Cruising: Nine Factors That Determine a Good

# Each anchoring location will have certain safety concerns, as well as amenities, to consider.

n ine Factors t hat Deter M ine a Good Anchorage By Elizabeth Kelch

One 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: 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. 3. holding – the type of mate55. 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 11. Swing room – The rule of thumb rial the bottom is made up of is a people seem to be unaware we boaters for how much anchor rode to put major part of the decision about are responsible for our wakes. down is five to seven feet for every whether or not to anchor in a Beyond the criteria that apply to foot of depth, based on weather and given spot. Plow anchors typically every anchorage for safety concerns, a current. The more wind and current plow a furrow through the muddy captain’s choice of location will vary you’re fighting, the more rode you’ll bottoms that are predominant in based on the needs of the occasion. A want to lay down. It’s important to the Chesapeake, while the scoop crowded spot will have different reremember that the anchor does the or fluke anchors are more effective quirements than a secluded backwater. holding, but it can’t hold well unless elsewhere. A heavily trafficked area or a relatively 2. 2 it’s dug in; the chain in front of the anchor ensures that. 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 4. 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. 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:

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6. Shore Access - We recently dropped our anchor in a spot that was a marked anchorage and was plenty big enough and safe enough, but it was surrounded by miles 6 nice waterfront spot for dinner or cocktails. Plenty of waterfront restaurants have docks accessible by dinghy or small boat and welcome all comers. 9. Cell Service and/or Wifi – Last but not least, most folks will want communications. In the Chesapeake or anywhere along the coast, you’ll always be within communications range on your VHF of one- or two-foot deep water. 88. pet friendly - If you have furry radio. If your goal is to get away from ev-

Shore access for this anchorage family members, you’ll need to erything to find some peace and quiet, you was not great because any dinghy make sure your anchoring spot has may actually have some difficulty getting ride would have been very long, a place to take your pets to shore, fully out of mobile phone service range. and there wasn’t a beach or dinghy so they can do their business and However, if you want to be able to contact dock handy. If you’re just staying you can clean up after them. Try to family and friends and tell them about overnight or don’t plan to leave the find a spot where they can stretch your wonderful vacation spot, most places boat, a spot like that is beautiful and their legs too, as they’ll need exer- in the Chesapeake will have no trouble humbling. cise as much as we do or more. getting mobile phone service. ■

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restaurants - A short ride to a sanctioned dinghy dock that opens up into a safe, walkable area of town that meets any shopping and entertainment needs is a real gem to find. Many city parks have great dinghy tie up locations, and a great many marinas have dinghy docks you can use for a very minimal fee.

You may also want a short ride to a

ANCHoRING ETIqUETTE

Courtesy of BoatUS • Come in slowly. When you’re weaving your way through an anchorage, pass behind anchored boats, and if you come in fast enough to overturn somebody’s lunch, you’ll likely get an earful.

• The first boat sets the precedent.

anchoring is on a first-come, firstserved basis. If you arrive later in the day, don’t anchor too close to other boats, or in their swing radius.

• once the hook is down, don’t just

hop in the dinghy. Nothing screams newbie louder than tossing an anchor over and leaving before your boat has settled back with the wind and really

“set” its hook. an anchor has to grab the bottom, dig in, and set to really hold.

• Sound and scent carries farther on

the water. Don’t be that person who leaves your cellphone behind to ring at all hours. If you need loud tunes, use headphones. If you must run a genset for your air conditioning and icemaker, anchor near other boats similarly equipped. Scent also carries far on the water. Perhaps the worst thing a boater can do is pump the head overboard in an anchorage. Not only does it smell, it’s also illegal.

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