"Bryan" wrote in message
om...
I'm skeptical that we can do any better than a guess, but I'm wondering
if anyone knows, really knows, why we anchor bow and stern at Catalina
Island (California).

Is it because of wind or swell direction? Or is it because of trying to
squeeze in as many boats as possible in the overcrowded anchorages?

There is an onshore wind to offshore wind shift each day. It is also a
high population density zone in the summer.

Just asking for fun.

Bryan

"Alan Gomes" wrote in message
... Bryan,
I anchor at various coves in Catalina all the time.

At Cat Harbor it is most common to anchor on only one hook on fairly short
scope. Some boats will use two hooks (bow and stern), though it generally
is a minority in this cove. Cat Harbor has quite a bit of open anchorage
area, so there is a bit more swinging room here.

I was over at Whites during the Labor Day weekend and there were rows upon
rows of boats at anchor (just outside of the moorings), parallel to one
another and close together, anchored bow and stern. Clearly the purpose
for two anchors was to prevent swinging.

--Alan Gomes



Alan,
Did you get over to the isthmus during Labor Day weekend? If so, did you
notice if Cat Harbor was crowded, or not? I always avoid big weekends
because of anchoring; I don't have enough ground tackle to feel safe
anchoring in those depths outside the moorings. I do like beaches and
islands when they are crowded as much as I enjoy them when they are isolated
(I guess I just like being at a party). Maybe Cat Harbor is an option for
me on the big weekends. I've only had to anchor once in lieu of a mooring,
but that was close in at Emerald Cove; otherwise all my bow/stern anchoring
has been at Rippers for day trips.
Bryan