Anchoring Question

[JB MARSHALL]

Last weekend we went out to a nice anchorage for the afternoon. Arrived at our destination, found a nice opening between two decent size sail boats and dropped the anchor.
We were in 8' of water plus 5' of distance from bow to water = 13', so I let out a scope of about 5X's about 70' of chain and we set quickly. The winds were blowing 10 to 15 mph and we were swinging around quite a bit. Thankfully I had plenty of room between the sail boats. I looked at other boats anchored out and from what I could see no one else was swinging around but all in the same direction of each other without a stern anchor. We moved so much it was annoying. We did not drag but swung from left to right and back again. This has been an issue in the past when it is windy and I do not understand why I seem to be the only one swinging.

Can anyone shed some light on this or what I should do differently? Or is this just because of the hull and size of the boat?

Thanks,
JB

 

[Creekwood]

Sailboats have large heavy keels that significantly reduce sideways movement. Its probably as simple as that, if they don't have stern anchors. Not sure about the other boats if they were powerboats.

In 8ft of water, and all chain anchor, if you are just day anchoring and staying on the boat, you probably could get away with less scope too.

I personally don't like to swing at anchor (annoying, like you said) so I have a small stern anchor (a bruce/claw) with about 100ft of line that I always use when cove anchoring. Its easy to move the stern anchor if the wind shifts a bit. I use the dinghy to drop it downwind and tighten it up to a stern cleat once set. I don't worry about the scope on it, since I sort of want it to slip if the wind picks up and changes direction. Maybe 3 to 1 max.

 

[Jaybeaux]

Watching this thread as I have had the same question/observations. My one thought on the matter is that I'd rather swing than drag!

Jaybeaux

 

[quality time]

Our boat sways pretty good also when we're by ourselves. I have a chain hook and a length of rope that I tie to one bow cleat, that basically cocks the bow around so we're not directly inline with the wind and that helps some.

 

[Pirate Lady]

If i want to be next to other boats i will stay in my slip. If i anchor in a cove i wanna use my binoculars to see the nearest boat . Problem solved.

 

[Irie308]

Noticed this as well at anchor or on a mooring in anything above 10-12 knots of wind. Don't mind it too much as the views are always changing.

 

[sbw1]

Tighten up the scope. If you are on the boat you can easily deal with any issue related to not enough scope by letting a little more out You will swing less with shorter scope so be stingy at first and adjust as needed.

 

[MiLoII]

If the winds and waves are light you could do less scope if you feel you have a good hold. And/or throw a stern anchor and that will fix the swinging. If I'm out for a couple hours I dont usually wanna be bothered with stern anchor but if I've got a group of folks and were gonna be swimming all day then I stern anchor, stern towards the beach

 

[Thornton69]

We've overnighted in some pretty rough stuff up here on a few occasions. We run the rode slightly off to one side as previously mentioned. If concerned about our scope at all, we slide a 10 lb downrigger ball down the rode on a shackle. Doubt it actually makes it all the way to the chain but it sure helps to take the bounce out of the bow and flattens the chain out for a better bite with the anchor.

 

[ttmott]

The 52DB windmills quite a bit also. I use a bridle for tough weather and overnight stays which doesn't help much. I also tried the bridle tied to only one side and no improvement. Now I discovered if we need to limit the windmilling I set a second anchor forward and splayed apart about 20 or 30 degrees from the main anchor and tie that second anchor to one of the forward side cleats. It's a lot of work but completely stops all that movement yet still allows the boat to rotate with wind and current.
I've also set an aft anchor tied to a forward cleat in really tight places and that also allows the boat to rotate and deal with currents that change direction (ie Double Breasted Cay).
If someone has a better idea I'll try it!

 

[JB MARSHALL]

I was wondering if a bridal would help from swinging but I guess that is not it's useful purpose and would not make a difference.

Thank you for all the responses. I suppose it's what we have to deal with in this type of boat with the winds blowing.

 

[swaterhouse]

All boats swing on anchor or moorings, some more than others. In higher winds you will swing faster and further because of the momentum gained. Our Sea Rays have relatively flat bottoms aft. Bridge versions have huge windage very central so it makes it even worse.

The key is to watch the boats around you. Sailboats and Trawlers or Downeast style boats will tend to swing less as the usually have some type of keel. Outboard powered boats will usually swing the most. Catamarans of using a bridal will swing the least.

As @ttmott says, a second anchor will help, but be careful that everyone around you is either using the same setup or your far away from them as you will swing different.