Smart Anchoring Tips Part 2

If you've read smart anchoring tips 1 you should be happy to choose a spot to anchor.

Now here's how to go about it.

First anchoring tip... it's vital you know your boat. You need to know which switches need to be on for the windlass to work.

On many yachts there's a separate battery switch for the windlass and a switch on 12V panel.

Your yacht may also have a trip switch. Do you know where it is?

Now while you are in clear water head to the bow, lift up the anchor locker and secure it open.

Release any ties or pins securing the anchor. Attach the windlass control if you need to.

Then test it. Briefly press the down button. Is it working? Great! If not since you are still in clear water you've got time to look for the problem.

Now an important anchoring tip... have a chat between helm and crew. Decide how you are going to communicate with each other.

How is the helm going to tell the crew to start and stop dropping anchor? Will the cue be verbal or a hand signal.

If it is to be verbal can the crew hear from the bow or is it too windy? What depth are you planning to anchor in? How much chain should the crew let out?

To decide how much chain to let out you need to understand that your anchor chain should lie along the seabed for a distance before it runs up towards your yacht. This means the weight of your boat is converted from a vertical into a horizontal force and your anchor is far more effective.

So the golden rule... let out lots of chain! In the days before windlass systems more chain out meant hard work getting the anchor back. There are no excuses these days!

In most cases let out 5 times the depth (this allows for the depth of your keel and freeboard) but don't forget to allow for changes in the tide too. If it's really windy go for 6 times the depth.

OK. As you approach your anchoring spot head into the most significant force - tide or wind. If you're not sure look at the way other boats are facing. Motor forwards slowly then stop your boat where you want to start dropping your anchor.

Now, reverse very slowly and begin dropping the anchor. It's important that the crew counts the chain markings or cable ties to see how much chain has gone out.

When your crew signals they have let out enough chain put the engine in neutral and wait for the boat to come to a stop. You will feel the chain go tight(you can feel the tightness if you put your foot on it).

Once the crew is happy the chain is tight, take visual bearings with the shore and go into reverse fairly hard for a few seconds. This digs the anchor in and you can check you are not dragging.

Now our final anchoring tip... sit with the engine in neutral for a few minutes and let your yacht settle. Take a number of visual bearings and check you are not moving. Double check you're not going to swing into another boat or the shore.

Once you're happy... relax and open the wine!

Here's Part 3 Weighing Anchor

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