Anchoring, how to stop dragging and be secure.
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- čas přidán 2. 09. 2019
- Take anchoring seriously and you can be secure in almost all conditions. Many anchors are only suitable for ‘normal’ conditions, they fail in strong wind or a difficult seabed. Anchor dragging is a menace in any anchorage, and it’s not necessary.
The new generation, high holding power anchors are a big improvement over the traditional anchors, particularly on bottoms with poor holding. But I suggest using a size larger than recommended for extra security when it matters.
The traditional chain scope calculation, using a simple multiplier, is not correct due to the curvature of the chain. 15m (50ft) plus double the depth is better calculation. But always put out more chain in challenging conditions.
Thanks to John Bellagamba for the Kata Beach video
• 2010 Phuket King's Cup...
and NauticTube • Dramatic end to the Ph...
Independent anchor performance test charts.
www.petersmith.net.nz/boat-an...
Lewmar Delta size chart
www.lewmar.com/sites/default/f...
RYA - Things to think about when anchoring
www.rya.org.uk/newsevents/e-n...
Underwater Manson Supreme
• Underwater Footage of ...
Thanks to Ultimate Ambient Noise Soundzzz for the ‘relaxing’ storm video
• 🎧 Thunderstorm at Sea ...
Caterary formula.
Chain length = Sqrt(2 x Horiz load x Depth/Chain wt + (2 x Depth))
Where Chain wt = Chain mass per unit length x 6.9/7.9 to allow for buoyancy
home.earthlink.net/~w6rmk/math...
Formula works for metric or imperial.
The catenary shown is for 10mm chain (2.28kg/m), with a 100kgf horiz load. This matches observations of the chain on our 45ft yacht in about 25kts of wind. - Věda a technologie
For advice on safe navigation in the digital age, please watch my other video:-
czcams.com/video/iTQxLhp45lg/video.html
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Great advice... it is good to hear someone telling people what they need to be told rather than what they want to hear!
You got me hooked and it wasn't a drag.
HAHA!
This guy gets it
Thank you for the video! In my experience, though, how much chain you can feed out is almost always restricted by the boats already anchored in that bay. Which is one more reason to choose an oversized anchor with good resetting capabilities.
Richard, this presentation is now over 3 years old. Following an interesting discussion on Cruisers Forum after you made the video, I have laminated up a picture published from your video and placed it in the inside of the anchor locker lid as a reminder.
I think the 15m plus 2x depth solves the problem when using the RYA 4x, eg, not enough catenary in very shallow water when you really need it and penalises you in deeper water. Your formula has worked well over the past couple of years and until someone comes up with a better solution will be our go to method.
So thank you for making this video, it is still very relevant today.
During the Medicane, Greece last year I was anchored and saw, at 2 am, a large yacht drifting passed just missing me. But my attention was diverted by a totally naked young woman on the boat, Italian and rather nice looking, working like fury to save her boat. She did, by stopping her boat 15 meters from the rocks so I heard. Had a drink with her afterwards and she was one amazing young lady. It pays to have a good anchor whilst others are dragging.
This story needs a follow up...
A naked young woman is a bigger liability than an anchor dragging boat RUN FOREST, RUN! 😂
Brilliant video Richard. I really enjoy listening to experienced people talk about what they know and its obvious you've real world experience in this area.
Additionally, use a snubber on your chain. This comprises a strong hook on the end of a stretchy line, which is attached to the chain near the windlass and then paid out 2-3 M as you let out 2-3M of chain. (This is done after you have let out the required amount of chain for your boat and the conditions.) The stretchy anchor rope is then secured to the sampson post. The chain can then be run out another 2-3 M or so to let it hang straight down into the water from the bow roller. The weight of this "loop" of chain will act as a shock absorber as will the stretchy anchor line. This technique also has the added benefit of reducing the noise of the anchor chain as it moves sideways across the bottom during wind "bullets" from different directions. Sleep safely and well!
Robert Williams Good advice about the snubber, thanks for your comment. We only use a short rope and hook, but will be changing to a longer, stretchy rope in future. The snubber is really important in shallow water where the chain is nearly straight.
Wouldn't that extra chain offer even better shock absorbance if it was let out to increase your scope? I suppose the extra loop hanging from the boat acts like a kellet, but even then only half of that loop is pulling down your rode like a kellet, the other half of the loop adds nothing as it is suspended from the boat. But I imagine if you can't increase your scope for other reasons, this technique is better than nothing.
Yes always use a snubber. Amazed how many yachts let their windlass hold the chain...
Good advice. I am paid skipper in Croatia, and have slept lot of nights on anchor this summer with sailboats(40-50 feet) and catamarans(around 40 feet). All those advice are good ,very good and there are few new things i learned actually! (i never watched size of anchor on my yachts ). Also i would advice, watching weather forecast is most important of it all, luckily here in Croatia they are very very very precise , so if there is any chance of stronger wind during the night then we sleep somewhere more safe (on very protected bay, or good buoys or port /marina). And let me repeat this - it was said in video but i ll repeat it again.. Every time you do anchoring , use engines to test it and bury anchor even stronger-when you are reversing on at least 1500 RPM and your boat is holding, that means you are pretty safe - up to very strong storm(for that you should be following weather forecast and have reservation on some marina/port) . If you are reversing and you are being pulled back, - go repeat process.. i did this hundred of times just this summer season..
Many thanks Luka, good advice from an experienced skipper. You mentioned a very important point that I didn't cover - watch the weather and go somewhere safer if you need to. Anchor dragging should not be inevitable, it's up to the skipper to fit the right gear, choose a safe anchorage to suit the weather, then set it properly. Then always test it, I've seen so many people just stand on the bow and watch it for a while with no load!
For information and conmen sense, that was the best eleven minutes I’ve ever watched. 👍🏻
Very very precious advice. A very wise and experienced sailor.
Yes! I had to watch the whole video to get to the best part, but do, definitely, swim or dive on your anchor when you can. It's VERY enlightening! Thanks for a great tutorial! :)
this is some of the BEST advice I have seen on CZcams for cruisers... Thank You sir.
Excellent update. Made me realize that I need to update my anchors.
Great explanation!
Keep these instructional videos coming.
Great explanation! Thank you for the hints and recommendations. Even when it saves the vessel of only one of the viewers this video is worth $100k and the fate of a family.
Surprised at how many sailors don't understand their own boats and anchors.
Well said!
I’m anchored out in a storm at the moment. I’m running an oversized Rocna and more than a 10:1 scope, all chain. I also have a couple 30 pound river anchors clipped along the chain in tandem to dampen whipping action from the swells. It’s been blowing 40 knots all weekend and I’m still holding a tight pattern. This setup has gotten me through many storms, some in excess of 60 knots. I still keep 2 anchor alarms set at all times and have a robust backup anchor, just in case.
Wow, this information is really useful. You answered so many of my questions. Thank you so much for taking the time to make this video!!
I second this... Really generous sharing of experience. Thanks.
Once again, thank you. I have forwarded this on to a few in the sailing club...
Great video - thanks for posting! I'm a cruising sailor who's anchored in hundreds of places on the US East coast, Bahamas and Bermuda. I'm also a firm believer that "bigger is better". I've assisted many other boats that have dragged in squalls (always at 2:00 AM!) and it inevitably comes down to too small an anchor or not enough scope. One notable exception was a couple who lost a beautiful 44' cruising boat due to the failure of a fancy stainless steel anchor swivel.
Many thanks for your comment.
As regards scope, the simple multipliers doesn’t work very well. In shallow water (like the depth-deprived Bahamas) you need a very big number, depending on your depth measurement. Many sounders measure from the transducer, whereas chain depth should be from the bow-roller, this error is a big difference when it shallow.
In the Med, Greece and Turkey, you anchor in deep water, 10-15 m, sometimes up to 20m. It’s crowded, and it’s safer to move out away from the draggers. So, the 7:1 scope requires more chain than anyone carries, and it’s not necessary. The simple scope multipliers give too little chain in shallow water, but prevents boats from anchoring where it’s deeper and may be safer.
It's always the stainless anchor swivels!
Excellent explanations, Richard. I will certainly follow the advice.
Thank you, well explained!
Well done ol chap! Given the current state of turmoil, some things we actually have control over. In a world of size matters, compensation achieved with an oversized anchor.
"Always pull the anchor to test" is probably the most important advice of all. Most people only dive on it to make sure it isn't on its side or upside down. Thanks for this advice.
What a great video. Thank you for all the included graphs of various studies too - I found myself pausing and looking for the brands I was considering multiple times.
ULTRA is simply the best anchor. I am surprised that you did not mention it.
I am planning to join the cruising world as soon as I can... and while entertaining, most of the you tube channels are far from informative.
So glad I found you.
Great advice Richard. Thanks for sharing and explaining so well. Fair winds.
Thank you. We have a Rocna 25 kilos on our 40feet catamaran and are very happy with it. Could not agree more with everything you say in that video 👍
Very reasonable tips. Thanks a lot!
Bravo. Well done, Richard!
First time here.I really enjoyed it.Very clear and informative.I got my Skipper certificate few years ago but I have not learned anything about anchoring.Not owning a boat right now .I wish to sail somewhere soon.Many thanks from your new subscriber.
Best anchoring video ever. Thank you.
I agree having sailed professionally since 1962 in sizes up to 150 tons dead weight. Pick your chain and anchor and winch as a family unit. With all the chain and anchor hanging vertically the winch must be capable of lifting it with EASE.
One extra large anchor with over size chain and a bigger winch if needed and you will be sleeping soundly. My choice is a Rocna. The CQR used to be my preferred until Rocna appeared. However the CQR can revolve and dig itself out. Yes it happened to me. The Bruce doesn't like a very hard bottom but once dug in is good. Put out as much chain as the room allows. Each little link lying on the bottom is acting as a tiny anchor. Good cruising.
By the way afore I go always have root vegetables aboard. A broken pipe can be mended with those round wooden plugs beloved of chandlers but when the pipe breaks can you ever find them ??? Everyone knows where the potatoes are.
David Power
Agree with your conclusion above 100%. Never dragged with our oversized (42 kg) Rocna and up to 100 meters of chain on our 52ft, 13ton Catamaran.
I yanked out a Rockna several times in grassy mud. Came out with a big ball of crud on it and wouldn’t reset.
This is a great point and more people should pay attention. What he does not go into and i feel is equally as important, is do not anchor on top of or over someone else anchor! Good practice is to leave enough room to swing differently and to pass to one side if one drags. Remember we all have different hull configurations and the tide, wind and waves react differently with each. Clearly you must use your own judgment but curicy never changes.
Good tips from a wise man. thank you!
Some very good advice and as you say so often misunderstood or ignored. Water and wind is unforgiving and if you are not ready you are doomed.
Well explained. Nicely done.
Great Info!! Thanks for sharing. I'll be using the 50ft plus double the depth calculations from now on.
sorry i am new 15m chain ? and double depth ?
CHRIS198490. The simple multiplier of the depth (scope) doesn’t allow for the curve of the chain, it’s flatter close to the bottom which uses more chain. A better calculation for chain length is a fixed length (eg 15m) plus a depth multiplier (eg 2), hence 15m plus double depth. See the charts in the video.
Hi Richard, i dont even own a boat (but hoping to in the next couple of years) thank you for the great anchor information you provided.
i suggest you befriend someone so you can go out a few times before you purchase a boat
Like the most of us......
Great guidelines, thank you for the video!
Hi Richard, This is a great video by someone who knows what they are doing. The chain lengths are very important. It is well over 30 years since we worked together.
Hi David, thanks for your comment. Good to hear from you, it’s been a long time!
Great video! I have a 46' trawler and use a 40kg Roccna and all chain. I use a minimum 3:1 scope with the height of the pulpit included. I also use a 20' bridle that decreases the slope of the chain. I've developed a high degree of confidence in this procedure and equipment. If the wind kicks up I'll go to a 4:1 scope or more.
There is a Problem in crowded bays with many yachts around ...
Richard, tremendous thanks. I will take these suggestions very serious. Always one size bigger, 15m+2 times depth, string test before going onshore or to bed. Safe sailing everyone
I'm not a boat owner but watch many YT sailing vids and yours is especially important. You make excellent points. Who would want their beautiful sail boat crashing on the shore? (It would happen at 2am on a moonless sky, your worst nightmare.) Every sailor should heed your advice and check if their anchor (and anchoring technique) is satisfactory in ALL weather and seabed conditions. I see some use two anchors bow & stern, or even three, doubling up if there's a heavy drag. Great vid, important content.
Great advice Richard! Thank you!
thanks for the 15 + 2 x depth (+10 if windy) formula! that is so simple to remember!
Thank you sir for this great information that I will use. Please make more videos?! Thanks.
All good advice. I bought a 36 kg anchor in St Maarten for my beneteau-423. I asked the salesperson of i could bring it back if it wouldn't fit the bow roller. It did almost fit, so just a slight modification to the pulpit was necessary. I was very happy and slept well in most anchorages. 🙂
Hello, thanks so much for this so important procedure that will save me to do it wrong. I will revise my anchor weight and type. Please, continue if I can ask with so much value instructions videos. Paul
Good advice, I'm looking at a new cat and no one has even mentioned this to me. I'll be looking into this Monday. Thanks Sid
From my experience, very good advice.
Thank You dear Sea brother Your message is well taken ,to be heeded.. ahoy for sea
Very easy and enjoyable presentation. Thanks.
Thanks very much for the advice. Very calm and easy to follow presentation.
Well made video Richard. Thank you.
Some nice practical, advice here. Thanks.
Feels like back to school but I like it
Learned a lot, thank you Sir
Thanks Captain. Good advice.
He did say 'sleep well' so that precludes an 'anchor watch', .. how you get by with the less than ideal gear or amount of chain you have, ...but you really don't get much sleep.. thanks, love how mariners share their craft and wisdom .
Nicely presented Richard ~~~
Quite reasonable tips. Thank you.
I'll never need this information but I listen to all of his experience knowledge.. As it was interesting and I learned from it. Knowledge is like exercising your mind as excersise is good for the body.
Great video. Thanks so much.
Well spoken and honest review
Thank you sir for such a great presentation. I learned a lot about anchoring.
Nice. I dragged a 25 lb mushroom anchor on my 23 ft Columbia when predicted winds went from 2 to 40 knots. Now I've got chain, let out enough line and a meaner anchor. Not nice having to go to sail at 10:30 at night in bad weather. Fortunately she's a shoal draft and I found a nice, sandy, protected beach to ram her up on. Slept on dry land...on my boat.
Excellent advice !, many thanks
Great advice. Many thanks
Great video, valuable info. Thanks
Good explanation . Completely agree. Frequently inspect shackles and and mechanical connections including chain.
I always thread a length of Dyneema thru the anchor, and up about 10 links of chain. Most likely a failure will be the shackle, or one of the last chain links.
I've found manson supreme to be brilliant anchor.. Never let me down. Plus heaps of chain. Especially with a 8 meter boat.. 8 meters isnt enough. We have 20 meters. Works a treat.. Thanks for the info.
Perfect presentation! It's really discusting relying in your safe anchor and than you need to leave that place due to unknowing seamanship. ⚓
Excellent video Richard, the advice does not age. I have a 65lbs CQR which I am changing for a 25kgs Mantus 2 on a Rival 41. The CQR is over size because it sets so badly! We frequently anchor on grass and it's un-nerving to swim over it and see it lying on its side just using it's weight to secure the boat.... 🥵
Thanks for that. I just think go for the best anchor you can fit. I’ve just returned from a few months in the Dodecanese, Greece, lots of wind and very variable bottoms, soft mud, hard sand, weed etc. We have a 33kg Rocna on our 45 ft Beneteau, and still dragged a couple of times. The Rocna is one of the best anchors, and we can’t fit a bigger one, so we have to accept we can never be 100% secure.
Great info, rather have a heavy sturdy anchor than something just enough for 'normal' days
Excellent info thank you. Size matters !..
Great video, thanks for the advice...
Very sound advise !!!
👍Good info sir. I agree with you. I love your curly hair too. Thank you. 💝
Excellent post, congratulations! Thank you for sharing your quantified methodology and practical tips based on considerable cruising experience!
For decades anchored with a delta 55 on 43’ boat. Had great results. Later switched to a Spade. Love it! No dragging ever. Have cruised 10’ s of thousands of miles.
Thank you very much Sir...!!!!
Wise words. When we bought our Bavaria we kept aside a substantial amount of money for safety kit. The anchor upgrade was amongst those upgrades. We stepped up one size greater than Rocna suggested, still I also wish I’d gone one more step up. But so far never dragged, even when we have been surprised by weather overnight. We use plenty chain and if in a smaller bay or with boats around (especially motor boats with less experienced looking crew) we add a chum. Not so much for the weight but reduce swing so we can have plenty scope. Anyone else use a chum? A lot of discussion if these add value. My experience is not needed mostly but nice to have as I described.
What is a chum?
Very informative. Thank you.
One of the BEST anchoring things you can do in my opinion is to get a drag alarm. My chart plotter/gps unit has one built in, and can be plugged in by where I sleep. It will start beeping very loudly if you drag more than your specified amount (I usually put in 150 feet, because the boat does spin a good bit)
Shouldn't the alarm distance be in relation to chain length you put out? I mean chain length plus some.. Gives the best results IMO.
@@maxx9384 I would guess double the chain length + some ?
no mention of the snubber, an equally important piece of the holding gear when there's a blow. For a 48 footer 1 1/4" mooring line is good to 35 kts, over that, double the snubber one port one starboard and be sure the attachment point to the boat can take the load and also have anti chaffing wrapped wherever the line is going to touch a chaff point.
I always use a double snubber attached to a choker hook, fold it over into a bag on the bow pulpit. I also have a 20 Lb kelty when I don't like the bottom. Anchoring is about the most serious and under rated activity on a boat.
I had seen some dropping the anchor in a slip, if the weather was foretasted to become very bad.
Very good video. Thanks.
Love, love, love my Spade...
Just won the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race carrying a 15kg plough when only 11kg was required. Spare anchor is a small be well designed old fashioned admiralty that has proven itself in 50 knots in open water. No need to compromise. As my Dad taught me always have an escape plan at anchor.
Thank you I really found your "Anchor class" helpful an very useful an easy to remember... Thanks new subscriber ✌🏻💗☺️❣️
Thank you Richard for the video. Totally agree with you. My worst nightmare is to wake up in the middle of the night and discover that we are about to hit something or worst because the anchor drag.
Excellent video, well presented and great content without annoying background music and over use of graphics.
Much better idea is to not anchor on a lee shore. Something to think about is the just how weak 3/8" chain is. In Tahiti in '82, every boat over 40 that was anchored at Mieva beach broke their gear and piled up ashore. The two boats with 1/2" chain survived....my Herreshoff H-55 and a Swan 65. 3/8" chain on a boat over 36' is NOT going to hold ya in a 100mph wind. How windy was it? Well, it blew all the paint off the front of the masts, broke 3/4" nylon snubbers several times (sounds like a cannon shot over the shreek of the wind) and elongated the 3/4 bolts that the windlass was installed with over a half inch. (120 kts, actually) All this inside the reef with about a mile of fetch upwind. My heart goes out to anyone who goes on the beach, if they are live-aboards like I was, it'd be a life changer. By the way, we ran the engine on a slow bell to take a bit of the strain off, which came in really handy to dodge other boats (up to 100') dragging down on us from well upwind. If we'd used more than one anchor, we would have been toast. It was quite a night. Keep a snorkel handy to stuff down your shirt so you can breath....and a dive mask so you can face the wind.....you are going to HAVE to go forward. Crawling.
Roger Anderson Amazing story, many thanks! I agree about chain size, modern production yachts only have windlasses and bow-rollers for ‘standard’ sized chain and anchor, which is inadequate for very strong winds. On our 45 ft Beneteau, we have 10mm chain, and an oversized 37kg Rocna, it works well, but can still drag in extreme conditions. If I was doing it again, I would use 12mm 1/2” chain, another size up of anchor, and a bigger windlass, then maybe I could survive like you did in Tahiti. Did you keep sailing after that, or quit the sea and take up golf?
Thanks for this.
@@richardmacfarlane8404 Did a good bit of sailing after that....my last notable passage was Seattle to San Francisco, with 60kt+ winds off the Oregon Coast. Pulled into Port Orford for a bit of rest as I was single handing right then, there were fishing boats in the anchorage with blown out windows that the Coast Guard were looking for, but the crew could not get ashore to make a phone call. All their radio gear was drowned. I moved ashore when I was 45 and started a hot air balloon scenic flight company in Oregon and am now retired after 25 years of that. It was a hell of a good ride.
Great video--but I use chain plus 1/2" nylon line rode. Does your formula work with line? I drag a lot with my 7.5 Bruce, so I just got a 10 Rocna for my 27' Ericson.
Richard thanks. I had never added the height of my bow from the water. Depth of water 15 x2= 30 + 38 (boat)= 68 ft of chain. Thanks
Hi Dan. Yes, depth calculations can make a big difference in shallow water. People set up their sounders differently, some showing depth under the transducer, or adjusted to show water depth, or clearance under the keel. Then nobody allows for bow height. That’s why the simple scope multiplier gives inadequate chain in shallow water.
Thank you very much great video.
Excellent lecture. I’m frankly stunned to learn that RYA teaches so little about anchoring. All these RYA day skipper guys look down on US Sailing IPC holders, but US Sailing and the US Coast Guard emphasize that 5:1 scope is the minimum for chain rode in fair conditions.
Travis McGee The RYA has a successful business model and are unwilling to change, they force people like myself to pay for qualifications just so I can sail my own yacht in Europe. They focus on teaching traditional stuff, but they are not helping people to cope with the challenges of real sailing, such as anchoring.
I’ve done rya sail and power and we did anchoring practise on both so surprised to hear it wasn’t normally part of the course!
Well done thank you for this
Rocna is a excellent anchor. Really happy with mine. Plastic on sea bed fouling is common in asia ,the only reason i have ever dragged. I was here in phuket for the kata and other thai kings cup miss haps.
That was great.
Thanks.