Anchoring
Your movement during the stay on anchor will be driven by the wind and the tide and you can expect to swing around potentially 360 degrees from the position of the anchor.
The position of the anchor and the diameter of swing is directly proportional to the scope you have. In the main all sailing boats will swing together and all motorboats will swing together, however sailing boats and motorboats do not behave the same while at anchor, so be mindful of this.
You can use a kedge anchor or in certain circumstances be tied from astern to rock on the shore to stop you swinging. If there are other vessels nearby that are swinging and you are not because you have a kedge anchor or stern line ashore, beware they may swing into you.
Remember that the tidal height at low tide needs to still provide you with enough depth of water at the lowest point unless you are happy for your vessel to nestle on the bottom. At the same time, you will have to have the right scope for the highest point of the tide or a decision made to increase and decrease the scope at certain times.
Hopefully, you have found a bay that has a sandy or muddy seabed as this will provide the best holding. The details of the seabed will be available to you from the charts (and of course chart plotters) almanacs and pilot books. I have some details in the theory centre that will show the various types of anchors that work in regard to different seabeds I do not know of many leisure craft with a selection of anchors to be used for different applications though.
Once you have positioned your anchor on the bottom make sure the elements are moving you backwards so as you let out the scope it lays nicely along the seabed and doesn’t sit in a heap on top of the anchor. If you need to you can engage astern propulsion in exceedingly small burst to make sure the chain lays out nicely. Once you have enough scope out then give a final burst in a stern to ensure you have buried the anchor sufficiently. As you do this you should notice a subtle dip from the bow as the anchor and scope fully tension up.
You can now find a number of transits that will enable you to easily keep and eye on your movement and remember that the transits will change as you swing which is different to the anchor not holding. You can monitor your expectation of the wind direction and tidal set as the swing progresses and steadies at another angle. The chart plotter, a phone or tablet will be able to offer an alarm system on the boats movement. The radar is also available to check the distance from the shore. Be sure to allow enough natural movement within the potential swing to prevent unnecessary worry of there being an issue.
It is now time to relax, prepare a meal and settle down with refreshments before a well deserved sleep at anchor.
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