"NE Sailboat" wrote in message
news:6jEBh.455$aM.343@trndny03...
GO TO BOTTOM .. NO TOP POSTING FOR ME.
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This is from my Power Squadron Course .. taking it again. Always good to
get a refresher.

The vertical distance to the bottom includes: 1. height of the bow of
boat to water surface. 2. depth of water. 3. anticipated difference in
water depth due to the rise and fall of the tide.

Approach the place you intend to anchor against the wind or current;
whichever is stronger.

Lower [ never throw ] anchor, let it hit/set on bottom. Allow the boat to
drift with the wind or current. Use more rode than you need for the
planned scope. This will increase the horizontal pull ..

When satisfied the anchor is set, take in extra rode. tie to bow cleat ..
use a Cleat Hitch.

Take a bearing to object of shore. To check for dragging.

no engine .. not for sailing vessel.


My friend in Los Angeles harbor who had the ferro tank sailboat had the most
unique method of setting anchor I've ever seen. While I wouldn't repeat it,
it seemed to work for him. But then, he had a rock hull (and though I still
think fondly of him, possibly a rock head as well). He would approach his
chosen anchorage at about 5 knots, cutting the anchor loose when he judged
(if that is the right word) that he was approaching the point he wanted his
anchor to set. A 45 pound CQR tailing heavy chain would then plunge to the
bottom, chain paying out behind until it reached the preset scope,
eventually digging in and swinging the boat around. He always did this under
engine power, scaring the bejeezus out of every other boat in the anchorage
and any virgin crew aboard. He was not open to other methods of anchoring,
having had such success with his "power drop" method forever.

Downright scary.