While at the new marina this afternoon, I was talking with the liveaboard owner of a 30-something foot catamaran who had kindly helped me get the boat into the slip last Saturday. He mentioned that he had gone to West Ship Island on Memorial Day weekend, and there was a pretty major weather-related disaster that happened there, which got me thinking.
Ship Island is a very popular barrier island about 10 or 15 miles south of Biloxi, MS. It's a long skinny island that runs east-west, and provides good shelter from the prevailing southerly winds (but not much else). An armada of pleasurecraft (roughly 4 sailboats, a couple of large sportfishing boats, and a bunch of smaller open cockpit powerboats... a total of perhaps 20 boats in all) were anchored off the island with winds from the south, when some sort of storm front blew in from the north. This 180 degree shift, along with choppy seas and winds gusting to 60 knots(!) resulted in almost all of the boats' anchors breaking loose (his held).
All of these unfortunate boats were washed up onto the beach, and one of the sportfishers ended up slamming up against the side of Fort Massachusetts (an old Civil War-era fort on the island). This happened at high tide, so things only got worse as the tide dropped. It was a complete and utter mess. A few of the boats were able to be pulled back into the water, but most of them (especially the fixed-keel sailboats) were clearly going to need professional help, so the Coast Guard had to come out and evacuate these people.
Has anyone ever had something like this happen? What's the best way to prepare for such a dramatic (and presumably unexpected) shift in wind? I've worried about this in the past, when I pull up my Danforth-style anchor and find the flukes fouled with mud... if the wind caused the anchor to break free and flip over, I doubt it would re-set itself, since the flukes would be essentially jammed pointing up to the surface. My thought is that, in a case like this, the only thing to do would be to get up to the bow and drop the spare anchor, hoping I could get it to set before we reach the beach.
Is there any other tactic I should be aware of? Is the Bulwagga the only answer?
--Mike
Handling dramatic wind shifts at anchor
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Catigale
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ANchoring against wind shifts is a pretty standard tactic for cruisers...Chapmans covers anchoring for these conditions pretty well IIRC
Two common techniques are
two anchors off bow at 45 degrees
Bahama bow and stern anchors
In either case, the trick is getting both anchors set in nice and deep, then running extra riode to a scope appropriate for conditions. Single handed and sleeping near Nantucket, I ran out 10:1 in case the wind came up. I was in a clear anchorage so I didnt have to worry about swing. My anchor was sunk in so hard I had to winch it out....
Two common techniques are
two anchors off bow at 45 degrees
Bahama bow and stern anchors
In either case, the trick is getting both anchors set in nice and deep, then running extra riode to a scope appropriate for conditions. Single handed and sleeping near Nantucket, I ran out 10:1 in case the wind came up. I was in a clear anchorage so I didnt have to worry about swing. My anchor was sunk in so hard I had to winch it out....
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Frank C
Your scenario is pretty much the classic disaster ... south wind and a protective southerly windward shore becomes a horrible lee shore if a north storm blows in.
My odds-on solution would have been my Bulwagga off the bow on 7:1 scope. I'm pretty much convinced that the Bull has as much chance as any anchor to reset itself in sand - see their video. You're correct though, all bets off for a mud bottom.
In tidal waters I do exactly as Steve says, a Bull and a Guardian at 45* off the bow. Two anchors better than one because the loads are shared. Some guys like to use bow & stern anchors, but conventional wisdom says that's not good in tidal waters for two reasons.
First, it might have helped in that scenario if one anchor was led north, the other south. But that only describes one circumstance among a hundred. If that storm had filled in from east or west, the boat would be strung beam-on to the swell and winds - like laundry on a clothsline!
Second reason is simply ocean swell. If winds shift by 180, I want my stern swinging to keep the bow into the wind. If a stern anchor holds it on the wind, the swell piles onto the stern. That would have been disasterous for your scenario too.
For most inland lakes bow & stern anchoring isn't a great concern since there's no swell to worry about. I have anchored at the bow with a stern line to the shore, but I still usually prefer anchoring only from the bow.
Figure your scope, allow room to swing, and let the bow stay on the wind - that's my motto & I'm stickin' to it.
My odds-on solution would have been my Bulwagga off the bow on 7:1 scope. I'm pretty much convinced that the Bull has as much chance as any anchor to reset itself in sand - see their video. You're correct though, all bets off for a mud bottom.
In tidal waters I do exactly as Steve says, a Bull and a Guardian at 45* off the bow. Two anchors better than one because the loads are shared. Some guys like to use bow & stern anchors, but conventional wisdom says that's not good in tidal waters for two reasons.
First, it might have helped in that scenario if one anchor was led north, the other south. But that only describes one circumstance among a hundred. If that storm had filled in from east or west, the boat would be strung beam-on to the swell and winds - like laundry on a clothsline!
Second reason is simply ocean swell. If winds shift by 180, I want my stern swinging to keep the bow into the wind. If a stern anchor holds it on the wind, the swell piles onto the stern. That would have been disasterous for your scenario too.
For most inland lakes bow & stern anchoring isn't a great concern since there's no swell to worry about. I have anchored at the bow with a stern line to the shore, but I still usually prefer anchoring only from the bow.
Figure your scope, allow room to swing, and let the bow stay on the wind - that's my motto & I'm stickin' to it.
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craiglaforce
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Just start the durn engine, retrieve your dragging anchor and then do what you want. That big engine will keep you clear of that lee shore even with 60 mph winds I think.
Not sure why you would want to drop an anchor in those conditions. i've anhored in 40 mph winds and believe me when I say it is no fun being in that boat at anchor with 6 foot plus rollers. Start the motor and motor back to the slip or at least to a more protected spot. Don't forget, you will find it nearly impossible to hand retrieve that anchor if it is holding the boat against a 40 plus mph wind. So if you do put an anchor over in 60 mph winds, you will not retireve it again until the wind dies down, or you cut the rode loose, or a partner uses the engine to take the stress off the rode.
Not sure why you would want to drop an anchor in those conditions. i've anhored in 40 mph winds and believe me when I say it is no fun being in that boat at anchor with 6 foot plus rollers. Start the motor and motor back to the slip or at least to a more protected spot. Don't forget, you will find it nearly impossible to hand retrieve that anchor if it is holding the boat against a 40 plus mph wind. So if you do put an anchor over in 60 mph winds, you will not retireve it again until the wind dies down, or you cut the rode loose, or a partner uses the engine to take the stress off the rode.
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Chip Hindes
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There are certainly a number of scenarios wherin it might be better to cut loose an anchor which you're having a hard time retrieving. But you must also consider the downside: once you've cut the anchor loose, you're pretty much committed to motoring or sailing until you can find a protected slip, because then you'll have no anchor.
You may actually need that anchor again before you have a chance to come back and retrieve it, so consider very carefully whether cutting the anchor loose is really the lesser of two evils.
Yes, I know. I have a backup anchor as well, but (for me at least) the reason it's a backup anchor is that it's not nearly as good as the primary anchor.
You may actually need that anchor again before you have a chance to come back and retrieve it, so consider very carefully whether cutting the anchor loose is really the lesser of two evils.
Yes, I know. I have a backup anchor as well, but (for me at least) the reason it's a backup anchor is that it's not nearly as good as the primary anchor.
Practical Sailor has a reprint available of the January 15, 2001 Anchor Reset Tests that is highly recommended to help pick an anchor that not only sets well in the bottoms you frequent, but also resets when it needs to.
On edit: added link
On edit: added link
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mike
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Since the Bulwagga doesn't rely on the swiveling flukes (which can become jammed with stuff), I'd trust it A LOT more to reset even in mud.Frank C wrote:My odds-on solution would have been my Bulwagga off the bow on 7:1 scope. I'm pretty much convinced that the Bull has as much chance as any anchor to reset itself in sand - see their video. You're correct though, all bets off for a mud bottom.
--Mike
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Catigale
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Agreed. Cutting the rode without a backup is putting another round into the Russian Roulette pistol in bad conditions...You may actually need that anchor again before you have a chance to come back and retrieve it, so consider very carefully whether cutting the anchor loose is really the lesser of two evils.
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Frank C
Not exactly, but I did use my Guardian in mud one night, and winds of 30 knots blew in. Not only that, we had two Macs rafted on that one anchor!vkmaynard wrote:Any luck with a Fortress FX-7 with lots of chain?
Victor
This was in a cove at Lake Berryessa (NorCal near Napa). The Guardian still had its brandy new stickers (with zero chain!) and just an anchor bend to attach to 3/8" twisted rode. I dropped it in about 12 feet and set it well w/ by backing down on the engine to about 3000 rpms. Since we had two boats I elected to use the full rode, 100 feet. Then my companion Mac 26X rafted-up, using four fenders and crossing docklines. The two center fenders were suspended horizontally. Next, he paddled a long line to a beach stake, opposite direction from the anchor.
Winds came up after midnight and howled for 3 hours. The boats pulled free of the beach stake, but the Guardian (6-pounder) held fast. (note that the wind came bow-on to the set and did not shift - a happy-stance!).
The sounds of that storm woke us on both boats. The Capts. confabbed at the anchor rode, but we chose to ride it out for a couple of reasons. First, the rode was solid, not chattering. The strain was immense, so de-rafting and pulling would have been tough. Finally, our lee shore (the beach) was fairly gradual, sandy shelf, no rocks, only 50 yards away. I guess if we had dragged, we would simply have grounded pretty gently. Boards and motors were up from the outset.
I could not hand-retrieve it the next morning. Had to cleat it short and ask my Mate to motor over it very slowly. She pulled free the 6-pound anchor with about 12 pounds of impacted mud. That night convinced me that the Guardian is true to its name - highly recommended if you're careful to set it well.
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Frank C
Tom,Tom Spohn wrote:Practical Sailor has a reprint available of the January 15, 2001 Anchor Reset Tests that is highly recommended to help pick an anchor that not only sets well in the bottoms you frequent, but also resets when it needs to.
I'm a cheapskate when I can, so here's today's bargain newsflash!!!
Bulwagga Anchors paid for one of those anchor tests and has the PDF downloads available for free, here.
Also, look for the "In Action" link at page bottom to find some short movies of the Bull resetting itself in sand. Here's a static series example ...
Must admit, though, that the Bruce came out on top in these tests, and the Danforth style was better in mud than the Bull. BTW, the Hydro-Bubble someone asked about recently .... DNF.
ETA ... I guess "paid for one of those tests" is a misleading phrase. I meant to indicate that Bulwagga was able to "subscribe to" the test results, hence offer them as a free download. Bull was No. 1 in sand, No. 9 in mud, No. 4 overall, while Bruce was Nos. 2 & 3 respectively, No. 1 overall.
Last edited by Frank C on Thu Jun 09, 2005 9:52 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Received my issue of the Power Squadron magazine today. In is is an article that suggests hanging a light anchor like the FX7 for example from 5 ft. of chain attached to the crown of a heavy anchor, like the bruce. If for some reason the primary came unstuck the secondary would add some backup. Course the author was describing how to do this with his power winch. 
I think I'm going the other way (away from the expensive and/or light anchors)...
I have one of those Chene anchors, the biggest one. I works great so far. But, we've just used it as a lunch hook... It is relatively small and fits in the locker very well... The only issue, is that it has rather sharp points, and therefore I've been worried about gouging the hull. Also, it doesn't sit in the roller very well.
On vacation, we rented several boats, in the Pensacola area. They all had more of the traditional fluke type anchors, but none of them had any chain, and all had very little rode...
They all held surprisingly well, except when we tried to anchor at a jettie, for diving. Here, we caught hull trying to get the anchor to set in the rocks. We finally did. I think the biggest problem was no chain and short rode.
Anyway, that area is my favorite vacation spot. We even bought some land down there to build a house on some day. So, that will be the area I'll end up using the boat in salt water. In the meantime, I'll be using it in Missouri waters, almost exclusively.
While the Chene is small and works well for around here, I'm not sure I have 'storm' level confidence in it. We have about 12' of 5/16 chain that really helps it out. But, that nagging feeling is still there.
So, we're going to buy the 22lb Superhooker and relegate the Chene (on about 10' of 1/4" chain) to backup, secondary status. We also plan to use a 15 lb navy anchor off the stern, to reduce swinging. This thing never really "sets", but I expect it to help manage the swinging...
Surely, the 22 lb Superhooker is significant over-kill. But, I expect to get a good night's sleep. Of course, I'll need it to pull that monster, with that big chain, up...
I don't expect that the Superhooker will fit in the locker, but I guess I don't mind having that huge anchor hanging there on my roller... I only expect it to be an issue when trailering some distance (my trailer sits ~300' from the water). But then, it will be an easy thing to just take it off the boat, or store it in the boat somewhere...
So, I realize that this anchor type is not ideal for all bottoms. But, my thinking is that it's sheer bulk should make up for any shortcomings in design/type... With that chain, its is just gonna hug rocks, until it finds something to bit into. With all that weight, its gonna dig so deep into loose sand and mud, that if anything will hold it will have to...
I will still likely set out the Chene too, at least for overnighters.
The biggest reason I have for not going with the expensive anchors, is, hull, it's an anchor... You throw it overboard... If it really works, then you have to cut it away and buy another one...
Reminds me of an old Army joke: What is the perfect piece of equipment for a lieutenant?
A chem-light. You gotta break it to make it work and only have to hang on to it for 12 hrs...
I guess I just can't bring myself to buy an expensive anchor. So, I'm trying to compensate with oversized, but cheaper, alternatives... Wish me luck...
I have one of those Chene anchors, the biggest one. I works great so far. But, we've just used it as a lunch hook... It is relatively small and fits in the locker very well... The only issue, is that it has rather sharp points, and therefore I've been worried about gouging the hull. Also, it doesn't sit in the roller very well.
On vacation, we rented several boats, in the Pensacola area. They all had more of the traditional fluke type anchors, but none of them had any chain, and all had very little rode...
They all held surprisingly well, except when we tried to anchor at a jettie, for diving. Here, we caught hull trying to get the anchor to set in the rocks. We finally did. I think the biggest problem was no chain and short rode.
Anyway, that area is my favorite vacation spot. We even bought some land down there to build a house on some day. So, that will be the area I'll end up using the boat in salt water. In the meantime, I'll be using it in Missouri waters, almost exclusively.
While the Chene is small and works well for around here, I'm not sure I have 'storm' level confidence in it. We have about 12' of 5/16 chain that really helps it out. But, that nagging feeling is still there.
So, we're going to buy the 22lb Superhooker and relegate the Chene (on about 10' of 1/4" chain) to backup, secondary status. We also plan to use a 15 lb navy anchor off the stern, to reduce swinging. This thing never really "sets", but I expect it to help manage the swinging...
Surely, the 22 lb Superhooker is significant over-kill. But, I expect to get a good night's sleep. Of course, I'll need it to pull that monster, with that big chain, up...
I don't expect that the Superhooker will fit in the locker, but I guess I don't mind having that huge anchor hanging there on my roller... I only expect it to be an issue when trailering some distance (my trailer sits ~300' from the water). But then, it will be an easy thing to just take it off the boat, or store it in the boat somewhere...
So, I realize that this anchor type is not ideal for all bottoms. But, my thinking is that it's sheer bulk should make up for any shortcomings in design/type... With that chain, its is just gonna hug rocks, until it finds something to bit into. With all that weight, its gonna dig so deep into loose sand and mud, that if anything will hold it will have to...
I will still likely set out the Chene too, at least for overnighters.
The biggest reason I have for not going with the expensive anchors, is, hull, it's an anchor... You throw it overboard... If it really works, then you have to cut it away and buy another one...
Reminds me of an old Army joke: What is the perfect piece of equipment for a lieutenant?
A chem-light. You gotta break it to make it work and only have to hang on to it for 12 hrs...
I guess I just can't bring myself to buy an expensive anchor. So, I'm trying to compensate with oversized, but cheaper, alternatives... Wish me luck...