[Rhodes22-list] Playing at Anchor

[Julie Thorndycraft]

A big thank you to those who are supporting the 'more is better' methodology 
of anchoring.  Using a light anchor for a lunch hook is perfectly 
acceptable. Giving our fellow readers the impression that using the same is 
acceptable for an overnight or unattended anchorage is not. Safety is the 
issue here and trying to reset an anchor in 30+ knot winds at 3am during a 
thunderstorm does not meet the safety requirement. Chain will help keep the 
anchor set as seas and winds increase. When it comes to anchoring, more is 
better (providing your scope is not so extensive that you swing into your 
neighbor).

As Blue Loon heads to the North Channel in a couple of weeks, we will have 
three anchors - a Delta, the Rhodes issue Danforth, and a small Danforth 
used as a 'lunch hook' and with the dinghy. We carry chain and rode to allow 
for deployment of two anchors, if necessary. If needed, we'll use the rode 
of one to tie off to shore in a med-mooring fashion.

We carry alot of extra gear on our boat, but if I need space the anchors 
will not be removed. I plan on sleeping without the anchor drag alarm going 
off on my GPS.

Julie
s/v Blue Loon


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Alex Bell" <alexbell at lpmonline.net>
To: "The Rhodes 22 mail list" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Sent: Monday, June 27, 2005 8:40 PM
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Playing at Anchor


>
> Bob,
>
> I agree with your comments. Best to be a prudent sailor and err on the 
> side of caution. I for one would not want to see someone come in to an 
> anchorage that I've taken the trouble to drop the hook  in and watch them 
> throw out a light anchor and minimal rode. A boater must be responsible 
> for his/her boat and ensure that they don't drag down on someone. It's 
> happened to me one night. The captain was fast asleep as the wind picked 
> up and his boat was heading for us.
>
> I think there seems to be a "minimialist attitude" sweeping the Rhodes 
> list that encourages less than the best of what can be used. I'm for 
> overkill, be it anchors, rodes, dock lines etc. BTW, there's an article in 
> the latest Cruising world/Sailing/Seaworthy (forgot which) that deals with 
> mooring lines and relative strength. One area of concern is continued use 
> of nylon lines after they become stiff, etc. Seem they're more liable to 
> break at that point. The article was aimed at hurricane prep the failures 
> that occur during storms.
>
> Seaworthy has a really good article on USCG and the lifeboat service. For 
> those who thought I was an alarmist regarding Okacroke Inlet and Cape 
> Hattaras area, you should read this article. It tells how the Coast Guard 
> coxswains are rated at 3 levels with the lowest being able to handle a 
> boat in 30 mph winds, the next level over 30 mph and the top level at any 
> kind of weather. They're needed to handle boats in rescue missions where 
> boaters most often get into trouble. Hattaras and Okacroke are among the 
> top couple of areas in the country. The article tells why seas are so 
> confused and dangerous, with the Gulf Stream colliding into the Labador 
> currents going south. This creates the shoaling and the problems 
> navigating the area. BTW, a Nor'easter seems to be a hurrince without the 
> tropical heat and lacks a name. Good thing cause our insurance includes a 
> higher deductable for "named storms"
>
> Alex Bell
>
> Robert Quinn wrote:
>
>> I'm sure that there are more folks out there with more experience than I, 
>> but I must say that the experts (e.g., Chapman Piloting, Annapolis Book 
>> of Seamanship, American Sailing Association, US Sailing, Practical 
>> Sailor, etc. to name a few) would tell you that a "light" anchor on an 
>> all rope rode is really not the way to go.  For lunch or a quick stop you 
>> can get away with a lot as long as you are alert and paying attention, 
>> but for overnight in tidal waters or areas where the winds shift and a 
>> storm may brew (I think that includes most waters) you need a lot more. 
>> There is literally tons of information out there to guide you in your 
>> choice of anchor and rode.
>>
>> Bob on the "NoKaOi"
>>
>>> Bill Effros wrote:
>>>
>>>> ...  The all-line rode,
>>>> combined with a lightweight modern
>>>> anchor, is totally safe, and highly
>>>> reliable.
>>>
>>> -------------------------------------
>>>
>>
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>>
>>
>
>
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>