swaying / sailing at anchor
Posted: Tue Mar 26, 2024 1:03 pmJust spent a night out here in the Panhandle. Strong gusty winds out of the east starting at 1AM.
Would very much like to find a solution to the boat sailing at anchor, the anchor line chafing on the bobstay, and all that working of the anchor.
I found this online which makes sense, is basically free and takes no space. Any comments?
"The problem with light displacement sailboats is that they want to sail. They will sail forward on the anchor line until the line pulls them head to wind then they will fall off and start the cycle over on the opposite tack. The trick is to keep them from tacking on the anchor line. Tie a rolling hitch ( see internet Knots) on the anchor line between the anchor and the bow cleat. A rolling hitch will adjust up or down on rope or chain but 10 FT. down from the cleat works well. Run this line to the aft cleat on the same side that the anchor line cleated. Slowly adjust this line until the boat sails up but doesn’t come head to wind and fall off. The principal is the same as Heaving To. Do not pull the line in until the boat is broadside to the wind this will put excessive strain on the anchor.
Would very much like to find a solution to the boat sailing at anchor, the anchor line chafing on the bobstay, and all that working of the anchor.
I found this online which makes sense, is basically free and takes no space. Any comments?
"The problem with light displacement sailboats is that they want to sail. They will sail forward on the anchor line until the line pulls them head to wind then they will fall off and start the cycle over on the opposite tack. The trick is to keep them from tacking on the anchor line. Tie a rolling hitch ( see internet Knots) on the anchor line between the anchor and the bow cleat. A rolling hitch will adjust up or down on rope or chain but 10 FT. down from the cleat works well. Run this line to the aft cleat on the same side that the anchor line cleated. Slowly adjust this line until the boat sails up but doesn’t come head to wind and fall off. The principal is the same as Heaving To. Do not pull the line in until the boat is broadside to the wind this will put excessive strain on the anchor.