anchoring and marlinspike seamanship 239
MAINSAIL-ONLY APPROACHES
- Drop or furl your headsail. Flake and lash the sail to one side to keep the
deck clear. - Approach on a close reach. Within two to three boat lengths of the desired
anchoring spot, ease the mainsheet completely and drift to a stop. On a
close reach, you can luff completely to stop the boat. When you lower the
anchor, it might angle to one side of the bow. Allow the boat to fall back,
and ease the anchor line to the intended scope. Cleat off the anchor line. - Back the mainsail against the wind by pushing it toward the shrouds. Push
on one side for a few seconds, then swing the boom and push it out to the
other side. Repeat this method until the
anchor digs in. Check for dragging as you
backwind the mainsail, and check again
when you are done. Lower the mainsail
when the anchor sets.
HEADSAIL-ONLY APPROACHES
- Make your approach downwind with a small
headsail, staysail, or bare poles. Keep your
speed as slow as possible. - It’s easier on a downwind approach to deploy
the anchor from the cockpit. Rig the anchor
on the side opposite the headsail. In the
illustration, the anchor is rigged to port with a
headsail on the starboard side. Th is clears the
deck for the crew. Move the anchor back to the
cockpit, making sure to keep all rode outside
the stanchions and shrouds. Pull back enough
anchor line for a cockpit deployment, which
means at least three times the water depth.
Coil or fake any excess anchor rode in the
cockpit. Cleat off the anchor line at the bow. - Start your approach upwind of your chosen
spot. Just before reaching your spot, release
the headsail sheet to let the jib fl y free. Turn
the boat slightly toward the side you’ll be
lowering the anchor on. Th is helps keep the
ground tackle clear of the hull.
Approaching a downwind anchorage under headsail
alone (see text).