Bella

"Skating" or "Sailing on the Anchor" Solutions

In last month's letters we talked about boats "sailing on the anchor", going back and forth on one tack then the other. Of course the many types of boats; full keels, fin keels, light, heavy, high profiles, low profiles, multihulls, all have different degrees of liveliness at anchor. We received many creative and practical suggestions from our readers but chose the solutions below as the most practical and universal ways to help calm down your boat a bit.
Good questions and answers on Page 17 of the September 2003 on the subject of "sailing" or "skating" at the anchor. Keeping the boat as still as possible at anchor is a good thing, because:

• 1. It isn't fun.
• 2. You might smack into another boat.
• 3. You might pull your anchor and drag.

There is probably no way to stop the action of sailing back and forth as long as boats float and winds and current are variable-but here are three ways to lessen the problem.
First, as Richard wrote: Make sure the anchor rode is pulling along the centerline of the boat, not from one side or the other-even a few inches can make a difference.
The best way to accomplish this is with bridles leading from the bow chocks out to the anchor line. The anchor line is slacked enough so that the strain of holding the boat is taken up by the bridles. Then when the boat starts to "sail" off to one side, the strain of the anchor will be taken on the opposite side's bridle-thus dampening the movement. Second: On a cordage anchor rode, particularly, make up a "soldier" or weight to send down the rode on a shackle or block. It should ride at least double the distance from the bow to the waterline. This weight will keep a steady pull on the anchor rode and will also act as a "drogue" in the water to slow the side to side motion. A stout canvas bucket full of rocks or old engine parts is a good, spur of the moment, choice. A cast lead weight, swaddled in canvas or leather, with an eye cast in it is the ideal "soldier".
Third: Lower a weight, such as a bunch of old chain or a piece of canvas or vinyl full of rocks, over the bow on a line just long enough to have the weight drag along the bottom at high tide. Usually, at night, in Pacific Northwest summers, the tidal range is not too great. However, if it is, the line might have to be taken in as the tide falls and payed out when it rises, to keep the weight on the bottom, but not on too long a scope.

Freeman Beach
Point Roberts, WA

I would recommend that the writer have an "anchor sail" (also known as riding sail) made for use during a windy anchorage. I had one made for my San Juan 28, NOLHI (No Other Love Have I), and have used it on numerous occasions on my cruises into British Columbia and around Puget Sound. During my solo Vancouver Island circumnavigation in 2002 I used it during a gale while anchored at Port Hardy where my Skywatch wind meter recorded a wind of 39 knots.
Once raised the sail keeps the bow pointed directly into the wind and removes all the lurching and dancing while riding out a storm. The difference is simply amazing.
The sail should be tailored to your boat. The dimensions for NOLHI's are 10x9x5 and made to storm sail specifications. This may seem like a rather large amount of square footage but better to be too large than too small; you can always have it cut down in size if necessary. It is interesting to note that the sail loft owner made a smaller one for her Newport 30 and reported that it did NOT work very well.
As you can see from the attached photos, it is hanked onto the backstay, hoisted up with the mainsail halyard, and secured at the backstay base. The forward edge of the sail is secured to a cleat above the cabin entry and also downward to the traveler. It is installed as tight as I can get it to remove all slack and wrinkles in the sail. It makes all the difference in the world and I wouldn't leave home without it!
Lastly, I have NOT seen anyone else using such a sail either here or in British Columbia.

Cheers,
Mike Hirko
Gig Harbor, WA