238 seamanship secrets
- Keep the rode under moderate strain while you power or sail across the
wind. When the anchor rode bears a few degrees abaft the beam, stop and
lower your second anchor. - Fall back on the second anchor until its rode length equals that of the fi rst rode.
Cleat it off. Th en back down under power or back the mainsail to set the second
anchor deep into the bottom. Install chafi ng gear on both anchor rodes.
Secrets to Anchoring under Power
Make preparations as described previously: calculate scope and prepare anchor
rode, estimate swinging room, and select the best anchor for the type of seabed.
Approach your anchorage spot from downwind, round up into the wind, and stop
all forward motion. Lower the anchor until the rode slackens. Th e wind will push
the vessel aft , or you can use the engine in idle reverse gear. Slack the rode as the
boat falls back until you reach your calculated scope, and cleat the line off.
Now back the engine at idle speed. When you feel the anchor digging in,
slowly increase RPMs to place a heavy load on the ground tackle. Watch ranges
carefully abeam and astern to check for dragging. Slowly ease off on RPMs.
Have a crewmember check the anchor rode for vibration (as described earlier
in this chapter) with the back of his hand.
If you are dragging, decrease RPMs to idle, pay out more scope, and then
slowly increase RPMs. Keep checking the rode and drag bearing until you are
set. When the anchor is dug in, slowly decrease RPMs back to neutral and secure
the rode on the cleat.
Anchoring under Mainsail or Headsail
When anchoring under sail, always make your approach under a single sail—either
your mainsail or a small headsail. Read on for simple steps you can follow to
anchor under sail. First, regardless of which sail you choose, keep the following
three things in mind:
Control your speed. Close reaching allows the best combination of speed
control and simplicity. Sheet in to increase speed; luff to slow down.
Plan your approach tack. Plan your approach tack to the anchorage so your
sails are on the opposite side from your anchoring gear. For example, if you
intend to lower the anchor from the port bow, make your approach on port
tack. Th at way, your luffi ng sails are out of the way of the foredeck crew.
Plan an escape route under sail. Choose an approach to your anchorage spot
that allows for a safe way out if things don’t go as planned. Keep the halyard
bent onto the lowered sail so it’s ready for hoisting.