Noob Anchoring Question


F

Fantic

New member
Just bought a 07 27 PC. Last boat was a 24 foot bow rider. Anchoring was done with rope and a Danforth anchor. Now we have a chain and windlass. Our counter on the windlass does not work so we don't know how much chain is out. Hard to tell when we hit bottom. Usually let out to much and the boat swings a lot in the wind. I randomly bring some chain in a little at a time to slow the swing. Is there a trick to stopping the swing?
 
My experience has been that there will always be swing, as wind, currents and boat wakes affect your boat. Keep an eye on other boats, of similar size and see how they're doing.
That being said, you can mark your anchor rode using paint or another permanent marking method. Use different colors to easily define length. Use whatever increments work best for your typical anchoring area, 5', 10' doesn't really matter. I use a scope of between 4:1 to 6:1 depending on conditions and length of stay.
 
Colored zip ties every 10’. I did red for first ten then yellow next ten then blue at 30. This way I’ve got at least a 5:1 pretty much wherever I anchor( fairly shallow most places in CB) and the Admiral doesn’t have to guess how much is going out
 
Worked so far this season. Anchored 10-12 times 6-8 ft deep. Still on. I use fairly small ones 2 per of same color marked every 10’. That way they go thru windlass easier. Tabs don’t get hung up or ripped off
 
Yes stern anchor if you don't want to swing. Pretty much a necessity when anchoring close to other boats or near shore.
 
so what is the technique for throwing the stern anchor? I will wait till the extreme of one of the arc ends and then try to toss it as far past that. Doesn't always work well and I know it's not the preferred technique. Any tips on how to do it better?
 
The stern anchor is useful backing into sandbars. Otherwise you should be swinging with the other boats, if you have a stern anchor and they don't, it may make it more likely to get to close to someone swinging.

For backing into a sandbar, I let a lot of front out you want 5-1 or more scope, and then when perpendicular to the bar you throw out the rear anchor and tie off.
 
TurboJoe said:
The stern anchor is useful backing into sandbars. Otherwise you should be swinging with the other boats, if you have a stern anchor and they don't, it may make it more likely to get to close to someone swinging.
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I agree with this in most circumstances. My wife hates when we swing but this is my rational.
 
Plus, what is to guarantee all boats will swing together? I'm thinking the stern anchor would make it less likely to hit
 
We are usually the anchor boat since we are the largest. A stern anchor doesn't work for us because of other boats tying up and then leaving to ski, wake board, etc. Also the kids playing off the back of the boat in the water. They have a habit of hanging on the rope. It just seems like we swing more than the other boats around us. Nothing really wrong with that but it is kinda annoying.
 
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