Hammerlock moor

If you're anchored and your boat starts to horse-- swing back and forth on its radius. Consider setting a hammerlock moor.*

*Easy to do.**Motor forward a few feet and drop a second anchor. Pay out a short amount of scope* (About 2:1) The second anchor will drag over the seafloor and reduce the boats swinging motion,even if it doesn't penetrate the seafloor.
The second anchor can be smaller than the principal.

If it is the same size it can serve another benefit. If the first begins to drag the second is ready for action once you pay out enough line to reach a suffucient scope.

Also works great if you have any hazards close to your swing radius.
*
SD

-- Edited by skipperdude on Thursday 6th of May 2010 03:08:32 PM

Two anchors are confusing to me as you describe. How do you keep the short line from fouling the long line??

One hangs straight down with only a 2 to 1 scope. The primary anchor has your usual 7 to one.** I have used this* numerous*times with out any problem. It works great in crowded anchorages when the wind comes up and you get that back and forth shear.

If it does twist there is only 50 or 60 feet of rode to pull up or what ever the depth of water you are anchored in.* .
SD

-- Edited by skipperdude on Thursday 6th of May 2010 03:07:33 PM

You can also hang a second anchor in the water with a small drogue attached to it. Doesn't even need to touch the seabed. As the boat starts to swing, the drogue will slow it down, in either direction.

Usually the second anchor is not just dropped underfoot , the boat is sheered at a slight angle while setting , so the anchors have a minor V .

With a really heavy chain leader (short so it doesn't have to go round the windlass ) or a rode rider weight , it works great.