anchoring a boat in a windy day

[Captain Bill 325]

I have been having problems keeping my boat in one position while i fish on the lake. The lake is about 30 ft deep, but we have been fishing in about 10 - 15 ft of water. the problem that i'm having is that i use two anchors, one on the bow and one on the stern, but the stern of the boat still sways back and forth. what can i do to stop this?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: anchoring a boat in a windy day

stop using the stern anchor. the boat will naturally lay bow into the wind. Of course you can't stay exactly in one spot anyway.

If there's current a sea anchor might help. depending on boat size and conditions, a trailing stern line on a float can help too

 

[series60]

Re: anchoring a boat in a windy day

I have been having problems keeping my boat in one position while i fish on the lake. The lake is about 30 ft deep, but we have been fishing in about 10 - 15 ft of water. the problem that i'm having is that i use two anchors, one on the bow and one on the stern, but the stern of the boat still sways back and forth. what can i do to stop this?

Is the bow anchor set into the wind? Are you using enough chain on the stern anchor?

 

[steelespike]

Re: anchoring a boat in a windy day

I'm no expert on anchoring.I forget but I think you you need something like 5 times the depth in anchor line.
Only way I can see to stop the stern wander is 2 stern anchors at diagonals to the center lone.
Perhaps anchor with the bow slightly off the wind.Stern anchor set with the boat diagonal to the wind.
Perhaps the stern wander is from the bow reacting with the wind.Maybe anchor stern to the wind .
Perhaps bow to the wind with the 2 anchor lines attached 1/4 to 1/3 down the side of the boat. at a diagonal to the center line.
Wouldn't be very comfortable but maybe the boat across the wind,again with the anchor lines diagonal to the wind.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: anchoring a boat in a windy day

I have better luck using a drifting presentation or trolling on windy days and have found it more productive and a lot less aggravating than fighting the wind to try to stay in one spot while fishing.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: anchoring a boat in a windy day

I have deliberately put the line (1 anchor) in a bow cleat which would force the boat to be in a "tack" position, not directly into the wind but at an angle. This seemed to help keep pressure against the boat and as soon as the boat would equalize the wind and wave pressure it would stay pretty stable.

Problem with this is the waves hit you from something other than head on and there is not only fore-aft vertical movement, but also some lateral too.

Mark

 

[Chris1956]

Re: anchoring a boat in a windy day

Maybe you need more scope on the stern anchor. One way to do that is to set the bow anchow, and pay out much more line than you need. Now drop the stern anchor and pull in on the bow anchor line, until the stern anchor sets well. Now cleat both anchors under tension.

 

[Silver Eagle]

Re: anchoring a boat in a windy day

Bow and stern anchors used together are a good way to loose your boat.Epecially in a cross wind.Try the V method.

 

[Captain Bill 325]

Re: anchoring a boat in a windy day

stop using the stern anchor. the boat will naturally lay bow into the wind. Of course you can't stay exactly in one spot anyway.

If there's current a sea anchor might help. depending on boat size and conditions, a trailing stern line on a float can help too

thanks

 

[Captain Bill 325]

Re: anchoring a boat in a windy day

Is the bow anchor set into the wind? Are you using enough chain on the stern anchor?

Yes to both questions. I've tried to set it up with a little side wind and even tried throwing the stern anchor out to the side to the back. I guess it' just that stupid mushroom anchor I have for the stern is just not setting good enough.

 

[Captain Bill 325]

Re: anchoring a boat in a windy day

I have deliberately put the line (1 anchor) in a bow cleat which would force the boat to be in a "tack" position, not directly into the wind but at an angle. This seemed to help keep pressure against the boat and as soon as the boat would equalize the wind and wave pressure it would stay pretty stable.

Problem with this is the waves hit you from something other than head on and there is not only fore-aft vertical movement, but also some lateral too.

Mark

I've been trying the tach postion and it just hasn't been working. I've just figured out that it mast be that stupid mushroom anchor not setting good enough.

 

[Captain Bill 325]

Re: anchoring a boat in a windy day

I have deliberately put the line (1 anchor) in a bow cleat which would force the boat to be in a "tack" position, not directly into the wind but at an angle. This seemed to help keep pressure against the boat and as soon as the boat would equalize the wind and wave pressure it would stay pretty stable.

Problem with this is the waves hit you from something other than head on and there is not only fore-aft vertical movement, but also some lateral too.

Mark

Thanks for the info. And no this isn't my first boat, but it has been a while since I had one. Everything is coming back to me, it's just that I couldn't remember if there was a special trick to keeping it steady.

 

[Boats-A-lots]

Re: anchoring a boat in a windy day

I had the same problem only in Newport Bay Oregon where it's always windy. I found this site last night, and watching the video where they actually test the line, seems to work. Haven't bought one but it's on my thinking of list. Only 20 bucks too.

http://www.drop-n-stay.com/

 

[Texasmark]

Re: anchoring a boat in a windy day

I've been trying the tach postion and it just hasn't been working. I've just figured out that it mast be that stupid mushroom anchor not setting good enough.

Mushroom anchors are made for mud bottoms and especially for long term anchorage. Without holes in them, they just work their way deeper and deeper; holes just neutralize their effectiveness, but are put there to satisfy the short term anchorage crowd. Not an ideal choice for short term anchoring. BTDT

Mark

 

[kawakx125]

Re: anchoring a boat in a windy day

i just bought a richter anchor, so far its set first time everytime and it was pretty windy today we didn't move at all. very satisfied with it, i use the 18lb one for an 18' bowrider

 

[89Donzi]

Re: anchoring a boat in a windy day

I have better luck using a drifting presentation or trolling on windy days and have found it more productive and a lot less aggravating than fighting the wind to try to stay in one spot while fishing.

^^^^This

 

[JoLin]

Re: anchoring a boat in a windy day

Maybe you need more scope on the stern anchor. One way to do that is to set the bow anchow, and pay out much more line than you need. Now drop the stern anchor and pull in on the bow anchor line, until the stern anchor sets well. Now cleat both anchors under tension.

I think Chris hit on it, and it's the method I've always used to anchor when I don't want to swing. Captain Bill (the OP) commented that he 'throws' the stern anchor. That won't provide any scope to speak of.

My .02

 

[DBreskin]

Re: anchoring a boat in a windy day

I've tried to set it up with a little side wind and even tried throwing the stern anchor out to the side to the back. I guess it' just that stupid mushroom anchor I have for the stern is just not setting good enough.

If you're setting the stern anchor by throwing it from the boat then the scope is limited by how far you can throw it. The stern anchor probably doesn't have enough scope.

You can gain scope on your stern anchor by first setting the bow anchor and letting out some extra scope; then deploy the stern anchor. Pull in the extra scope on the bow anchor as you pay out scope on the stern anchor and you'll end up with the necessary scope both bow and stern.

 

[m casey stock]

Re: anchoring a boat in a windy day

Bow to wind