlapping swing circle, they could hit each other.

My approach, where possible, is to seek out the shallower parts of the anchorage. Sail boats avoid those. Otherwise, it's simply estimating the swing circle radius of each boat and keeping out of it.

There are, of course, exceptions. Steady winds or currents will force all boats to lay the same way, and allow tighter spacing. There are even places where a bow and stern anchor, or stern line to a tree, are required. Local knowledge helps a lot.

Spot on. Good summary

 

[RickyD]

I disagree, both the same, did a lot of anchoring in the NE over 40 years with my sailboat.


If crowded I pull up to the stern of a boat in a circle I want,
drop the hook and settle back never an issue.

I second this. If there is a current or wind and the boats are all in alignment I use the same technique. Pull up behind another boat, drop the hook. I'm assuming similar boats and anchor rode. Where I typically anchor, its 80 - 90 feet so mostly the bigger boats are out there. If conditions are quiet, I'll ask other boaters where their anchors are and I use that as a predictor. It has served me well for many years.

Ok as for Bitch Wings, my first anchoring experience was in a tiny harbor on the south (Pacific) side of Catalina Island. Room for maybe 3 boats. There was one already anchored near the east side. I pulled in around them towards the middle, dropped and pulled back. Then I looked that them and they were shaking their heads NO. Slowly I drifted towards them. I pulled up and swung around again, this time going closer to the rocks on the west side, threw out a stern hook near the beach, pulled up to drop the primary and looked over at my neighbors. Again, NO. This time we started swinging into the rocks. So I pull up again, and pull the same maneuver this time closer to the middle and got a nice affirmative. Whew. We were good for the night. I learned a lot from that as well as anchoring in 120 ft off of the Casino in Catalina. So hard to figure where we would end up. Took at least 3 tries and I had to pull the rig up by hand. Third time up I couldn't close my fist but last try was good.

 

[Marlin 45]

Do what others do

Whenever we head to anchorages and we see boats with stern anchors, we do the same. If you don’t have a stern anchor go elsewhere. Other than that be respectful of other people’s space. Don’t be late to an anchorage and force the issue. Plan to drop the hook early and then enjoy others trying to squeeze in

 

[CaptTom]

Are we talking about power poles? If so, they are used here to hold the flats/fishing boat while fishing. They are easily brought back up so you can move to the next fishing spot and push it back into the soft bottom. My son in law has two on the back of his 24' flats boat.

Yes. I never saw them advertised, so to me they looked like mini versions of what are called "spuds" on a commercial work barge.

And to me, a power pole is that thing my buddy the utility worker climbs.

 

[IntoTheBlue]

I agree with just about all that has been posted. We are one of those that try to always anchor on our journeys.

There are some places where there is no where else to anchor, where you will continually have experienced a problem. That place for us is Block Island, between July and mid-August, especially from Friday to Sunday. We hit BI mid-June and late August, during the week. Every time we didn’t hit those dates, it was just ridiculous. Boats tied up, anchors from each corner (no swing), boats with excessive scope (stern on my bow), boat that dragged, then decided they didn’t have move and reset. So add to the list, date range - avoid crowded spots on dates that you know will be over crowded.

Honestly I do think most have a good working knowledge of scope. So if everyone just followed what they know (5 to 1 in normal conditions, with extra to cover safe swing movement), all should be good. So I do not understand doing otherwise, which includes putting out excessive scope.

Enjoy!

 

[Bigsfish]

A little off subject but we love the Bahamas and go out of our way to avoid the popular anchorages and other boats. So we find a nice looking spot near an island (cay) and drop the hook. Within a couple of hours we have attracted a group of boats. WTF. This island is 500 yards long and we are towards one end so there is plenty of space for boats but no, they all come within 50 feet of our boat and turn on their music.

 

[Shrew]

A little off subject but we love the Bahamas and go out of our way to avoid the popular anchorages and other boats. So we find a nice looking spot near an island (cay) and drop the hook. Within a couple of hours we have attracted a group of boats. WTF. This island is 500 yards long and we are towards one end so there is plenty of space for boats but no, they all come within 50 feet of our boat and turn on their music.

This is a common sentiment. Whatever made you decide that was the preferred spot to anchor, everyone else agreed. Depth, bottom type, holding, proximity to beach, dinghy dock, etc.

Often people simply aren't familiar with the area and simply anchor where other people are assuming you have local knowledge.

 

[Bigsfish]

Yes, like the blind leading the blind. I decided to anchor at that spot because there wasn’t a boat I could see nearby. I’ve been headed across the banks in the Bahamas and have had boats run fast to get behind me and they don’t know where I’m headed. LMAO

 

[Group9]

Yes, like the blind leading the blind. I decided to anchor at that spot because there wasn’t a boat I could see nearby. I’ve been headed across the banks in the Bahamas and have had boats run fast to get behind me and they don’t know where I’m headed. LMAO

I anchored on the banks between Bimini and Chub Cay one night, and when we woke up, there was a large yacht anchored about a quarter mile away from us!

Of course, two boats probably makes it less likely to not be noticed by the Mailboats.

 

[Nopistn]

Al

A friend of mine was so pissed at people who anchored close to him he went into his shop and put some thin tin in his vice and took a hack saw and recorded that whining, raspy horrendous sound. He then made a loop of it and increased the volume. When he anchored and someone got to close he got out his tape and hooked it to a directional speaker and turned it on. Raised the volume. I can tell you it was terrible, he played it for me and about 20 seconds is all I could take. You know how raking your fingers on a chalk board sounds, this was worse. I think he could make big bucks by selling a CD of the sound.

See you in Ft Pierce.

Cardi B has been my weapon of choice, vulgar and obnoxious.

 

[Magneto]

I'm surprised no one has brought up "Baby Shark". I will keep a copy on hand for just such a situation.

 

[Shrew]

I'm surprised no one has brought up "Baby Shark". I will keep a copy on hand for just such a situation.

The majority of this thread was active before the 'baby shark' craze was a thing.

 

[Toki]

Question for the TF brain trust: there have been times when I'm securely anchored in a crowded harbor and I see someone motoring around looking for anchor room in vain. I've been tempted to toss the fenders over and offer to have them raft up, either together on my anchor or by dropping their own depending on conditions and boat size.

What do you think? Good idea or fraught with pitfalls? I can see the possibility of anchor lines entangling, any other reasons this should not be done?

 

[Alaskan Sea-Duction]

Question for the TF brain trust: there have been times when I'm securely anchored in a crowded harbor and I see someone motoring around looking for anchor room in vain. I've been tempted to toss the fenders over and offer to have them raft up, either together on my anchor or by dropping their own depending on conditions and boat size.

What do you think? Good idea or fraught with pitfalls? I can see the possibility of anchor lines entangling, any other reasons this should not be done?

In my opinion, only if you know them. Its kinda asking strangers into your house. Then there are liability issues should you drag anchor and cause damage.

 

[CaptTom]

I'd say go for it, given the right conditions. The other boat would have to be compatible. Like, not a sailboat if you're in a trawler. Weather would have to be settled. Rafted boats can develop mis-matched roll periods which really beat them up.

You can asses the other boat, and it's occupants, as they circle the anchorage. You'll probably get a sense of how compatible they'd be. And, of course, they'd be thinking the same about you. If you offer, and they take you up on it, you'll probably get along fine.

Don't let the lawyers ruin a nice evening. People raft up in lots of popular anchorages and mooring fields. In some places, it's expected.

 

[Toki]

Sea-Duction, you're right, there is a liability concern here. Certainly something to consider

Tom, I assess the compatibility of fellow boaters by the brand of gin onboard. That might be a good test for raft-up compatibility

By the way, I have done just what I propose many times. I'm a regular on Lake Union in Seattle for the 4th fireworks. It's a real $H!# show out there, I do it in my beater sailboat, I'd never take the tug out there. I learned long ago that the best protection is to have a sacrificial boat rafted to either side of me!

 

[syjos]

A lone boater looking for an anchorage is looking for solitude. Otherwise they would be traveling in a herd.

If two anchors are deployed, a stern anchor or shore tie is required to prevent the rode twisting.

And if a boat comes into an anchorage that's crowded, it means they came in too late or poor planning.

 

[GFC]

What a difference in the comments between posts #84 and #85. I would venture a guess that one of you rafts up often, meets new friends, shares gin and stories with their new friends. The other, not so much.


To each his own.

 

[FlyWright]

I have occasionally extended the offer to fellow anglers to raft up while fishing in crowded waters.

Sometimes, with everyone trying to crowd into the favored fishing grounds, someone will attempt to anchor in another's fish-fighting field. Some of these fish will run 100 yards in a single sprint so it's important not to anchor in someone's way.

I'd rather have a guy on a raft up alongside me than right behind me as I'm fishing for big sturgeon. It's also a nice way to help another while meeting good folks. I always ask to use their lines, not mine. That way, if it doesn't work out, you can always release their lines and wish them a good day.

 

[syjos]

What a difference in the comments between posts #84 and #85. I would venture a guess that one of you rafts up often, meets new friends, shares gin and stories with their new friends. The other, not so much.


To each his own.

You are sort of correct.

We spend the most time anchored by ourselves. We enjoy the solitude.

There are always friends and fellow yacht club members cruising about the same time as us. We raft up with them periodically for several days. Then we leave and seek solitude for a while.

We had a 14 boat raft up one year in Montague Harbor.

 

[O C Diver]

Question for the TF brain trust: there have been times when I'm securely anchored in a crowded harbor and I see someone motoring around looking for anchor room in vain. I've been tempted to toss the fenders over and offer to have them raft up, either together on my anchor or by dropping their own depending on conditions and boat size.

What do you think? Good idea or fraught with pitfalls? I can see the possibility of anchor lines entangling, any other reasons this should not be done?

I have done this 2 times in self defense. Imagine being in a full anchorage and someone else shows up and is going to short scope in front of you. My conclusion was that I would rather have them rafted to me than dragging the hook back on me. Obviously you need to size the people up. In both situations it worked out well, as they were as concerned about where they would anchor as I was. Both situations generated a wonderful evening together and new friends. Both were sailboats. Oh the shame of rafting with a sailboat. Needless to say, they were very surprised by the offer, from a power boater. No regrets; I would do it again.

Ted

 

[Alaskan Sea-Duction]

Sea-Duction, you're right, there is a liability concern here. Certainly something to consider

Tom, I assess the compatibility of fellow boaters by the brand of gin onboard. That might be a good test for raft-up compatibility

Well when you put it that way, scotch and a good cigar, come raft up anytime!!!

Then again, be careful if you raft with Crusty!!!