Bahamas Anchor Advice

[skipgundlach]

Originally Posted by teejayevans

So your 46 foot boat weighs more than 46000 lbs?

I can't think of any cruising boats that are more than 1000 pounds/ft that's under 50'. For example the Valiant 50 is 35000.

Yes, there can be some momentum, hence the reason for a snubber line, but whenever you are looking at anchors, the chart is always base on size/windage, not momentum, it's always a function of expected wind speed for the expected loads.
Tom

No, fortunately! However, it does weigh 40 when we're fully loaded - and we're really only 45', the "46" designation being in recognition of the anchor roller which was added to the configuration of the 45 hull (completely different deck, house and interior as well), which it shares.

We use the snubber only to avoid jerks on the rollers. However, there are many times at over 100' when we see the chain (a pound a foot) go straight (which, of course, stretches the snubber notably).

Wind speed certainly has a bearing - but it's mass in motion which can do you in even more excitingly...

L8R

Skip, currently off Hamburger Beach, Stocking Island Exuma

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by CaptForce

There is much good advice above. I noticed that several people mentioned the problem with attempts to anchor in places with too little sand over the hard coral substrate. There is a trick to know more about this sand depth. Marine tube worms are common on the sand that is deep, but they will not be found in shallow layers of sand. Their presence in the deeper sands can be seen in the clear waters from your bow by the appearance of numerous small holes. If the bottom appears with holes, not unlike a pancake that is ready to flip, then the sand will be deep enough to hold.

Interesting!

[Wand]

Many in this thread have mentioned the difficulty of anchoring in grass, of which there seems to be a fair bit over there. The fisherman's (or admirality) anchor is best for grass; digs in rather than slides across the surface. It's also good for all bottoms except rock and shallow sand - but nothing much works there anyway.

[sck5]

my rocna digs into grass pretty well. in fact, it seems to dig in to pretty much everything except coral

[Kettlewell]

Reviving an old thread here. You folks who aren't using a Bahamian moor aren't anchoring in the best spots where you absolutely need two anchors to stay in enough water to keep your boat afloat. I've noticed the same thing in the ICW--people are avoiding some of the best anchoring spots that require two anchors.