If you own a boat, you need a dive ladder. Don’t say that you never swim or dive, and it’s an unnecessary expense. Don’t say that you can’t afford it right now and will get one when you can afford it.

A dive ladder is not only a convenience; it’s a safety feature that can save your life. If you or a passenger falls off your boat and there’s no ladder available, you may not be able to climb back aboard. Many people have no intention of taking a refreshing dip, but they still find themselves treading water with a surprised look on their faces.

Your ladder should be long enough for swimmers to easily reach and climb aboard. It should be ligntweight and provide permanent access without interfering with other equipment. If you’re a diver, you need a ladder that allows you to board while wearing your fins.

The Norestar dive ladder is safe, easy to install and use. It comes in either a three or a four-step model, so there’s a size that’s right for almost any boat.

Oversize Steps For Safety And Easy Use

The steps are a generous 14 inches wide, and are mounted on a central pole. This design makes it easy to grip and the wide steps are spaced for safe boarding.

Nonslip Treads

The steps are covered all around in safe and durable PVC, so there’s little danger of slipping. This is great whether you’re wearing swim shoes, flippers or are barefoot.

Minimal Mounting Space

Even if your boat is small, you’ll still have room for this compact and lightweight ladder. The three-step model weighs only nine pounds, and the four-step model is a mere 14 pounds. Since the ladder is constructed from a single pole, the mounting bracket fits almost anywhere.

Attractive And Maintenance Free Finish

This ladder is as attractive as it is durable. It’s constructed of 316 stainless steel, so it won’t stain or rust. This corrosion resistant steel is virtually maintenance free and looks good for years of fresh or saltwater exposure.

Ease Of Installation

The Norestar ladder is easy to mount with the single bracket that’s included in the package, and the simple design fits most standard ladder brackets. You can also use a breakaway mounting, which saves a big repair bill if the ladder is inadvertently left down.

Regardless of your boat’s size or where you sail, every boat needs a ladder. Norestar’s ladder fits the bill for ease of use, minimal weight and durability. If you’re looking for a quality dive ladder, check out the features of this popular and easy-to-mount model at http://www.anchoring.com/dive-ladder.html.

If you’ve recently entered the world of boating and sailing terms, you’re sure to hear loads of words that have you scratching your head. What’s a bosun, and why does he need a chair? Which directions are port and starboard?

Boating includes more than just steering your vessel and getting back to the marina safely. There’s a whole vocabulary that’s not only fun, but also important in communication. Sometimes sailing terms seem frivolous, but they can also be a matter of safety. Emergencies can arise on a boat quickly, and instant communication is sometimes the difference between a safe voyage and a real disaster.

To help in your transition from dirt dweller to able-bodied seaman, here’s a short list of nautical and sailing terms that will make life a little easier on the high seas or the local marina.

Nautical Terms – Directions

1. Abeam – Directly to the side of the boat.
2. Aft – The back of a boat. Stern is another term for the back of the boat
3. Bow – The front of the boat. Landlubbers may think of it as the pointy end.
4. Port – Facing the bow of the boat, this is the left-hand side.
5. Starboard – Facing the bow of the boat, this is the right-hand side. Right and left can be confusing, and these terms leave no doubt as to the direction.
6. Leeward – Leeward is opposite to the way the wind is currently blowing.
7. Windward – The direction the wind is currently blowing. This is opposite of leeward.

Nautical Terms – Devices

8. Buoy – A floating navigational marker. There is a whole language to learn for interpreting buoy information.
9. Cleat – A metal fitting on a dock or on a boat to secure a line without tying a knot.
10. Helm – The steering wheel or the tiller used to steer the boat.
11. Line, Rode, Mainsheet, Painter, Sheet, Lanyard – Terms for a rope. Each indicates a specific use. A boater never uses the word rope while on a boat.
12. Ballast – Weights put into the base of the hull to stabilize and prevent the boat from capsizing.
13. Bilge – The lowest part of a ship. A bilge pump is usually located there to pump out water that may leak in.
14. Rudder – A moveable blade mounted to the hull under water. It is attached to the helm with wires and is used for steering the boat.
15. Block – A pulley.
16. Boat Hook – A pole with a hook on the end for catching buoys or other floating objects.
17. Bow Thruster – a small propeller used at low speeds to turn the direction of the bow on a large boat.
18. Brightwork – The varnished wood or polished metal on a boat.
19. Cockpit – The seating area near the stern of a boat.
20. PFD – Personal Floatation Device. A lifejacket.
21. Screw – Propeller.
22. Seacock – A valve in the hull of a boat.

Nautical Terms – Miscellaneous 

23. Knot – A unit of speed. One nautical mile is equal to 1.15 land miles per hour.
24. Sécurité, Pan Pan, Mayday – Distress or urgent message signals. If you have an emergency, use these phrases to broadcast on Channel 16 that you need assistance or are relaying important information.
25. Admiral – The wife or female partner of a couple in which the man is the captain of the ship. The captain may command his crew, but he takes his order from the Admiral.

Do you have nautical or sailing terms to share? Be sure to leave a comment with your phrase and its definition.

I want to discuss the Danforth anchor. Anchors are one of those topics that can get pretty confusing. There’s a number of style and shapes, and then, there are all the sizes available. Add to that the different bottom conditions you may encounter, and you’ve got a discussion that can continue indefinitely.

Many boaters have little experience with anchors and anchoring. If you’re a weekend sailor, you may seldom anchor out. If you’re unsure of your anchor’s ability to grab and dig in, or if it’s unwieldy and too large for your small craft, consider replacing it with an anchor you can handle and rely on. Once you have a safe and easy-to-use anchor, you’ll be able to anchor out, enjoy your boat more, and get the most out of your cruising time.

One design to consider when choosing an anchor for your boat is a Danforth anchor style. These anchors have become extremely popular with small boaters, as their weight and portability makes them easy to use.

One Of The Most Popular Anchor Designs

A fluke boat anchor is high on the list for most boaters. This shape and styling has been adapted over the years by a number of companies, and the Danforth boat anchor was developed over 70 years ago.

Excellent Holding Power In Mud And Sand

A Danforth anchor style fluke boat anchor is typical of the burying design style, and it can withstand a tremendous amount of resistance in both mud and sand. If you’re an inland boater, you typically are anchored near the shore where mud and sand bottoms are common. A fluke boat anchor is perfect for this type of bottom conditions and will easily grab and dig in.

Excellent Weight-To-Holding Power

A Danforth boat anchor has a superior holding power-to-weight ratio, so you can use a lighter weight than other types of anchors. The double flukes bury quickly and the broad surface stops the anchor from dragging. Their relatively light weight can be important if you have a small boat or have trouble hoisting heavy loads.

Easy To Stow And Fits Most Bow Rollers

Another related feature to consider is how easy a Danforth anchor is to stow. Not only are they lighter in weight, but the flukes lie flat. This means that it takes up little room in an anchor locker. This is especially important if you plan to have two anchors. You can also easily store them on a bow roller or bowsprit if you have limited storage lockers.

Polished Stainless Steel For Beauty and Durability

Norestar has created a stainless steel anchor that is based on the best features of the legendary Danforth boat anchor design. This polished 316 stainless steel anchor is as attractive as it is durable. The tapered shank and chamfered edges guarantee deep penetration in mud or sand, and the highly polished finish will certainly earn envious glances from everyone in the marina.

Norestar’s fluke boat anchor has sizes to fit crafts up to 47 feet in length and ranges from 8.8 pounds to 33 pounds. To learn more about this beautiful and practical anchor, be sure check it out at http://www.anchoring.com/stainless-steel-north-star-danforth-fluke-boat-anchor.html and see for yourself just what makes this anchor one of the most popular choices in the marina.

Selecting the correct anchor line is just as important as selecting the right anchor for your boat.

There are a number of different option to choose from and it’s questions like these we get all the time. So here is a quick post to help you understand what you need to be looking for when purchasing a new anchor line or anchoring system.

You see, what you will find mainly when it comes to smaller more recreational boats is the anchor rope is the correct length of nylon line then shackled to a piece of chain at the anchor end.

The chain is used to help add weight to the anchor and help it secure itself into the water bed alot better.

It’s highly recommended all anchor rope is nylon because of a few reasons. It’s strength and that it is also elastic. This helps in rolling waves that the boat doesn’t jerk violently every time to roll up and down compared to a less elastic anchor line or even if it was just a length of chain.

You will find both braided and three strand nylon ropes available and both of them make excellent anchor line. With three strand you will find it to have better elasticity and lower in price, where as with braided nylon anchor line it is more flexible. So if your anchor rope is fed through a stowage, braided will be the better option for you.

What size anchor line do I need?

The way we go by here at Anchoring.com is  – 1/8” of rode diameter for every 9 feet of boat length. So if you have an 18’ foot boat, you will need a 2/8” line, but you will need a 3/8” rope for a 20’ boat.

How long should my anchor line be?

Again a basic rule of thumb is find out the deepest water you expect to anchor in and then multiply it by 8. So if you expect to anchor in 30’ of water, you need a 240’ long anchor line.

All the above parameters will guide you in the right direction when it comes to investing in a new anchor line. In many cases it’s better to much instead of to little, especially with anchor rope length as the last thing you want to happen is you go to anchor and find the  rope length to short!

If you have questions you can always visit us at Anchoring.com or contact us by phone at 877-880-8981, and we’ll be happy to answer any of you boating and anchoring questions.

Also simply enter any comments you have below about anchor line or boating in general and we’ll be happy to help.
Safe boating!

boat safety??

I came across the USCBoating.org Recreational Boating Statistics report on boat safety  for 2011 the other day (link at the bottom on the page)

The number shocked me, but yet, when out on the water unfortunately you can see why some times. This got me thinking and made me want to write this post to really help embed some of the simple and common sense practices of boat safety to help make your time and everybody else on the water a more enjoyable and safer one.

Boat Safety

Below are the top 10 boat safety factors you should consider next time you are out.

Use Life Jackets: It’s proven every year that the larger percentage of drowning victims caused from boats accidents we found not to be wearing life jackets. Prior to departure make sure each family member or visitor on your boat has been fitted and is wearing a life jacket to make sure you don’t help add to this statistic.

Use Your Head: It goes with out saying that common sense will be one of the #1 things you can concentrate on to keep your boating safety in good standings. So things like being alert at all time of your surroundings, driving at a sensible speed no matte if your out by yourself but especially in a crowded area, being respectful of buoys and other markers (they were put there for a reason) Be careful of larger boats and vessels if they are maneuvering or may take along tom to stop. All this help help ensure your own boating safety when out on the water

Listen To The Weatherman: Before you go out for the day, make sure you are know what the weather is going to be like for the duration you are out. Never take chances and if you see severer weather moving ion, again use your common sense and get off the water.

Never Drink and Drive: Just the same as if you were driving a car. drink driving on a boat is no different. If you are concerned about your boating safety, leave the alcohol until the end. The chance of you getting involved in a boating accident literally double when you get alcohol involved…it’s not worth it!

Know How To Swim: When it comes to true boating safety, it’s not just knowing how to be safe on a boat, but to now how to be safe when the worst case happens to you. In many cases this means knowing how to swim. If you don’t know how to swim, it highly recommended you join a local group at at minimum become confident in the water

Have A Backup Skipper: Don’t be the only person on board who knows how to operate and handle your boat. Plus they have a good understanding of boat safety. Say you get injured in some way or are no longer able to navigate. It’s a good ideas there is someone else who can get you back to land safely.

Have A Float Plan: A float plan is a description of where you are going to be and for how long when you set out not he water. You can inform family members, friends or marina staff. It just adds another element of safety to your day. A float plan can consist of phone number, address, name, skipper, passenger information, boat type and registration, radio information on board and importantly your trip itinerary

Enroll In A Boat Course: Boating safety and requirement can vary from state to state, and no matter if you are a beginner boater or experience seaman, it’s always a good idea to stay up to date and educated. Boat education requirements will also be different if your boating in other states and some requires a boating safety course has been taken. You can boating safety courses either locally or online

Use Checklists: True boat safety always comes down to being prepared. This can be in the case of fire, capsizing, engine failure or simply how to fuel when you run out. Using a per-departure list can help make sure that if any of these issues arise you are familiar with how to correct it safety and makes sure you aren’t caught unaware.

Get Your Boat Checked Out: Not many know, but the US coast guard provide free boat checks and evaluations. This not only evaluates your boat but also the safety equipment you carry on board to make sure it is up to state and federal requirements. This means you get a trained specialist to spend with time with you to check your boat and inform you of boat safety tips and tricks. You can also find a more basic online version you can follow by yourself.

As you can see, none of these are to hard to follow. Please next time you’re out, do your best to and follow these rules to make it a better day for everyone.

I invite you to comment below on your boat safety stories you have about either yourself or from watching others. We’d be happy to hear about them.

Boat Statistics Report: http://www.uscgboating.org/assets/1/workflow_staging/Publications/557.PDF

Click Image To View All Dock Line Available

What Does Dock Line Do?

Dock line must never be forgotten, It does a simple, but boat saving job of securing your boat to the dock or another boat if you are rafting. Which ever you are doing there are a few different types of dock line you can choose from.

How Does Dock Line Work?

Any time when you are out on your boat and you are away from shore, you need to make sure you have some type of nylon dock line on-board. You may hear them being called transient dock lines.

We recommend they have an eye or loops at the end so it is alto easier to latch on or tie onto other boats or dock cleats. Then you simply tighten and tie off on board.
When it comes to choosing which nylon dock line to get there are many diameters and lengths.

Some boats will also need permanent dock lines. These are also made of nylon, but are different from transient dock lines. Permanent dock lines need to be protected from chaffing a lot more than transient dock lines. The way manufactures do this is by implementing a type of chafe sleeve made from either rubber, leather or another resistant fabric where the dock line actually makes contact with the dock cleat.

When using permanent dock lines, these will normally be cut to custom fit your boat so you have a guaranteed fit.

What To Look For When Buying Dock Line

Dock rope has come a long way over the years, but today nylon dock line is the standard. Nylon has a great combination of stretch and strength. You will find both three-stand, braided and double braided nylon dock rope are found in most places.

• Three-strand: Abrasion resistant, stretches more, less expensive
• Braided Nylon: Comes in colors, stronger, easy on the hands.
• Double Braided Nylon: Strongest, easy to handle, abrasion resistant and controlled elongation

Diameter and Length Of Dock Line

The best way to purchase the right diameter dock line is for every 9’ of your boat length, go up 1/8th of an inch in diameter.

For length, transient dock lines should be close to 2/3 of the boats length if being used on the stern or bow of the boat. For spring lines, they should be equal to your boats length.

Many take dock line, dock rope, mooring line what ever you want to call it as a simple boat accessory. When you should never leave the dock without one. If you make the right purchase first time you can expect to have you dock line last you for years even decades.

At www.Anchoring.com we offer boaters what we class as the highest value double braided dock line.

This is the strongest and easiest-to-handle line you can buy that stays flexible throughout its service life. The core and cover is constructed from the highest quality treated nylon. The combination of high-grade marine nylon, special torque-balanced construction, and a unique stabilization process produces a long-wearing, easy-to-handle line that resists kinking. Our

Double Braid line offers controlled elongation and excellent abrasion resistance. Each line has a professionally spliced 12″ eye with a heat-sealed bitter end.

• High elongation
• Torque-free non-hockling
• Stays flexible and very easy to handle
• Very little degradation from UV. Can be used outside over long term if inspected regularly
• Manufactured with premium high tenacity nylon fibers and conforms to MIL-R-24050E
• Choose from 3/8″–1/4″dia., 15′–35′L and breaking strengths of 4,700lb.–19,400lb.
• Stretch: 6.5% @ 15% of breaking strength

You can check it out online right here

When thinking of getting a new boat ladder, you need to make sure you get the correct boat ladder and fixing that fits your boat and of course the purpose you will be using it for. Boaters always have similar questions such as:

“I own a 2001 ABC  23′ Pontoon Boat, What size and type of boat ladder do I need?”

There are many styles of boat ladder: dive ladders, pontoon boat ladders, folding boat ladders, bass boat ladders and even dog boat ladders to help you furry friend get back on boars after they have had a quick swim.

In the ideal situation you want to find the exact match boat ladder that will fit to save you drilling new holes, thing in in many cases if your boat is over 10 years old it can sometimes be hard to find an exact match.

Plus if it’s newer that 10 years, chance are the boat manufacture will be able to help but they can be expensive $300 plus.

The best way to pick up a new boat ladder is if you buy a replacement boat ladder, this way you will pay around $100-$150, now again it may be hard to find an exact match, but you will save a few hundred dollars in the process and what’s a few small holes once you’ve filled and covered them up safely.

Here’s a quick guide to help you select the right boat ladder or your boat:

Gunwale Boat Ladders

These are more of a temporary ladder that hook over the side (Gunwale) of your boat. There require no permanent fixture and simply step down into the water. When buying a Gunwale boat ladder just make sure it’s the correct depth to fit over the Gunwale of your boat.

Pontoon Boat Ladders

Pontoon boat ladder are designed exactly for the application and design of Pontoon boats with many different types of mounting styles to choose from. You can opt for the removable style which allows to keep the deck clear for recreation use or you can get them permanently fixed with a selection of stowing options either folding or underneath mount for access out of the water.

Transom Boat Ladders

Transom boat ladders can be purchased for many applications. They are perfect for sailboats or power boats lacking a swim platform. One decision you will need to make is if you need it to be fixed or removable. They either mount on top of the transom with rails or hooks, or fit flush on the side or rear of your boat.

Platform Boat Ladders

If you have a boat with an outboard motor chance are you won’t have any type do swim platform and this is where the platform boat ladder comes in handy. Mounting permanently to the transom of the boat, they include a small swim platform, side rails and again come with 1 or more steps as they are already low to the water.

Dive Boat Ladders

As the name states these are for the use of divers and the main advantage is you can exit the water without having to remove you dicing gear first. Dive boat ladders you will find to be more heavy duty due to the weight they need to hold so before you purchase make sure you find the right one that will hold up to the weight requirements.

You can find the steps wrapped in PVC to ensure maximum comfort when boarding. Plus they can includes mounting bracket with locking tabs for positive lock and quick release for trouble free stowage

Swim Platform Boat Ladders

The swim platform ladder hangs down from the rear of the boat and like it says attaches to the swim platform to aid in easier access when raising yourself up to the platform. Since the ladder is already so close tot he water you will find they also only have 2-3 steps.

In most cases the ladder will mount permanently and can be purchased in two styles, fold on top or slide underneath when not in use.

I hope this article on selecting the right boat ladder has been helpful and aids you in your decision. At Anchoring.com we offer a wide variety of boat ladders for all shapes and sizes of boat to help your passion be more affordable and accessible

All boat accessories include…another boat!

When it comes to boating or sailing we think, vessel cruising on water either peacefully by yourself or surrounded by friends and family. What we want to point out is the top 8 boating accessories and boat supplies every boater needs to consider to really add some fun to their excursions while at the same time staying safe.

Boating Accessories

Boats Seats: Sounds kind of obvious I know. But many boats don’t come with seating, or if you buy second hand the previous owners may have kept them or have their pet dogs name embroidered into the head rests. Or simply in many cases they are just plain uncomfortable. If you take people around or you just want comfort yourself, get your self some comfortable boat seats to add the extra enjoyment to your excursions

Safety Vests: I don’t care how good you can swim Mr Phelps. Everybody should wear safety vest and buoyancy aids of some type. Main things here it needs to fit well, so go down your local boating accessories or outdoor store and try a few on to find one you like.

Plus if you’re the boat owner make sure you buy enough to cover the number of seats you have on your boat. Because if they are in your boat. They are your responsibility! Be safe…

Fender and Buoys: If you want to keep your boat in the best shape possible on the outside. Boat fenders are a boat accessory must. Boat fenders are there to protect your boat from other boats, hitting in docks or other structure you may be near or mooring on. They simply attach to the side of your boat and you throw them over (attached to rope) as you move into park.
Again there is a variety of shapes and sizes to fit your boat

Boat Anchor: There is nothing worse then wanting to stop and not having a boat anchor. Kind of like having a car with no park or parking brake. If you plan on keeping your boat at a dock or just off shore you will be needing a suitable and sturdy boat anchor with a strong anchor rope or anchor rode.

It all depends on the length and weight of your boat, plus the type and depth of water you will be boating in to decide which boat anchor and line you will need. Any boating accessories store can help you with these calculations to make sure you get it right first time.

Boat Ladders: If you will be jumping out of the boat a lot, that means you’ll be getting back in it just as much. Not all boats have easy access to get back into the them. So a boating ladder is a great accessory to add and removes the scarcity of many for jumping in and not being able to climb back in again.
It all depends on the size and shape of your boat as to which style of ladder will work best for you.

Boat Sound System: When shopping for boats you see not all come with a sound system and this is essential to many boaters. It’s not hard to install a waterproof sound system or iPod hook up into a boat, but it’s also no the most DIY friendly aspect either. Consult with your local boat store about the best way to go about this

VHF Radio: VHF (Very High Frequency) Radios are used by boats and vessels in a wide variety of purposes from communicating between boats, harbors, bridges or calling in locations or rescues. If you’re considering doing some open water or long distance boating a VHF radio will be a must for safety.

VHF radios can be purchased either as hand help devices or can be mounted on to any panel of your vessels to keep them secure.
Ok, so there you have it.

Boat Covers: Nearly 95% of all boats are kept outside for most of the summer, meaning they are subject to all types of weather conditions. A boat cover is there to help protect many aspects of your boat whether you’re on it or not. But over time this can be a money saving investment due to either rust, mold or moisture contamination into the electronics etc. Many times your boat manufacture will have a custom covers for you to choose from, but which ever you go for, make sure the cover is tight and secure so wind and other elements can’t easily loosen it up and turn your motor boat into a sailing boat.

Our top 8 recommendations for boating accessories and boat supplies all boaters need. Some are for fun and some are for safety, but with each of these aboard your vessel you know you have what it takes to make it an amazing day out for either yourself or your friends and family.

We are asked many times, “how to prepare your boat for a hurricane”

Very sensible question and we have the answer for you!

You will be in either one of these situations if and when you need to prepare your boat for a hurricane or storm of some type. Keeping in mind you won’t be able to make it indestructible, but there are a number of things you can do to minimize and limit the damage during storm season.

So. You will either need to prepare your boat ashore, or in water.

Prepare Your Boat For a Hurricane Ashore

Move Inland: Either way chances are you will need to protect your boat from high winds and maybe a storm surge if you are close to the coast. So you will need to plan for a good place to store your boat before the storm hits, Of course the further inland you are the less likely you are to get affected form a sea surge of any type.

Get Up High: You will want to look at storing your boat up higher than any reported storm surge.

Strap Everything Down: Strap down or remove any loose gear or rigging that could be picked up or used as a sail by the strong winds. Such as covers, life rings, windlasses, anchors and bimni tops and any other similar gear, as these can also turn into projectiles and damage other thing around you.

Batten Down the Hatches: Make sure all hatches, doors and ports are all covers and shut tight to prevent water entering as best as possible.

Pull the plug: Pull the drain plug, so that any water that does enter can drain at the same time

Don’t forget the trailer: Strap the boat to the trailer securely, deflate the tires 3/4 and place blocks in front and behind to restrict it from moving the best you can. Finally strap the trailer down as best you possible can to the ground or near by building etc

Prepare Your Boat For a Hurricane In The Water

So things are a little bit different if you need to prepare your boat for a storm in the water.

Of course you will need to cover some of the same attics as mentioned above such as move all loose great and lock down all hatches, doors etc. Here’s a few other tricks you can use to protect your boat from the storm as best as possible:

Make your boat bounce: Find as many buoys and fenders as you can and hang them out. The more padding you have around the side of your boat the more it will be protected. In many cases you may want to proactively buy extra fenders now before a storm hits so you can be prepared. Because you know the minute word gets out of storms heading in, crowds will head out to by more padding and you don’t want to turn up and find an empty shelf.

Strap here down: Securely set storm anchors to keep your boat firmly in place as best as possible.

Remove any spare gas: Many store a spare tank of gas on their boat, make sure you remove it in case of any electrical or near by fires…Yes boats can catch fire in a storm!

Leave Bilge pump running: Make sure you have a filly charged battery and leave the bilge pump running through the storm to help remove any water that is thrown on board.

Move away from others: If you are docked in a crowded harbor, you make want to move away to a more protected or isolate location to stop other boats being thrown into yours. Of course if you make this call it is even more important to make sure you boats is anchored down securely

Making sure you have taken these precautions to prepare your boat for a hurricane or tropical storm of any type, you can be certain you have done the best you can to make sure your boat and belongings are the safest they can be to limit damage and loss.

At Anchoring.com we offer top go the line anchors, anchor rope, fenders and many other applications that can be used to help keep your boat safe during a storm.
Contact us today and we can discuss what will be a safe fit for you and your boat.

It is a horrible feeling to wake up at 3:00 am after spending the day on the water and finding a perfect anchoring spot, only to realize that the winds have picked up just a little bit and dragged your boat against another nearby boat, or worse, into the middle of a shipping lane, or onto rocks.

Described here are some of the common causes of this problem, and some descriptions of how to avoid them. Equally annoying and embarrassing is anchoring your boat while going to supper or acquiring supplies and finding the boat gone when you return.

Your immediate thought is that it has been stolen and so you call the police. If you are lucky, the boat is found an hour or two later drifting, the anchor still attached, but pulled up from it’s original location.

Wind Dragged Boat or a Wind Direction Change

This can occur even if you have the right anchor type and size. All it takes is for the anchor to be set not quite perfectly or for the bottom to be poor. Then, a bit of wind will start dragging the anchor. Or, the wind will change direction, causing the anchor to become dislodged. You need to use two anchors set in a V shape at the front of the boat. Then, even if one drags, the other is still tight. If you expect a really bad storm, use three anchors set like a V with an extra line straight out front.

Tight Anchorage

There are degrees of tightness in anchoring. If you have room for the boat to swing around without hitting anything, then you can just use a two anchor V, where the angle between the two anchors is fairly large (between 140 and 180 degrees, closer to 180 for less movement, but requiring larger anchors). This keeps the bow in one place, but allows the stern to swing around, keeping the wind head on (this is usually more comfortable for sleeping.)

However, if there isn’t room to turn the boat around, either due to other boats, the shore or underwater objects, then you need to set a V anchor set at the front, and an additional anchor at the back. This keeps the boat stationary, but tends to be less comfortable. An alternative, if the wind is coming from the stern, is to put the V anchors at the stern and a single anchor at the front. Sometimes you can use trees on land as one of the anchors.

Tide Lifted Anchor

Fresh-water boaters can be surprised by tides. If you set an anchor at low tide, giving it a reasonable amount of rode, even setting a second anchor, you can still be surprised to find yourself adrift. What happens is that the boat comes up on the tide (which can be as much as 14′ or 4.5 m, but more typically around 3 ft or 1 m).

This adds six times that length to the amount of rode you need, so 18 ft or 6 m more rode. It doesn’t actually lift the anchor, just lets the angle decrease enough that the anchor doesn’t hold. The trick to setting an anchor in tidal waters is to know how much extra rode high tide is going to need, or just add an extra 20-30 ft.

Another thing you should think about when anchoring at HIGH tide, is whether you will have enough depth at low tide. You don’t (generally) want to ground yourself due to anchoring in too shallow water.

Improper Anchor Type or Size

When you purchase an anchor, make sure you get the right type for the bottom conditions where you go boating. Most boating stores can help you decide on the type of anchor, but don’t be cheap, buy at least 1 good, heavy anchor for each type of bottom you expect to have to anchor on.

Fishing

If you are fishing, you don’t have to use these techniques since you are constantly there watching, but you might choose to in order to fix your position over a good fishing spot. I’m not a fisherman, so I can’t say as to whether or not they would be useful.

When learning how to anchor your boat or having to find out the hard way in real life, we hope tips like this help you. If you found this use full please comment below or share with your boating friends

Post provided by Bill Wallace at  http://www.boatsafe.com