ANCHORING
Etiquette: 4 KEYS TO BEING A GOOD NEIGHBOR ON THE WATER by Andy Cross
Whether it’s the most popular bay in the San Juan Islands, a quiet cove in south Puget Sound, a tiny nook in British Columbia or a mountain-flanked fjord in Alaska, anchoring your own boat to bask in the solitude of your surroundings is one of the most rewarding parts of cruising. But the ability to anchor and appreciate that perfect spot you’ve chosen comes with a responsibility to those with whom you share the water. While many boaters understand and adhere to the common 48º NORTH
Yahtzee, the author’s Grand Soleil 39, anchored in magnificent Thumb Cove near Seward, Alaska.
norms of anchoring etiquette, it’s always good to review your own practices—especially as summer brings full anchorages, and pandemic restrictions motivate folks to anchor out more than they typically might. Though the topic can be a hot button issue for boaters, with some understanding and a helpful attitude, it doesn’t need to be. Here are four keys to being a better anchor neighbor, no matter where you drop the hook.
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