Choosing Your Anchorage

PLANNING YOUR ANCHORAGES FOR MAXIMUM SAFETY

When doing offshore boating, passage planning is imperative and so too is the necessity to plan reserve and emergency anchorages. It would be great to go on a cruise and know you can get from A to B without having to plan for the weather foul, but that would be unrealistic.

The need to know of all the safe anchorages unroute is just as important as it is to know your boat. If the weather blows up a storm when you are out you want to be able to head to safety quick and smart. You most definitely do not want to end up on a bar!

Finding safe anchorages means that they must be able to be accessed in the weather you are experiencing and that they are going to stay safe during the rough weather. Know these anchorages like you know the back of your hand.

Sarca Tip:

When using a Sarca anchor you will be able to take advantage of the super-high holding power and be able to use less scope (the relationship of depth of water to the amount of chain laid out). This feature of the Sarca can make so much difference in a crowded anchorage.

Traditional anchors have a 5:1 ratio whereas the Sarca can be reduced to 4:1 – making for a much shorter swing.
Scope = measurement from bow roller to bottom at mean low water.

This will take into account the rise and fall of the tide which is up to 7 metres. Many people do not take into account the distance from bow roller to water level.

Many cruising yachtsmen have found the Sarca is the answer to anchoring in places like Whitsundays, Tonga, the Mediterranean and even Sydney harbour on busy events nights. You can eliminate the risk of someone else laying their anchor chain across your long extended chain when using the Sarca on a short scope.