bad anchors and bad anchoring

NH_boater · 08-13-2013, 10:53 AM

We are all newbies once. My first trip to any sandbar was Winnisquam. Pulled in, dropped my only anchor, saw everyone else had two as I held my stern steady. I quickly left and bought a stern anchor on the way home. Problem solved, except the stern anchor was a grappling hook style that never held in any breeze at all. Talked to some folks, read a little, bought a super hooker one size oversized. Problem solved.

I am pretty tolerant of those that are obviously new, as I was once too. Funny that some of the boats having great difficulties I have seen at the same sandbar for four years. I won't identify them but one has two anchors that are too small and poor design, never drops enough scope and constantly swings and drifts into other boats with any breeze at all. I have helped them off my boat a few times, politely showing them to drop more scope and to consider a larger, better anchor and a chain. Here that are again this year with the same setup and same difficulties. I hear the wife complain and he just says that he cannot understand why their anchor won't hold the boat. Says anchors do not hold well on sandy bottoms. Forget the fact that no one around them is drifting or dragging.

Then there is the guy that gets into position with no prep and then starts to look for his anchor. I had to jump in one day and quickly run around to keep his performance cruiser off my boat in the wind while he obliviously fought with his locked anchor locker. He was drifting into us, looked up, saw it, and just calmly continued to attempt to get his anchor. He would have 'slammed' into us if I did not jump in. Even if he got the anchor out, it was way too late to stop the drift. No problem, I positioned him, set his anchors and we talked for a bit. Feeling good that I helped a newbie who needed it. He did the exact same thing the next day to another boat. Then the same the next weekend and twice more (that I personally saw) last year. Probably a >100k boat. I cannot help but think how someone can do this, at the complete whim of others to protect a collision, again and again.

It is pretty ease to do a little research and be more comfortable with your boat.
Very little effort.

Dave R · 08-13-2013, 12:30 PM

Some people just aren't interested in doing things like that correctly. I imagine they are the same type of people that hang out in the left lane on the highway oblivious to the fact that they are behaving rudely.

I seriously doubt the repeat offenders would ever read a thread about how to anchor on a boating forum...

NH_boater · 08-13-2013, 08:43 PM

I agree Dave.

upthesaukee · 08-13-2013, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave R

Some people just aren't interested in doing things like that correctly. I imagine they are the same type of people that hang out in the left lane on the highway oblivious to the fact that they are behaving rudely.

I seriously doubt the repeat offenders would ever read a thread about how to anchor on a boating forum...

Unless we have small grandchildren with us, we stay away from the sandbars, or go early enough to wipe down the boat, maybe wax the sides, and then have a little libation. As the sandbar starts to get crowded, it is time to move on, and find a place to anchor where no one is close to cutting your anchor rope, or gets in the middle of all the boats and then looks for his anchor, or.... well all of the above.

Sandbars were a lot of fun when my kids were kids. Now that our kids have blessed us with grandchildren, sandbars...well not so much.

Dave R · 08-14-2013, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upthesaukee

Unless we have small grandchildren with us, we stay away from the sandbars, or go early enough to wipe down the boat, maybe wax the sides, and then have a little libation. As the sandbar starts to get crowded, it is time to move on, and find a place to anchor where no one is close to cutting your anchor rope, or gets in the middle of all the boats and then looks for his anchor, or.... well all of the above.

Sandbars were a lot of fun when my kids were kids. Now that our kids have blessed us with grandchildren, sandbars...well not so much.

We still go to Braun Bay despite the fact that we have teenage kids, but always arrive early and leave early on weekends. I find the mayhem as it gets crowded pretty entertaining and leave before it becomes irritating. Most people there are pretty cool and seem to know how to anchor. Shifty wind days, like last Saturday, are challenging for anyone and the occasional stern anchor reset is just something that has to be dealt with. I reset mine twice and helped neighbors reset theirs more than twice.

znh · 08-15-2013, 09:40 AM

As an extremely new boater I really appreciate the information in this thread. We certainly want to do things the right way and will find a nice quiet place to practice these techniques before invading the sand bars

One question. If you feel/hear your bow anchor scraping on the rocks and it doesn't seem to be holding perfectly what is the best way to take care of this. Pull up the anchor and try to reset in a different position ?

As for the stern anchors, how do you exactly 'set' the anchor ?

jrc · 08-15-2013, 10:17 AM

If you can hear your anchor dragging on the rocks, it isn't set. Try:

1) Let out more rode. You should have 3 times the depth out, as a rule of thumb.

2) Back up slower, your anchor needs time to dig in.

3) Find a better place. Sometimes your anchor can't get through the rocks.

4) Get a different anchor. Flat fluke anchors are best in sand, plow or claws work better in rocks.

5) Get some chain. Chain helps pretty much all anchoring.

Setting the rear anchor, in shallow, warm water just jump out and set it with your feet.

In deep water, set the front securely. Then let a ton more line out on the front, backing all the way back past where you want the rear anchor to be. Drop the rear and pull in the front. Drop some rear line and then set the rear as you pull in the front.

Phantom · 08-15-2013, 10:33 AM

Not sure what your asking in the first question, but for setting the stern anchor it's VERY simple.

-- Grab anchor with line attached
-- Jump in water (preferably before wind blows you into boats on either side of you)
-- Walk back 20ft or so (boat size dependent)
-- Manually set anchor in sand (I use my foot) cuz water is now cooler
-- walk stern anchor line back to rear cleat (use same side as bow anchor cleat)
-- snug up stern line till bow anchor tightens
-- Pop open the first beverage !

Joking aside, if I see someone coming in to a local sandbar I usually walk over to where I believe they will be stern in to assist. This I hope helps in two ways (1) they are able to get a visual on the depth of the water where I am standing (2) I can hold their stern while they get adjusted on the bow lines.

It's the neighborly/ sandbar thing to do ....... A polite "Thanks a lot" works wonders ............. as opposed to the sometimes received - "I GOT IT" in which case I just walk away and watch the ensuing comedy!!

.

NH_boater · 08-15-2013, 11:08 AM

Yup, the sandbar is right up there with the public launch for entertainment on a windy day. I am not usually entertained by newbies as much as the 'Know-it-alls who refuse help, sometimes with attitude (pride) and then really muck things up.

I agree that helping out not only helps them and educates them, but also sets a nice neighborly tone for a better day at the lake. I often offer to help solo boaters who can sometimes use an extra hand, or the elderly who might need a little assistance.

I will sometimes remind someone that their ladder is down as they depart. Most thank you nicely, even if they know. Other might snap back that they know it is down. I will sometimes climb aboard and depart with the ladder down if it is windy and I am looking to clear out quicker to avoid getting too close to anyone. I usually get a 'your ladder is down', I am careful to smile and say thank you, even though I knew. All is usually helpful and friendly.

It is nice to have conversations with your neighbors and maybe meet some new fellow Winni boaters.

Dave R · 08-15-2013, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NH_boater

I will sometimes remind someone that their ladder is down as they depart. Most thank you nicely, even if they know. Other might snap back that they know it is down. I will sometimes climb aboard and depart with the ladder down if it is windy and I am looking to clear out quicker to avoid getting too close to anyone. I usually get a 'your ladder is down', I am careful to smile and say thank you, even though I knew. All is usually helpful and friendly.

It is nice to have conversations with your neighbors and maybe meet some new fellow Winni boaters.

I do the same with the ladder and people often remind me (and odds are good I'll forget 60 seconds later anyway). I don't mind. When I haul in the anchor, I idle up to the anchor, go into neutral, and simultaneously run the windlass until the anchor is dangling on about 5 feet of chain. I then go into gear and travel at idle speed for 100' or so to clean the anchor before pulling it up to the stop. This often elicits frantic yelling of "YOUR ANCHOR IS STILL OUT!". I smile and explain that I'm cleaning it. This cleaning method works great, BTW.

znh · 08-15-2013, 12:06 PM

Thanks for all the great replies. As a family who will be on Winni for many years to come we look forward to being part of the solution and not part of the problem. I would hope that most of these people who aren't doing things the right way are just people out for the day or something and not local folks who live up there...but that could be a lot of hoping

Excited to try out some new anchoring techniques. First I need to go out and get a stern anchor now...

jrc · 08-15-2013, 01:18 PM

Just to be clear znh, you don't always need a rear anchor. Crowded sandbars, its always a good idea.

In deep water, you only need one if your swing will cause issues. Its generally safer with one anchor, your boat will lie bow to the wind and change as the wind changes. If you read boating sites, you will see warnings about rear anchors.

With only a front anchor you will swing from side to side in the wind and may get close to a neighboring boat. You may also want to anchor the stern if the wind is blowing you beam to the boat wakes.

Just be careful if you leave a boat unattended with two anchors out.

Dave R · 08-15-2013, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by znh

Thanks for all the great replies. As a family who will be on Winni for many years to come we look forward to being part of the solution and not part of the problem. I would hope that most of these people who aren't doing things the right way are just people out for the day or something and not local folks who live up there...but that could be a lot of hoping

Excited to try out some new anchoring techniques. First I need to go out and get a stern anchor now...

My advice is to get one that's very different than your bow anchor. Having more than one type may come in handy some day. The popular styles: Danforth/Fortress fluke, Bruce/Lewmar claw, and Delta/CQR plow, all work great in sand. Another option is the Rocna which is not very popular yet, but many regard it as the best available anchor on the market right now.

znh · 08-15-2013, 02:03 PM

Yes the stern anchor would be just for the sandbars or excessively windy days. Although we were out last weekend in one of the bays off of Timber and as windy as it was out in the open water it was nice and calm in the bay...

Aguamenti · 08-15-2013, 05:05 PM

Thanks again for all the great advice in this thread. Can't begin to tell you how helpful it is.

tom-sr230 · 08-16-2013, 07:57 AM

we have been using the folding box anchor made by slide co. on our 23 foot bow rider I use two, one each for the bow and stern and they both perform great for what we do ,,which is hang in the sand.. I have thrown them out on different bottoms and although the anchor did work great, it filled up with mud and had to be shaken around a little in the water before hauling it in..i still keep a couple of my older fluke style anchors on the boat just in case I need them or to offer them to a neighbor at the sand bar to use if they only had one anchor and were drifting ... I have gotten angry in the past when another boat pulls right up next to us and only uses a bow anchor with the driver now napping and his boat swinging very very close to mine..i would rather stay happy and offer up something that would most likely be sitting in my shed anyways..so far when I lend an anchor out, I have always gotten it back.!!

NH_boater · 08-16-2013, 09:14 AM

I keep an extra 'super hooker' in the boat for the same reason.

brk-lnt · 08-16-2013, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NH_boater

I keep an extra 'super hooker' in the boat for the same reason.

I had a super hooker on my boat once, but then my wife found out and it caused all kinds of issues.

Phantom · 08-16-2013, 10:58 AM

SPARE ANCHOR brings up another point for the "Newbies"

Always have a Sharp Knife aboard !

Although a LAST RESORT, when deep water anchoring once in a great while you have to finally admit that nothing that you do will bring this anchor up.

With a tear in the eye, you are forced to "cut your anchor" out of your life!

With that said, there are many techniques for trying to break an anchor loose (using the power of the boat) ..... BUT once in a great while...... Oh well ....

.

NH_boater · 08-16-2013, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brk-lnt

I had a super hooker on my boat once, but then my wife found out and it caused all kinds of issues.

I tee'd that one up for you....

brk-lnt · 08-16-2013, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NH_boater

I tee'd that one up for you....

Yeah. Teamwork is always the key to a good outcome.

08-15-2013, 10:33 AM	#8
Phantom Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Berlin, Ma / Gilford Posts: 1,934 Thanks: 450 Thanked 605 Times in 341 Posts	Not sure what your asking in the first question, but for setting the stern anchor it's VERY simple. -- Grab anchor with line attached -- Jump in water (preferably before wind blows you into boats on either side of you) -- Walk back 20ft or so (boat size dependent) -- Manually set anchor in sand (I use my foot) cuz water is now cooler -- walk stern anchor line back to rear cleat (use same side as bow anchor cleat) -- snug up stern line till bow anchor tightens -- Pop open the first beverage ! Joking aside, if I see someone coming in to a local sandbar I usually walk over to where I believe they will be stern in to assist. This I hope helps in two ways (1) they are able to get a visual on the depth of the water where I am standing (2) I can hold their stern while they get adjusted on the bow lines. It's the neighborly/ sandbar thing to do ....... A polite "Thanks a lot" works wonders ............. as opposed to the sometimes received - "I GOT IT" in which case I just walk away and watch the ensuing comedy!! . __________________ *A bad day on the Big Lake (although I've never had one) - Still beats a day at the office!!*

08-16-2013, 07:57 AM	#16
tom-sr230 Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: north of boston/and paugus bay Posts: 35 Thanks: 3 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	box anchor we have been using the folding box anchor made by slide co. on our 23 foot bow rider I use two, one each for the bow and stern and they both perform great for what we do ,,which is hang in the sand.. I have thrown them out on different bottoms and although the anchor did work great, it filled up with mud and had to be shaken around a little in the water before hauling it in..i still keep a couple of my older fluke style anchors on the boat just in case I need them or to offer them to a neighbor at the sand bar to use if they only had one anchor and were drifting ... I have gotten angry in the past when another boat pulls right up next to us and only uses a bow anchor with the driver now napping and his boat swinging very very close to mine..i would rather stay happy and offer up something that would most likely be sitting in my shed anyways..so far when I lend an anchor out, I have always gotten it back.!!

08-16-2013, 10:58 AM	#19
Phantom Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Berlin, Ma / Gilford Posts: 1,934 Thanks: 450 Thanked 605 Times in 341 Posts	SPARE ANCHOR brings up another point for the "Newbies" Always have a Sharp Knife aboard ! Although a LAST RESORT, when deep water anchoring once in a great while you have to finally admit that nothing that you do will bring this anchor up. With a tear in the eye, you are forced to "cut your anchor" out of your life! With that said, there are many techniques for trying to break an anchor loose (using the power of the boat) ..... BUT once in a great while...... Oh well .... . __________________ *A bad day on the Big Lake (although I've never had one) - Still beats a day at the office!!*

08-13-2013, 10:53 AM	#1
NH_boater Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 298 Thanks: 14 Thanked 147 Times in 62 Posts	We are all newbies once. My first trip to any sandbar was Winnisquam. Pulled in, dropped my only anchor, saw everyone else had two as I held my stern steady. I quickly left and bought a stern anchor on the way home. Problem solved, except the stern anchor was a grappling hook style that never held in any breeze at all. Talked to some folks, read a little, bought a super hooker one size oversized. Problem solved. I am pretty tolerant of those that are obviously new, as I was once too. Funny that some of the boats having great difficulties I have seen at the same sandbar for four years. I won't identify them but one has two anchors that are too small and poor design, never drops enough scope and constantly swings and drifts into other boats with any breeze at all. I have helped them off my boat a few times, politely showing them to drop more scope and to consider a larger, better anchor and a chain. Here that are again this year with the same setup and same difficulties. I hear the wife complain and he just says that he cannot understand why their anchor won't hold the boat. Says anchors do not hold well on sandy bottoms. Forget the fact that no one around them is drifting or dragging. Then there is the guy that gets into position with no prep and then starts to look for his anchor. I had to jump in one day and quickly run around to keep his performance cruiser off my boat in the wind while he obliviously fought with his locked anchor locker. He was drifting into us, looked up, saw it, and just calmly continued to attempt to get his anchor. He would have 'slammed' into us if I did not jump in. Even if he got the anchor out, it was way too late to stop the drift. No problem, I positioned him, set his anchors and we talked for a bit. Feeling good that I helped a newbie who needed it. He did the exact same thing the next day to another boat. Then the same the next weekend and twice more (that I personally saw) last year. Probably a >100k boat. I cannot help but think how someone can do this, at the complete whim of others to protect a collision, again and again. It is pretty ease to do a little research and be more comfortable with your boat. Very little effort.

08-13-2013, 12:30 PM	#2
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,985 Thanks: 246 Thanked 744 Times in 444 Posts	Some people just aren't interested in doing things like that correctly. I imagine they are the same type of people that hang out in the left lane on the highway oblivious to the fact that they are behaving rudely. I seriously doubt the repeat offenders would ever read a thread about how to anchor on a boating forum...

08-13-2013, 08:43 PM	#3
NH_boater Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 298 Thanks: 14 Thanked 147 Times in 62 Posts	I agree Dave.

08-15-2013, 09:40 AM	#6
znh Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 156 Thanks: 30 Thanked 40 Times in 25 Posts	As an extremely new boater I really appreciate the information in this thread. We certainly want to do things the right way and will find a nice quiet place to practice these techniques before invading the sand bars One question. If you feel/hear your bow anchor scraping on the rocks and it doesn't seem to be holding perfectly what is the best way to take care of this. Pull up the anchor and try to reset in a different position ? As for the stern anchors, how do you exactly 'set' the anchor ?

08-15-2013, 10:17 AM	#7
jrc Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NH Posts: 2,689 Thanks: 33 Thanked 439 Times in 249 Posts	If you can hear your anchor dragging on the rocks, it isn't set. Try: 1) Let out more rode. You should have 3 times the depth out, as a rule of thumb. 2) Back up slower, your anchor needs time to dig in. 3) Find a better place. Sometimes your anchor can't get through the rocks. 4) Get a different anchor. Flat fluke anchors are best in sand, plow or claws work better in rocks. 5) Get some chain. Chain helps pretty much all anchoring. Setting the rear anchor, in shallow, warm water just jump out and set it with your feet. In deep water, set the front securely. Then let a ton more line out on the front, backing all the way back past where you want the rear anchor to be. Drop the rear and pull in the front. Drop some rear line and then set the rear as you pull in the front.

The Following User Says Thank You to Phantom For This Useful Post:
66WINN (08-28-2013)

08-15-2013, 11:08 AM	#9
NH_boater Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 298 Thanks: 14 Thanked 147 Times in 62 Posts	Yup, the sandbar is right up there with the public launch for entertainment on a windy day. I am not usually entertained by newbies as much as the 'Know-it-alls who refuse help, sometimes with attitude (pride) and then really muck things up. I agree that helping out not only helps them and educates them, but also sets a nice neighborly tone for a better day at the lake. I often offer to help solo boaters who can sometimes use an extra hand, or the elderly who might need a little assistance. I will sometimes remind someone that their ladder is down as they depart. Most thank you nicely, even if they know. Other might snap back that they know it is down. I will sometimes climb aboard and depart with the ladder down if it is windy and I am looking to clear out quicker to avoid getting too close to anyone. I usually get a 'your ladder is down', I am careful to smile and say thank you, even though I knew. All is usually helpful and friendly. It is nice to have conversations with your neighbors and maybe meet some new fellow Winni boaters.

08-15-2013, 12:06 PM	#11
znh Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 156 Thanks: 30 Thanked 40 Times in 25 Posts	Thanks for all the great replies. As a family who will be on Winni for many years to come we look forward to being part of the solution and not part of the problem. I would hope that most of these people who aren't doing things the right way are just people out for the day or something and not local folks who live up there...but that could be a lot of hoping Excited to try out some new anchoring techniques. First I need to go out and get a stern anchor now...

08-15-2013, 01:18 PM	#12
jrc Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NH Posts: 2,689 Thanks: 33 Thanked 439 Times in 249 Posts	Just to be clear znh, you don't always need a rear anchor. Crowded sandbars, its always a good idea. In deep water, you only need one if your swing will cause issues. Its generally safer with one anchor, your boat will lie bow to the wind and change as the wind changes. If you read boating sites, you will see warnings about rear anchors. With only a front anchor you will swing from side to side in the wind and may get close to a neighboring boat. You may also want to anchor the stern if the wind is blowing you beam to the boat wakes. Just be careful if you leave a boat unattended with two anchors out.

The Following User Says Thank You to jrc For This Useful Post:
znh (08-15-2013)

08-15-2013, 02:03 PM	#14
znh Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 156 Thanks: 30 Thanked 40 Times in 25 Posts	Yes the stern anchor would be just for the sandbars or excessively windy days. Although we were out last weekend in one of the bays off of Timber and as windy as it was out in the open water it was nice and calm in the bay...

08-15-2013, 05:05 PM	#15
Aguamenti Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: MA/Tuftonboro Posts: 143 Thanks: 95 Thanked 36 Times in 21 Posts	Thanks again for all the great advice in this thread. Can't begin to tell you how helpful it is.

08-16-2013, 09:14 AM	#17
NH_boater Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 298 Thanks: 14 Thanked 147 Times in 62 Posts	I keep an extra 'super hooker' in the boat for the same reason.

The Following User Says Thank You to brk-lnt For This Useful Post:
tom-sr230 (08-16-2013)