timjet
Guru
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2009
- Messages
- 1,920
We went to our favorite anchorage last weekend. I've anchored there many times and know the area well. Because the anchorage is located in the ICW about a mile from an inlet, there are some pretty strong currents that can force the boat to lay opposite the wind at certain times.
Taking this into account I anchored somewhat close to shore to reduce the dinghy ride but well away from the several mostly abandoned boats nearby and about 100 ft from a crab-pot buoy. What I didn't notice is one of the nearby sailboats had two anchors set at about 45 deg apart.
When the tide changed all the boats moved as I expected except the one that was doubled anchored. As I saw it getting closer and closer I felt sure it would settle several feet behind us. It did not and by the time I realized this, I was fending it off our stern. Time to start the engines and move. However, it's impossible to fend off a boat and be on the helm at the same time. The admiral goes up to retrieve the anchor and of course the windlass decides not to retrieve the entire rode, getting hung up with about half the rode out. Oh and I forgot to mention it's dark.
My wife with my help on the helm maneuvering the boat is able to retrieve the line and we moved, but she was rattled. All the while I'm very worried we were going to fowl one of the sailboats anchor line around one of our props or the crab-pot I couldn't see because it's dark.
That didn't happen but I learned this:
If an adverse situation is developing, correct it even if you think it will eventually correct itself. Don't wait, do it now.
It's not necessary to anchor close to shore when you have a powered dinghy and there is plenty of room elsewhere.
I did dive the boat the next day to make sure no lines were around the props.
Taking this into account I anchored somewhat close to shore to reduce the dinghy ride but well away from the several mostly abandoned boats nearby and about 100 ft from a crab-pot buoy. What I didn't notice is one of the nearby sailboats had two anchors set at about 45 deg apart.
When the tide changed all the boats moved as I expected except the one that was doubled anchored. As I saw it getting closer and closer I felt sure it would settle several feet behind us. It did not and by the time I realized this, I was fending it off our stern. Time to start the engines and move. However, it's impossible to fend off a boat and be on the helm at the same time. The admiral goes up to retrieve the anchor and of course the windlass decides not to retrieve the entire rode, getting hung up with about half the rode out. Oh and I forgot to mention it's dark.
My wife with my help on the helm maneuvering the boat is able to retrieve the line and we moved, but she was rattled. All the while I'm very worried we were going to fowl one of the sailboats anchor line around one of our props or the crab-pot I couldn't see because it's dark.
That didn't happen but I learned this:
If an adverse situation is developing, correct it even if you think it will eventually correct itself. Don't wait, do it now.
It's not necessary to anchor close to shore when you have a powered dinghy and there is plenty of room elsewhere.
I did dive the boat the next day to make sure no lines were around the props.