Cruising ##Each anchoring location will have certain safety concerns, as well as amenities, to consider.
Nine Factors That Determine
a Good Anchorage By Elizabeth Kelch
O
ne of the best parts of boating is the freedom to anchor anywhere and enjoy the peace and quiet of a secluded spot or the opportune access to a bustling waterfront area. We’ve dropped our anchor in so many settings around the Chesapeake and along the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) and been lucky to find just what we were looking for at each location. Each anchoring location choice has certain safety concerns, as well as different concerns for amenities, depending on what you’re looking for and your goals for your boat trip. Safety concerns include:
11. Swing room – The rule of thumb
for how much anchor rode to put down is five to seven feet for every foot of depth, based on weather and current. The more wind and current you’re fighting, the more rode you’ll want to lay down. It’s important to remember that the anchor does the holding, but it can’t hold well unless it’s dug in; the chain in front of the anchor ensures that.
22. Wind protection – Consult your
weather forecast and consider the prevailing wind direction for a location. Put a thick line of trees or a tall bank between your boat and
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where the wind is coming from. Wind protection will make for less wave action rocking your boat. “The more chain the better the hold,” as they say in the trade.
33. Holding – the type of mate-
rial the bottom is made up of is a major part of the decision about whether or not to anchor in a given spot. Plow anchors typically plow a furrow through the muddy bottoms that are predominant in the Chesapeake, while the scoop or fluke anchors are more effective elsewhere.
44. Current - You’ll need to be
mindful of tidal flow strength and direction. As current goes in and out, your boat will turn, possibly causing your anchor to become dislodged and your boat to drag in a strong current.
55. Wake Protection - In an area where
there’s quite a bit of boat traffic, you may want to position yourself away from that activity, so the passing wakes don’t rock you about as you’re enjoying life on your boat. Some people seem to be unaware we boaters are responsible for our wakes. Beyond the criteria that apply to every anchorage for safety concerns, a captain’s choice of location will vary based on the needs of the occasion. A crowded spot will have different requirements than a secluded backwater. A heavily trafficked area or a relatively shallow area will need careful anchoring to ensure good holding. How long you expect to be in a location will also affect the site you choose. After safety issues are addressed, a good spot to anchor for an overnight or longer will include:
