Anchoring with Tom Cunliffe
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- Опубликовано: 18 июн 2024
- Drop anchor and turn in for a peaceful night. It’s a great idea, but many people are short of confidence to believe it will actually happen. This video demystifies the whole business and spells out how to make sure that it does!
#tomcunliffe, #anchor, #anchoring, #yachting
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It's simple - Tom C. speaks about sailing, I listen.
'a little bit of toilet chain with a toothpick on the end'. Hahaha. Brilliant Tom.
I was once asked at a cruising conference, " what size anchor do I recommend " lol...I said you should size your anchor based on the heaviest anchor your wife can carry to the bow...got a good laugh from most....
I made the rookie error of asking Tom when he came to the Medway Yacht club to give a talk last year, the very same question. Needless to say it wasn't the first time he'd been asked about this ! So glad he's made a video on the subject because it is a matter for those who have had (or observed) the occasional issue that anchoring can present. Sage advice indeed. PS That looked to be a wonderful protected anchorage. The first step in a peaceful nights sleep : Location Location Location
HalleluYAH! Preach that "gospel of perfection". Love to hear it!
Hi Tom, it was good to meet you at the boat show - we had a little chat at the NCI stand. Thank you for posting - quite an interesting video. As a matter of fact, I upgraded my anchor to a much bigger and heavier unit as well. So far we haven't dragged. Fingers crossed it stays that way! Fair winds!
I love anchoring. That’s pretty much all we ever do. And now that a guru of sailing anchors pretty much EXACTLY as we do I’m happy⚓️⛵️👍
Thanks for sharing.! Warren s/y Legend
I have a 80kg new generation anchor and 115m of 10mm chain. I usually set at least 5:1 scope, but often more. I motor the anchor in at 2000 rpm with a 110 HP engine and a 24" three blade prop. I sleep really well. I have never dragged with this set up. I do about 7-8000 miles a year, and I am currently anchored very happily in Fiji.
the chain will probably break before the anchor drags with that setup 👍
I cant wait to get a starter boat. Haven't sailed in over 30 years so will be a steep learning curve with all the modern tech.
Always appreciate your posts Tom, many thanks for this one 🙏
Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom!
I remember going in to a bay on Isla, storms forecast, it blew up to F10, ŵe tied on a fishing boat mooring, and did an anchor watch with the engine warmed up, it was pretty scary, there was nowhere else to go, sea state, tides and so on. The bay was pretty tight for our own ground tackle, we had anchored there several times, and knew the fishing boat, we wrote him a note of thanks, tippex on slate,
Good old Tom! Pure wisdom~
Well done! Thanks, Andrew
Thanks again for all that good advice.
I anchored for a few thousands of times during decades of floating activity and I enjoyed to see this demonstration of seamanship and common sense.
Personally I prefer a chain rope arrangement. Less weight on the bow and plenty of rope.
I used this arrangement to anchor up to 250 meters deep to operate with a rov for scientific research work.
Still has to be the hardest part of sailing in my book, demanding years of experience and confidence of the brass regions below. Here in New Zealand at the ass end of the Pacific, if you are the last into the bay late at night, at the height of summer holidays, pickings can be slim, with a sea of anchor lights before you and many a frowning torch (flashlight) flash to say who the hell are you, we have been here for days, and you are in our space, your too close, it can be easy to lose your nerve and settle for out deep of the the bays protection in rocking swell where no one on board gets a good sleep. An old friend taught me to slowly motor up behind a anchored boat, and when right on his stern, let your chain loose as quietly possible. Lay your warp out just enough and then bite the pick in with the motor , keep a good eye on the Tender / Dinghy if it's dark and you can't watch the land, when it bounces up the line you know you are good and in deep. Just watch those pesky fizz boats that sit on the wind and not the tide, as they swing with gay abandonment and can mean the difference of a good or bad nights sleep. Yup got to still be the hardest part of being a considerate boaty.
Good stuff Tom, what new sailors really need to hear.
I personally find 3:1 scope on the low side, but that depends on the bottom, the swell and the weather situation. In many Greek harbors, they all but force you to use 7:1 or more, and with good reason, often there are ferries, and their wake is massive. You need the extra scope (and sadly i speak from experience. In 6m/13ft depth with 40m/130ft chain, my anchor broke out, even after testing it thoroughly. I now have a different anchor, and where needed, use more chain rode).
Thank you Tom.
I was also thinking about Tom's comment about the unwritten rule that he that is there first stays and anyone coming later should move if needed. This is of course an exception to this which seems to be if you are German and 'driving' a cat. This summar we were anchoring in a small cove and have some fun getting the anchor to bite when a cat came in, pretty much took our gel coat off as she passed and proceeded to anchor over our anchor. In pointing this out the reply was: "Can't YOU relay" 🤬
Excellent info! Others anchoring meters away from my boat has happened several times. What's worse, on occasion i had to go out at 4am because they were having a loud party 50m from me. In the middle of a nature reserve!
Fantastic
Thank you i learned so much
Completely agree about the benefits of anchoring for having a quieter night, both from the boat’s motion and the lack of next door neighbours … especially in the Mediterranean. The only exception is where you get wind and waves across each other and the boat can want to swing across any waves and setup a pendulum motion in the boat until it swings back. At that point you’re into bridles … which could be an interesting topic 😊
Surprised to see a Bruce v a self-righting Rocna or Delta-type hook as these seem to perform better in tests and cope with hard packed sand and seagrass. Of course, ‘size matters’, so maybe it is the size/weight of anchor which is demonstrating the consistent great results.
But the biggest surprised was using 3:1. I have had issues at 3:1 and so go for 5:1 as a standard or more if it’s windy.
Sure. 5:1 if in doubt, but I can only speak as I find. I have used 3:1 as default for forty years with perfectly satisfactory results. As for the Bruce, you have a good point and I think I mentioned that in some bottoms modern anchors might well be better. FYI I used traditional proper fisherman anchors for 25 years with great results, so I wouldn't set too much store on magazine tests. Much better to see what works over decades of practice.
Interesting @@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns as I've had 3:1 drag on me a number of times and I wonder how much of that is based on your excellent point about oversized anchor, not a toothpick. Interesting to know your reliable results on 3:1. Thanks 🙂
Agree! And no mention of a snubber....
Superb presentation, excellent advisory in Tom's great style! Thank you I will share this ~__/)__*
I think “ this could be Sweden” , very nice. Tried to find the spot, ditn’t find it, greetings from Amsterdam
Very interesting,i am always wondering if you drop your anchor about 40 m off the rocks and you let out 50 m off chain and the wind changes 180 degrees ……
So you didn't mention it this time Tom, because you had the inimitable Ros at the helm.
After you're happy with the snub, settle down far more quickly, avoid rode lurch and bounce. Take the wind out of that by letting the throttle off gradually over 10 or 15 seconds.
Hi Tom!
Always helpful, Tom. A question: how do you paint your marks on the chain and how long does a coat of paint last?
I use old spray cans of car or motorbike paint. Any old thing will do. I attend to it when the boat is on the hatd snd the chain bone dry. I do it every other year.
Thank you Tom!
Will current offer an effect upon swing? Could wind and current mix in a manner that makes anchor swing difficult to interpret?
All the fancy electronics might help me sleep soundly, knowing I've drifted beyond a desired perimeter. Does "trust, but verify" fit into good anchoring seamanship?
Yes. Good question. I had no current there and I didn't want to make the video too long. I could write a book about anchoring! There's a chapter in one of my books about all this.
👍!!
hi tom, great ep. as usual. re: charts, are oldish ones still ok to use or should one get new ones whenever possible? cheers.
What the bottom is made of doesn't usually change. Rocks don't appear, but discarded ground tackle and other foul-age can. In that case your nautical app is likely the most up to date.
Thanks Tom, your opinion.
What's more wear and tear over time?
Slipping the clutch or using the windlass motor to drop the anchor?
Are your ears painted on?
I once had windlass that allowed the chain to 'motor' out as well as in. The brake died after 8 years solid use and was a total bitch to repair. It is convenient though, but sometimes just slipping the brake is quicker and better. On mine I Have no choice. Let the brake off and snub it when you're ready!
C-MAP vector charts have the bottom type e.g. "s" for sand.
As do admiralty charts.
Great video as usual. Do you wash down the anchor and chain before bringing it aboard and if so, how and what's your setup? Thanks for the black anchoring ball info.
Yes I do. I installed a jabsco pressure deck wash pump a few years ago and never looked back. If you anchor in mud a lot, it's the best day's work you'll ever do!
Thanks. Tom! We have a lot of mud here near Seattle, too. Do you wash down the rode/anchor with a hose before it gets on deck or flush out the anchor locker after all is aboard? Do you put an intake hose overboard while using the pump or is it plumbed to a through hull? Thanks again.@@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns
Leaving your anchor below waterline briefly as you leave can often be sufficient to sluice the mud off prior to final retrieval
Good advice. Thanks
Speaking of your book. Looking at table "Tidal definitions" page 133 of edition 10. I have had correct it myself by writing in (using a 2b) at the bottom, the missing definition "Fall of Tide".... difference between current (sic) depth and forthcoming lowest water(s) of stay (sic).
Using interpolation (over previous leaf) i reckon that you owe me a reparatory refund of 8p for the page or 0.04p for the row.
I had my own pencil.
Hi. Which book is this? Email me with this sort of question pleased. RUclips isn't much a medium for conversation. Sounds like I owe you a pint, but you may be using an old edition.
@@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns "complete YM 10th", which I sadly understand is your last hack at your very entertaining instructional tome.
You're right about YT not being adequate. I snapped a photo of my page bottomed addendum but can't send it.
I expect your defence counsel would claim "fall of tide" isn't a tidal definition subject....and in truth I haven't actually heard you actually use the "fall of tide" term.
But it exists and you describe it both half a dozen pages later and in your Osbourne anchoring video with Toby.
So I reckon it deserves an honourable mention in page 133 Tidal Definitions to round that table off.
TBH it's priority has all been eradicated by the worrying news just released by HRH Kate.
Let's give her our concern instead.
Tom.... am I wrong to be worried that when I swing round on anchor at the changing tide.... the new angle might cause the anchor to lose grip?
In a strong tideway or windshift the anchor will tend to move round rather than pulling out, once settled you can test this with the engine in astern and taking a new transit, it should be digging downwards
If money was no object (which it’s not) I probably would get a Ultra anchor, but they cost too much for me, and so when I can I will upgrade from an old CQR to a Sarca Excel. Out here in Oz they really are probably the best anchor around. I am no fan of the Rocna, probably because of the hoop on it which from all I have seen/read is actually not a good idea. I am curious though in setting your anchor that you didn’t use a snubber. The point in this is that it takes the pressure/force off the windlass and that to me makes a lot of sense.
From all I have been advised and experienced so far a scope of 3 to 1 is the bare minimum. I have always been told a scope of 5 to 1 or even up to 7 to 1 is far safer when anchoring to minimise the risk of dragging.
My 30 ft boat carries 50m of chain and so on that basis I wouldn’t want to anchor if I can avoid it in any deeper water than 10m maximum.
I have an Ultra which came with the boat. Probably not as good as the Spade on my last boat as it takes slightly longer to set. I had a Manson Supreme before that which was comparable to the Ultra.
@@atakdThat is interesting as Steve from Sailing Fair Isle noted the ease and speed at which the Ultra set unlike many other anchors including the Spade. Anyway, I guess for most of us, deciding upon which anchor to use and like can be both an issue of what are the bottom substrate conditions like where we sail, and what we can afford when choosing a new anchor. I was away on the boat over the weekend on my boat and anchored in a pretty sheltered bay in 6m with a sandy bottom, and with 30m of chain out and the old CQR did it’s job.
May be a silly question - but how do you be confident that the anchor will hold if the boat swings 360 over night? Ie does a Bruce anchor once dig in hold across any angle?
Depends on a type of anchor and your experience, i would ask a question more like how much does it take for that exact type of anchor to secure itself if wind changes wind and have enough space around you
If you have sufficient scope out the boat should not rotate around the anchor itself. The chain will loop on the bottom and so the pull on the anchor remains unchanged. If you ever get to the point where the anchor is being pulled around, you have far too little scope on the bottom for the conditions
@@iainhunneybell Thank you! 👍
Tom, the Birmingham Navy always deploys an anchor buoy to keep the Riff Raff away , but you didn't mention it?
No, because I rarely use a buoy unless I'm concerned about a foul bottom. I find the hassle isn't generally worth it but I do have one ready when I need one. Nice idea keeping the riff raff at arm's length though!
Perfect. Just had a hard couple of days...and here's the tonic, Tom Cunliffe, I supplied the gin, Tom supplied the tonic....and listening to Tom talk is like listening to a kind hearted salty sea dog who seems to have time for everyone....Tom, live forever, you are irreplaceable. A question for any mariner reading this, you put down your anchor, have a few drinks, get some sleep. What is to tell you that your anchor is slipping? Are there any electronic aids? Is it just a matter of noise as the anchor drags? How would you know if a swift current has unearthed your anchor from the sand/mud? Do you just trust and deal with the consequences of a slipped anchor later?? Anyone?
You should set the depth sounder alarm and make certain it's audible wherever you're sleeping, that's what I do and it has served me well
Thanks for your kind remarks. Much appreciated. I have to confess that when I've dug in my anchor as I've shown here, I sleep easy because it simply doesn't drag. It's years since I had an anchor let go and then is was because I laid it in poor holding. It's all in good tackle how you lay it. So long as you've given it heaps with the engine, it would take a serious wind or current to break it out.
Most chart plotters have anchor alarms where you can set the range depending on the scope . You can also get anchor alarm apps for your mobile phone. Another thing I like to do is set a track on the plotter (and zoom in) once I've anchored so I can monitor where the boat has swung to and if it has bean to drag.
I would not rely on sensing an anchor dragging, we once anchored in kelp beds, did all the things recommended, but we were still not in the sand, just had a rest for a few hours and went somewhere else, hauling the anchor was a two man job, plus large kitchen knives.
4:14 what is “goodness”
Does first come first served apply if someone has anchored too close to a private mooring ?
The mooring was there first!?............I assume?
😂Itwould be foolish to anchor too near a mooring or worse a line of moorings because you could catch your anchor on their tackle, which may include chain
Obviously, don't moor near a mooring, you don't know when the boat will return or how big it will be.
Very surprised to see the engine being used to dig the anchor in while the chain was only being held by the windlass brake.
I have an excellent brake. If it can’t stand that it’s no good!
I assume you snubbed the chain off camera!
*Promo SM*
You may have lost the millenials and below with your toilet chain simile Tom.
Water closets have came on a bit quite some time ago.
Infact some maybe googling simile.
Oh tempora,. oh mores!