So, we 're relatively new in the sailing game - so I 'm sure I can learn from the old salts that frequent the OCC 's forum...

My boat is a 28,000lb, 44ft cruiser (Outbound 44) with pretty high freeboard and therefore demands (I believe) some reasonable care during anchoring. We have an 80lb Manson Supreme on 5/16" Chain. Last year we were anchored out in winds up to 40kt and in depth of about 20ft.

What would be the recommendation on length of rode to deploy? (We dragged!)

Thanks,

Bill Balme

Daria,
I 'm sure that my problems that night were due to inadequate scope. We were in a difficult spot, on the outside of Hadley Harbor (entrance to Woods Hole) in Massachusetts. We 'd arrived too late to comfortably navigate the narrow entrance into the harbor, the north east wind meant we had no protection, there was miles of fetch therefore and currents swirl around Woods Hole (albeit we were not in the main flow!) - so it was a bit of a disaster waiting to happen. I had no need to use a short scope - since I was the only idiot parked out there! I deserved what I go - a lousy night 's sleep! Fortunately, I was awake and immediately aware when we started to drag. My only solace was watching a boat inside the harbor dragging and re-setting repeatedly.


You ask what the bottom was. No idea! I don 't remember what came up with the anchor. Short of diving on the anchor or being in crystal clear water, is this the only way to tell whats below you - or do real sailors probe the bottom first to see what lies beneath?

I don 't use the Manson 's slot - don 't understand the purpose. (Self tripping anchors don 't appear very sensible to me!) I tend to buoy the anchor - so that if I get it snagged, I can use that to reverse the anchor out. (Touch wood, has not happened yet.)

Bill Balme