There is nothing complicated about anchoring a yacht. But, like everything, it requires a little experience. Here is the easiest way to do it.
Anchoring
1. Move slowly against the wind to the intended anchor drop point. Keep in mind that after dropping the anchor, your boat will have to drift in the opposite direction to pay out the chain to the required length, which should be at least four depths (more is better than less). And after that, the anchor should bury itself in the ground, which will require a few more meters of backward movement of the yacht.
2. Drop the anchor using the winch or manually.
3. After the anchor touches the bottom, release the chain while the boat drifts back downwind. If there is no wind, use reverse gear.
4. Check the reliability of the anchor’s engagement with the ground. This can be done by bearing on coastal objects, that is, simply by observing whether the position of the boat relative to them changes. Or using GPS. In addition, by holding the chain with your hand, you can feel whether the anchor is dragging.
5. Lock the chain to relieve the load on the winch.
6. If you have an anchor alarm, turn it on.
Lifting the anchor
1. Move slowly to the anchor point on the bottom, simultaneously taking up the slack in the chain. If visibility is poor, the crew should indicate the direction. Wind and currents can add their own conditions, you must make the necessary course adjustments.
2. If the anchor is deeply buried in the ground or caught on something, then move forward a little or in different directions to unhook it. In addition, your anchor model may be equipped with an additional snag release system.
3. Wait for the crew to report “Anchor clear”, signaling that the anchor and chain are completely on board and you can start moving.
Types of seabed
The seabed is not uniform, and each type of bottom will hold an anchor differently. In most cases, you will encounter the following options or a combination of them:
Clay. Holds almost all modern anchors very well. However, if the clay is very hard, the anchor may not bury itself, but slide along the surface.
Gravel. Does not hold any model of anchor well, even with wide flukes or shovels.
Rocks. Such a bottom is undesirable for anchoring from all points of view. Even if the anchor does catch, there is a chance that you will leave it there forever. Some fishing anchors are designed for large stones and rocks, but yachts are not usually equipped with them.
Sand. A good option for anchoring. But anchor models that are too light or poorly designed may not work effectively.
Mud. If the mud is not too soft, the anchor holds well.
Silt. Something between sand, mud and clay. A good option for anchoring, but it depends on the consistency of the silt.
Grass and seaweed. The worst bottom for anchoring, as the anchor will not be able to hold the boat securely and will simply slide.
For each type of seabed, there are many models of anchors that are used more or less successfully on different types of vessels. But boats and yachts are equipped with the most universal models, such as CQR (plow) or Cobra, so there is always a small compromise.
General tips
- It is always better to anchor in a place and at a time where the wind is from the shore.
- Always check local tide tables to take water levels into account.
- If your chain is not marked, do it yourself by tying brightly colored ribbons every five meters.
- Remember to use lights and signs to indicate the vessel’s status while at anchor: a black ball on the rigging during the day and a white all-round light at night.
- Before dropping anchor, make sure that you are not in the area of a prohibitory sign or in the area of underwater communications. Additionally, you may find yourself in a coral conservation zone where anchoring is prohibited.
- To determine the direction of the resulting force of the wind and current, look at the position of neighboring yachts standing at the bow anchor.