Anchoring 101

I'm worrying about your little animated boat. If there is a 180 degree wind shift you will be aground.....

Chris was a fascinating chap to listen to so I am very glad that you shared this with us all. I'll be sharing it on my sailing / boating blogs with my fellow boaters.

I got it the wrong way round. SS Cromox 318 for warmer waters. I’m afraid I can only afford galvanised for now. However we will move to warmer waters in 2022, Covid permitting, so I will buy Cromox 318 then.

Wow I’m not even a boat owner but this is one of the most fascinating videos I’ve ever seen

We like the Technical Videos

Thank you for the great information. It’s given me a lot to think about. Doesn’t the height of your Sampson post weaken it? I would think it would be much stronger if it was lower to the deck.

👍Awesome info & video. Thank you. 🙏💝

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Hello Guys. Revisiting this video as I'm looking to create a portable snubber arrangement that we can swap between charter boats; as you can imagine, it's not normally part of the standard charter inventory (unfortunately). Have you ventured as far as a chain grab or hook (for example, the Ultra Chain Grab or the Mantus M2 Chain Hook)..? I'm thinking about pairing one of these with the Mantus Snubber Pendant to create an easy-to-transport arrangement that can be attached (via a Prusik knot) to a standard mooring line fashioned as a bridle from both of the bow chleats. I'm hoping - pretty sure - that this will be both effective and convenient. Welcome any thoughts you might have...

BTW, I see from AIS tracking that you're now in the Aegean. Hope you're enjoying the Cyclades; we're due out there in mid-September for a 2-week charter and looking forward to living the dream for two weeks anyway..! I wanted to check in on your latest thoughts on Savvy Navvy, now that you've had it for a while. Are you find it reasonably accurate and useful..? I've subscribed and I think it looks like it will be a useful tool, but nothing beats practical experience.

Awesome information! Much appreciated.

You Guys are some of the Best, when it comes to Proper Information, On Sailboat Specifications. You try to cover Everything! So much Great information, to make your Sailing ⛵️ a Safe & Enjoyable Experience! Thanks 🙏🏻 So Much ✌🏻❤️🍀👍🏻

Dear Steve and Judy, Congrats on such a great series...just finished the Delos one..excellent. I have a similar boat with bowsprit and whisker stays etc and would greatly appreciate details of your triangular anchor pivot system if you don't mind sharing in a tech corner. Much obliged and fair winds Fairisle!

Really good useful video. BTW Savvy Navvy are adding an AIS link next year. I have an Ipad Pro and find that Navionics drains the battery faster than I can charge it (I leave it plugged in to a 3 amp socket). Does anyone have any idea how to sort this out. I have tried dimming etc.

Thanks for the information I found it very interesting.
I especially liked the ways of in jamming your anchor with the rope and chain as I lost mine a few month ago on a reef. I only have a 4.3M boat so not a big anchor.

Lets say that you buy a boat being a mono or multi hull, if the anchor chain is "only" 75 meters but you prefer a minimum of 100 meter chain, can you add the (for you) required extra meters or do you have to go buy a new chain? Thanks 🧐

Hi Steve, I did watch the video at the time, but your videos are worth watching more than once, on a riding sail I have a delta on my Sigma 33C on the Scottish West Coast, and its great! Not only does she not blow off much but that means no heading over either, made from fairly stiff sail cloth with broom handle between the clews to keep it open. I'll see if I have a picture to send over. All the best guys.

Never wash a chain with your hand around it. There is danger of injury to your fingers or hand if they are drawn into the windlass. A long handle brush is more easily replaced. Otherwise this is a very good source of information, especially about the 316L stainless in salt water.

Excellent

Id like to know what Anchor alarm your using please? is it an app or a native program on the NAV you're using

It's metres unless you're in the USA.

Merry Christmas & a happy new year. Keep up the good work & thank you for sharing ♥️🎈. SV Kiwi Lady Opua Bay of islands New Zealand 👍

Wow! Chris is a boss! Thanks guys, iv spent hours looking at chains and materials, SS spercifically and iv learnt more in the last 15 minutes of your video listening to your convo with Chris. Thank you so much. Rich and K, s/y sea la Vie x

Nicely done, we are of the same mindset. I pick a good Anchorage first. If it means an extra hour of choppy sea, so be it. 7-1 generally for me. Never dragged, was taught by a guy that spent 12 years cruising. My fear is everyone around me lol.
We anchored one night in a less than ideal spot....35 feet of water and a little land shelter. Behind me there were 8 boats anchored in a pretty sheltered Cove...with the weather forecast of 35 kts I didn't want to be among them. It was tight in there as it was.
Wind coming up, sun going down, late in the day, I stayed out a bit and anchored. The wind howled, the rain came.
Next morning those boats were in near the beach, near a yacht club, and I said to my wife " in this wind, I wouldn't be bringing the boat in that close for breakfast"... "we will go in when it settles down a bit".
We went in a couple of hours later to learn they were in trouble all night, up running engines, rodes tangled, etc... wives definitely not happy etc. I didn't get much sleep but my wife and kids did. Visibility was nothing during the night, we had no idea what these guys were going through.
There were too many boats in a small area, as for scope etc they used, who knows, I doubt if they did! It was indeed a mess though. I had 22 lb Bruce on 35 feet of 3/8 chain and 300 ft 5/8 three strand nylon holding a C&C 30 in 35 feet of water. I even carry extra anchor chain and rode...but figured I had this one covered off, and did.
Have had people say " you won't need that". My response " you'll see that".
Have since then added 80 feet of 5/16 chain to the boat ( additional 40 ft for each anchor), but not always required. Here in Nova Scotia you can be the only boat in a very protected spot...then only the boat length of 3/8 with rode. Armstrong windlass.
Thanks again.

Real life experience, get rid of that delta anchor before you end up on the rocks, a spade is a good choice, any thing is better than a delta, plow anchors should be made illegal, look at the data from the tests they are bad performer's always were and always will be, how mansion can still make them is un believable, I guess the old timers still think they are OK, I guess if you drag every time you anchor no sense in staying in the one place ,,now.

It is a constructive vidio, for selling stainless steel chain, but you doo seem to avoid the obvious as all these vidios do, when we researched a new anchor for our long keel 20 ton displacement steel schooner, we did look at a lot and where not impressed, with anchors being dragged along the shore line, or the lack of weight difference between a 12 mt grp yacht and a 12 mt steel yacht, our requirements where for an anchor to hold our 20 ton vessel in various winds, ground conditions of sand mud shingle kelp & weed, the most informative company on anchors was rocna it gave a length and a weight of vessel also chain to be used as all three need to be considered when buying an anchor system, our length is only 14 mts on deck but our weight is 20 tons, so we already have 12 mm galv chain so chose a 32 kg Rocna, which we find works well in all conditions, as we do anchor in much smaller bays in the UK, and sometimes crowded anchorages, and min 4 mt tide heights, so what I found was that the 3 basic needs in an anchor system where just of no interest in those selling anchors, chain, or vessel, as you can see in many marinas a tiny little anchor on a 14 mt power boat or yacht, its time the boating industry as you say put the right anchor system on a vessel, like they do with the electronic toys, I think the census is why do I need an anchor that works its a lot of money for something I may never use, it came with the boat, yacht master has a lot to answer for in the anchoring department, as manufacturers seem unaware also of what's needed on any vessel built today, but a good vidio for stainless chain, but more content about the basic three, Anchor, Chain, and weight or Vessel. best regards Toni skipper of the schooner elinor

A very good video about anchoring. Nice to see one that focuses on the REAL issue of anchoring: proper technique and the system. I have fairly extensive experience and some suggestions for your presentation, however. You have what appears to be an Ideal heavy duty windlass that may be able to withstand the stresses of backing down and breaking out the anchor. Most of the folks who watch this video more likely have a less robust recreational windlasses that will eventually (soon most likely) fail if used to hold the tension of back down and break out. You mentioned that you are planning a chain stopper installation and I would recommend you put that as a priority if you want to save your windlass. Although you appropriately gently back down it is still an enormous pressure and breaking out a stuck anchor by driving over it can exert destructive forces to most recreational windlasses. All this can be avoided with a chain stopper or by using a snubber (a chain hook makes this a lot easier). I think you should amend this video or put a caveat about putting shock loads on most windlasses. Don't ask how I learned this. I have rebuilt several of them.
I also agree with your assessment of the Rocna. I saw a guy sawing the roll bar off his $800 version after realizing the thing had a penchant for collecting the bottom and failing to reset. Every time I hear some yachtie talk about "next generation" anchors or simply buying "one size larger" I hope they stay tied to a dock somewhere because they are repeating marketing talk, not anything factual. Part of anchoring should be situational awareness and when things get snotty, taking action to move while you still have time or prepping a second anchor is much more important to your survival than what brand of anchor you have down. I know a group of boats that were lost in an open roadstead in Cost Rica last year because some of them hunkered down behind their gear rather than take to sea as they should have when the surf came up. Some of them were unable to get their hooks up when the surf started and several ended up on the beach. I have always had a second anchor ready to go when things are getting iffy and want a primary anchor I can get up so I can move. The marketing folks all suggest they can give you an anchor that will "never drag". You have sailed enough to know this is ridiculously untrue and dangerous talk. FWIW. Ray Durkee

Great video and much appreciated education. Subscribed

Another brilliant video as usual Steven.
I love the details you go into and the way you get the experts opinions on everything. 👌👌👌👌

The Beneteau skipper is what we call a credit card captain.

Good rant. I dont really like the rear transome. Have you ever been to a marina and had to sleep next to one? They are noisy. The waves bash up underneath.

Hey Steve, thanks for this info, I've since rewatched this as I'm researching chain and anchors and I have a couple of questions..which chain did you go for duplex 318LN or 316L?
Also, isn't the ultra only 316L, is that vulnerable to corrosion? Thanks Richard

hello there. thank you for this video. two things. first, you asked for feedback. I trust Manson Supreme after 7 years of full-time anchoring in heavy weather in the Med and Atlantic. second, do you have a contact Welder in Germany?

When looking at your anchor would you keep your shackle as is our swap it around so the round part is thru the anchor. If it gets heavy side load as it is now it could pry the shackle apart and separate from from the anchor.

Didn't you check your chart for what the bottom is for anchorage? If you don't have a chart, you should be able to find it on the Garmin app.

Good rule of thumb, never completely rely on your electronics to always be 100% accurate. Always assume "general area" rather than pinpoint accuracy. GPS satellites can sometimes be inaccurate, depending on solar activity, auroras, and magnetic field radiation. As well as needing a software update occasionally etc. When i anchor i like to stand at the bow and take note of my position using landmarks, bouys, other boats etc to determine whether or not i may drag a little or staying put, once my anchor is set.

Wonderful video. Thank you!

This is one of the best, most complete anchoring videos out there. The worst part of anchoring is that many don't know how to do it, and put everyone else at risk due to their ignorance.

I have the same style anchor as, looks like an early Rocna type. I think you have since replaced it with the Ultra... I cant afford an Ultra... How did the old style work for you? Thanks.

Watch your hands and fingers while washing/cleaning chain. Do not ever go so close to the moving chains, sprockets and other motorized units! Since it has very high gear ratio, it will hardly feel getting your fingers off of your hand in case a cloth or sponge gets caught. Thank you for very informative video, though! Be safe and keep up the great work!

nice video thanks

Came to this video through a link in your video about the ultra anchor. Great video's! Just wondering which duplex chain from Cromox you bought since you have duplex and super duplex

Love the animations. Reminds me after “Screen Test” 🔥

An exceptionally good video!
As I’m a sailing nerd with a lot of real life experience, I pretty much always find seriously misleading info in this type of content. In this case, nothing of that, whatsoever. This video explores the right topics, draws the right conclusions, explains them correctly and doesn’t omit anything needed in this context. Applause!

I totally agree about the anchor comments too, by the way. Rockna is a great anchor, but has a weakness with resetting after a windshift. I’ve experienced it myself. Other anchors with an arch seem to share this weakness. I can’t say for sure, but my impression is that the arch collects seaweed etc, which changes the balance and drag of the anchor, so the tip is held off the bottom. The tip wasn’t covered. It just didn’t grip. Spade is my clear favourite. The galvanised one especially, but I’d love to have the aluminium one, as I sail a weight sensitive catamaran. Maybe I’ll go for an oversized alu...