A very informative video. A couple of years back we were anchored in Martinique sitting out a 7 day blow. (30-45knots) One morning I was on deck and saw this huge 60 ft catamaran dragging towards us, we could barely pick up anchor and get out of it's way. I have to agree with you, better to get out of the way than to get hit. Great video, cheers 🍻
Thank you so much for watching and for sharing your experience as well. Martinique is one of the most crowded and busiest anchorage I ever stayed so when a storm hits there it for sure would be a interesting place to be. Thank you for being here 🍻
Emerald Steel used to emphasize anchoring a lot. They lived nearly 40 years on their home-built boat, and most of that was at anchor. One policy they often emphasized was putting a third reef in the main sail as a matter of course. This way, if they started dragging, they had the mainsail ready, as well as the engine, to extricate themselves. The super-yacht Bayanesian is the most tragic anchoring story. It was a giant sloop, with a swing-keel. It was anchored during very hot weather and was struck by a sudden squall. Somehow, it got sideways to the wind and got heeled over enough for the engine intake ports to roll under. This bad luck was combined with the Captain's order to gather up the loose furniture and bring it inside. This fateful order left the yacht double vulnerable. Water poured in the intake ports, then likely poured in through the open companionway doors. This doomed the yacht. It sank. I am aware that certain rig types are better at riding at anchor than others. Catboats are thought to be the worst, followed by sloops. Cutters are somewhat better. And schooners are the best. It seems that hulls and rigs that perform the best are often the ones that have troubling issues, such as riding at anchor.
at 2:00...i did laugh out loud! I've been listening and watching and finally am ready to ask about the deep keel "issue." Do you realize how often your choices, even choices of SAFETY, is so often determined by a deep keel? I hear so many manufacturers and very experienced sailors make statements of choices in a way that I think is far too driven by what they've always heard. I think we would all unaminmously agree that coastal sailing, anchorages and proximity to shore and other boaters is truly almost ALL of the dangerous situations sailors face? Shallow draft vs deep keel has so many points of discussion and disagreement. All of us would say that 'safety' is by far the most important criteria in all situations, but do we ask ourselves how much deep keels, in coastal ....the most frequent 'danger' situations...is largely deptermined by keel depth, fear of running aground, or i can't get to a safe place because of draft...? So Thomas, do you regreat having such a deep keel that has 'draft' issues. I feel like this is one of the big sailboat choice decisions that is intentionally avoided.
Happy you enjoyed this and also thank you so much for your questions. Deep draft vs shallow draft is like furler vs no furling main sail. Often strong opinions based on lack of knowledge and experience. We all heard the “sailor” telling you need to learn to handle your boat before installing bow thruster right? This sailors intentions is to make you feel less competent and trying to lift them selves up to kings and masters of sailing. In reality only exposing how little they know. Also it’s normal to defend own decisions and reasons for why buy etc. So often it’s hard to get really objective answers. Ask a sailor about his boat after it’s sold and you get the truth. However there is some facts hard to ignore when it comes to keels, depth and also material. Not to forget how it’s attached to the hull. As long as we focus on cruising boats and not racing with counting keels and foiling and daggers etc. The thinner and deeper keel the higher up against the wind you can point. The shorter fatter and longer the less pointing. Shallow draft needs compensation in weight in the keel. Meaning overall weight of the boat is increased. A typical 40 foot shallow draft would then have less weight left for other things without compromising its seaworthiness. Not many know this. Adding weight in your mast eats weight from your keel. So building an Eiffel Tower at the stern of a boat is normal but not necessarily good idea. At least not for performance but in some cases even with safety and seaworthiness in mind. And for a long distance sailor knowing a 40 foot shallow draft already have stolen 3-400 kg from your load capacity should be strong argument to at least start looking at how much weight and where you place this. Long-keel in general sailing slower and points pretty poor compared to more modern design. In fact lots of new cruising catamarans would even point higher than a long keel boat. However a long keel boat have its strong sides loved by many long distance sailors for many valid reasons. Especially in terms of being safe and robust. It’s strongest argument it’s solid as a Sherman Tank. So if you planning on hitting reefs and shallow spots on a frequent base this is definitely the boat to look for. However downside is pretty rolly and sails not very good in general. Deep draft keel only have two disadvantages compared to long keeled and share one of this disadvantages with shallow draft. This is keels being bolted to a grid. Some better than others. A long keel is here superior towards deep or shallow keels mostly bolted to the hull. There is some exceptions, but leaving this out for now. Keel drag is interesting and then we digg into physics. But in general I believe I can get away with saying Deep draft sails better, faster, points higher, and less rolly at both sea and at anchor. Shallow draft points slightly better than a long keel boat, roll almost as much but sometimes less draft than long keel boats as well. At anchor shallow draft will swing more than deep draft and long keel. It’s all about surface/resistance. Shallow draft gives you option to go close to a beach almost like a catamaran. How smart this is a different story. So it’s pro & cons with everything and sometimes you would have to compromise. If cruising in the Bahamas is the plan, shallow draft or a cat would be my choice. I would prefer to have long keel boat, but to much in love with sailing fast and efficient. So it’s really not often the depth of my keel is creating any issues. Maybe 2-3 times in 4 years cruising the Caribbean. Look at it this way, how often do you think 2-3 foot difference makes much of a difference where to anchor? Compare depths on shallow draft vs deep draft must be done on same size and model. Anything else would be comparing a camper van vs a bike in who can easiest enter the shopping mall. This is how I often see this discussions. All the best and cheers 🍻
Thomas, always enjoy your insight on different situations or experiences that you have encountered or know at first hand someone that has. If I ever come across with you, I will love to buy you a beer or two and pick your brain about sailing. Great video as always.
Thank you so much for your kind words Steven. I’m happy to know you enjoyed this episode as well. I never turn down a good conversation over a beer or two so hopefully our paths will cross one day. Thank you for being here and all the best 🍻
Wow! ... and I thought that the anchoring apps were the solution to, generally, the anchoring safety problem. Now I can clearly see that this is not necessarily the case. A huge THANK YOU for the insight of the reality of anchoring and taking precautions to the next level. Once again, very well explained... Oh! and the diagrams showing the behavior of the different vessels, regarding the wind... I had no idea it was so significant. You are a great teacher, commentator, illustrator, that inspires in confidence and reason. Thank you Thomas! Happy sailing!! 🙂
Thank you so much for your kind words and inspiring feedback. Much appreciated knowing hard work with episodes can give some value for those who are interested. Thank you for watching and for being here. Cheers 🍻
Yeah a ketch with a mesan is definatly perfect in conditions like this. Normally with a long keel even better. Happy to hear you love your boat as it normally means you take good care of her as well! Thank you for being here and for watching! All the best and cheers 🍻
Nice take aways here in this episode, even for me as an experienced sailor. It was a tough call to move from a good anchor holding spot in the middle of a storm in the night to give room to other dragging boats. I am not sure how I would have decided that night, but for sure I would have been on my watch too. Unfortunately not everybody is so respectful and and takes care of others like you do; I am alway able to observe this in the summer when all the good anchor spots are full that some egoists just place their boat in the close by middle of two other boats, and even lay their chains just over the other chains without mercy. Therefore one of the take aways: better safe then sorry! Even if this needs a tough decision!
Thank you so much for your kind words and sharing your experience as well. A salad of chain and anchor is not fun, and if a storm or even som gusts starts messing up it’s a shitt show. Knowing how much hassle it is with insurance and how many sailing without as well makes decisions easier. I knew I would be fine just in for a tiring night or two. Thank you for being here! All the best and cheers 🍻
Thank you so much for watching and for being here! I’m happy to hear you found this content interesting and useful. All the best with your sailing adventure and fair winds my friend. Cheers 🍻
Another great episode from Thomas Sailing Academy, thanks! Haha dragqueen 💃 Nighttime here, and I made sure the house is well anchored and no drifting neighbours nearby… and all my boats are securely moored as well ⚓️🙃 That icecream place seems splendid! cheers&goodnight/morning/mooring! ☕️😴
Thank you so much Sophia! I’m happy your house is safely anchored and no houses or garages drifting down the streets... Man this was a hard week and difficult to explain. Anyway thank you for being here and always being so kind. All the best and cheers 🍻
From a solo sailor, thank you for showing the reality of sailing. I do not subscribe to Rick's channel; I think you know why. Keep up the great work my friend.
Thank you so much for watching and for being here. It’s quite big difference between our channels with different audience as well so it’s how it is. So many great channels out here also, so I’m thankful and humble to see me channel is growing. In this context it’s always nice to cooperate a bit with others as well as sharing experience and how to etc. All the best and cheers 🍻
Glad everything worked out for you even though the anchoring at night sounds horrendous. This is good advice in this video and things we wouldn't have necessarily considered when picking an anchorage thank you.
Not only is the bottom at San Andres poor holding, but it also has some debris that can foul your anchor. Our first night there (after a long and exhausting passage) we dragged in a squall along with 5 other boats. We woke up to our boat lying against the old wreck on the south side of the anchorage. We were extremely lucky that the impact was directly on a bulkhead or we likely would have been holed. Upon lifting the anchor we found a large piece of cloth fouling the anchor. Shortly after this I installed a very loud horn in my cabin that will wake the dead if the anchor alarm sounds.
Thank you so much for watching! The ice cream was epic!!! Could be after being stuck on my boat exhausted after the stormy week it was extra good. I’m so thankful that Rick was so lucky. I was right behind and saw it all in slow motion almost like his guardian angel made sure he landed softly. I can promise you he looked beaten up but considering the circumstances it’s a miracle it was not worse. All the best and cheers 🍻
Thank you so much for watching and for subscribing! I also learn new things as I go and it’s such a good feeling. Welcome aboard the BE FREE adventure. All the best and cheers 🍻
Thank you so much for being here and for watching. Really happy to know you enjoyed this one and felt it valuable. Your feedback is much appreciated. Cheers 🍻
Thank you so much for subscribing and coming here! Much appreciated and hope you will enjoy it here as well. I’m very thankful towards Rick wanting to help me with my channel. All the best and cheers 🍻
Another great video! :) It seems like I always learn a little something when I watch your videos. :) I really like the camera placement off the side of the boat when you're sailing, it really gives a great perspective. When I used to film some of my motorcycle rides on the Goldwing, I would mount the camera low on the bike off the engine crash bars low to the ground. The perspective I got from that angle reminds me of the footage you get when you hang the camera off the side of the boat close to the water. :) It almost makes the viewer feel immersed in the experience. :) Always looking forward to the next video as always! Fair winds and following seas till your next post! (am I allowed to say that as a non-sailor? lol)
Thank you so much for watching and for sharing your experience as a viewer and what you enjoyed. I try to give as realistic experience it’s possible but on a flat dimension like a screen it’s really challenging sometimes. Especially the depths and size of the waves. So like you explained having the camera closer sometimes helps. I’m happy to know non sailors also enjoy this channel and off course you can say and use whatever maritime terms you like. Fair winds is always better than good luck, especially if your a salty superstitious sailor. Then it’s lots of words never to be said on a boat. All the best and cheers 🍻
Thank you so much for watching and your kind words. You’re absolutely right it was a time consuming video to make. So I’m happy you noticed and enjoyed. Much appreciated! Cheers 🍻
Thanks Thomas for sharing. Bought a boat earlier this year in Rio Dulce and plan to start sailing full time in Nov (currently live in Hawaii) so videos like these are very valuable to me. Halsningar fran Waikiki :)
Wow! Congratulations with your new boat and upcoming adventures. Thank you for sharing! Who knows we might be anchored in the same bay sharing a sundowner one day soon. All the best and and thank you for watching. Cheers 🍻
Ja du skrev ”hälsningar från Waikiki” så det ante meg at du i det minste kunne litt Svensk pga skrivefeil. Oversatt ville vært med svenske bokstaver😀 Men ikke alltid det stemmer. Svensker er alltid hyggelige seilere å møte uansett hvor man er🍻
Congrats being the first commenting this humorous thing! Could not resist making it as it’s so close to the feeling I had. Happy you enjoyed this! Cheers 🍻
Thank you so much for watching and your kind feedback. The ice cream was to good not to share... but yeah it was a lot! Almost like a never ending story when the lady was topping it up. Even said that’s enough as I could get lots of more on top🤣 All the best and cheers 🍻
Great video Thomas. Many people think it's all sunshine and rainbows for sailors, but we know about the storms in between. Here on the Mississippi river there are super strong currents that can make anchoring almost impossible, but if you know how your boat behaves in the wind and current it can be done with safety. I also agreed with you on anchor apps they are not reliable enough to trust. I do the same as you anchoring in heavy weather and keep an all night watch schedule.
Thank you so much for watching and for being here! Interesting comment and for sure anchor in rivers or places with strong currents is another game. This can for sure be pretty demanding and needs experience. All the best and cheers 🍻
Great episode and nice approach on a subject not very many dares to be true about. Looks like a damn TV-game with all those dragg queens dragging around. Best weather for your next leg!
Thank you my friend! It was surreal feeling being inside a Tetris game, and pretty exhausting as well. It makes you wonder though why some anchor in front of you all over again after dragging towards you 3 times🤣 Luckily it all ended well. All the best and cheers 🍻
Would it be plausible to anchor in the normal fashion and then attach a buoy to the anchor chain Tom ? If the buoy chain was least equal in length to the maximum tidal depth then the anchor line would not be lifted by the buoy ; or am I making things over complicated , especially for the solo sailor ? Seems to me a buoy could allow swift escapes from dangerous dragsters or people laying chains over your own possibly . Cheers
Thank you so much and welcome to my channel! Very generous of Rick trying to help me break through the wall of noice her on UA-cam. Much appreciated and thank you for being here. All the best and cheers 🍻
Thank you so much! Please remember there is many ways to do things and I don’t have the blueprint. But happy to know I can inspire and motivate to expand the horizon. All the best and cheers 🍻
Very good representation. Every time I go to an anchorage, I spend +- 30min minimum studying the placing of other vessels prior dropping my anchor. Cheers
Ha ha🤣 Thank you! Thor Heyerdahl is my hero so I take it as a compliment! The first adventurer crossing the Pacific that went viral hitting the front pages globally. He was a pioneer and imagine what he could done if UA-cam existed in 1946. All the best and cheers 🍻
Excellent anchoring video! I have had several similar experiences where I had to move because another boat anchored too close. Why do sailors think that when they see only one boat anchored in a nice bay (me) that they need to anchor very close? Do they think I must be in the only safe place or what? Most sailors do not understand that different boats swing to wind and current differently so your video animation is excellent. Most of my years of cruising was on a very light trimaran and it always swings downwind if there is any wind over 10 knots, no matter what the current usually. Heavy boats, light boats, monohulls, everyone swings differently and th scope we put out also changes things. Then there is the sailor who comes into a crowded anchorage where everyone has a stern anchor also set, but the new guy doesn't. Either he doesn't have a second anchor or doesn't know how to set it? I always stayed in the cockpit day and night on anchor watch when conditions were bad but I never had to do more than 24 hours. You did it for 5 DAYS! Wow. I would have been a zombi from exhaustion. It is very sad that sometimes a dragging boat will cross the anchor line of another boat and pull their anchor loose and now they are tangled up, unable to raise their anchor without cutting it free and losing it. That is why, as you showed so well, that you need to watch every boat around you that could possible be a problem even when your anchor is set and not moving. It's the other guys you have to watch out for. Thanks for making such good and helpful videos Thomas!
Thank you so much for your kind words and really well formulated experience you share as well. Anchor and chain salad is a success formula for disaster. This was the main reason for dodging dragging boats. When tangled up you have limited options in bad weather. Form my experience Italy was among the worst places to anchor. Crowded and never ever seen so many anchor so close and on top of your anchor or even cross chains... Absolutely a nightmare especially being alone. All the best and cheers 🍻
Yes I have sailed many seasons in the Mediterranean and there it’s mostly med mooring, some easier than others. It can be a challenge sometimes if lots of wind (Typically Aegean Sea) but most of the time there is lots of helpful sailors around to catch your stern line. You would need a remote controlled free fall option on your windlass as solo sailor, so the chain feeds it self out while backing in to either a dock or to shoreline. If it’s windy you don’t have time to wait for chain to feed out from a slow windlass. Places crowded with charter boats often have lazy lines (mooring lines) ready making docking even easier. All the best and cheers 🍻
Great video Thomas. Thank you. Would you care to explain in more details how you manage solo to retrieve your anchor in high wind situations? Do you go back and forth between cockpit and bow to alternatively power forward and pull up slack chain? Or do you have a remote control in your cockpit to engage the windlass? When there is lots of wind the boat can drift quickly away while you have to pull up the last meters of chain, which can be a serious problem in tight anchorages. Really curious for your insights! Thank you
It’s really not that difficult with a trustworthy windlass that’s powerful enough. I replaced mine to a stronger and faster. Also installed a hard button at the helm so I can operate everything without leaving the cockpit. I look at the chain and know when to help with the engine without needing to be at the bow. I have made jokes about it before that my two most important crew members are my windlass and my autopilot. As solo sailor this is places worth investing money. All the best and cheers 🍻
What about the idea of pulling the anchor and weathering the storm with the engine on and using it to hold position? I realize this means the helm must be manned continuously which won’t work as a solo sailor, unless it’s a short storm. I’m not a sailor, so forgive me if my comment is ignorant or stupid.
No questions are stupid as long as they are genuine. Riding out a storm by engine is possible but depending on the space you have available and also timeframe not to forget the force of the storm. With my boat having twin rudders means I would have to go at least 1-3 kts forward being manoeuvre-able. So her I would run oft of space in minutes. Luckily I have a strong oversized engine capable of lots of wind on my nose. But would run low on diesel after a week. I did consider going out the channel and ride it of on the leeward side of this island. All the best and and thank you for being here. Cheers 🍻
Love the graphics to illustrate the points. Also, love the practicality and ease to follow. You have a story and without unnecessary drama you stick to it and your point. Would love to see a detailed video on checking in/out of countries, and eventually, the canal crossing requirements and process. Also, what do you mostly use for cell/internet communication? Seems like everyone uses something different. What are the choices to pick from? Caribbean vs Panama vs Bahamas vs Europe. Keep it going. Always look forward to the new episodes.
Thank you so much for watching and your kind words. The canal transit with costs and documents needed etc will be shared here in not very long time from now. Soon sailing back to Panama to start the process. As most long distance sailors I’m also waiting and hoping for a solution from Starlink without restrictions in operation area. Meanwhile chasing best data packages from different operators have become a sport in itself. Uploading here is sometimes a challenge not only in the perspective of costs but coverage and enough data. So interesting fact is in Martinique you can buy a no limit SIM card from digicel that works throughout the entire Caribbean including Panama. Meaning the plan you pay for in Martinique (the only place you can buy this) gives you something that’s not available at eg. Grenada, and even at 1/4 of the costs of limited data plans. This is even from my experience the best working and fastest network in remote places like San Blas. Unfortunately last year Digicel changed their rules due to lots of sailors not paying their bills. So now you need a European bank account being able to get this plan. Yeah I’m really waiting for the SL and was hoping to have it before my Pacific crossing. But looks like this still only will be a dream for me. All the best and cheers 🍻
@@SailingwithThomas Yes, the Starlink has been "coming soon" for a while now. I have been eagerly waiting for it and some to try it too. Good potential and game changer for sure. Good to know about Digital though, despite the bank hurdle. As far as anchoring, I didn't understand the episode entirely as to why it was such an issue until I heard in Rick's episode that your boat has a 11+ ft draft. Then, it made all the sense. Keep up the good work.
I would guess so, but the sea floor here is really hard outside the sandy patches. However I’m pretty impressed by the Mantus anchor my friends at Sophisticated Lady has, so might convert from my much beloved and trusted Rocna. All the best and cheers 🍻
wouldn't you power forward with helm to port (based on the graphic you showed) to offset the push the wind has on the bow and therefore maintain a somewhat slower but more aligned with wind to allow for a more controlled anchor setting?
Not that easy, as you would need momentum forward greater than the drifting forces. Best boat to handle this would be a catamaran if strong enough engines as they have propeller on each hull. Remember we are talking about gusting winds up to tropical storm force. Main challenge with a twin rudder configuration as on BE FREE is no propeller wash on the rudders. Propeller sits in the middle and rudders out at the sides. Meaning a strong bow thruster could help slowing down the swing. Unfortunately most modern yachts are delivered with way to weak thrusters. Even a normal single rudder Modern Design yacht will struggle keeping bow against wind slowly going backwards feeding out chain. You are normally better off going backwards as slow as possible keeping momentum and steering. But theory and reality in combination with space between shallow spots or other boats normally is the greatest challenge. Should probably explained this better in this video. Thank you so much for watching and your questions! Alle the best 🍻
Regarding 'oversized anchors', I read an interesting theory. A yacht may not have sufficient force to dig in an anchor that is bigger than what is specified by the manufacturer for the yacht - a bigger anchor requires more force to properly set it than the boat can provide. What are your thoughts/experience of this theory?
Thank you so much for watching and your question as well. I’m definitely no expert on this topic with only 5 years at anchor. However from my limited live aboard experience I would say the capacity of your windlass is the first point. On my boat 35 kg anchor is considered as more than sufficient, however I have no problems handling a 56 kg anchor. Some anchor dig better than others like Rocna and Mantus. From what I have experienced it’s all about having enough chain out before any tension giving the anchor better angle to digg deep. Then feed out more and tension up again and finally tension up to 2000RPM is my formula working for me. So my conclusion is your windlass would be your main concern before having any issues with the anchor being to big to set properly. But then again there is many others out there with more expertise and experience with anchor than me. I have sailed my entire life but only 5 years as full time at anchor. All the best and cheers 🍻
Hello Thomas, I learned of your channel for Captain Rick. A quick question, is a boat of your type capable of safely sailing across the Atlantic Ocean?
Welcome to my channel and thank you so much for watching and your question as well. Yes BE FREE is not only capable of a safe and comfortable Atlantic crossing but even a full circle navigation. Strong and very well built boat. I have sailed her through hurricane force winds and waves that would scare the most experienced sailors. I have sailed since age 7 and most likely I will give up before my boat. All the best and cheers 🍻
@@SailingwithThomas Thank you for answering my question. You are an interesting and entertaining person, I enjoy watching your adventures when you are alone and with your friends! Thank you for allowing people like me to partake as you voyage through life.
How do you raise your anchor solo? I'm told we're NOT to use the windlass to move the boat to the anchor, but it's hard to see where the chain is heading to steer the boat towards the anchor while bringing it up from the helm. So what is the trick?
Hi there and thank you so much for watching and your question. Maybe I should make a detailed video about this in the future. Normally there is no problem for me to see the chains behaviour and by this depending on the wind I let the windlass do the job step by step taking in the slack. Sometimes I give a bit push with the engine and even bow thruster if needed. I have an upgraded windlass capable for bigger anchor as well, so it’s also less risk of stressing the windlass engine. All the best and cheers 🍻
Hello Thomas, do you always keep the bimini/roof in strong winds? On my same age Bavaria, the brackets fixing the tubes on the railing exploded, new (weak) brackets cost each 300€. Do you have a solution? Also my Bavaria 41 is swinging a lot at anchor, putting strong side forces on my anchor davit. So my front davit fixing gets a bit loose. Do you reinforce your davit? How do you reduce swinging side to side? Many thanks for sharing your experience.
Hi there, and thank you for being here. I normally take down my Bimini if I know the winds potentially exceed 50 knots. I have not had any issues with fittings as mine are upgraded and thicker. Even my cockpit arch was designed to withstand hurricane force winds with solar panels attached. It’s made of 2mm thick 48mm tubes with curves for extra rigid strength. When I designed and had this made almost 7 years ago I knew I was at some point going to be exposed to extreme weather. Swinging at anchor are a challenge for most modern yachts due to hull design. A long keel heavy displacement yacht swings different, just as a catamaran also swing different to us again. I use a storm bridle and have this attached to my anchor chain by default whenever I anchor. You can reduce the swinging a bit by extending the length of your storm bridle. The downside is more cleaning on the rope and bridle as it do get growth sitting a lot under water when light winds. So I try to adjust this accordingly. The stronger wind the more I feed out. I don’t have a anchor sail as it’s not so practical on this yachts configuration. But it’s something I have been thinking about now and then. Hopefully this answers some of your questions. All the best
@@SailingwithThomas Many thanks Thomas. So I suppose you have custom made bimini rail fittings. One issue with storm bridle is it usually fastened to the cleats, so further aft (although I sometimes run the ropes through the davit) what may make things worse. But yes, logical, having long ropes will immediately put tension on the boat's nose instead of extending/inclining the otherwise vertical part of the chain... confirmed by the fact that the boat swings anchoring deep in gusty conditions. All the best!
Thank you so much for watching and your question. Wind vane is not really ideal for this boat due to several factors. Boat speed and wide body with twin rudders is some, and also the dinghy garage. When I really need autopilot is flat downwind sailing in conditions balance and trim is difficult. In this situations a windvane is not very reliable. Sailing on a wind vane change your course with the wind, not always what you want. I know lots of sailors believe this is the only solution, but to me it’s a bit outdated and not for boats above 16 meters with boat speed often reaching 14 kts. My autopilot setup is very reliable and also fully redundancy. Double stand alone hydraulic systems, and double up with computers and displays. Meaning I can even cross use computers and hydraulic independently. Also as a solo sailor having computers handle boat position when getting sails up is handy, not to mention in no wind situations going by engine following a course while interval sleeping. All the best and cheers 🍻
I’m kind of a Radar addicted sailor for sure. No I dont have a rain catcher but have rigged some temporary solutions to try it out now and then. As solo sailor my water supply onboard last almost to long, so water is not really a challenge onboard BE FREE. I can last for 2-3 months on my onboard drinking water, and in only short time my watermaker tops it up again. All the best and cheers 🍻
Hi Kevin your question is very good and not naive at all. In some situations a stern anchor is very helpful and especially if it’s current or waves making you wanna avoid rolling the entire night and day. Some places it’s even mandatory to use this due to compact anchorage and no room to swing. However in strong winds like squalls that change directions you want your boat to point against the wind. The power you get sideways if having a stern anchor not aloud you to swing freely would in most cases make things worse. Lots of interesting techniques and various ways like most normal in Nordic countries is windlass and anchor at the stern. Bow to the island with anchor from stern holding you out not hitting the rocks. So there is many different ways in different locations with different challenges. All the best and cheers 🍻
@@SailingwithThomas thanks for that long reply Thomas, l am in Sweden and see alot of boats with stern windlass. Makes sense, if anchoring off a little rocky island. Just did not know ,in your anchoring situations. Now l know. Cheers🍻
Thank you so much for watching and your kind words. I’m using a 40 kg Rocna and a 33 kg Rocna. The 33 kg for normal use and change to 40 kg for really bad weather if predictions says it will be a storm. In case of serious bad weather I have the 33 kg attached to a 6 meter chain after the 40Kg. In this case I only used the 33 kg but with lots of chain. No issues except from others dragging around me. But thinking of upgrading to a 56 kg Mantus because being alone in crowded places is a challenge with two anchors if it needs to be pulled fast. All the best and cheers 🍻
Thank you so much for heading over here🙏🏻 Hope you will enjoy my channel and content as well. I’m really thankful for Rick and Maddy wanting to help me grow my channel. All the best and cheers 🍻
He definitely knows his anchor game! Also perfect having a pilot into anchorage with local knowledge in a place where charts are not that accurate. Thank you so much for watching and for being here🍻
A very informative video.
A couple of years back we were anchored in Martinique sitting out a 7 day blow. (30-45knots)
One morning I was on deck and saw this huge 60 ft catamaran dragging towards us, we could barely pick up anchor and get out of it's way.
I have to agree with you, better to get out of the way than to get hit.
Great video, cheers 🍻
Thank you so much for watching and for sharing your experience as well. Martinique is one of the most crowded and busiest anchorage I ever stayed so when a storm hits there it for sure would be a interesting place to be. Thank you for being here 🍻
Emerald Steel used to emphasize anchoring a lot. They lived nearly 40 years on their home-built boat, and most of that was at anchor.
One policy they often emphasized was putting a third reef in the main sail as a matter of course. This way, if they started dragging, they had the mainsail ready, as well as the engine, to extricate themselves.
The super-yacht Bayanesian is the most tragic anchoring story. It was a giant sloop, with a swing-keel. It was anchored during very hot weather and was struck by a sudden squall.
Somehow, it got sideways to the wind and got heeled over enough for the engine intake ports to roll under.
This bad luck was combined with the Captain's order to gather up the loose furniture and bring it inside.
This fateful order left the yacht double vulnerable. Water poured in the intake ports, then likely poured in through the open companionway doors. This doomed the yacht. It sank.
I am aware that certain rig types are better at riding at anchor than others. Catboats are thought to be the worst, followed by sloops. Cutters are somewhat better. And schooners are the best.
It seems that hulls and rigs that perform the best are often the ones that have troubling issues, such as riding at anchor.
at 2:00...i did laugh out loud! I've been listening and watching and finally am ready to ask about the deep keel "issue." Do you realize how often your choices, even choices of SAFETY, is so often determined by a deep keel? I hear so many manufacturers and very experienced sailors make statements of choices in a way that I think is far too driven by what they've always heard. I think we would all unaminmously agree that coastal sailing, anchorages and proximity to shore and other boaters is truly almost ALL of the dangerous situations sailors face?
Shallow draft vs deep keel has so many points of discussion and disagreement. All of us would say that 'safety' is by far the most important criteria in all situations, but do we ask ourselves how much deep keels, in coastal ....the most frequent 'danger' situations...is largely deptermined by keel depth, fear of running aground, or i can't get to a safe place because of draft...? So Thomas, do you regreat having such a deep keel that has 'draft' issues. I feel like this is one of the big sailboat choice decisions that is intentionally avoided.
Happy you enjoyed this and also thank you so much for your questions.
Deep draft vs shallow draft is like furler vs no furling main sail. Often strong opinions based on lack of knowledge and experience. We all heard the “sailor” telling you need to learn to handle your boat before installing bow thruster right? This sailors intentions is to make you feel less competent and trying to lift them selves up to kings and masters of sailing. In reality only exposing how little they know. Also it’s normal to defend own decisions and reasons for why buy etc. So often it’s hard to get really objective answers. Ask a sailor about his boat after it’s sold and you get the truth. However there is some facts hard to ignore when it comes to keels, depth and also material. Not to forget how it’s attached to the hull. As long as we focus on cruising boats and not racing with counting keels and foiling and daggers etc. The thinner and deeper keel the higher up against the wind you can point. The shorter fatter and longer the less pointing. Shallow draft needs compensation in weight in the keel. Meaning overall weight of the boat is increased. A typical 40 foot shallow draft would then have less weight left for other things without compromising its seaworthiness. Not many know this. Adding weight in your mast eats weight from your keel. So building an Eiffel Tower at the stern of a boat is normal but not necessarily good idea. At least not for performance but in some cases even with safety and seaworthiness in mind. And for a long distance sailor knowing a 40 foot shallow draft already have stolen 3-400 kg from your load capacity should be strong argument to at least start looking at how much weight and where you place this.
Long-keel in general sailing slower and points pretty poor compared to more modern design. In fact lots of new cruising catamarans would even point higher than a long keel boat. However a long keel boat have its strong sides loved by many long distance sailors for many valid reasons. Especially in terms of being safe and robust. It’s strongest argument it’s solid as a Sherman Tank. So if you planning on hitting reefs and shallow spots on a frequent base this is definitely the boat to look for. However downside is pretty rolly and sails not very good in general. Deep draft keel only have two disadvantages compared to long keeled and share one of this disadvantages with shallow draft. This is keels being bolted to a grid. Some better than others. A long keel is here superior towards deep or shallow keels mostly bolted to the hull. There is some exceptions, but leaving this out for now.
Keel drag is interesting and then we digg into physics. But in general I believe I can get away with saying Deep draft sails better, faster, points higher, and less rolly at both sea and at anchor. Shallow draft points slightly better than a long keel boat, roll almost as much but sometimes less draft than long keel boats as well. At anchor shallow draft will swing more than deep draft and long keel. It’s all about surface/resistance. Shallow draft gives you option to go close to a beach almost like a catamaran. How smart this is a different story. So it’s pro & cons with everything and sometimes you would have to compromise. If cruising in the Bahamas is the plan, shallow draft or a cat would be my choice. I would prefer to have long keel boat, but to much in love with sailing fast and efficient. So it’s really not often the depth of my keel is creating any issues. Maybe 2-3 times in 4 years cruising the Caribbean. Look at it this way, how often do you think 2-3 foot difference makes much of a difference where to anchor? Compare depths on shallow draft vs deep draft must be done on same size and model. Anything else would be comparing a camper van vs a bike in who can easiest enter the shopping mall. This is how I often see this discussions.
All the best and cheers 🍻
yeah
Cheers 🍻
Thomas, always enjoy your insight on different situations or experiences that you have encountered or know at first hand someone that has. If I ever come across with you, I will love to buy you a beer or two and pick your brain about sailing. Great video as always.
Thank you so much for your kind words Steven. I’m happy to know you enjoyed this episode as well. I never turn down a good conversation over a beer or two so hopefully our paths will cross one day. Thank you for being here and all the best 🍻
Wow! ... and I thought that the anchoring apps were the solution to, generally, the anchoring safety problem. Now I can clearly see that this is not necessarily the case. A huge THANK YOU for the insight of the reality of anchoring and taking precautions to the next level. Once again, very well explained... Oh! and the diagrams showing the behavior of the different vessels, regarding the wind... I had no idea it was so significant. You are a great teacher, commentator, illustrator, that inspires in confidence and reason. Thank you Thomas! Happy sailing!! 🙂
Thank you so much for your kind words and inspiring feedback. Much appreciated knowing hard work with episodes can give some value for those who are interested. Thank you for watching and for being here. Cheers 🍻
I totally agree...that was a fantastic explaination.....thank you Commander Tom...
This is why I love my Ketch. Nice having a wind rudder🤙
Yeah a ketch with a mesan is definatly perfect in conditions like this. Normally with a long keel even better. Happy to hear you love your boat as it normally means you take good care of her as well! Thank you for being here and for watching! All the best and cheers 🍻
As always great advice from Thomas and another great video! Oh I’m wanting ice cream bad !!🍦
Fair winds ⛵️
Thank you so much for being here and always leaving friendly comments. Much appreciated! All the best and cheers 🍻
Thanks, Thomas for sharing your most valuable experianceses, I follow you! Take care!
Thank you so much 🙏🏻
Nice take aways here in this episode, even for me as an experienced sailor.
It was a tough call to move from a good anchor holding spot in the middle of a storm in the night to give room to other dragging boats. I am not sure how I would have decided that night, but for sure I would have been on my watch too.
Unfortunately not everybody is so respectful and and takes care of others like you do; I am alway able to observe this in the summer when all the good anchor spots are full that some egoists just place their boat in the close by middle of two other boats, and even lay their chains just over the other chains without mercy.
Therefore one of the take aways: better safe then sorry! Even if this needs a tough decision!
Thank you so much for your kind words and sharing your experience as well. A salad of chain and anchor is not fun, and if a storm or even som gusts starts messing up it’s a shitt show. Knowing how much hassle it is with insurance and how many sailing without as well makes decisions easier. I knew I would be fine just in for a tiring night or two. Thank you for being here! All the best and cheers 🍻
Some really useful advice. I'm just starting my solo sailing journey so this was very helpful, thank you for your insight
Thank you so much for watching and for being here! I’m happy to hear you found this content interesting and useful. All the best with your sailing adventure and fair winds my friend. Cheers 🍻
Another great episode from Thomas Sailing Academy, thanks! Haha dragqueen 💃 Nighttime here, and I made sure the house is well anchored and no drifting neighbours nearby… and all my boats are securely moored as well ⚓️🙃 That icecream place seems splendid! cheers&goodnight/morning/mooring! ☕️😴
Thank you so much Sophia! I’m happy your house is safely anchored and no houses or garages drifting down the streets... Man this was a hard week and difficult to explain. Anyway thank you for being here and always being so kind. All the best and cheers 🍻
From a solo sailor, thank you for showing the reality of sailing. I do not subscribe to Rick's channel; I think you know why. Keep up the great work my friend.
Thank you so much for watching and for being here. It’s quite big difference between our channels with different audience as well so it’s how it is. So many great channels out here also, so I’m thankful and humble to see me channel is growing. In this context it’s always nice to cooperate a bit with others as well as sharing experience and how to etc. All the best and cheers 🍻
Thank you Thomas always enjoy your safety videos
Thank you so much for your kind words and for watching as well. Your feedback is much appreciated 🍻
Glad everything worked out for you even though the anchoring at night sounds horrendous. This is good advice in this video and things we wouldn't have necessarily considered when picking an anchorage thank you.
Thank you so much for kind words and for watching. Happy you enjoyed this episode and found it worth spending your time. All the best and cheers 🍻
Thanks Thomas for very informative episode. Visualisation, graphics are awesome :)
Thank you so much for watching and for appreciating the effort put into this episode. Cheers 🍻
Not only is the bottom at San Andres poor holding, but it also has some debris that can foul your anchor. Our first night there (after a long and exhausting passage) we dragged in a squall along with 5 other boats. We woke up to our boat lying against the old wreck on the south side of the anchorage. We were extremely lucky that the impact was directly on a bulkhead or we likely would have been holed. Upon lifting the anchor we found a large piece of cloth fouling the anchor. Shortly after this I installed a very loud horn in my cabin that will wake the dead if the anchor alarm sounds.
That ice cream 🍦 😋 😍. Your a good friend for doctoring Rick's bicycle accident wounds.👍
Thank you so much for watching! The ice cream was epic!!! Could be after being stuck on my boat exhausted after the stormy week it was extra good. I’m so thankful that Rick was so lucky. I was right behind and saw it all in slow motion almost like his guardian angel made sure he landed softly. I can promise you he looked beaten up but considering the circumstances it’s a miracle it was not worse. All the best and cheers 🍻
Absolutely excellent presentation I have subscribed. I have sailed for.40. yrs and learn all the time. Thank ypu
Thank you so much for watching and for subscribing! I also learn new things as I go and it’s such a good feeling. Welcome aboard the BE FREE adventure. All the best and cheers 🍻
Very good information and explained really well for the less experienced.
Thank you so much for watching and happy to know you got som value out of your time here. All the best 🍻
Great episode! Stay safe, Thomas!
Thank you so much! All the best and cheers 🍻
@@SailingwithThomas 👍👍
Hi Thomas, your excellent graphics help me understand anchoring. 👍🏼⛵️🍻
Thank you so much for being here and for watching. Really happy to know you enjoyed this one and felt it valuable. Your feedback is much appreciated. Cheers 🍻
Hello Thomas!! Captain Rick and Maddie sent me!!! Subbed and ✨👍💖💯👏👏
Thank you so much for subscribing and coming here! Much appreciated and hope you will enjoy it here as well. I’m very thankful towards Rick wanting to help me with my channel. All the best and cheers 🍻
Another great video! :) It seems like I always learn a little something when I watch your videos. :) I really like the camera placement off the side of the boat when you're sailing, it really gives a great perspective. When I used to film some of my motorcycle rides on the Goldwing, I would mount the camera low on the bike off the engine crash bars low to the ground. The perspective I got from that angle reminds me of the footage you get when you hang the camera off the side of the boat close to the water. :) It almost makes the viewer feel immersed in the experience. :)
Always looking forward to the next video as always! Fair winds and following seas till your next post! (am I allowed to say that as a non-sailor? lol)
Thank you so much for watching and for sharing your experience as a viewer and what you enjoyed. I try to give as realistic experience it’s possible but on a flat dimension like a screen it’s really challenging sometimes. Especially the depths and size of the waves. So like you explained having the camera closer sometimes helps. I’m happy to know non sailors also enjoy this channel and off course you can say and use whatever maritime terms you like. Fair winds is always better than good luck, especially if your a salty superstitious sailor. Then it’s lots of words never to be said on a boat.
All the best and cheers 🍻
Thomas thank you for your hard work.. This video took time. Thank you hope you save a collision. Be blessed brother
Thank you so much for watching and your kind words. You’re absolutely right it was a time consuming video to make. So I’m happy you noticed and enjoyed. Much appreciated! Cheers 🍻
Thanks for sharing.🔛🕕✔️🌞😎👍
Thank you so much for watching and for being here! All the best 🍻
Thanks Thomas very educational.👍
Thank you so much for watching! Happy to know you found some takeaways here. All the best and cheers 🍻
Subscribed at 15.7k subs. (Note to myself, as to how long I've been subbed.. ;-))
Came here vom SSL, Rick and Maddie say Hi! :-)
Thank you so much for subscribing and for being here. Much appreciated also for Rick’s effort trying to give me a hand here. All the best and cheers 🍻
Thanks Thomas for sharing. Bought a boat earlier this year in Rio Dulce and plan to start sailing full time in Nov (currently live in Hawaii) so videos like these are very valuable to me. Halsningar fran Waikiki :)
Wow! Congratulations with your new boat and upcoming adventures. Thank you for sharing! Who knows we might be anchored in the same bay sharing a sundowner one day soon. All the best and and thank you for watching. Cheers 🍻
@@SailingwithThomas Who knows, we might. I’m originally from Sweden btw, but you might have figured that out. Cheers!
Ja du skrev ”hälsningar från Waikiki” så det ante meg at du i det minste kunne litt Svensk pga skrivefeil. Oversatt ville vært med svenske bokstaver😀 Men ikke alltid det stemmer. Svensker er alltid hyggelige seilere å møte uansett hvor man er🍻
@@SailingwithThomas Tja, vi Skandinavier har val det gemensamt tror jag.
hahah cruiser tetris made me laugh, and i know with that laughter the lesson will stick with me.
Congrats being the first commenting this humorous thing! Could not resist making it as it’s so close to the feeling I had. Happy you enjoyed this! Cheers 🍻
Thomas, Yes, watch out for those drag queens!
Ha ha🤣 Yeah scary things 🤣 Especially the queens! Cheers 🍻
Hi Thomas!
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and advices, they're always interesting and worth to be learned.
Keep safe!
Thank you Manuel for being here and taking your time to leave a nice comment as well. All the best and cheers 🍻
Good advice in this one. Thanks Thomas. That ice cream shot was over the top though. 😂
Thank you so much for watching and your kind feedback. The ice cream was to good not to share... but yeah it was a lot! Almost like a never ending story when the lady was topping it up. Even said that’s enough as I could get lots of more on top🤣 All the best and cheers 🍻
Great post Thomas ⭐️
Cheers 🍻 🌞🌴⛵️
Thank you so much for watching and being here! Cheers 🍻
Fantastic video and very helpful! 😊 Glad you avoided all draggers....
Thank you so much for watching and for your comment. Glad you enjoyed
Very interesting. 5 days! Thanks for the information.
One of my harder weeks for sure! Thank you so much for watching and for being here 🍻
Great video Thomas. Many people think it's all sunshine and rainbows for sailors, but we know about the storms in between. Here on the Mississippi river there are super strong currents that can make anchoring almost impossible, but if you know how your boat behaves in the wind and current it can be done with safety. I also agreed with you on anchor apps they are not reliable enough to trust. I do the same as you anchoring in heavy weather and keep an all night watch schedule.
Thank you so much for watching and for being here! Interesting comment and for sure anchor in rivers or places with strong currents is another game. This can for sure be pretty demanding and needs experience. All the best and cheers 🍻
Great episode and nice approach on a subject not very many dares to be true about. Looks like a damn TV-game with all those dragg queens dragging around.
Best weather for your next leg!
Thank you my friend! It was surreal feeling being inside a Tetris game, and pretty exhausting as well. It makes you wonder though why some anchor in front of you all over again after dragging towards you 3 times🤣 Luckily it all ended well. All the best and cheers 🍻
Just watched your visit with captain Rick says hy.
Thank you so much and for stopping by here as well. Much appreciated what Rick did trying to help me grow my channel. All the best 🍻
Would it be plausible to anchor in the normal fashion and then attach a buoy to the anchor chain Tom ? If the buoy chain was least equal in length to the maximum tidal depth then the anchor line would not be lifted by the buoy ; or am I making things over complicated , especially for the solo sailor ? Seems to me a buoy could allow swift escapes from dangerous dragsters or people laying chains over your own possibly . Cheers
Hello from a SSL subscriber.....looking forward to your videos :-)
Thank you so much for subscribing and welcome aboard! Much appreciated and hope you will enjoy. All the best and cheers 🍻
You have an excellent presentation!
Thank you so much for watching and for kind words. All the best and cheers 🍻
Nice! Rick and Maddie introduced you to me
Thank you so much for coming here and welcome aboard! Hope you will enjoy my content as well. All the best and cheers 🍻
Thomas just subscribed - Thanks to Sailing Sofisticated Lady - Regards
Thank you so much and welcome to my channel! Very generous of Rick trying to help me break through the wall of noice her on UA-cam. Much appreciated and thank you for being here. All the best and cheers 🍻
I learn so much from u man
Thanks
Thank you so much! Please remember there is many ways to do things and I don’t have the blueprint. But happy to know I can inspire and motivate to expand the horizon. All the best and cheers 🍻
Great vids.
impressive!
Thank you so much 🍻
Thanks again for another great episode
Thank you so much for watching and your kind feedback. All the best and cheers 🍻
Very good representation. Every time I go to an anchorage, I spend +- 30min minimum studying the placing of other vessels prior dropping my anchor. Cheers
Thank you so much for watching and your kind words. Time spent in preparing is always good investment and time saved later. Cheers 🍻
Another great video Thomas always good to see all sides.
Thank you so much for watching and your kind feedback. All the best and cheers 🍻
Great video, I’m learning
Thank you so much for kind feedback. Cheers 🍻
Love the Thor Heyerdal english. :)
Ha ha🤣 Thank you! Thor Heyerdahl is my hero so I take it as a compliment! The first adventurer crossing the Pacific that went viral hitting the front pages globally. He was a pioneer and imagine what he could done if UA-cam existed in 1946. All the best and cheers 🍻
Been watching the weather there and wondering what was going on.
Thank you so much for watching and also paying attention to the weather as well. All the best and cheers 🍻
Captain Rick sent me!! ;)
Thank you so much and welcome aboard here! Much appreciated as well as Rick’s effort to help me with my channel. All the best and cheers 🍻
Why don’t you get captain ricks anchor ( beast)?
Excellent anchoring video!
I have had several similar experiences where I had to move because another boat anchored too close. Why do sailors think that when they see only one boat anchored in a nice bay (me) that they need to anchor very close? Do they think I must be in the only safe place or what? Most sailors do not understand that different boats swing to wind and current differently so your video animation is excellent. Most of my years of cruising was on a very light trimaran and it always swings downwind if there is any wind over 10 knots, no matter what the current usually. Heavy boats, light boats, monohulls, everyone swings differently and th scope we put out also changes things.
Then there is the sailor who comes into a crowded anchorage where everyone has a stern anchor also set, but the new guy doesn't. Either he doesn't have a second anchor or doesn't know how to set it? I always stayed in the cockpit day and night on anchor watch when conditions were bad but I never had to do more than 24 hours. You did it for 5 DAYS! Wow. I would have been a zombi from exhaustion.
It is very sad that sometimes a dragging boat will cross the anchor line of another boat and pull their anchor loose and now they are tangled up, unable to raise their anchor without cutting it free and losing it. That is why, as you showed so well, that you need to watch every boat around you that could possible be a problem even when your anchor is set and not moving. It's the other guys you have to watch out for.
Thanks for making such good and helpful videos Thomas!
Thank you so much for your kind words and really well formulated experience you share as well. Anchor and chain salad is a success formula for disaster. This was the main reason for dodging dragging boats. When tangled up you have limited options in bad weather. Form my experience Italy was among the worst places to anchor. Crowded and never ever seen so many anchor so close and on top of your anchor or even cross chains... Absolutely a nightmare especially being alone. All the best and cheers 🍻
Thomas, I think you've been to the med is it possible to do a med Mooring single-handed? It looks like a scary situation.
Yes I have sailed many seasons in the Mediterranean and there it’s mostly med mooring, some easier than others. It can be a challenge sometimes if lots of wind (Typically Aegean Sea) but most of the time there is lots of helpful sailors around to catch your stern line. You would need a remote controlled free fall option on your windlass as solo sailor, so the chain feeds it self out while backing in to either a dock or to shoreline. If it’s windy you don’t have time to wait for chain to feed out from a slow windlass. Places crowded with charter boats often have lazy lines (mooring lines) ready making docking even easier.
All the best and cheers 🍻
I love the video game!! 😂😂
Great video Thomas. Thank you. Would you care to explain in more details how you manage solo to retrieve your anchor in high wind situations? Do you go back and forth between cockpit and bow to alternatively power forward and pull up slack chain? Or do you have a remote control in your cockpit to engage the windlass?
When there is lots of wind the boat can drift quickly away while you have to pull up the last meters of chain, which can be a serious problem in tight anchorages.
Really curious for your insights! Thank you
It’s really not that difficult with a trustworthy windlass that’s powerful enough. I replaced mine to a stronger and faster. Also installed a hard button at the helm so I can operate everything without leaving the cockpit. I look at the chain and know when to help with the engine without needing to be at the bow. I have made jokes about it before that my two most important crew members are my windlass and my autopilot. As solo sailor this is places worth investing money. All the best and cheers 🍻
What about the idea of pulling the anchor and weathering the storm with the engine on and using it to hold position?
I realize this means the helm must be manned continuously which won’t work as a solo sailor, unless it’s a short storm.
I’m not a sailor, so forgive me if my comment is ignorant or stupid.
No questions are stupid as long as they are genuine. Riding out a storm by engine is possible but depending on the space you have available and also timeframe not to forget the force of the storm. With my boat having twin rudders means I would have to go at least 1-3 kts forward being manoeuvre-able. So her I would run oft of space in minutes. Luckily I have a strong oversized engine capable of lots of wind on my nose. But would run low on diesel after a week. I did consider going out the channel and ride it of on the leeward side of this island. All the best and and thank you for being here. Cheers 🍻
@@SailingwithThomas thanks for the clear explanation. 😊
Your most welcome and thank you so much for being here. Cheers 🍻
Love the graphics to illustrate the points. Also, love the practicality and ease to follow. You have a story and without unnecessary drama you stick to it and your point. Would love to see a detailed video on checking in/out of countries, and eventually, the canal crossing requirements and process. Also, what do you mostly use for cell/internet communication? Seems like everyone uses something different. What are the choices to pick from? Caribbean vs Panama vs Bahamas vs Europe. Keep it going. Always look forward to the new episodes.
Thank you so much for watching and your kind words. The canal transit with costs and documents needed etc will be shared here in not very long time from now. Soon sailing back to Panama to start the process. As most long distance sailors I’m also waiting and hoping for a solution from Starlink without restrictions in operation area. Meanwhile chasing best data packages from different operators have become a sport in itself. Uploading here is sometimes a challenge not only in the perspective of costs but coverage and enough data. So interesting fact is in Martinique you can buy a no limit SIM card from digicel that works throughout the entire Caribbean including Panama. Meaning the plan you pay for in Martinique (the only place you can buy this) gives you something that’s not available at eg. Grenada, and even at 1/4 of the costs of limited data plans. This is even from my experience the best working and fastest network in remote places like San Blas. Unfortunately last year Digicel changed their rules due to lots of sailors not paying their bills. So now you need a European bank account being able to get this plan.
Yeah I’m really waiting for the SL and was hoping to have it before my Pacific crossing. But looks like this still only will be a dream for me. All the best and cheers 🍻
@@SailingwithThomas Yes, the Starlink has been "coming soon" for a while now. I have been eagerly waiting for it and some to try it too. Good potential and game changer for sure. Good to know about Digital though, despite the bank hurdle. As far as anchoring, I didn't understand the episode entirely as to why it was such an issue until I heard in Rick's episode that your boat has a 11+ ft draft. Then, it made all the sense. Keep up the good work.
Thank you so much for your reply and also happy you understood the challenges. All the best and cheers 🍻
Thanks Thomas ,would a larger anchor (again) be make resetting anchor easier when you can’t see the sand patch’s?
I would guess so, but the sea floor here is really hard outside the sandy patches. However I’m pretty impressed by the Mantus anchor my friends at Sophisticated Lady has, so might convert from my much beloved and trusted Rocna. All the best and cheers 🍻
Time to write a book, Thomas?
Who knows what future brings, but thank you so much. All the best and cheers 🍻
wouldn't you power forward with helm to port (based on the graphic you showed) to offset the push the wind has on the bow and therefore maintain a somewhat slower but more aligned with wind to allow for a more controlled anchor setting?
Not that easy, as you would need momentum forward greater than the drifting forces. Best boat to handle this would be a catamaran if strong enough engines as they have propeller on each hull. Remember we are talking about gusting winds up to tropical storm force. Main challenge with a twin rudder configuration as on BE FREE is no propeller wash on the rudders. Propeller sits in the middle and rudders out at the sides. Meaning a strong bow thruster could help slowing down the swing. Unfortunately most modern yachts are delivered with way to weak thrusters. Even a normal single rudder Modern Design yacht will struggle keeping bow against wind slowly going backwards feeding out chain. You are normally better off going backwards as slow as possible keeping momentum and steering. But theory and reality in combination with space between shallow spots or other boats normally is the greatest challenge. Should probably explained this better in this video. Thank you so much for watching and your questions! Alle the best 🍻
Regarding 'oversized anchors', I read an interesting theory. A yacht may not have sufficient force to dig in an anchor that is bigger than what is specified by the manufacturer for the yacht - a bigger anchor requires more force to properly set it than the boat can provide. What are your thoughts/experience of this theory?
Thank you so much for watching and your question as well. I’m definitely no expert on this topic with only 5 years at anchor. However from my limited live aboard experience I would say the capacity of your windlass is the first point. On my boat 35 kg anchor is considered as more than sufficient, however I have no problems handling a 56 kg anchor. Some anchor dig better than others like Rocna and Mantus.
From what I have experienced it’s all about having enough chain out before any tension giving the anchor better angle to digg deep. Then feed out more and tension up again and finally tension up to 2000RPM is my formula working for me. So my conclusion is your windlass would be your main concern before having any issues with the anchor being to big to set properly. But then again there is many others out there with more expertise and experience with anchor than me. I have sailed my entire life but only 5 years as full time at anchor. All the best and cheers 🍻
Hello Thomas, I learned of your channel for Captain Rick. A quick question, is a boat of your type capable of safely sailing across the Atlantic Ocean?
Welcome to my channel and thank you so much for watching and your question as well. Yes BE FREE is not only capable of a safe and comfortable Atlantic crossing but even a full circle navigation. Strong and very well built boat. I have sailed her through hurricane force winds and waves that would scare the most experienced sailors. I have sailed since age 7 and most likely I will give up before my boat. All the best and cheers 🍻
@@SailingwithThomas Thank you for answering my question. You are an interesting and entertaining person, I enjoy watching your adventures when you are alone and with your friends! Thank you for allowing people like me to partake as you voyage through life.
How do you raise your anchor solo? I'm told we're NOT to use the windlass to move the boat to the anchor, but it's hard to see where the chain is heading to steer the boat towards the anchor while bringing it up from the helm. So what is the trick?
Hi there and thank you so much for watching and your question. Maybe I should make a detailed video about this in the future. Normally there is no problem for me to see the chains behaviour and by this depending on the wind I let the windlass do the job step by step taking in the slack. Sometimes I give a bit push with the engine and even bow thruster if needed. I have an upgraded windlass capable for bigger anchor as well, so it’s also less risk of stressing the windlass engine.
All the best and cheers 🍻
Thomas, get visa. What type and weight anchor do you have?
Thank you for watching.
I have a 58 kilo Mantus
Hello Thomas, do you always keep the bimini/roof in strong winds? On my same age Bavaria, the brackets fixing the tubes on the railing exploded, new (weak) brackets cost each 300€. Do you have a solution? Also my Bavaria 41 is swinging a lot at anchor, putting strong side forces on my anchor davit. So my front davit fixing gets a bit loose. Do you reinforce your davit? How do you reduce swinging side to side? Many thanks for sharing your experience.
Hi there, and thank you for being here.
I normally take down my Bimini if I know the winds potentially exceed 50 knots.
I have not had any issues with fittings as mine are upgraded and thicker. Even my cockpit arch was designed to withstand hurricane force winds with solar panels attached. It’s made of 2mm thick 48mm tubes with curves for extra rigid strength. When I designed and had this made almost 7 years ago I knew I was at some point going to be exposed to extreme weather.
Swinging at anchor are a challenge for most modern yachts due to hull design. A long keel heavy displacement yacht swings different, just as a catamaran also swing different to us again.
I use a storm bridle and have this attached to my anchor chain by default whenever I anchor. You can reduce the swinging a bit by extending the length of your storm bridle. The downside is more cleaning on the rope and bridle as it do get growth sitting a lot under water when light winds. So I try to adjust this accordingly. The stronger wind the more I feed out. I don’t have a anchor sail as it’s not so practical on this yachts configuration. But it’s something I have been thinking about now and then.
Hopefully this answers some of your questions.
All the best
@@SailingwithThomas Many thanks Thomas. So I suppose you have custom made bimini rail fittings. One issue with storm bridle is it usually fastened to the cleats, so further aft (although I sometimes run the ropes through the davit) what may make things worse. But yes, logical, having long ropes will immediately put tension on the boat's nose instead of extending/inclining the otherwise vertical part of the chain... confirmed by the fact that the boat swings anchoring deep in gusty conditions. All the best!
Have you considered a Hydrovane instead of relying on autopilot all of the time?
Thank you so much for watching and your question. Wind vane is not really ideal for this boat due to several factors. Boat speed and wide body with twin rudders is some, and also the dinghy garage. When I really need autopilot is flat downwind sailing in conditions balance and trim is difficult. In this situations a windvane is not very reliable. Sailing on a wind vane change your course with the wind, not always what you want. I know lots of sailors believe this is the only solution, but to me it’s a bit outdated and not for boats above 16 meters with boat speed often reaching 14 kts.
My autopilot setup is very reliable and also fully redundancy. Double stand alone hydraulic systems, and double up with computers and displays. Meaning I can even cross use computers and hydraulic independently. Also as a solo sailor having computers handle boat position when getting sails up is handy, not to mention in no wind situations going by engine following a course while interval sleeping. All the best and cheers 🍻
Radar is your friend at night , Do you have a water catcher ?
I’m kind of a Radar addicted sailor for sure. No I dont have a rain catcher but have rigged some temporary solutions to try it out now and then. As solo sailor my water supply onboard last almost to long, so water is not really a challenge onboard BE FREE. I can last for 2-3 months on my onboard drinking water, and in only short time my watermaker tops it up again.
All the best and cheers 🍻
Hi Thomas ,forgive my naivety, but why don't people have a stern anchor, so the boat can not swing 360 degrees
Hi Kevin your question is very good and not naive at all. In some situations a stern anchor is very helpful and especially if it’s current or waves making you wanna avoid rolling the entire night and day. Some places it’s even mandatory to use this due to compact anchorage and no room to swing. However in strong winds like squalls that change directions you want your boat to point against the wind. The power you get sideways if having a stern anchor not aloud you to swing freely would in most cases make things worse. Lots of interesting techniques and various ways like most normal in Nordic countries is windlass and anchor at the stern. Bow to the island with anchor from stern holding you out not hitting the rocks. So there is many different ways in different locations with different challenges. All the best and cheers 🍻
@@SailingwithThomas thanks for that long reply Thomas, l am in Sweden and see alot of boats with stern windlass. Makes sense, if anchoring off a little rocky island. Just did not know ,in your anchoring situations. Now l know. Cheers🍻
Thank you so much and happy to answer any questions as good as I can. Cheers 🍻
gr8 vid man. what anchor ate you using? weight? TIA
Thank you so much for watching and your kind words. I’m using a 40 kg Rocna and a 33 kg Rocna. The 33 kg for normal use and change to 40 kg for really bad weather if predictions says it will be a storm. In case of serious bad weather I have the 33 kg attached to a 6 meter chain after the 40Kg. In this case I only used the 33 kg but with lots of chain. No issues except from others dragging around me. But thinking of upgrading to a 56 kg Mantus because being alone in crowded places is a challenge with two anchors if it needs to be pulled fast. All the best and cheers 🍻
What kind of anchor do you have?
Hi there and thank you so much for watching and your question. I have Rocna but will soon change to a 56 kg Mantus. All the best and cheers 🍻
@@SailingwithThomas I have a 35 pound Bruce/Claw on mine. Will be switching to a 45 pound Mantus myself soon.
Capt.Rick and Maddy say hello
Thank you so much for heading over here🙏🏻 Hope you will enjoy my channel and content as well. I’m really thankful for Rick and Maddy wanting to help me grow my channel. All the best and cheers 🍻
❤
Thank you so much 🙏🏻 Cheers 🍻
“drag queen” lol
Could not resist😀 Cheers 🍻
Rick is someone you’d want for assistance.
He definitely knows his anchor game! Also perfect having a pilot into anchorage with local knowledge in a place where charts are not that accurate. Thank you so much for watching and for being here🍻
Be careful not to get hooked up with the drag queen in that port.
Ha ha🤣 Yeah better hide my Unicorn it might send wrong signals 🍻
Sup, rick and Maddie say hi
Thank you so much for watching and for being here! Much appreciated and also very thankful for Rick trying to help me Cheers 🍻
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