Head into wind, or
into tide, whichever is stronger.
Know the depth and
the tide stage before you anchor.
Check the chart for foul ground and
make sure you will have enough depth
at low water.
Stop before lowering
the anchor; then go astern slowly to
set the anchor.
The Don’ts:
Don’t anchor in a
fairway.
Don’t anchor in
the manoeuvering area near a wharf.
Don’t anchor
amoung permanent moorings - you may
hook up the ground chain and require
a diver to free your anchor.
Don’t drop or
throw your anchor - lower it.
Remember that the shape of a
Danforth makes it try to
"sail" underwater, so, if
it is lowered too fast, it may flip
up and settle on top of the chain.
Don’t join anchor
warps, or two ropes, with two loops
or bowline. This will reduce the
strength by 50%. Use a Carrick bend
or a double sheep bend.
Don’t try to tow
chain when setting out an anchor
with a dinghy. Anchor the dinghy;
then tow the chain to it.
