Sailing know-how / Seamanship / Anchoring
Anchoring
A night at anchor in a quiet cove is one of the best moments of any trip. To sleep soundly, the anchor has to be set properly.
Finding the right spot
- Shelter: the cove should be closed towards the expected wind, including overnight.
- Bottom: sand and mud hold well; rock and weed hold badly. Anchoring on seagrass meadows (posidonia) is banned in Spain, France and parts of Croatia.
- Depth: 4 to 10 metres is ideal.
- Room: the boat swings in a circle around the anchor. Leave space to other boats and the shore.
How much chain?
Rule of thumb: three to five times the depth with chain, more in wind. In 6 metres that means 20 to 30 metres of chain. The chain then lies flat on the bottom and pulls the anchor horizontally so it digs in.
Step by step
- Approach slowly head to wind and stop over the chosen spot.
- Drop the anchor as the boat begins to drift astern.
- Pay out chain under control until you reach the length.
- Set it with a short burst astern: if the boat stops, the anchor holds.
- Hoist the black anchor ball by day; show the white all-round light at night.
Shore lines and anchor watch
In tight Croatian coves a shore line to a rock or tree is often added. The boat no longer swings and more boats fit in.
When the wind picks up, check your position regularly. An anchor alarm on the plotter or in an app warns you when the boat leaves its circle.