248 seamanship secrets
“Your Call, Skipper”
You’re the skipper or most knowledgeable crewmember in each
of the following situations. What actions would you take?- You send a crewmember forward to get the anchor rode ready for
running. He pulls the rode from the locker and begins coiling down on
deck. He’s having trouble getting the line to coil without knotting. What
might be the problem? - You arrive in a crowded anchorage near sunset. You’ll need to anchor
in a soft bottom on a short scope of 4:1. What two things could you do
to help prevent dragging? - Right after setting the anchor, what two things must you check to
make sure it is holding? If you are dragging, what is the number one
thing you must do right away? - How do you approach your anchorage under mainsail alone? After
the anchor is down, you drift astern, put out maximum scope, and cleat
off the line. How would you use the mainsail to set the anchor? - You are tying up to a dock and need another line about 20 feet long.
You have two pieces of line left onboard (same diameter), one 15 feet
long and another 10 feet long. What two methods could you use to join
the two lines together?
Answers - Show him how to twist the wrist a quarter turn clockwise each
time before laying down a bight. - Send a sentinel halfway down the rode (use chain, shackles, or any
heavy ballast). In deeper water, rig a mooring buoy with a solid rod core
between the boat and anchor. - First, take a strain on the anchor rode and check for vibration with
the back of your hand. Vibration means you’re dragging; veer (let out)
scope. Next, take drag bearings abeam. Use a natural range or take a
bearing to a single object with a handbearing compass. A change in
bearing indicates dragging, so veer scope right away. - Approach on a close reach. Dig the anchor in by backwinding the
main. Push the boom out toward the shrouds for a few seconds. Then
backwind it to the other side. Repeat this method until the anchor sets.
Check rode vibration and drag bearings before lowering the main. - Tie two bowlines together or tie a double becket bend.