How Close Is Too Close?

[Tetepare]

I got nothin' but I want to get in before the thread is locked.



Wait. No, I have an idea. A "contribution":


I only use an anchor buoy when I'm in Canada. Sometimes I put two or three around my boat to keep some space.


There. That should be good for another page or two.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by thomm225

He's just bored because it's been too cold (and windy) to sail much up where he is right now.

Plus I doubt he'd anchor to close to most cruising boats because it appears he's sailing a Catalina Capri 22.

It's a bit of a light weight....I'm thinking it wouldn't do well bouncing off a heavy cruisin' boat for a few hours if the wind got up

CAPRI 22 (CATALINA) sailboat specifications and details on sailboatdata.com

Don't forget, he usually rafts up or anchors by the stern.

[Training Wheels]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

Does anyone use those fancy laser distance measuring tools? Seems like a good way to confirm (or deny) your own sense of distance.



My hi-tech way is to ask my spouse, Ann. She’s a swimmer, and seems to have an innate sense of distance over water; measured in olympic pool lengths. She’s usually pretty accurate … at least that’s what she tells me .

I love my laser range finder! It's amazing how far off your guess can be. It's especially handy when anchoring by fixed buoys. You know exactly how far away you are, to set your anchor.

[Kenomac]

This entire equation really isn't about actual distance between boats, it has more to do with scope and drift radius. The folks who spend much time at anchor know what I'm refering to. The guy 150 feet away from you with only 1:2 scope out isn't far enough away if you have 1:10 out expecting the wind to kick up.

[Tetepare]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

This entire equation really isn't about actual distance between boats, it has more to do with scope and drift radius. The folks who spend much time at anchor know what I'm refering to. The guy 150 feet away from you with only 1:2 scope out isn't far enough away if you have 1:10 out expecting the wind to kick up.

You're making too much of it. When the wind kicks up his anchor is going to drag and he's going to hit you anyway.

[kmacdonald]

Originally Posted by StuM

Don't forget, he usually rafts up or anchors by the stern.

You remembered!!!!! And I crank up the stereo so EVERYONE can listen.

[kmacdonald]

Originally Posted by SV Bacchus

He sounds a bit like my father. I keep telling dad "I'm surprised someone hasn't shot you yet!"

Now where have I heard that before?

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by Tetepare

You're making too much of it. When the wind kicks up his anchor is going to drag and he's going to hit you anyway.

This reminds me of an afternoon I spent watching a couple of charter houseboats trying to anchor in the 1000 Islands last season. It was blowing pretty good and the first houseboat came in and dropped way too close. I was about to call over to them, but then I saw their anchor and their technique, and just decided to let Mother Nature take care of them. In no time they had dragged their way out of the anchorage. Luckily there was lots of space, so they weren’t in any immediate danger, but it was funny.

But the fun continued… After they noticed they were drifting away they decided to toss out a stern anchor. All this did was foul both anchor rodes, increasing the disaster. After getting this sorted, they came back into the anchorage and tried four or five more times, each time dragging out. It was hours of fun .

Out of sheer luck they eventually managed to hold, so the beers and music came out once again. Then their buddy boat came in and the first boat put down fenders and called them over so they could raft. “Oh, this will be fun,” says I.

No sooner did they get tied up and swapped beers than both boats started dragging out of the anchorage. Twice the fun as they scrambled to sort this disaster out. They eventually gave up and went to a dock. For me it was cheap afternoon entertainment.

I know … I should have offered to help, but it was too much fun (and they were in no danger).

[kmacdonald]

Yep Mike, I wish I was there to enjoy it with you.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

This reminds me of an afternoon I spent watching a couple of charter houseboats trying to anchor in the 1000 Islands last season. It was blowing pretty good and the first houseboat came in and dropped way too close. I was about to call over to them, but then I saw their anchor and their technique, and just decided to let Mother Nature take care of them. In no time they had dragged their way out of the anchorage. Luckily there was lots of space, so they weren’t in any immediate danger, but it was funny.

But the fun continued… After they noticed they were drifting away they decided to toss out a stern anchor. All this did was foul both anchor rodes, increasing the disaster. After getting this sorted, they came back into the anchorage and tried four or five more times, each time dragging out. It was hours of fun .

Out of sheer luck they eventually managed to hold, so the beers and music came out once again. Then their buddy boat came in and the first boat put down fenders and called them over so they could raft. “Oh, this will be fun,” says I.

No sooner did they get tied up and swapped beers than both boats started dragging out of the anchorage. Twice the fun as they scrambled to sort this disaster out. They eventually gave up and went to a dock. For me it was cheap afternoon entertainment.

I know … I should have offered to help, but it was too much fun (and they were in no danger).

I wouldn't have taken you to be a schadenfreude type, Mike. For shame! . I hope you at least said hello to. . . Er, never mind.. . .

Sent from my D6633 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by Tetepare

You're making too much of it. When the wind kicks up his anchor is going to drag and he's going to hit you anyway.

No I'm not, because it works the other way too. If you anchored as frequently as us, then you'd know this Mr. Smartypants..

It's not so uncommon to be in a crowded anchorage with 1:5 scope like everyone else, only to find out late at night that some dope right in the middle has 300 ft of chain or rope rode attached to his anchor, and is now bashing into everyone.

Which is why we anchor on the outside away from the chaos.

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

I wouldn't have taken you to be a schadenfreude type, Mike. For shame! . I hope you at least said hello to. . . Er, never mind.. . .

I know … I’m not proud of myself … But it really was pretty funny. My only justification is that the charter boats were full of loud, obnoxious “kids” who clearly had no consideration for anyone else in the area, and certainly weren't interested in getting help from an old foggie like me.

Actually, they sound a lot like kmacdonald.

[senormechanico]

Mike,

Of course you're right about guys like that.
They would have told you to F off.
We've seen the same thing in the San Juans.
OTOH, once we saw an old old old ferro having touble anchoring in a large but full anchorage.
The family aboard had no clue how to anchor, and were repeatedly being chased off by lots of other (mostly power) boats.
They were trying to make a CQR hold in less than 2:1 scope.
I finally went over in the dink and asked them if they wanted any suggestions.
They immediately said, "YES PLEASE". I helped them pick out a spot where they wouldn't be bothered by anyone and talked them through the process.
They were very grateful to be properly set, and thanked me for the education.

[kmacdonald]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

I know … I’m not proud of myself … But it really was pretty funny. My only justification is that the charter boats were full of loud, obnoxious “kids” who clearly had no consideration for anyone else in the area, and certainly weren't interested in getting help from an old foggie like me.

Actually, they sound a lot like kmacdonald.

OK, I'll admit, it was me. Lucky I didn't preemptively tell you to FO.

[Souzag818]

"Either that, or consider running the trip line up the chain, with light cable ties, instead of a float." I've thought about doing that too. Has anyone had success with it? Or not??