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ANCHORING
Anchoring can be accomplished safely with a minimum of fuss if you are prepared. Or, if you
are not ready, it can be stressful and dangerous for you or the boat.
Before attempting to anchor, select an anchorage with a soft bottom such as sand, mud, or
gravel, if possible. Look at the charts and cruising guides for tips on good locations. Then,
choose the spot in the anchorage where you have room to "swing" on the anchor without
disturbing other boats. Remember, responsibility for leaving room goes to each successive boat
to arrive, for the first boat has priority in the anchorage!
Here in the Northwest, because of the deep waters, all-chain rodes and small bays, we anchor a
little differently than in the Gulf of Mexico or Carribean, for example. First, except in severe
weather we use anchor chain scopes of only 4-to-1 or 5-to-1. For example, in water that is 40
feet at high tide in the typical anchorage, we might use 160 feet of chain unless the weather
was to be gale force or greater winds.
Second, because of the small bays and steep bottoms, we often rig a shore line from the stern
of the boat to shore. The best example of this would be at Todd Inlet at Butchart Gardens. Here
is a bay that can accommodate 8 - 10 boats, yet it is only about 150' wide and 200' long! Boats
attach their bows to the mooring buoys or, in a few cases, anchor; and then their sterns are
secured to rings provided in the steep cliffs overlooking the bay. Boats are thus perhaps only
15-20' apart, side to side.
Third, boats often will "raft" side by side in busy marinas, although this is not too common.
Fourth, courteous boaters will call vessels coming into busy bays and offer to let them raft to
the same buoy, if signs on the buoys do not limit usage to only one boat depending upon
length.
CHECKLISTS & MANEUVERING SUGGESTIONS
SHORE LINES
When a shore line is required, anchors are set 75 - 100 feet from shore, with the boat backing
toward shore during anchor-setting. The stern line is put around a tree, and brought back to the
boat.
During this process, be sure to keep clear of rocks near the shore, and allow for our Northwest
tides, occasionally twelve feet, and sometimes 20 feet when further north! Check the present
tide, and high and low tides before beginning anchoring: No sense anchoring in 15 feet of
water if you're at the "top" of a 15 foot tide!
To get to the shore, you will need to have a dinghy down, and then have your mate keep the
boat's stern toward shore with short bursts of reverse gear. Sometimes a helpful boater already
anchored will help you by taking your line to shore for you with his dinghy, a neat "good deed"
that you might reciprocate. We've met some nice boaters this way!
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July 21, 2012
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