Double Anchoring

[Coddy]

Whilst we wait for all this weather to pass through and raise the water levels, can I ask a question about double anchoring.

 

What I mean is that when anchoring normally, that is fine but when the tide slackens or it is windy and in a small tide the boat often swings about.

 

What are your thoughts about dropping another smaller anchor from the back to stop/reduce the swing?

 

One of the problems I can see is getting the back anchor away from the boat enough. Thought about this and then came up with letting more rope out from the front, drop the back anchor then recover the excess on the front warp!

 

Second worry (big one this) what happens when the tide turns? Having the stern into tide does not seem a good idea.

 

So does anyone do this or am I missing something here?

 

Reason for asking is if you got a good spot were the fish are, last thing you want is to swing about with the bait and end tackle being dragged around.

 

Coddy

[Afishionado]

No you got it spot on with the method. let out lots of extra warp from the bow, wait till the boat settles then drop a stern anchor and let out warp as you gently haul back on the bow anchor. I used to do that on a particular flounder mark in Poole Harbour to make sure the boat didn't swing about.

But I think it would be dodgy in the strong tides out side say the Whitehouse Grounds or Dolphin Banks.

 

Mad Mike

 

 

[Maverick Martin]

As Mike says ideal for shallow water but not so good in deep water.

 

Another thing we sometimes use when floundering in really shallow water is a stake or boat hook over the side to stop the boat swinging around

 

Martin

[Coddy]

Another thing we sometimes use when floundering in really shallow water is a stake or boat hook over the side to stop the boat swinging around

 

Martin

Thanks, hadn't thought of that one (doh)

 

Coddy

[Seamouse]

A simple fix in shallow stuff would be a mud weight off the stern. Just a pipe full of concrete with a ring set in it. It won't stop you swinging about but it'll slow it right down and there's no issues when the tide turns as you just haul it up a foot or two off the deck and let the boat swing.

 

Steve

[plaicemat]

Alternatively, you could try a sea anchor which will keep you stem on to the tide and reasonably stable. Just a bucket streamed from the stern and attached to a cleat. The bigger the bucket, the better the fix; within limits! Also helps to save two anglers fishing from one side of the boat when the effect of the wind puts the boat beam on.

 

Terry.

[jack]

Terry is spot on,in strong tides.You cant beat a "drogue",I have 2. a large one and a smaller one.I use them frequently when fishing in a large welsh estuary where tides belt in and out. My inflatable loves nothing better than to stroll about on the end of its lead in cross winds.My drogues are home made.One is a very large multi coloured NYLON beach bag,to which I have wired [or stitch] a metal hoop around its opening,use 3 short ropes from points around the rim to your streaming rope.It works better with a 6inch circle cut from its bottom letting some water strait through.My larger one is more like a wind sock,but a narrowing of the tube greatly affects its efficiency.You only need let out about 10' of rope.If you think it might be in the way of your fishing lines,incorperate a block of polystyrene or other

float,to the drogue,which will keep it at,or just below surface level...Works for me !!jack

[great white]

Hi Coddy

 

You seem to have all the advice already

 

I tend to only use a second anchor/stake when essential and only in the harbour.

 

outside I use a Sea anchor if required, my current has a line to collapse it for recovery.

 

I lost one as the tide built up while I was busy fishing and I could not recover it in the strong tide flow.

I could not weigh anchor or recover the sea anchor so the sea anchor had to go

[i should have buoyed the line, then weighed anchor and chased after it, but the rope was burning my hands and had to just lose the sea anchor ] lesson learnt the hard way again

 

Charlie

[Newboy]

I think chartered boat in north Wales use 2 anchors in many of their marks, not ure how it's done tho, seem to remember it from a article.