Using an stern anchor

[RobnBern]

And now another chapter of "My dumb questions". I get the whole concept, reason, etc behind using a stern anchor but before I had my own boat, I never watched anyone deploy it. Now that I have my boat and want to use it, I'm sorta clueless on how to deploy it. How long should the rode be?? Best tie off points?? I'm sure size matters?? (so I've heard)....

Thanks....and belated Happy Fathers Day to all you other dads. Hope yours was as much fun as mine!!

RJ

 

[Presentation]

RJ – the answer is ‘it all depends”

We have several popular sandy coves. On a summer Saturday they get hundreds of boats.

Two anchors are needed to keep the boats from bumping into one another. It’s the local tradition.

We want to keep our swim platform in water that allows the little kids to be able to stand on the bottom, climb onboard, jump in, etc.

I back in as I drop the front anchor in deeper water. At some point I cut the engines and then go to full trailer up trim on the outdrives.

Next I attach a smaller anchor + 6’ of chain to a rode that is only about 35 feet long. I attach this as low as I can, on my boat, that means I attach the anchor rode to the ski tow eye.

Wearing swim trunks I get in the water. My wife may need to let out more rode on the main bow anchor using the windlass.

I physically pull the boat until the swim platform is in waste deep water.

With the boat in the perfect position I run like a chicken with his head cut off toward shore then manually set the stern anchor.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Maybe this will help, too: Oh, and feel free to make fun of my drawings:

http://petersmarine.blogspot.com/2009/04/stern-anchoring.html

RJ – the answer is ‘it all depends”

We have several popular sandy coves. On a summer Saturday they get hundreds of boats.

Two anchors are needed to keep the boats from bumping into one another. It’s the local tradition.

We want to keep our swim platform in water that allows the little kids to be able to stand on the bottom, climb onboard, jump in, etc.

I back in as I drop the front anchor in deeper water. At some point I cut the engines and then go to full trailer up trim on the outdrives.

Next I attach a smaller anchor + 6’ of chain to a rode that is only about 35 feet long. I attach this as low as I can, on my boat, that means I attach the anchor rode to the ski tow eye.

Wearing swim trunks I get in the water. My wife may need to let out more rode on the main bow anchor using the windlass.

I physically pull the boat until the swim platform is in waste deep water.

With the boat in the perfect position I run like a chicken with his head cut off toward shore then manually set the stern anchor.

I think your explanation would be much more effective if you did a video (please!)... especially of the last part! :lol:

 

[Gofirstclass]

There's lots of other ways to do it. If you're close to the shore, consider using one of these Sandspikes. They cost $50.

Or one of these that cost around $6-$10 and pick one up at any pet store.

Or tie to a tree or rock on the shore and use one of these Anchor Buddies between your anchor rode and the anchor. This will keep the rode taut.