In this special:
- Better Anchoring, Episode 1: Chain or rope – how long?
- Better Anchoring, Episode 2: 6 Tips for the Ideal Anchorage
- Better Anchoring, Episode 3: Securing the ground anchor – 9 manoeuvres
Choose a secluded cove instead of a crowded marina, or simply drop anchor off the beach and savour the evening atmosphere? Anchoring offers more than just a free place to stay overnight. Those who turn their backs on the stream of harbour commuters often discover something new. This can happen right on your doorstep – or, to be more precise, next to your own jetty. A yacht moored off the coast seems to magically attract other sailors, which often leads to a spontaneous decision to drop anchor: “See how lovely they look over there? We could give that a go too.” Even without a guide yacht or a local guidebook, you can discover all sorts of hidden gems – a close look at the nautical chart is all it takes.
To ensure that the adventure of anchoring remains a positive experience, there are a few basic principles to bear in mind.
Protection from wind and waves
The most important rule is: you should only ever anchor downwind of the coast, never upwind, and not when the wind is blowing parallel to the coast. This raises the question: is the potential mooring spot suitable for the prevailing wind direction? This is not just a matter of current conditions, but also of the weather forecast for the planned anchoring period. An up-to-date forecast is therefore essential.
Next, we turn our attention to the coastline. Provided the wind direction remains steady, it is generally possible to anchor off any coastline. However, inlets offer more protection when the wind shifts and tend to be more sheltered. The stronger the wind and waves, the more important the shape of the bay and the depth contours become.
If there are no bays along the coast, the wind direction should be as close to offshore as possible. Experience shows that, depending on the wind strength, conditions start to become rough when the breeze deviates by more than 30 degrees from this direction, as the swell begins to run along the coast.
At the same time, keep an eye out for pipelines or underwater cables marked on the nautical chart. A safety distance of 300 metres should be maintained from such structures. The same applies to cable buoys and no-anchoring zones. It goes without saying that fairways and harbour approaches are not suitable for mooring. Particularly relevant in confined waters: leading lights or sector lights must not be obscured.
In nature reserves, national parks or biosphere reserves, there are sometimes very restrictive navigation regulations which severely limit anchoring or, at the very least, prohibit going ashore by dinghy. Information on such regulations can also be found on the nautical chart.
Suitable water depth
Once it is clear which side of the coast is sheltered, water depth comes into play. The aim is to find a compromise that suits the yacht’s draught. As the anchor gear can absorb varying amounts of energy depending on the water depth, weather conditions also play a role. However, this aspect only becomes significant in strong winds or when there is a lot of swell, so we’ll limit ourselves to draught.
For most yachts, water depths of between three and five metres are ideal. Greater depths require more chain or line. However, the distance between the keel and the seabed should not be significantly less than one metre; after all, there must be sufficient water beneath the keel even in choppy conditions and when the boat is heaving. At the same time, a sudden change in wind direction – caused, for example, by thermals breaking over land – must not result in the boat running aground. Particularly in very light winds, it is almost impossible to rule out the possibility that the boat might briefly drift towards the shore and thus into shallow water. The closer the required depth is to the shore, the better the spot is sheltered from the wind. A pronounced shallow water zone requires a correspondingly greater distance from the shore; in such areas, conditions will therefore become uncomfortable sooner in a fresh breeze.
As well as the absolute depth, the slope of the seabed is a selection criterion; the flatter the seabed, the better it is for anchoring. On steeply sloping seabed, the anchor struggles to find a firm hold and can easily break free. The depth contours should therefore not be too close together.
If the water is too shallow to allow for a full turning circle, a second anchor dropped at the stern can help. As this anchor lies in deeper water, a correspondingly longer length of chain or line must be deployed.
Good anchorage spots
Speaking of the seabed: not all seabed surfaces are equally suitable. Sand is ideal; the anchor usually takes hold on the first attempt and develops its maximum holding power. Dense seagrass beds require more care. Beneath the seagrass beds there is usually sand that provides good hold, but not every ground anchor can be driven into it. Furthermore, seagrass beds are important habitats that are damaged by the anchor. You should therefore avoid them and try to secure the ground anchor in a patch of bare sand.
Silt, clay or stony seabed are consistently difficult, as the anchor does not grip well and cannot develop its full holding power. Clay and loam are particularly treacherous, as once the anchor has gripped, it appears to hold very well. However, under overload, the rigging comes loose along with a whole clod of earth. The clay usually sticks firmly to the anchor and prevents it from digging in again. Therefore, on clay and silt bottoms, a second anchor should be set if in doubt, in order to distribute the load.
The type of seabed at a potential mooring can usually also be found on the nautical chart
Finding peace
As well as the nautical aspects, the anchoring experience is, of course, also influenced by the surroundings. These include the swimming facilities at a bustling campsite, as well as a busy coastal road or farms practising intensive livestock farming and the associated odours.
The nautical chart isn’t necessarily much help in these respects. It is therefore advisable to also scout out the mooring in question from the air using Google Earth or similar services.
Have a Plan B ready
It is extremely rare for a bay to offer the desired shelter in every wind direction. You should therefore pay closer attention to the weather when at anchor than when in harbour. However, if conditions suddenly deviate significantly from the forecast, there is no need to panic. A suitably sized and well-broken-in anchoring rig will not fail immediately. However, you should not try to ride out the change in weather for too long either. At the very latest when you find yourself in a situation where the boat is being driven against the shore, it is time to leave the anchorage.
To keep your adrenaline levels in check, you should run through the manoeuvres involved in leaving the anchorage in your head. For example, before turning in for the night, ask yourself the following questions: What is needed to get the boat ready to sail again? Is the anchor winch ready for use? Is the dinghy ready to be towed? Are the sails lashed down securely against the weather? Are the deck and cockpit clear, or are there still cushions lying about? What’s the situation below deck?
As a rule, this cosy chaos can be sorted out in just a few simple steps, ensuring that a night-time emergency launch goes smoothly. Simply knowing that you’re prepared is enough to put the skipper and crew’s minds at ease.
It is also advisable to look for an alternative whilst you are still searching for a mooring. This could be either another bay or a nearby harbour. The aim is not only to have an alternative spot in case of a sudden change in wind direction, but also in the event that the chosen bay turns out not to be as suitable as originally thought.
Don’t lose heart too soon
Venturing into unfamiliar waters carries a certain risk. Even if you follow the recommendations given in this article to the letter, you won’t always find the perfect anchorage. But you shouldn’t let that put you off. Even experienced skippers are not immune to sudden swells breaking around the Huk or the swell from a shipping lane that is actually quite far away causing restless nights. Or the farmer spreading slurry on his fields that very afternoon.
However, spending the night moored in an overcrowded marina can also be an unpleasant experience. If, on the other hand, you’ve dropped anchor, you can at least avoid the morning queue for the toilet facilities. After all, there’s a huge outdoor pool just beyond the swim ladder. That alone makes it worth studying the nautical chart carefully.
